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While our celebrations may look different this year, Amy and I wish you and your family a very happy and blessed Easter. These are trying times, but we know that God is with us. During this time, this hymn comes to mind, "up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes."
God bless you on this Easter and God bless America.
Click here to view my Easter message. |
| CORONAVIRUS UPDATE FROM REP. BUDDY CARTER |
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In case you missed it, I delivered an update on the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Brunswick News. Click here to read more.
Coronavirus update from Rep. Buddy Carter
For the past few weeks, I have been traveling the First District of Georgia meeting with small businesses, workers, restaurant owners, farmers, faith leaders, volunteer organizations, families and others who are concerned. They’re not only concerned about the coronavirus and their health, but they’re also concerned about their economic future.
In Congress, we have been working aggressively with President Trump and the Administration to address the virus and provide relief to the small businesses, workers and families that need it.
First, Congress approved the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental and it was signed into law by President Trump. This legislation focused on increasing funding for testing, treatments, investments in vaccine development, essential medical supplies, and our health agencies working to combat the virus. It also provided important funding for state and local response on the ground.
Next, we passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This legislation, that was signed by President Trump, ensures free coronavirus testing for Americans, increases access to telehealth, and provides paid sick and medical leave for workers impacted by the coronavirus, among other things.
Finally, phase three, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was approved by Congress and signed by President Trump recently.
The coronavirus is a life or death situation for some American lives and livelihoods. We had to get the bill passed for small businesses who don’t know how they are going to keep the lights on and employees who don’t know where their next paycheck is coming from due to no fault of their own.
While it is far from perfect, the CARES Act will provide direct relief to Americans across the country through direct payments. This includes $1,200 payments to individuals and $2,400 payments to couples, with the payments increasing $500 per child. The payments are reduced starting at income levels of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples. It also creates a new pandemic unemployment program to increase benefits for those who lost their jobs because of the health crisis.
The legislation creates a new program called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which will help small businesses while keeping hardworking Americans employed. As a small business owner for more than thirty years, I understand that any uncertainty can cause hardship.
This global pandemic could cause absolute devastation. The PPP will provide forgivable loans to small businesses as long as the money is used for specific purposes such as payroll and employment support and 501 ©(3) organizations are also eligible for this program.
Our doctors, nurses and health care professionals on the front lines need and deserve our support. The CARES Act provides critical funding to an emergency fund to purchase and distribute PPE and other medical equipment. Funding is also designated to develop a vaccine and expand telehealth, as well as support the medical facilities that are grappling with this pandemic.
For college students, the CARES Act will provide much needed relief by pausing monthly student loan repayment requirements for six months with no penalty, codifying the Trump administration’s decision to pause collections on defaulted student loans through September 20, and ensuring students are not harmed by a university’s decision to switch to online delivery models.
The CARES Act also provides additional assistance to state and local governments, funding to support our agriculture industry, support to assist the homeless and loans to distressed industries with strict oversight.
Now, we are working to ensure the legislation is implemented correctly and effectively to provide the relief that is desperately needed.
As we continue to navigate this pandemic together, we will continue to take bold steps in Congress for Americans. In the First District, let’s continue to help, care and pray for each other. Remember, we are all in this together.
While I have seen distress in the district, I have also seen Georgians pulling together. I’ve seen many people volunteering in their communities or reaching out to isolated loved ones.
I’ve seen police officers deliver medications to at-risk citizens. And I’ve seen health care providers put their health in danger to save others. Throughout these times of uncertainty, I have seen our district and our nation at its best. People helping each other, caring for each other, encouraging each other.
We will get through this, and we will do it together.
Ours is a great nation blessed by a great God. |
| This week on Buddy's Briefing |
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This week on Buddy's Briefing we discuss legislation I introduced to prevent COVID-19 scams, the celebration of Easter and the latest on the coronavirus - including Democrats blocking a standalone funding bill for the Paycheck Protection Program.
