$15 Billion

This week I voted in support of legislation based on President Donald Trump's spending cut package. The legislation, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, cuts $14.835 billion of wasteful, unused federal spending.

The legislation rescinds funding that is no longer needed for its intended purposes, that has been sitting unused in the federal government, or is designated to expired programs and returns it to the U.S. Treasury. The rescinded funding is not from the current fiscal year.

For example, the legislation rescinds money from the Department of Energy's loan program for Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing which has not made a loan since 2011.

I have always said that the national debt is the single biggest threat to our national security. To rein in our national debt, we must reduce spending and cut up the credit cards.

Eliminating wasteful, unnecessary funding and cutting spending to expired programs should be a no-brainer. I thank President Trump for submitting this spending cuts package to Congress and I am proud to support it.

We must continue down this path of common sense solutions to get our fiscal house in order.

Better Care for our Veterans

This week I joined President Trump at the White House as he signed the VA MISSION Act into law. This legislation will strengthen health care services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and provide our nation's veterans with more choice and quality care in the VA system or providers in their own communities.

I am thrilled this legislation is now across the finish line because it works to ensure our veterans get the quality care that is best for them. Our heroes deserve the best treatment possible when returning home and this is an important step to fix the VA and improve care for our veterans.

Rep. Carter with Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs at the VA Mission Act signing ceremony at the White House

Specifically, the VA MISSION Act:

Streamlines the VA’s duplicative community care programs into one cohesive program to provide veterans with access to health care and services in their own communities;
Creates a non-partisan process for reviewing VA’s assets to ensure veterans can access the care they have earned;
Expands the VA’s Post-9/11 Caregiver Program to all eras; and
Temporarily extends the Veterans Choice Program.

For additional details from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, click here.

Keeping SHEP on Track

This week the House passed two critical measures for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP).

First, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the House with my support, provides the necessary cost update authorization for SHEP to ensure federal dollars continue to be directed to the project. If the cost of SHEP increases, Congress must authorize the increase. Without it, the project would be in jeopardy of losing federal funding.

I have been working to authorize this cost update for several years and I am glad it is another step closer to reality.

Second, the House approved critical funding for SHEP and the Ports of Brunswick and Savannah for fiscal year 2019. Specifically, the Energy and Water funding bill directs $49,000,000 to the construction of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, $10,500,000 to Savannah Harbor disposal areas, and a combined $39,570,000 to operations and maintenance at the Ports of Brunswick and Savannah.

The Ports of Brunswick and Savannah are critical economic drivers for the First District, as well as the entire state and nation. I will continue fighting to ensure the federal government honors its commitment to our ports and SHEP.

From our Nation's Capitol CLXV

Tuesday, June 5, 2018: I’m back in Washington today and my first meeting is with representatives from the Georgia Health Care Association, a group that I have worked closely with for many years. This group represents skilled nursing homes, assisted living centers and home and community based case managers in the state of Georgia. As a long time consultant pharmacist in this area, I am familiar with the challenges these professionals face and also very appreciative of the important work that they do in our communities.

Rep. Carter meeting with the Georgia Health Care Association

Next, I record a video to be presented at the Coastal Electric Cooperative annual meeting that will be held in Midway this Thursday. Because we have votes here in Washington on Thursday, I will not be able to attend. Afterwards, I meet with the Georgia Propane Gas Association to discuss pending legislation before meeting with representatives from International Paper including the new mill manager for the Savannah Mill, Jay Wilson. I feel a special linkage to the Savannah Mill as my dad worked there for over 33 years and I worked there during the summers while I was in college. I always share the story of how my dad made sure I got the hardest and hottest job in the mill so that I would go back to school and study hard.

Rep. Carter meeting with International Paper

Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discuss this week’s upcoming vote schedule before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018: This morning I’m at the White House bright and early to assist the Carson family from Savannah gain access for a tour. Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly GOP conference where we discuss the funding bills that we will vote on later this week before heading to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee hearing on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). First signed into law in 2006 by President George W. Bush, PAHPA authorizes and details the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) preparedness and response activities to pandemics and other hazards. Next, I head to the White House where I have been invited to participate in the President’s signing ceremony of S. 2372, the VA Mission Act of 2018. This great piece of legislation consolidates and improves VA community care programs, allowing veterans to receive health care services provided by private hospitals and doctors. The bill also funds the Veterans Choice Program until the new Veterans Community Care Program is implemented. I was honored to support and vote in favor of this legislation as it will ensure our veterans get the quality care that is best for them. Once back at the Capitol, I meet with representatives from Roche Diagnostics in my office before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head back to my office where I meet with members of The Nature Conservancy before heading to a meeting of the E&C Environment Subcommittee where we are briefed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the need to set maximum containment levels (MCL) for certain chemicals in our drinking water. Next, I head back to my office where I meet with my good friends from Georgia Southern University (GSU) for an update on the many fine things happening at this great University before heading to meetings off of Capitol Hill.

Rep. Carter meeting with Georgia Southern University

Once back at my office, I meet with members of the Wetlands/Coastal Plain Coalition from the district to prepare for our meeting tomorrow with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. After a great visit off the Hill to the National Arboretum where I have the opportunity to visit with former Georgia Governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, I head back to the Capitol for a late night vote series in the House Chamber.

Thursday, June 7, 2018: I’m back at the White House this morning as I’m assisting our three interns, Carter Babaz from Atlanta, Madeline Rentz from Baxley and Jasmine Corn from Royston gain access to a tour. Once back at the Capitol, I head to a meeting sponsored by the Aspen Institute to discuss China’s thirst for energy and its global implications before heading to a two hour GOP member conference to discuss immigration. Afterwards, I head to a meeting of the Wetlands/Coastal Plain Coalition with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, R.D. James, to discuss permitting issues with the Corps of Engineers.

Rep. Carter meeting with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James and constituents on how to address regulatory hurdles impacting economic development around the Port of Savannah and other areas of the First District

Later, I head to my office for a meeting with the Georgia Orthopedics Society followed by a meeting with the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Once back in my office, I meet with the CEO of AdvaMed followed by a meeting with the American Association for Justice Minority Caucus and next with the Health Industry Distributors Association.

Rep. Carter with the American Association for Justice Minority Caucus

Afterwards, I head to the Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) in the House Visitors Center for an E&C members classified FBI briefing. Later in the evening, we have our second and final vote series of the day in the House Chamber.

Friday, June 8, 2018: After an early morning radio interview with my good friends Bill Edwards and Laura Anderson in Savannah to discuss my visit to the White House earlier this week for the signing of the VA Mission Act, I head to a “Meet the Cabinet” series where we have the opportunity to hear from the newly confirmed Director of the CIA, Gina Haspel. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day before heading back to my office to meet with Savannah resident Iris Lane before heading to the airport for my return flight home.

VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

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