THIS WEEKEND IN AMERICA
Communities across the country are rightfully shaken and the grief felt by many is real. Our own community knows this feeling too well following the death of Mr. Ahmaud Arbery. But, in the wake of Mr. Arbery's death, our community came together to protest peacefully. Your voice must be heard, but the burning and destruction we've seen across the country this weekend is absolutely devastating and not the way to do it. I am proud of the example our community in Brunswick set for the entire nation, and I pray we will continue to be a strong but peaceful voice.

A PROXY VOTING SCHEME
I joined a lawsuit in D.C. Federal District Court this week challenging the constitutionality of the House Democrat's plan to vote by proxy in the United States House of Representatives. With the way the Democrats have structured the proxy voting, as few as 22 members could control the passage of a bill in the House. That is very dangerous as it silences the millions of Americans whose Representatives decide to stay home and allow a select few members to hold all of the power. 

Members of Congress are trusted with the great responsibility of being the voice of a district in Washington. It is impossible to be that voice if you're not there or if you authorize someone else to speak for you. Proxy voting not only ignores the job we were elected to do, it is also a violation of the Constitution. For more than 200 years, through everything from the Civil War to the Spanish flu, voting by proxy was never allowed.

I will be in Washington representing the people of the First District, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. As we work to safely reopen the nation, we must be the leaders we are asking Americans to be.

This week on buddy's briefing
This week on Buddy's Briefing, we discuss the suit against Nancy Pelosi's proxy voting, a busy week in Washington and the First District, and more.


from our nation's capitol CCLXVIII
Monday, May 25, 2020:  Today is Memorial Day, one of the most important days for reflection and appreciation that we observe.  Today we recognize and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our fellow man.  Yesterday, I had the honor of joining a group of Vietnam veterans and their families as we had a Memorial Day Salute to honor and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. The solemn event was held at the beautiful and inspirational Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Emmet Park in downtown Savannah, a memorial that commemorates the 106 members of the armed forces from Chatham County killed or presumed killed during the Vietnam War, and the 25,000 other veterans of that conflict from coastal Georgia. 

Rep. Carter at the Bonaventure Memorial Day Ceremony
Included in the touching ceremony was the reading of the names of those from Chatham County who made the ultimate sacrifice in this war.  This morning I am honored to participate in a ceremony at Bonaventure Cemetery sponsored by the American Legion Post 184 that includes a fly over by the 78th Aviation Troop Command of the Georgia Army National Guard.  The ceremony is well attended by veterans, their families and friends and is in honor of those who lost their lives while protecting our nation.  Afterwards, I rush over to Bloomingdale to their beautiful Veterans Freedom Park where they are observing Memorial Day by honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 

Rep. Carter at the Bloomingdale Memorial Day Ceremony
The emcee for the event is veteran Doug Andrews, who always does a great job at these events.  I am honored to address the crowd and participate in this moving ceremony in a community that has always shown great love and respect for our country.   

Tuesday, May 26, 2020:   My morning starts with our daily all-staff conference call followed by a conference call with the acting director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in Charleston, Ronnie Smith, and the public affairs director, Tonya Lobbestael.  The Charleston VA oversees the Savannah and Hinesville community outpatient clinics in the First District as well as the Charleston VA hospital, which is one of the finest VA hospitals in the nation.  During the call, Mr. Smith and Ms. Lobbestael provide me with an overview of their COVID-19 response and their phased reopening of the clinics in Savannah and Hinesville.  Next, I have a call with representatives from the Community Oncology Association to learn of their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic before having a phone interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution to discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the role it has played during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Afterwards, I join a Whip Team conference call where we hear from Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott, before heading to the airport for my flight to Washington.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020:  After getting in to Washington late last night, I wake up in my office this morning and my first meeting is our daily all-staff conference call followed by a GOP Conference call where we discuss the plans for the next two days and the legislation we could potentially be voting on.  Afterwards, I have a Webex town hall meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, Mr. John Henderson to discuss the Savannah Air Guard Station being chosen as a finalist for the C-130J missions.  Joining me on the call are Sens. David Perdue (R-GA) and Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), as well as members of the Coastal Georgia Military Affairs Coalition, a group of community leaders from Chatham, Bryan and Liberty counties whose mission is to support Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.  Next, I head down to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Arnold and Lorlee Tenenbaum, who both recently passed.  A link to my tribute can be found here

Rep. Carter honors Arnold and Lorlee Tenenbaum
Once back in my office, I have a virtual conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) meeting before joining an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee bipartisan virtual member meeting where we prepare for our first virtual subcommittee meeting to be held next week.  Later, at about 4:30 p.m. we have our first of a planned three vote series for the day.  We vote in groups so as not to have too many members in the House Chamber at one time and therefore one vote series lasts almost two hours.  After returning to my office, I head back down to the House Chamber at about 6:30 p.m. for our second vote series.  We are anticipating a third vote series after 9:00 p.m. tonight and, as I wait patiently in my office, I find out that the majority leadership has pulled the third bill and we will not have any other votes tonight.  

Thursday, May 28, 2020:  After our daily all-staff conference call this morning, I have a conference call with Dr. Tammy Beckham, Director of the Office of Infectious Disease, to discuss COVID-19 testing expansion and the role pharmacy can play.  Our office has been the focal point for discussions between the pharmacy groups and the Coronavirus Task Force on expanding the role of pharmacies in the testing and vaccination process. 

Rep. Carter speaks with WJXT News
Afterwards, I have a Zoom interview with Kent Justice with WJXT News in Jacksonville to discuss the Ahmaud Arbery case in Brunswick.  Afterwards, I head down to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.  I’m back and forth from my office to the House Chamber all afternoon for a total of three votes, the last of which is to amend the Small Business Act and the CARES Act as it relates to the forgiveness of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Later, I head to the airport for my return trip home. 

Friday, May 29, 2020:   I’m back in my Savannah office this morning and we have our daily all-staff conference call.  Afterwards, I have a conference call with representatives from DaVita Dialysis, a national leader in the kidney care community, as they provide me with an update on their COVID-19 response, planning and needs.  Next, I head down to Kingsland in Camden County and, during the drive, have a bicameral conference call with No Labels where we hear different views from speakers on the need, or lack of, liability protection for companies and individuals during the economic roll out.  Once in Kingsland, I volunteer along with members of the Ravens of Elijah Food Ministries in distributing food for families in the area. 

Rep. Carter volunteering with Ravens of Elijah Food Ministries
This all volunteer, non-profit ministry provides supplemental food for families in need in Southeast Georgia.  Even though the temperature outside was high, it didn’t wither the spirits of this great and enthusiastic group.  Afterwards, I head to Kings Bay Naval Base where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading up to Brunswick for a meeting with my good friend, Glynn County Clerk of Superior Court Ron Adams. 

 
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