I hear from small businesses in the First District every single day that they are struggling and need help. The Paycheck Protection Program was created by Congress to deliver the assistance small businesses and hardworking Americans desperately need.
The program has been so popular that we will likely need to replenish its funding and Senate Republicans moved to get that started this week. Unfortunately, Democrats decided to play partisan politics by blocking this clean funding bill. Democrats and Republicans both know that the PPP is the program at the highest risk of becoming depleted right now, and we need to pass this solution.
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| Preventing scams during the pandemic |
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As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 response, bad actors are taking advantage of the pandemic by scamming or price gouging innocent Americans. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there have been nearly 8,500 reports of fraud or scams during the public health crisis.
As businesses struggle, hardworking Americans lose their paychecks, and Americans worry about the health of their families, it is abhorrent that scammers are preying on this vulnerable situation. It is also illegal.
As federal agencies go after these criminals, I introduced the Combating Pandemic Scams Act which requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), the United States Postal Service (USPS), and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC), to develop and disseminate information to the public on coronavirus scams including mail, telemarketing, internet and robocall fraud. The information must include instructions on how to report scams and it must be continuously updated with the most up-to-date information.
The legislation also requires the timely establishment of a national database on scams in consultation with other federal partners.
We need to make sure the public is informed of the scams and price gouging so they can be avoided. The more Americans know about the scams, the easier it will be to protect themselves. |
| from our nation's capitol CCLXI |
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Monday, April 6, 2020: Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex, Skype - who ever knew there were so many different ways to communicate on a computer? Well, I know it now. My first video conference of the week is this morning as I have a regional virtual townhall Zoom meeting with the City of Brunswick to discuss the work we are doing in Washington to combat COVID-19. After reviewing the three phases of the COVID-19 relief packages that we have passed thus far in Congress, I answer questions submitted from regional business leaders and citizens.
Rep. Carter participates in a virtual town hall with the City of Brunswick |
Next, I have our daily all-staff conference call to review the many issues that we are working on in our office before joining a conference call with the Alliance for Health Policy for media and policymakers hosted by the Commonwealth Fund where we hear from former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Peggy Hamburg regarding the prescription drug supply chain and the production of a COVID-19 vaccine. Afterwards, I have a Zoom meeting with members of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce (COC) to address their concerns with COVID-19 and their questions concerning the Coronavirus Aid, Response and Economic Security (CARES) Act. After a call with the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA) to preview details of our planned webinar tomorrow night, I head to a local grocery store in Savannah to film a video thanking all grocery store workers for their work during the pandemic. A link to the video can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the entrance of the Georgia Ports Authority in Garden City to film a video thanking truck drivers for the invaluable service that they are providing during this pandemic in making sure that our groceries, medical supplies and other essential items are being delivered. A link to the video can be found here. Finally, I head to Pooler where I film a video in front of a giant American flag thanking the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their help in making beds at the VA hospitals in hot spots across the country available for COVID-19 patients. A link to the video can be found here.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020: I’m at Taylor’s Creek Elementary School in Hinesville in Liberty County today as I join other volunteers in riding a school bus to drop off school lunches at the regular bus stops. Students are lined up at the bus stops as we pull up and hand out bags of food for lunch and tomorrow’s breakfast.
