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President Trump spent the last four years fighting for our great nation. I thank him for his service, and I'm proud of what we accomplished.
This week, Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States and the world witnessed the peaceful transition of power. Now more than ever, America needs unity to address the many challenges we face.
Unfortunately, as soon as the President was sworn-in, he signed executive orders to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, weaken our border security and more. Crushing the progress made over the last four years will threaten American jobs and further divide our nation.
I am committed to finding common ground to move our country forward, and I call on the new Administration to do the same.
We discuss the inauguration and this week in Washington on this episode of Buddy's Briefing.
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| From our nation's capitol CCXCVI |
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Monday, January 18, 2021: On Saturday I attended the funeral of Ware County Sheriff Randy Royal who died at the young age of 57 last week. Sheriff Royal started his law enforcement career in 1980 as a dispatcher at the sheriff’s office and worked his way up to being elected Sheriff in 2009 and re-elected to a fourth four-year term last November. One of the true nice guys, Sheriff Royal’s funeral was attended by numerous law enforcement officers and a number of sheriffs in the region who worked with him. A lifelong resident of Ware County, Sheriff Royal loved the community and the community loved him. He will be greatly missed. Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While most of the parades have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of virtual celebrations are held throughout the First District. Dr. King visited the First District many times during his life and was particularly fond of Savannah. A link to a video honoring Dr. King’s birthday can be found here. This morning, I have a briefing with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau on preparations for the Presidential Inauguration later this week. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened security, this inauguration will be much different from those in the past. Later in the day, I have a virtual interview with WSB-TV in Atlanta to discuss the upcoming inauguration and my plans to attend. A link to my interview can be found here.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021: After our daily all-staff conference call, I head to the airport for my flight to Washington and have a press conference with local media to discuss my attendance at the inauguration as well as other issues. A link to my interviews can be found here and here. Once in Washington, I head to the Pentagon with my special guest as we are required to have a COVID-19 test in order to gain admission to the event tomorrow. Once I arrive at the Capitol, I am greeted by eight foot fences with razor wire at the top surrounding the Capitol with thousands of National Guard troops and Capitol Hill Police monitoring the grounds. While the heightened security is understandable as a result of the events of January 6, the optics are certainly alarming.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021: I’m on the radio early this morning with my good friend Bill Edwards on NewsTalk 1290 as we discuss the inauguration and the events of January 6th. Later, I meet my special guest for the inauguration, Dr. Karla Sapp, outside the gates and escort her into the Capitol. Born and raised in Midway in Liberty County, I met Dr. Sapp while she was working with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in Jesup in Wayne County where she was the coordinator of the drug rehabilitation program.
Rep. Carter at the inauguration with his guest Dr. Karla Sapp |
Dr. Sapp is a licensed professional counselor and was named the 2020 Mental Health Advocate of the Year by the Black Mental Health Symposium. Mental health issues are one of our primary focuses on the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee that I serve on in Congress. After checking in with other members of Congress and their guests, Dr. Sapp and I are escorted to the western lawn of the Capitol where we are led to our seats. While waiting for the ceremony to begin, Dr. Sapp and I meet other members of Congress and their guests and she is able to renew acquaintances with members of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. The weather is frigid with even a few light snow flurries, but the atmosphere is exciting as we witness the swearing in of the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the first African American and Asian American female Vice-President, Kamala Harris. Along with the pomp and pageantry, we also witness performances by Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks. The event is a success, without incident and certainly one that Dr. Sapp and I will remember for many years. Later, I have a virtual interview with WJCL-TV in Savannah followed by a virtual interview with Fox 28 in Savannah to discuss my inaugural experiences. A link to my interviews can be found here and here.
Thursday, January 21, 2021: My morning starts with an interview on C-SPAN as I discuss the inauguration and COVID-19 vaccine rollout as well as other topics. A link to my interview can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC) for a GOP organizing meeting of the E&C Committee where we receive our subcommittee assignments for the session.
Rep. Carter appears on C-SPAN |
Once again, I will be serving on the Health and Environment & Climate Change Subcommittees and this session, I will be adding the Communications and Technology Subcommittee. These are great assignments and I am excited and eager to begin. Afterwards, I head back to my office where I join in on our daily all-staff conference call before heading to the western lawn of the Capitol where they are beginning to dismantle the inauguration platform and where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. After returning to my office, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on the upcoming waiver vote for Gen. Lloyd Austin. Gen. Austin, a Thomasville, GA, native and former member of the 3rd ID, has been nominated for Secretary of Defense, a position that requires a former military member to be retired for seven years. Because Gen. Austin has only been retired four years, he must have a waiver in order to be eligible. A link to my speech in favor of granting the waiver to Gen. Austin can be found here. Afterwards, I remain in the House Chamber for the vote where Gen. Austin is granted the waiver. Next, I head to the airport for my return trip home.
Friday, January 22, 2021: After a phone interview with a reporter from the Coastal Courier in Hinesville to discuss my experiences at the inauguration, I head to our Savannah office where I meet with a constituent concerning the November election before meeting with a group of supporters of the Fair Tax legislation that I am sponsoring this session.
Rep. Carter meeting with supporters of the Fair Tax |
Afterwards, I film a pro-life video before heading out and ending what has been a very busy week. |
| 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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