I heard a stunning fact from the D.C. Chief of Police this week: the average murder suspect has 11 prior arrests.
That means that before someone commits the horrible act of ending an innocent life, they’ve already left – at least – 11 other victims in their wake. How can we make sure that one victim, which is already too many, is all it takes for justice to be served?
How can we enact policies that get violent criminals off the streets on arrest number one, so they don’t have the opportunity to steal a life?
I don’t have an easy answer to that question, but I do know that soft-on-crime, pro-criminal policies are not the answer. Shockingly, that’s exactly what the D.C. city council was trying to do. In the face of a spiking crime crisis, where the D.C. police are overwhelmed and leftist rallies are greeted by midday carjackings, their answer was to radically overhaul their criminal code, including eliminating nearly all mandatory minimum sentences.
The D.C. police didn’t stand for it, the House didn’t stand for it, the Senate didn’t stand for it, and the President has indicated that he won’t stand for this, either. A lot of people aren’t aware of this, but the federal government actually has the power to overrule decisions made by the D.C. city council since we are their official governing body. This power hasn’t been used in several decades, but the risk here was massive; we’re talking about saving lives and supporting the men and women in blue who keep us safe.
Life at every stage must be protected.
This issue might seem like it just impacts our nation’s capitol, but that could not be further from the truth. We’re sending a message that Republicans are united in fighting crime, reclaiming our streets, and backing the blue so that we do not have to live in fear when walking in our capitol city or anywhere else in America.
House Republicans made a commitment to build a nation that’s safe and we are delivering on that promise. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about the financial document Biden claims to be his budget, but is really a tax, borrow, and spend spree. |
For Women's History Month, I'm recognizing the woman who has been there with me from the beginning of this journey, my beloved wife Amy. I am so grateful that the basketball sharpshooter from Ware County took a chance on her lab partner at Young Harris College. Honey, I love you!
Read more about my amazing wife and partner here, beginning on page 58. |
Monday, March 6, 2023: After returning to Washington last night, I’m in my office this morning and have a meeting with the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) as they present me with the DDNC Public Policy Leadership Award and we discuss our shared commitment to patient access to care.
After spending the rest of the morning working in my office, I head to Union Station in downtown Washington after lunch where I take the northeast bound train to Penn Station in New York City (NYC). During the train ride, I join in on our all-staff conference call as well as an Energy and Commerce (E&C) bipartisan member briefing on the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment where we hear from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSA), Federal Railroad Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Once in NYC, I meet with the News Director of Bloomberg Political News in their headquarters and later that evening head to the Newsmax Broadcasting Studios where I have a live in-person interview on the Rob Schmitt Tonight show where we discuss the recent report by the Department of Energy (DOE) agreeing with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in saying that COVID-19 likely spread via a mishap at a Chinese laboratory. |
Rep. Carter accepts public policy award from DDNC |
Tuesday, March 7, 2023: I’m still in NYC this morning and join my good friend John Fredericks on his radio show as we discuss news of the day before heading to the Fox Studios where I am a guest on the Brian Kilmeade radio show as we discuss news of the day, including the domestic terrorists who attacked the site of a police training center under construction in Atlanta.
Next, I head across the walkway to the Fox television studios where I am live on Varney and Company as we discuss the same subject as well as my FairTax Act proposal.
Afterwards, I head to Penn Station where I take the train headed back to Washington. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to an E&C Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee huddle to discuss our agenda for the week before heading to my office where I meet with representatives from the American Academy of Neurology. Then, I meet with the Georgia School Nutrition Association.
After a meeting with Biocon Biologics in my office, I head to an E&C member briefing on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and drug pricing.
Once back in my office, I meet with the American Health Care Association before meeting with David Gattie from the University of Georgia to briefly discuss climate change issues.
Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to our first vote series of the week. After votes, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to the 2023 Savannah St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshall, George Schwarz. |
Rep. Carter live on Fox News Radio's Brian Kilmeade Show |
Wednesday, March 8, 2023: I begin today by attending a meeting focusing on psychedelic research for mental health disorders like PTSD, depression, and substance use before heading to our weekly GOP conference meeting.
Next, I head to an E&C C&T subcommittee markup, the first of two E&C markups today, and afterwards head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Frances Seckinger, the first female judge in Effingham County, who recently passed. This tribute is especially appropriate today as we celebrate International Women’s Day.
After attending a meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), I head to an E&C Health subcommittee markup which is recessed midway through as votes are called in the House Chamber.
Before we head back into the markup, I join in on a virtual call with Unison Behavioral Health and, later in the day, I meet with a number of groups including Georgia Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Georgia Forest Landowners Board of Directors, Ethos Preservation, New York Life Insurance, and Georgia Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). I also meet with National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Exelixis, American Battlefield Trust, and a trucking coalition.
After a meeting off the Hill with the Rental Car Association, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. |
Rep. Carter meets with National Multiple Sclerosis Society |
Thursday, March 9, 2023: Our special guest at our weekly Doctor’s Caucus meeting this morning is Dallas Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban as he tells us about his latest venture, CostPlus Drug company that has no middlemen, no price games, and huge drug savings. As most of you know, transparency in prescription drug pricing has been, and remains, one of my top priorities in Congress, and I am glad Mark Cuban is bringing light to the egregious practices of middlemen like Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).
Afterwards, I head off of Capitol Hill to downtown Washington, where I speak at the National Hemophilia Foundation meeting about - you guessed it - the egregious practices of PBMs.
Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Ann Hodnett from St. Simons Island who recently passed, Trace Carter from Ware County High School who has enjoyed success on the golf course, Sandra Martin, former Mayor of Flemington in Liberty County who recently passed, and Tina Shaw, news anchor from WSAV-TV in Savannah who will be inducted into the Georgia Broadcasters Hall of Fame later this month.
Afterwards, I head to an E&C full committee markup of 20 bills that lasts from 10:00 AM to 7:15 PM with a few breaks for votes and meetings where I am able to meet with groups such as the CEO of TikTok, Prevent Blindness, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, NCODA, and TSC Alliance. I also have the chance to meet with representatives from Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHC’s) from the district, including my good friends Albert Grandy from Savannah and Dr. Kavanaugh Chandler from Brunswick. |
Rep. Carter with Georgia members of the National Hemophilia Foundation |
Friday, March 10, 2023: After two very long days of markups in E&C committee and subcommittees, we have a member meeting today to review our week before having yet another E&C subcommittee meeting. This hearing is with the C&T subcommittee where we discuss defending America’s wireless leadership.
After heading to the House Chamber for our last vote series of the week, I head back to my office where I meet with my good friend and former Georgia House of Representatives colleague, Vance Smith from Pine Mountain. Vance has returned to the Georgia House after serving as Georgia’s Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner for many years.
After heading to a bill signing ceremony in Statuary Hall blocking the D.C. crime resolution, I head back to my office for a meeting with Budget committee staff before heading to the office of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in the Ford Building just off Capitol Hill to film Buddy’s Briefing. After filming, I head to the airport for my return trip home. |
Rep. Carter meets with Vance Smith |
Last week, I asked for your opinion on the Parents Bill of Rights that House Republicans unveiled. I can excitedly say that 85% of you support this effort! |
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