Rep. Carter and other volunteers deliver meals to students out of the classroom due to the coronavirus in Liberty County |
It’s been a long time since I rode on a school bus but it’s certainly worth it for this great cause. Next, I head to our Savannah office where I have an interview with the Savannah Morning News (SMN) to comment on the devastating news that I received last night when I learned that one of my mentors and dear friends, Sen. Jack Hill, had passed. Jack and I sat next to each other in the Georgia State Senate for five years. He was one of the finest public servants that I have ever met and a giant in Georgia politics. I am heartbroken by his loss. After regaining my composure from a very emotional interview, I have a FaceTime interview with First Coast News TV in Jacksonville to discuss legislation that I am sponsoring, the Combating Pandemic Scams Act, that will help in developing and disseminating information to the public on COVID-19 scams including mail, telemarketing, internet and robocall fraud. Next, we have our daily all-staff conference call before I have a Skype interview with WSAV TV in Savannah to discuss the Community Development Block Grants for the First District that were announced last week. A link to this interview can be found here. Afterwards, I have a call with members of the Georgia Health Care Association (GHCA) which is made up of nursing home owners and managers throughout the state. After a call with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to discuss their plans on how to best allocate the $300 million appropriated to them in CARES for COVID-19 relief, I have a Zoom interview with WSB TV in Atlanta to discuss the Combatting Pandemic Scams Act that I am sponsoring. My last conference call of the day is with Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and members of the Doctor’s Caucus as we discuss health care issues related to COVID-19.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020: I’m at Memorial Stadium in Savannah this morning as I volunteer with members of the Georgia National Guard at America’s Second Harvest of the Coastal Empire food drive-thru. Last week, I worked with these same National Guardsmen to pack the boxes of food that we are giving away this morning.
Rep. Carter and members of the Georgia National Guard distribute food at Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia |
They truly are among the best of the best. Afterwards, I head to our Savannah office where I have a Zoom conference with members of the Savannah Area COC to answer their questions concerning the COVID-19 response. Next, we have our daily all-staff conference call before I have a podcast interview with the SMN to discuss our work in Congress thus far to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Afterwards, I have an Energy and Commerce (E&C) member call to discuss the committee's work before having a Whip Team conference call with industry leaders from the U.S. COC, National Association of Manufacturers and other groups. After a conference call with a large physicians’ group in Savannah to discuss assistance for health care groups in CARES, I have a call with the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss help for fruit and vegetable growers in CARES. Next, I have a phone interview with 11 Alive TV in Atlanta to discuss the Combatting Pandemic Scams Act followed by a phone interview with The Brunswick News to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in CARES. Later, I am honored to be a guest on an expert panel on a webinar with NCODA to discuss supporting patients and practices through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday, April 9, 2020: After our all-staff conference call this morning, I head to our Savannah office where I have a Zoom conference with members of Leadership Southeast Georgia to bring them up to date on CARES and to answer their questions. Next, I have a rural health briefing/listening session with Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to discuss the situation with our rural hospitals before having a GOP member conference call with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza who give us an update on their agencies response to COVID-19. Afterwards, I join a GOP member faith service conference that is most meaningful. Later in the afternoon, I host a Facebook Live where I answer questions submitted by followers on an event that reached nearly 5,000 people. Afterwards, I head to Calhoun Square in downtown Savannah where I film an Easter video before crossing the street to my home church, Wesley Monumental United Methodist, to film a video updating our work in Congress on COVID-19. Next, I walk over to Monterey Square to film a video celebrating Passover. After returning home to Pooler, I record another video promoting Engage-22 to bring attention to the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. A link to these videos can be found here, here, and here.
Friday, April 10, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call, I head to our Savannah office where I have a phone conference with my good friend, Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), ranking member of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee to discuss legislation I am sponsoring to allow residency medical students and interns in VA hospitals to utilize telehealth. Afterwards, I participate in a GoToMeeting podcast with the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) to discuss our work in Congress on COVID-19.
Rep. Carter donates blood with the American Red Cross |
Next, I have a conference call with credit unions throughout the First District to discuss their concerns with the CARES Act before having a conference call with members of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) to thank them for the outstanding job they have been doing disseminating information during this pandemic and hear their concerns for their industry. After a conference call with representatives from Health and Human Services (HHS), State Department and Treasury Department for updates, I head to the Tanger Outlet Mall in Pooler where I donate blood with the American Red Cross. A link to a video I recorded while I was there can be found here. My last stop of the week is Pembroke in North Bryan County where I visit a group of volunteers distributing Grab and Go meals before filming this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings. |
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