The State of the Union

This week President Trump delivered a strong State of the Union address. The president spoke about how common sense, pro-growth policies are working to create opportunities for each and every American.

I’m proud that the president continues to fight for the American people. The number one responsibility of the federal government is to protect American citizens at home and abroad. Whether it be threats to our national security, unfair trade deals or crime, I stand by the president’s policies to protect our country and our people.

The president also called for the bipartisanship that Americans deserve from Washington and laid out an achievable vision for the future of our great nation.

I, too, call on Speaker Pelosi and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to focus on the issues in front of us, not the political partisanship that was so evident during the government shutdown. I truly believe we can find real solutions to secure the border, address the rising costs of health care and prescription drugs, protect American workers, improve American infrastructure, and ensure a safer America by working together with President Trump.

I had the honor and privilege of having Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Dwyer, Garrison Commander of Hunter Army Airfield, join me as my guest at the address. While in DC, we took a moment to talk about Lieutenant Colonel Dwyer's incredible story of patriotism and perseverance.

From our Nation's Capitol CXCVII

Monday, February 4, 2019: I’m in the Atlanta area this morning and my first stop is in Alpharetta at Philips Wellcentive, a provider of population health management software solutions. Philips, a company more known for their lighting products, acquired Wellcentive in 2016. Today I’m learning more about a program in which pharmacists communicated with high-blood pressure patients via telemedicine that was more effective than normal practice at lowering blood pressure over an extended period. Next, I head to midtown Atlanta to Fox studios where I do a live TV interview on Fox Business with Stuart Varney to discuss the upcoming State of the Union (SOTU) address and border security negotiations. A link to my interview can be found here. Afterwards, I head to my old stomping grounds, the Georgia State Capitol where I meet with newly inaugurated Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan who is getting his feet underneath him in his new position and doing an outstanding job.

Rep. Carter pictured with Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan

Although a Georgia Tech graduate, the former minor league baseball player is exceptionally sharp and I’m sure he will continue the fine work he did as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives in maintaining Georgia’s top-notch business climate and moving our state forward. I also have the opportunity to visit with my good friend, Attorney General Chris Carr as I congratulate him on his recent inauguration and discuss state issues including the lawsuit he filed on behalf of Georgia’s government against drug companies, blaming them for opioid overdose deaths. Georgia is one of 30 states that have filed a lawsuit alleging drug companies created a nationwide opioid crisis by encouraging doctors to overprescribe.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019: I’m still in Atlanta this morning and up early and at the studios of Bloomberg TV for a live interview at 6:30AM to preview tonight’s SOTU address. A link to my interview can be found here. Afterwards, I head back down to the Georgia State Capitol where I meet with Governor Brian Kemp and we discuss the exciting things happening in our state. Gov. Kemp and I served in the State Legislature together and I know him to be a hard worker and know of his love for Georgia, all of which I’m sure will lead to his successful tenure as our 83^rd Governor. Next, I head over to the Sloppy Floyd building to address pharmacy students from across the state who are here today to celebrate Pharmacy Day at the Capitol. Afterwards, I head back across the street to the State Capitol and attend the daily Republican Senate caucus meeting before heading to the Senate Chamber to address the Senate. Next, I head across the hall to the House Chamber where I address the House of Representatives before heading downstairs to meet with my good friend, newly inaugurated Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my trip back to Washington. Once back at the Capitol, I meet with my special guest for the SOTU, Hunter Army Airfield Garrison Commander, Lt. Col. Ken Dwyer, a man I have gotten to know very well over the past year and a man that I have immense respect for. Lt. Col. Dwyer served with one of our freshman members in Congress, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), and we walk over to his office for a visit where the two American heroes share stories of their decorated careers with us.

Rep. Carter and Lt. Col. Dwyer meeting with Rep. Mike Waltz

Next, Lt. Col. Dwyer and I head back to my office and record a video for his visit. A link to the video can be found here. Afterwards, we head over to Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center where we do TV interviews with WTOC and WSAV in Savannah before walking over to the Speaker’s balcony where I show him the most spectacular view in Washington.

Lt. Col. Dwyer and Rep. Carter on the Speaker's Balcony in the U.S. Capitol

Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environment Subcommittee members meeting to discuss the upcoming meeting tomorrow and later meet up again with Lt. Col. Dwyer for the SOTU address. After what I consider to be one of the finest speeches ever delivered by a President for a SOTU address, I head to Statuary Hall and then back to Emancipation Hall for a series of interviews about the address. A link to a few of the interviews can be found here.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019: After a very late night, I’m up very early this morning as I have a series of radio interviews to review last night’s SOTU address beginning with Bill Edwards and Laura Anderson in Savannah then with Scott James in Valdosta and finally with Scott Ryfun in Brunswick. Next, I head to our weekly GOP Conference meeting before heading to an E&C Environment Subcommittee hearing on “Addressing the Environmental and Economic Effects of Climate Change.” A link to my questions can be found here. Next, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on “Texas v. U.S.: The Republican Lawsuit and Its Impacts on Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions.” A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I attend a meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week. I remain in the Chamber afterwards and deliver a tribute to my good friend, Savannah businessman David Sovchen, who passed last week. A link to my tribute can be found here. Next, I head back to my office for a series of meetings, first with the Pulp and Paperworkers’ Resource Council, followed by students from Bryan County representing the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. I also meet with the Computing Technology Industry as well as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Rural Health Association.

Rep. Carter meeting with Georgia Rural Health Association

My final meeting is with The International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) and Kaddu Sebunya, the new CEO of African Wildlife Foundation.

Thursday, February 7, 2019: This morning is the 67^th National Prayer Breakfast and I am happy to have my wife Amy here to join me for this occasion. Established during the President Dwight D. Eisenhower administration, this is a multi-faith event and this year we have more than 3,500 guests from 150 countries and all 50 states in attendance. Along with the music of Chris Tomlin we enjoyed remarks from International Justice Mission President Gary Haugen and President Donald J. Trump. Once back at the Capitol, I attend a GOP member meeting to discuss upcoming legislation and later head back to my office to meet with representatives from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association followed by the National League of Cities and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Rep. Carter meeting with Wolfson Children's Hospital

After heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series, I head to the White House for a meeting with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) acting director Russell Vought to discuss disaster relief. Once back at the Capitol, I head back to the House Chamber where I participate in a special order on illegal immigration. A link to my comments can be found here.

Friday, February 8, 2019: I’m in the House Chamber first thing this morning as I pay tribute to retiring Superior Court Judge Michael Karf of Savannah. A link to my tribute can be found here.

Rep. Carter paying tribute to retiring Superior Court Judge Michael Karf

Later, I return to the Chamber for our final vote series of the week where we pause between votes to honor the longest serving member of the U. S. House of Representatives, Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), who passed this week. Rep. Dingell was the Chairman of the E&C Committee that I serve on and was succeeded by his wife Rep. Debbie Dingle (D-MI) who also serves on the E&C Committee.