Press Releases
Carter Supports Critical Budget Agreement for our Military, the First District, and Conservative Priorities
Washington,
February 9, 2018
This morning, Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-Ga.) voted in support of a two-year budget agreement which is critical for our military and national security, as well as the First District and conservative priorities.
The budget agreement fully funds our military and ends the dangerous cycle of funding our national defense with short-term, stop-gap spending bills. It responsibly increases defense spending while unwinding the sequestration cuts which have crippled our armed forces. “As the proud representative of every branch of the military, I voted for this legislation because our troops, veterans, and military families deserve better,” said Carter. “For too long the brave men and women who serve our country have had to do more with less. Over the last 8 years, troop numbers and resources were slashed. Last year, we lost nearly four times as many service members due to accident and training incidents than we lost in combat. This is horrifying and completely unacceptable. This agreement finally makes our military and national security a priority again. Members of our military put their lives on the line for our country, we must provide the support to ensure they are the most well prepared and well equipped force on the planet. This legislation works to make that happen.” Beyond rebuilding our military, the agreement directs funding to additional critical priorities in the First District. This includes funding to invest in American infrastructure, reduce the backlog at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), combat the opioid crisis, and promote disease research. The agreement also includes an extension of the Nuclear Production Tax Credit. Carter fought for this inclusion to drive down costs for Georgia ratepayers as construction continues on Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle. “This budget agreement will directly benefit the First District of Georgia,” said Carter. “It invests in American infrastructure and will be vital in the fight to secure resources for our ports and the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. It works to reduce the intolerable backlog at the VA which impacts so many of our veterans living here in the First District. It also includes an important provision which will drive down power costs for Georgians and increase access to electricity as construction continues at Plant Vogtle. I am proud to support this legislation today because it is critical for the future of our area.” The budget agreement also pushes forward conservative priorities including pro-life measures and the continued repeal of Obamacare. “Make no mistake,” said Carter. “I wish this legislation would have gone much further to end Washington’s out of control spending addiction. However, it includes several conservative victories that I must support including continuing the fight to end Obamacare and protecting the sanctity of life. I am absolutely committed to reining in our national debt and cutting up the credit cards in DC, and I will continue that mission.” The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 passed both the House and Senate with Carter’s support. The legislation extends discretionary spending to March 23, 2018 at current levels while amending the Budget Control Act to raise spending limits on defense and non-defense spending over fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019. The legislation also establishes two new joint select committees on pensions and budget process reform. Additionally, the legislation:
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