Every day, professional truck drivers travel thousands of miles across Georgia, delivering the food on our tables, the medicine in our pharmacies, the materials our businesses depend on, and countless other goods that keep our communities running.

This week marks National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, an opportunity to recognize the hardworking men and women behind the wheel who keep Georgia and America moving.

Here in Georgia alone, 74,640 professional truck drivers help connect our farms, manufacturers, small businesses, stores, and families to markets across the country. Their work is especially important in the First Congressional District, where the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick serve as major gateways for American commerce.

But when a ship arrives at one of our ports, the journey does not end at the dock. Truck drivers are a critical link in our supply chain, moving goods from our ports to businesses and communities across Georgia and throughout the nation.

It is demanding work. Professional drivers spend long hours and countless days on the road, often away from their families, to make sure the rest of us have the products we need when we need them. Their work may happen behind the scenes, but we see the results of it every single day.

During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, I want to say thank you to the thousands of professional drivers across Georgia and the millions across America who keep our economy moving.

Georgia, and America, runs on trucking, and we are grateful for the men and women who keep it moving.

On this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11 and honor the lives lost, the heroes who answered the call, and the American spirit that endured.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026: On Saturday morning, I was live on NewsNation with Laura Ingle as we discussed the upcoming Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas as well as the upcoming midterm elections. On Monday, I was live on Fox LiveNow as we discussed the same topics and later in the day, I was live on Fox News as we again discussed the midterm convention and elections. This morning, I’m in Nahunta in Brantley County as I meet with Brantley County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) President Mel Baxter. Originally named Victoria, Nahunta was renamed in 1899 after a railroad timber executive named N. A. Hunter. Brantley County was created in 1920 by combining pieces of Charlton, Pierce and Wayne counties and was named for either U. S. Representative William Godon Brantley or his father, Benjamin Daniel Brantley, a well-known local merchant and veteran of the American Civil War. Afterwards, I head to the Brantley County Commission Offices in Nahunta where I meet with County Manager Joey Cason, Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Beth Hawkins, and Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) Leader Ron Ham, who bring me up to date on the county’s recovery efforts from the Highway 82 Fire earlier this summer. The fire, supposedly started when a Mylar (foil) ballon made contact with a live power line creating an electrical arc that ignited the landscape, lasted from April 20 to May 20 and stands as the worst wildfire in Georgia history in terms of residential home destruction. Next, I head back to Glynn County and during the drive, join in on our all staff conference call. Once in Glynn County, I head to the Exchange Club of Brunswick where I am honored to bring them up to date on news from Washington. Originally chartered in 1946, the Exchange Club of Brunswick is a very active local community service organization with almost 100 members and focuses its efforts on youth programs, child abuse prevention and celebrating community milestone achievements. Afterwards, I head to our Brunswick district office where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings before having a live interview on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) Allen Jackson Show and discuss news of the day. Allen Jackson is the senior pastor of World Outreach Church in Tennessee with two primary programs on the network covering current events and daily life through a biblical worldview. Next, I join in on a virtual call with members of Pharmacy Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) to bring them up to date on pharmacy issues in Washington and stress to them the importance of their advocacy for compounding. 

Rep. Carter meets with Brantley EMA

Wednesday, September 9, 2026: I’m in Richmond Hill in Bryan County today as I meet with my good friend, Sean Register, as we discuss development opportunities in this rapidly growing area. Originally known as Ways Station, the city was transformed in the 1920’s and 1930’s when the industrialist Henry Ford chose it as his winter home. Ford built his dwellings on the site of Richmond Plantation which was one of the last areas burned by General William T. Sherman’s army at the conclusion of the “March to the Sea.” Ways Station was renamed “Richmond Hill” after the site of Ford’s home on the banks of the Ogeechee River. After a great meeting, I head to White Bluff United Methodist Church on Southside Savannah where I meet with my good friend, Bucky Burnsed, and his wife Cathy, to learn more of their latest project, City of Refuge. This program has been a tremendous success in Atlanta and is a Bible center rehab facility for women who are the victims of sex trafficking, the sex trade, the abused and their children. Next, I head to the studios of WSAV- TV in Savannah where I have a recorded interview to discuss President Trump’s recently endorsed idea of a national film and TV production tax incentive. Thanks to the efforts of Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Georgetown), and the Georgia State Legislature, Georgia has become a major hub for film and television production, and this proposal could help us greatly. Afterwards, I head to downtown Savannah where I join a group of supporters in welcoming Republican Secretary of State candidate Tim Fleming to our area.

Rep. Carter joins WSAV for an interview 

Thursday, September 10, 2026: I’m headed to the classic city, Athens, in Clarke County today, and during the drive, I have a call with Lee Forsgren, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, who oversees the Army civil works program, to discuss beach renourishment at Tybee Island. Once in Athens, I head to the studios (Hammy Cave) of the Hammy Show Podcast for an interview. Located at the Willie B’s Chicken Coup on South Lumpkin St in Athens and hosted by Hamilton Culpepper, this is a personality-driven college football media brand and podcast that features coverage of the Georgia Bulldogs. As a lifelong Georgia fan, this was a special treat for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Afterwards, I use the Hammy Cave for an interview on CNN with Boris Sanchez where we discuss (sometimes with raised voices) the upcoming midterm elections and the midterm convention being held in Dallas. Before heading to Atlanta for my next event, I make a stop by the Probate Court in Athens to get a certified copy of my wife, Amy, and I’s marriage license. Forty-eight years ago yesterday, she and I were living in Athens when we got married in Waycross. Next, I head to Dunwoody in the Atlanta metro area and during the drive join in on a conference call with our district staff. Once in Dunwoody, I attend the Atlanta Frontline Gala for a celebration of the Victory that God has already accomplished for His Kingdom and the Victory He is accomplishing right here in Georgia. The event is extra special with the keynote speaker and founder of Them Before Us, Katy Faust, who gives an insightful perspective on the work ahead to protect children and families in a hostile culture. 

Rep. Carter Frontline Gala in Atlanta 

Friday, September 11, 2026: I’m at Robbins Air Force Base in Warner Robins in Houston County this morning as I attend their 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. Held at the Museum of Aviation, Century of Flight Hangar, this joint observance of military and civilian partners features distinguished guest speakers and a time of reflection as we remember those we lost and reaffirm the values of service, patriotism, and community. After a great program, I head back to St. Simons Island and during the drive have a conference call with our Chief of Staff and District Director.    

Rep. Carter attends Robins Air Force Base 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

Thomasville’s famous Rose Show and Festival traces its roots all the way back to 1922, when local gardeners gathered to display their prized roses. More than a century later, the tradition continues, helping earn Thomasville its nickname as the “City of Roses.”