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Tomorrow is Memorial Day. On Memorial Day, we come together to honor the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I want to express my deepest thanks to those service members who have given their life to protect our country, values, and freedom.
Please join me this Memorial Day in reflecting on those who gave their life and praying for them and their families.
God bless America. God bless our service members.
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This week, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is the primary way Congress meets its most important constitutional obligations to "provide for the common defense."
The legislation includes the necessary increases in funding to support our troops and readiness recovery consistent with President Trump's commitment to rebuild the military. This includes $18.6 billion to begin to rehabilitate and replace worn out Army equipment, $39.5 billion to begin to overcome the crisis in military aviation, $36 billion to restore America's strength at sea, and $23.3 billion to rebuild our military buildings and infrastructure.
Additionally, this legislation is critical to keep the A-10s at Moody Air Force Base flying and for the future mission at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
It also includes an extremely well deserved 2.6% pay raise for our troops, the largest in 9 years.
As the proud representative of every branch of the military, I voted for this legislation because we must provide the support to ensure our troops are the most well prepared and well equipped force on the planet.
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| From our nation's Capitol CLXIV |
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Monday, May 21, 2018: Of the many important issues that I deal with as a member of Congress, those involving our veterans are of the highest priority. It’s always an honor to meet with veterans from our district and this morning I have the pleasure of meeting with my good friend Bruce McCartney, and others, to discuss veteran’s issues. After a productive meeting with this great group of heroes, I head to my Savannah office where I meet with a constituent concerning a professional licensing issue. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my return flight to Washington. Once at the Capitol, my first meeting is with representatives from Piedmont Healthcare, one of Georgia’s largest private, not-for-profit systems serving over 2 million patients across the state.
Rep. Carter with students from Georgia State University |
One of the health care topics that we are discussing on the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee that I serve on is the 340b prescription drug program and the representatives from Piedmont and I have a very good discussion regarding the program. Next, I meet with students from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, College of Law, and Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University who are visiting the Capitol after having been chosen to participate in the “Panthers in DC” program. Afterwards, we have our weekly staff briefing before I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discuss this week’s agenda including our upcoming vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Next, I head to the House Chamber where we have our first vote series of the week before heading to a National Security Intelligence Forum hosted by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunez (R-CA).
Tuesday, May 22, 2018: My first meeting this morning is our weekly GOP Conference where we hear from Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) who informs us that the Farm Bill that failed last week will be brought back up for reconsideration on June 22nd. Afterwards, I head to the USO care packages event where I assist other volunteers in packing care packages for our troops serving abroad before heading to my office to meet with staff to discuss legislation that I am considering co-sponsoring.
Rep. Carter preparing care packages with the USO for our troops serving abroad |
Next, I head down to the House Chamber where we have our first vote series of the day and then head to the Capitol steps for pictures with two of our interns working in our office this month. Carter Babaz is from Newnan, Georgia, and is a studying Political Science at the University of Georgia. Madeline Rentz is from Baxley, Georgia, and is studying Agriculture Communications at the University of Georgia. Next, I head back to the House Chamber where I preside over the House as Speaker Pro-tem during debate of suspension bills. Afterwards, I head back to my office for a series of meetings beginning with the American Academy of Family Physicians and followed by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Next, I meet with representatives from the Carpet and Rug Institute before meeting with my good friend Jerry Konter from Savannah who is chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Federal Government Affairs Committee. Before I have a phone interview with WTOC TV in Savannah to discuss today’s primary elections in Georgia, I meet with representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on the Right to Try Act that is being debated. A link to my speech can be found here. I stay in the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day before heading to a reception honoring the Girl Scouts of America where I am honored to be a special guest and bring greetings to the group. Later in the night, I have a phone interview with WSAV TV in Savannah to discuss today’s state primary results.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018: This morning I have the pleasure of meeting with two pharmacy students from the University of South Carolina, Anna Todd and Meaghan Freiter, who are visiting the Capitol. Next, I meet with Camden County Administrator Steve Howard and others regarding the Camden Spaceport as they bring me up to date on this exciting project before meeting with the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine.
Rep. Carter meeting with the National Association of Music Merchants |
My next meeting is with the Self-Insurance Institute of America and afterwards, I head to a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on “Examining the Olympic Community’s Ability to Protect Athletes from Sexual Abuse.” This hearing is in response to the ongoing investigation of sexual abuse of Olympic athletes and the failure of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to protect the athletes. A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I attend the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) meeting where we hear from former Georgia Governor and current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading to a hearing of the E&C Health Subcommittee on “Reauthorization of the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education Program.” A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I have a meeting with the Georgia Radiological Society followed by a meeting with Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors. My next meeting is with the American College of Physicians Services followed by a meeting with my good friend from Savannah, Howard Paul, and others representing the National Association of Music Merchants. After meeting with the National Fisheries Institute, I head back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and afterwards attend a meeting regarding an education bill that I am considering co-sponsoring.
Rep. Carter meeting with Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons |
Thursday, May 24, 2018: I’m over on the Senate side of the Capitol this morning as I’m attending a hearing on “The Impact of Trade Restrictions on American Agriculture.” The guest speaker for this event is my good friend Zippy Duvall from Greensboro who is currently serving as the President of the U.S. Farm Bureau. Next, I head to the National Mall to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to film a video for Memorial Day and, once back at the Capitol, head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head to my office where I meet with the new chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, Joseph Simons, to discuss issues related to prescription drug pricing. |
| VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK |
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| Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.
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