Nikema Williams

Member of Congress

The 2025 Congressional App Challenge is Here!

Calling all #FightingFifth middle and high school students who love coding! The Congressional App Challenge offers an exciting opportunity to create and submit your app for a chance to win. Students can participate individually or in teams of up to four. Winning apps will be featured on the CongressionalAppChallenge.us website and displayed in the U.S. Capitol. The deadline for submissions is October 30th, 2025.

For more details on registration, please visit: https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/congressional-app-challenge

NOW OPEN: U.S. Service Academy Nomination Applications

The application for nominations to the U.S. Service Academies is now open! This program is for Fighting Fifth students 17 and up who want to become officers. Members of Congress can nominate candidates for four of the five U.S. Service Academies: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Airforce Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy.

These academies offer a top-rated education with government-funded tuition, housing, and board, along with a guaranteed career upon completion. To learn more about the Service Academy, please visit my website: https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/service-academy-nominations

Summer Travel is here: Get your Passport Applications

With summer travel approaching, it’s important that you check passport status as soon as possible. If your passport needs renewal, it is recommended to start the process now. The current routine passport application processing time is 4-6 weeks, and that excludes mailing times.

Earlier this month, I joined Atlanta Public Schools for Passport Day. We assisted #FightingFifth school administrators, educators, students, and their families in preparing for their summer travels. I know how important it is to see the world, so I was thrilled to play a part in helping others embark on their next adventure.

For more information on passport services please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html

Real ID

This month on the 7th, REAL ID went into effect and is now required to access federal buildings and fly. If you are a U.S. citizen and already have a REAL ID-compliant Georgia driver's license or ID, you do not need to resubmit your documents.

If you need a REAL ID, you will need to bring documents. A list of acceptable documents can be found below. Please visit the Georgia Department of Driver Services for more information on how to obtain a REAL ID or verify the validity of your current one.

Want to see if you’re REAL ID ready: https://georgia.gov/get-real-id-compliant

Fighting for Medicare and SNAP

Medicare and SNAP provide essential support for families throughout the Fighting Fifth. I am committed to fighting against attempts by Trump and Republicans to strip away these vital services that you rely on. Currently, 13.9% of households in the Fighting Fifth depend on SNAP, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, 176,500 people in our district are Medicaid recipients. These are people who are at risk of losing access to food and healthcare benefits due to Republicans' prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires.

During the Rules Committee, I proposed 16 amendments aimed at supporting families across our district. No one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from or whether they will have access to healthcare.

Find the amendments here

Calling for Increased Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

The urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza is undeniable. Too many people, especially children, are suffering from a lack of food, water, and medical care. #HumanitarianAid must reach those who need it most.

I joined Congresswoman Emilia Sykes and our CBC colleagues in leading a letter urging Israel to provide details regarding its aid delivery plans.

FULL LETTER HERE

Lowering Healthcare Costs for Seniors: the Medicare Economic Solutions Act

Many seniors in the Fighting Fifth and across the nation are working longer and delaying their Medicare benefits, leading to missed deadlines and penalties. While they continue to work, their healthcare costs should not be increased. Due to confusing Medicare enrollment rules, 700,000 recipients face late enrollment fee penalties each year.

To address this issue, I joined Representative Young Kim in reintroducing the Medicare Economic Solutions Act. This bill will cap the Part B late enrollment penalty and limit its duration. It will also eliminate confusing penalties for individuals receiving COBRA and VA insurance who delay Medicare enrollment. Our seniors deserve access to necessary healthcare without unnecessary financial burdens.

READ THE ONE PAGER HERE

Lowering Healthcare Costs for Seniors: the Medicare Economic Solutions Act

This month marked five years since the world watched a murder unfold before their eyes. I have co-sponsored the Ending Qualified Immunity Act. This legislation aims to foster a more just and equitable legal framework in the United States and enhance police accountability.

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Reparations Now Resolution

The Reparations Now Resolution calls on the federal government to provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved Black families. In order to fix the racial wealth gap, systemic racism, and truly achieve the promise of America, it is crucial that we are able to move forward to pass this. For generations, Black people in America have been exploited for profit, a situation only made worse by the current attacks from Trump and Republicans.

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Meet the 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winners

Here in the Fighting Fifth, we recently celebrated the talented students of the Fighting Fifth at the Congressional Art Competition. It is always inspiring to see the creativity of our students and I can’t wait to see the artwork displayed. Congratulations to the winners:

First Place: Summer Clark, Coretta King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Her artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
Second Place: Lola Brown, Ben Franklin Academy. Her piece will be exhibited in my District office.
Third Place: Jayvon Jackson, Tri-Cities High School. His artwork will also be displayed in my District office.

Celebrating with the Tri-Cities High School Bulldogs

Y’all know how much I love sports and basketball. The Fighting Fifth Tri-Cities Bulldogs are the new GHSA-5A champions! They balled out all season and it showed. They will continue leading the community and uplifting others to do the same. Even Harry the Hawk joined in on the celebration.

Protecting Early Education: Head Start

Head Start plays a vital role in our community, supporting 20,000 families by offering affordable childcare and quality early education that is essential for children's future success. I know how important education is in preparing our children for the future. Due to proposed funding cuts by Trump and Republicans, this jeopardizes the crucial support and opportunities that Head Start provides for every child to have a fair chance to succeed.

I recently met with Head Start leaders and discussed the effects these funding reductions would have on our families and educators. I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure that every child has a chance to get ahead.

Keeping the Faith: Keynote for the St. James Lodge Prayer Breakfast

I delivered the keynote for the St. James Lodge Prayer Breakfast. My husband, Leslie is a proud member of Lodge 4, so this breakfast was extra special. With so much chaos and injustice in the world right now, we have to keep the faith. Faith is what has carried us through the storm in the past and will continue to carry us. This is our Civil Rights movement and we will continue to take action.

Do you need assistance with a federal agency? Call my office at (404) 659-0116