Funding for our Ports

This week, the House approved critical funding for our ports and the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project.

The Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 5895 - Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act includes funding for construction on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) as well as expands an additional funding account by more than 50% from last year that can be directed to SHEP in the future.

This funding is critical to ensure construction continues on the project. Now, we will continue working with President Trump, OMB Director Mulvaney, and the Corps of Engineers to secure the additional federal funding needed. With this legislation, we are in a better position than we were at this point last year and we were able to secure the much-needed funding to keep the project on track. I will continue fighting for additional federal support and working to ensure President Trump, the administration and the Corps again realize the importance of this project.

The legislation also provides important funding for maintenance and operations at the Ports of Brunswick and Savannah. The Ports of Brunswick and Savannah are critical economic drivers for our area, state and nation and they need adequate federal support.

"Gag Clause" bill clears next hurdle

This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved my legislation to prohibit "gag clause" provisions.

Currently, pharmacists are often contractually prohibited from telling patients when there is a cheaper out-of-pocket alternative to medications covered under insurance. This is commonly known as a "gag clause." As a result, patients may be paying more for their prescriptions than is warranted.

I am thrilled my legislation was approved by the committee this week because it ensures pharmacists are able to tell patients what is in their best interest. Patients need and deserve the best and most affordable options.

Next stop: the House floor.

From our Nation's Capitol CLXXIX

Monday, September 10, 2018: I’m on an airplane bright and early this morning as I’m off to Houston, Texas, to take part in the Ripon Society’s energy conference. The Ripon Society is a public policy think tank whose goals are to promote national security, low taxes and a federal government that is smaller, smarter and more accountable to the people. Our first stop this morning is at the corporate headquarters of BP America, the nation’s largest energy investor over the past decade. Our main focus here is cybersecurity as company representatives describe the extensive work that they do in this area. Next, we head to SABIC, a world leader in diversified chemicals that makes different kinds of products such as high performance plastics, agriculture nutrients and metals. After meeting with company representatives to learn more about their work, we tour their research and development labs where highly trained personnel describe the intricate chemical processes they employ to make their products. The experience brings back memories of my days in organic chemistry lab while a pharmacy student at the University of Georgia. Next, we head to the PepsiCo-Frito-Lay plant in Rosenberg, TX, where they produce more than 84 million pounds of snack food that is delivered to South Texas and Western Louisiana. It is amazing to see how they make and bag Doritos, Cheetos, and the many other products handled here.

Rep. Carter touring PepsiCo-Frito-Lay

After a tour of the plant where we learn of the many energy saving processes they incorporate, we visit with the transportation division and learn about the LNG-fueled trucks that they use to deliver their products. Next, we head to Dow Chemical Company in Lake Jackson, TX, where we tour their petrochemical manufacturing facility that is also a research and development center. After the tour we visit a display of the many products they make including plastics, chemicals and agricultural products.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018: Our first stop this morning is at the Chevron headquarters as we tour the Chevron Pipeline Safety Control Center. After a presentation describing the various aspects of their business, we tour the control center to learn how they monitor their many pipeline assets that transport crude oil, LPG, natural gas and chemicals within the United States. Next, we visit Shell Energy and tour the Shell Global Trading Floor that operates in a variety of energy products and manages one of the world’s largest fleets of LNG carriers as well as providing maritime expertise. Like most large energy companies, Shell employs a number of meteorologists and we have the opportunity to meet with one as he describes how the weather can impact their business and how they try to plan for it. Afterwards, we head to NET Power, an Exelon-affiliated emissions-free gas power plant that captures all its emissions utilizing carbon capture storage. Because it is a test site used for research and development, it is a very small plant that someday could lead to a transformation in the way carbon dioxide is used to create energy. Afterwards, we head to Marathon Petroleum in Galveston Bay to visit one of the largest refineries in the United States where they have 1,055 megawatts of electrical production capacity and produce 4.3 million pounds of steam per hour. After visiting their control room, we tour the massive plant to gain an appreciation of the work done here. Our final visit of the trip is to Nailor Industries, an Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute member that provides innovative commercial and industrial HVAC products.

Rep. Carter touring Nailor Industries

This state of the art company has a research and development building where they build rooms to simulate certain projects and test their ideas before installation. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my trip back to Washington, DC.

Wednesday, September 12, 2018: After an early morning meeting with the Community Oncology Alliance, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on September being National Recovery Month and then on the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic that killed an estimated 50 to 100 million people worldwide. A link to my speeches can be found here and here. Next, I head to my office where we have our weekly staff briefing before I begin a series of office meetings beginning with the New Mountain Capital and Chair of CIOX Health as we discuss electronic health record issues. Afterwards, I accept an award from the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons recognizing my work in health care and musculoskeletal health.

Rep. Carter receiving an Award from American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Next, I meet with Growth Energy Biofuels, the country’s top ethanol advocate, to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the growing availability of E15. After a meeting with representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, I meet with members of the VFW National Legislative Committee and then with the CEO of Liberty HealthShare. My last meeting is with the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and afterwards, I head to our weekly messaging advisory group meeting before heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting and then to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.

Thursday, September 13, 2018: I’m at the White House early this morning as I help my friends from Gulfstream, Tom Madson and Mena Wendling, gain access to a tour. Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly GOP conference before heading to a full committee markup in the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee that includes one of my bills, the Know the Cost Act that prohibits “gag clause” provisions. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and then head to an E&C Environment Subcommittee hearing on “Air Quality Impacts of Wildfires.” A link to my questions can be found here. Next, I meet with representatives from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) before heading to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on “Examining Barriers to Value-Based Care in Medicare.”

Rep. Carter meeting with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association

A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day before heading to the airport for my return trip home.

Votes in the House this week

Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.