Paving the Way to Repeal Obamacare
Since its enactment, Obamacare has wreaked havoc on our health care system. Patients across the country face skyrocketing premiums and deductibles and are left with less choices.

Obamacare must go.

That is why, this week, I voted in support of the fiscal year 2017 Budget Resolution to provide the tools necessary to repeal Obamacare. This legislation paves the way for repeal and is the first step in an important process to finally get rid of the Obamacare train wreck. 

The resolution provides instructions to authorizing committees, including the Committee on Energy and Commerce of which I am a member, to allow repeal legislation to move through a fast-track process. 

With this legislation, I will work with my colleagues on Energy and Commerce on a stable transition to a health care system that is patient-centered and affordable. 

From our Nation's Capitol XCVI
Monday, January 9, 2017:  A busy weekend included a meeting with about 20 port users and terminal owners regarding the Savannah Harbor maintenance dredging and a trip to Tybee Island to participate in the 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Human Rights Celebration.  Despite being held on one of the coldest days of the year, the parade still turned out to be a wonderful event with my good friend, former State Senator Regina Thomas, being honored as the Grand Marshall.  Also participating was the Savannah State University Marching Tiger Band, a group that can always warm things up no matter how cold it might be outside.

Congressman Carter at the Tybee Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Human Rights Celebration
 On Sunday, I was honored to attend the change of command ceremony at the 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah as Lt. Col. Francisco Orellana, who was also honored on his retirement, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Joseph Zingaro.  The 165th Airlift Wing is an integral part of the Georgia Air National Guard and our armed forces.  Before heading to Washington this morning, I head out to the Coast Guard Station Tybee on Cockspur Island to inspect the damage that the facility sustained during Hurricane Matthew.  Once back at the Capitol, we have our weekly staff meeting before I head to the House Chamber to speak on several bills from the Energy and Commerce Committee that are being presented. Immediately afterwards, I stay in the Chamber for an introductory meeting of the four new Energy and Commerce members with Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR).  Our first and only vote series of the day is next as we pass both the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act and Protection Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017:
 I am honored to be a member of the Doctors Caucus in the House and this morning we have our first meeting of the new Congress to discuss our priorities for the upcoming session.  With health care reform being one of the top issues that the new Congress will be dealing with, the Doctors Caucus will play a major role in formulating policy.  Next, we have a Republican Conference meeting where the main discussion was plans for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare.  Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute tribute to recently retired Chatham County Commissioner Dr. Priscilla Thomas.  A link to my tribute can be found here.  After our first vote series of the day and once I’m back in my office, I meet with the Georgia Municipal Association followed by a meeting with Managed Health Care Associates.

Congressman Carter meeting with Managed Health Care Associates
 Later, I head back to the House Chamber to speak on an Energy and Commerce bill that is being debated followed by a meeting of the Republican Conference to discuss the Obamacare repeal.  After our second and final vote series of the day, I attend the Japan-US Economic Relationship Forum at the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017:  My first meeting this morning is with Legal Counsel for the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss our upcoming agenda.  Next, I meet with representatives from Walgreens to discuss pharmacy issues and hear their priorities for the new session.  Following a meeting with my friend Becky Ryles and other representatives from the Community Health Centers, I meet with Griff Lynch and Jamie McCurry from the Georgia Ports Authority about funding for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.  During this vote series we pass H.R. 39, the Talent Act of 2017, a bill that codifies the Presidential Innovation Fellows Program which encourages successful entrepreneurs, executives and innovators to join the government and work in close cooperation with government leaders to find solutions that can save lives and taxpayer money and fuel job creation.  Afterwards, I head back to my office where I meet with representatives from the German Marshall Fund, a group that works to help shape policy on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world.

Congressman Carter meeting with the German Marshall Fund
 Before our second and final vote series later in the afternoon, we host an open house in our office to celebrate our appointment to the Energy and Commerce Committee.  For a solid two hours, the office is overflowing with different groups who have an interest in the committee and come to congratulate us on our new role.

Thursday, January 12, 2017:  After stopping by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Small Airplane Revitalization Act Final Rule Celebration to congratulate them on their success, I head back to the office where I meet with Tom Leary and Samantha Burch with the Health Care Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) to discuss issues impacting the health IT community.  It never ceases to amaze me how small the world is as Samantha shares with me that her parents are my constituents and live in Camden County.  After a quick phone call with the Air Force liaison to discuss potential new missions at Moody Air Force Base, I have a phone interview with Inside Health Policy to discuss policy initiatives for the Health Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce.  Later in the afternoon, we have our first and only vote series of the day after which I deliver a one minute speech honoring WSAV general manager Deb Thompson on her recent retirement.  A link to my speech can be found here.  My day ends with a meeting with the Chairman and other members of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce.  Each member of Energy and Commerce is assigned to three subcommittees and my three are Oversight and Investigations, Health, and Environment.  

Friday, January 13, 2017:  After a very quick Republican Conference meeting to ratify the Steering Committee’s appointees to the B committees, I head to the Capitol Visitors Center for a security briefing with Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper, FBI director James Comey, and others for a briefing and question and answer session for Members of Congress on the Russian interference into our Presidential election.  Our first vote series of the day is next after which I return to my office until later in the afternoon when we have our second and final vote series of the day and pass S. 84, a bill that will provide an exception to a limitation against the appointment of the Secretary of Defense with seven years of serving in the Armed Forces, allowing Gen. James Mattis to be appointed Secretary of Defense. We also pass the FY 17 budget resolution that has been sent over from the Senate and will provide us the tool by which we will start the process of repealing Obamacare, signifying that the draining of the swamp has officially begun.

 
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