Lifting the Ban
I supported legislation this week to bring an end to a forty year old ban on exports of U.S. crude oil.

This antiquated ban was enacted during a time of oil scarcity in the 1970's in an effort to preserve domestic oil reserves and discourage foreign imports. Today, this ban is driving up the price at the pump while discouraging American energy independence and security.

America has the largest energy resource base in the world but we aren’t able to take advantage of it because our energy policy is stuck in the seventies. To make things worse, the Obama Administration is opening up oil markets for Iran with the nuclear deal while continuing to ban American exports and preventing job creation here at home. U.S. oil producers should have the same access to the global markets that the president is handing to the Iranian regime.

Lifting this ban will bring down the price at the pump while creating new jobs and new opportunities here at home. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office projects lifting the ban could generate 1 million new jobs and reduce the cost of gas by 8 cents per gallon.  An independent analysis by IHS found that allowing US oil exports would support an average of 400,000 jobs per year, generate an additional $1.3 trillion in government revenue through 2030, and add $265 billion in additional disposable income to every American household. It also gives us additional leverage around the world while weakening the power of other energy exporters like Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia.

It is time to lift the ban on crude oil exports and I am pleased the House passed this important legislation this week. I spoke on the House floor earlier this week in support of the legislation. Click here to see more. 

From our Nation's Capitol XXXVIII

Monday, October 5, 2015:  Today begins with a trip to the Richmond Hill Montessori School where I am visiting classes and reading to students as part of Georgia Pre-K Week. 

I have participated in this program before when I served in the State Senate and it is one of the most enjoyable events in which I take part.  I thoroughly enjoy reading to the students and today I read the book Corduroy to the first class and Pete the Cat and the Five Pumpkins to the next two classes.  While I enjoy both books, I have to admit that I am a big Pete the Cat fan- after all “does Pete the Cat cry? Goodness, no!”  Before leaving, some of the students helped me to cut out a scarecrow hat and glue hay to it to hang over my picture on the wall- it was a hoot!  Next, we head to Marlow Elementary School in Guyton where my good friend Wallace Blackstock is the Principal and Terri Johnson from Pooler is the Pre-K Director.  Again, I read to three classes and this time I read Pete the Cat and the Five Pumpkins to all three classes.  The last class introduces me to a new song and dance called Tooty ta that I gladly participate in and thoroughly enjoy.  Later in the day, I head to Skidaway Island to attend the annual Beer, Brats and Politics event hosted by the Skidaway Island Republican Club.  I have been attending this event for many years and it keeps getting better.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015:  I’m back in Washington today and head straight to a meeting of the Georgia delegation with the Georgia Group, a coalition representing companies in Georgia.  From there I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discuss the events of last week and preview the upcoming week.  This will be a very busy week as we are set to vote for a new Speaker on Thursday and we are having many meetings of different groups to hear from the candidates.  At this point the announced candidates are currently Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Daniel Webster (R-FL).  To finish off the day, I head to the House Chamber where we vote on two pieces of legislation, H.R. 1553, the Small Bank Exam Cycle Reform Act and H.R. 1839, the Reforming Access for Investments in Startup Enterprises Act.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015:  I start the day with a visit to a welcoming reception for Chick-fil-A, one of Georgia’s great business success stories as they are announcing today that they are entering the Washington, D.C. market. 

Next, I head to a meeting of the Republican Freshman class as we hear from the three announced candidates for Speaker and have a question and answer session followed by a Republican Conference meeting where we discuss the upcoming events of the week as well as the leadership elections that will be held later this week.  Afterwards, I head to a meeting of the Committee on Education and the Workforce where we hear from leaders of the Head Start program and discuss the current state and future of the program.  A link to my questions can be found here.  Next, I head to a meeting with Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) who serves on the Appropriations Committee as one of the twelve subcommittee chairs.  Next, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute speech to celebrate October as American Pharmacist Month.  A link to my speech can be found here.  Afterwards, I head to a meeting of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) where we hear from the Speaker candidates before heading back to my office for our weekly staff briefing before meeting with representatives from Angels in Adoption.  This great program provides an opportunity to honor the good work of individuals and couples who work with foster children and orphans. 

Congressman Carter with Angels in Adoption Award Winner Marci Bourland
I am delighted to welcome Marci Bourland from Brunswick as our honoree this year. 
Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for votes before heading to a Republican member meeting to discuss potential changes to our conference rules.  Next, I return to my office to meet with representatives from IBM, Boeing, the American Federation of Teachers and Associated General Contractors to discuss the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.  After a meeting with representatives from Georgia Power, I head to a freshman meeting with Speaker John Boehner to discuss our agenda for the remainder of the month before heading to a meeting with the Army Caucus where I meet with the Secretary of the Army as well as the Chief of Staff of the Army.  I end the day with a tele town hall call where we spend an hour taking questions from constituents as well as updating them with news from the Capitol. 

Thursday, October 8, 2015:  I begin today on the Capitol steps as I have a picture taken with one of our many fine interns that we have in our office, Giselle Carrero, a fourth year Pharmacy student from South University in Savannah.  Afterwards, I head to a meeting of the Committee on Education and the Workforce where we discuss the Juvenile Justice system.  Next, I head back to my office where I have a delightful meeting with Larry Harden, a constituent from Waycross who is up visiting this week. Afterwards, I head to our special Republican Conference where we are set to elect our next Speaker.  What is expected to be a two hour meeting surprisingly turns out to last less than ten minutes as the presumptive Speaker, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), shocks everyone by announcing he is withdrawing his candidacy.  After doing a few interviews with stunned Georgia reporters, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute speech on lifting the oil export embargo which can be found here

Next, I head to a meeting of the Committee on Homeland Security and then return to my office to meet with representatives from Columbus State University.  A very chaotic and shocking day ends with our first and only vote series of the day Native American Energy Act.

Friday, October 9, 2015: My first meeting of the day is a member meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) before yet another Republican Conference meeting to discuss our path ahead.  There is much talk of who the next Speaker will be with most people focused on Paul Ryan (R-WI).  After a meeting of the Southern delegation to discuss the Speaker situation, I head to a meeting of the OGR Committee before heading back to my office for an interview with C-Span.  After a quick meeting with Gloria Gilley and Suzanne Davis from Savannah, I head to the floor for votes and then rush to the airport to try and catch an early flight out only to end up being 5 minutes late and missing the flight.  Thinking that things couldn’t get worse, I drive to another area airport an hour away where I board a flight for Savannah, only to sit on the runway for three hours before going back to the gate and deplaning as the flight is canceled.  I manage to re-book a late night flight to Jacksonville, where I rent a car and drive two hours to Pooler finally getting home at 3 AM Saturday morning. 

 
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