Heading to President Trump's Desk

This week, the United States Senate unanimously passed my legislation to protect American veterans from military service deposit errors. It is now on the way to President Trump to be signed into law.

My legislation, the Correcting Miscalculations in Veterans' Pensions Act, authorizes federal agencies that make a mistake in calculating military service deposits and pensions to pay the incorrectly accrued interest on behalf of veteran employees.

Currently, veterans working at a federal agency are required to pay a military service deposit in order to receive their military service pension while working for the federal agency. Due to a misclassification in the type of the employee’s status, the federal agency will therefore charge different interest rates on those military service deposits, often leading to miscalculations.

Once the federal agency becomes aware of the miscalculation, they will contact the veteran and notify them of the need to pay back the balance with accrued interest. In some cases, I heard from veterans that the interest can be tens of thousands of dollars that the veteran would be required to pay.

Without this legislation, there is no recourse for veterans to mediate that payment and there is no authority for the federal agency to wipe away the incorrectly accrued interest.

My legislation authorizes agencies that make a mistake in calculating military service deposits and pensions to pay the incorrectly accrued interest on behalf of the veterans.

Our veterans deserve better and I am thrilled this legislation is heading to President Trump to be signed into law.

From our Nation's Capitol CXC

Monday, December 10, 2018: After unexpectedly being out of session last week due to the death of our 41^st President, George H. W. Bush, I arrived back in Washington last night and this morning my first meeting is our weekly staff briefing. As I reported a few weeks ago, we are in the process of moving offices which is no easy task. Boxes are everywhere, pictures still need to be hung and, plain and simple, the place is a mess. However, we are happy with our new location as we are in a bigger office that is closer to the House Chamber as well as our committee meeting rooms, and, most importantly to me, closer to the member’s gym. We also welcome a new staff member to our team today as Jay Gulshen takes over the important role of our Legislative Health Care Assistant. Jay brings a wealth of experience as he previously served on the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee that I am a member of. After our staff meeting, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a series of tributes including one to Mr. Bill Brown of Brunswick who recently celebrated his 100^th birthday. I also recognized one of my former pharmacy professors who recently passed, Dr. Henry Cobb, Officer John White, one of the first African American police officers in the City of Savannah and crew members of the Brunswick bar pilots who recently helped rescue a drowning man near the St. Simons Pier. A link to these tributes can be found here, here and here. Later in the afternoon, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we hear from the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX), about the conference report on the Farm Bill that we will be voting on later this week. For the past six months, I have been lobbying Chairman Conaway as well as Appropriations Committee members and leadership for disaster funds for our blueberry farmers who have suffered two straight years of devastating losses due to late freezes. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018: This morning we have a Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we hear from representatives from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to gain their perspective on proposals to lower prescription drug prices. Next, I head to our weekly GOP Conference before heading to an E&C Environment Subcommittee hearing on “21^st Century Transportation Fuels.” A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes Card Signing where I have the opportunity to sign and send out holiday cards to our troops serving overseas.

Rep. Carter writing letters with American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes

Next, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on “Implementing the 21^st Century Cures Act” as we hear from the office of the National Coordinator. A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head to a meeting with representatives from Microsoft to learn how artificial intelligence can be used to solve global challenges and then head to the House Chamber where I speak on legislation from the E&C Committee that is being considered today. Next, I head back to my office where I have an on camera interview with Gray TV to discuss the Farm Bill before having a phone interview with WTOC TV in Savannah to discuss offshore energy exploration followed by another phone interview with Southeast AgNet to discuss the Farm bill. After a meeting with my good friend, John McCallum, who is up visiting from St. Simons Island, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day and then head back to my office to record a video.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018: After an early morning meeting with Jay Greissing with BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, I head to an E&C Oversight and Investigations (O&I) hearing on “Examining the Availability of SAFE kits at Hospitals in the United States.” A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I have an on camera interview with WSB TV in Atlanta to discuss the hearing before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Later, I head back to my office where I have a meeting with John O’Brien with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to discuss priorities for Medicare Parts B and D. John is one of the many fine staff members at HHS who, under the leadership of HHS Secretary Alex Azar, is working hard to bring about positive changes to our health care system particularly in the area of prescription drug pricing.

Rep. Carter meeting with John O'Brien, Senior Advisor to Secretary Azar for Drug Pricing Reform

Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and then return to my office for a meeting with Endeavors, a company that provides disaster case management and emergency services.

Rep. Carter meeting with Endeavors

My final event of the day is a tele town hall meeting where we hear from constituents throughout the district.

Thursday, December 13, 2018: I begin this morning with a classified member’s only briefing where we hear from Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the ongoing situation in Yemen. Afterwards, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee member-CDC roundtable on Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), a rare, but serious condition affecting the nervous system, especially in children. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day before returning to my office for a meeting with my good friend, Becky Ryles with the National Association of Community Health Centers, a group that plays a vital role in providing care for underserved populations across the country.

Rep. Carter meeting with the National Association of Community Health Centers

Next, I head to the airport for my return trip home and, once I’ve landed head straight to Richmond Hill for a meeting with the Development Authority of Bryan County.

Friday, December 14, 2018: I’m on St. Simons Island this morning as I take part in the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Grits and Issues breakfast and answer questions from this great group of community leaders.

Rep. Carter speaking at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Grits & Issues Breakfast

This year’s event will be the last for long time BGI COC Executive Director Woody Woodside, who will be retiring next spring and will be dearly missed. Afterwards, I head to Ludowici in Long County where I meet with Sherriff Craig Nobles before heading to City Hall where I present a copy of the tribute that I entered into the House journal in memory of Ludowici Police Chief Frank McClelland to his wife Cindy and other family members. Chief McClelland, a stalwart of the community, was killed in the line of duty and is deeply missed. Next, I head to our Savannah district office where I meet with Charlie Loomis regarding barriers for veterans to use their earned education benefits to pay for flight training. Afterwards, I have a delightful visit with my good friend, Donna Camacho with the Alzheimer’s Association before meeting with Alicia Roberts from Hinesville to discuss women’s heart disease and the importance of cardiac rehab and heart health prevention.