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| Critical School Safety Legislation |
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Last week I invited school superintendents from across the First District of Georgia and private school officials to discuss school safety.
I hosted this meeting because I needed to hear directly from the people on the ground about the best way to keep our children safe.
After the meeting, there was a strong agreement that our schools need more resources to make sure they are no longer soft targets for deranged criminals.
These school officials told me they need funding for more counselors, improved physical security, and for security officers. They also need a comprehensive security plan.
This week I supported the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018. This legislation directly addresses what the First District’s school superintendents, the boots on the ground, told me we needed to do to keep our schools safe.
Specifically, the STOP School Violence Act provides funding for training to prevent student violence. This includes training for local law enforcement, school personnel, and students. This also includes recognizing and responding to warning signs and active shooter training.
The legislation provides funding for technology and equipment to improve school security and prevent attacks. This funding may be used for a variety of different needs that can be used on what works best for the school. This includes metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other technologies.
Finally, the STOP School Violence Act provides funding to support law enforcement efforts in schools.
No child should ever go to school in fear, and this bill is critical to keep our children safe. |
| Celebrating the Girl Scouts |
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Happy 106th Birthday to the Girl Scouts!
This week I introduced a resolution in celebration of the opportunities the program provides for girls and women across the nation.
Since the founding of the Girl Scouts in Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, the program has built courage, confidence, and character in girls and women across the nation.
Alumnae of the program have blazed trails for women and have created a better world for all of us.
It is an honor to represent the birthplace of the Girl Scouts and I am proud to introduce this resolution during the program's birthday celebration and Women's History Month. |
| From our Nation's Capitol CLIV |
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Monday, March 12, 2018: This past weekend I attended the Alliance for Health Policy’s Bipartisan Congressional Health Policy Conference in Virginia. Along with other Members of Congress, Senators, Congressional staff and health policy experts, we had in-depth health care discussions to try and come up with bipartisan solutions to our health care dilemma. Among the subjects that we discussed were prescription drug pricing, smarter payment systems, combatting the opioid crisis and improving end of life care. This is my second year attending the conference and it has proven to be invaluable in providing a thought provoking opportunity for bipartisan dialogue. After returning home last night, I begin the week with a meeting with my good friend, Dr. John Spellman with Memorial Cardiovascular Consultants, as he takes me on a tour of the cutting edge technology being used in his practice at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.
Rep. Carter hosts the Fourth Annual Veterans Forum |
Afterwards, I head to the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University where we have our fourth annual Veteran’s Forum and Expo at the Athletic Complex. With over 27 vendors and hundreds of veterans in attendance, we are able to assist our veterans in getting their needs met and making certain they are aware of the programs that are available to them. This year we recognized Ms. Ruth Keith, a long-time employee of the VA center in Savannah who works closely with homeless veterans in our district, as the 2018 Veterans Service Award winner in recognition of her dedication to the veterans of the First District of Georgia. Later, I head to my Savannah district office where I have a series of meeting with constituents. I also meet with Curtis Jones, South University’s Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, to discuss pending pharmacy legislation in Congress as well as with Captain David Newlin to discuss coastal water issues. Afterwards, I head to Southside Savannah for a visit and tour of SAFE Shelter Center for Domestic Violence Services, whose mission is to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and promote changes in lives, families and our community. This awesome facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides shelter to victims of intimate partner violence and their underage children.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018: My morning starts with an early morning meeting with our new United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Bobby Christine. He is formerly an Assistant District Attorney in Augusta, as well as a former magistrate judge in Columbia County, and served our country as a member of the Army National Guard. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my return trip back to Washington. Once back at the Capitol, I have a series of meetings in my office, beginning with representatives from the Georgia Psychological Association.
Rep. Carter meeting with Friends of Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield |
I also meet with representatives from Century Link and Eagle Force to learn of a new algorithm program they have developed to help combat the opioid epidemic. My next meetings are with the Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Georgia Historic Preservation Society and Arts and Culture Alliance of Chatham County. My final meeting is with Friends of Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield (HAAF), including my good friends Savannah Mayor Eddie Deloach and Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown, to discuss our meeting tomorrow at the Pentagon with Army leadership. Before heading to our weekly Messaging Advisory Group meeting, I meet with staff to review our office’s Appropriations requests for the next funding cycle. Next, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on HR 5247, the Right-to-Try bill, before heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting. After heading back to the House Chamber for our first and only votes of the day, I meet with House Speaker Paul Ryan and a group of EX-IM Bank supporters to discuss the future of the bank. My last meeting of the day is a National Security Intelligence Forum hosted by Intelligence Committee Chairman, Devin Nunes (R-CA), where we hear from former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018: I’m at the White House early this morning to assist constituents with gaining access for a tour after which I head to the Pentagon for a meeting with Friends of Fort Stewart/HAAF and Army leadership to discuss future plans for the installations. Afterwards, I head back to the Capitol where we have our weekly staff briefing and then I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee hearing on reauthorization of animal drug user fees. Later, I have a series of meetings in my office before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day after which I head back to my office for more meetings and a conference call with Dr. Janet Woodcock, the director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Next, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.
Thursday, March 15, 2018: After a meeting with JCB’s Vice President for Military Products, Chris Giorgianni, I have a meeting with a group of health care experts to review legislation that I am currently working on.
Rep. Carter meeting with the Solar Energy Industries Association |
Later, I meet with representatives from Chatham Area Transit (CAT) followed by representatives from the Georgia Southern Writing Project. Next, I have a series of meetings with representatives from Curtis V. Cooper Health Care in Savannah, Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Georgia Department of Public Health and the Solar Energy Industries Association. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day after which I deliver a tribute to the Girl Scouts of America congratulating them on their 106th birthday.
Rep. Carter receiving the Legislator of the Year Award form the John P. Mayhugh Foundation |
Friday, March 16, 2018: My first meeting this morning is with staff from the E&C Committee to discuss our opioid hearings next week after which I head to the Capitol Visitors Center where I speak to the John P. Mayhugh Foundation and am honored to accept their Legislator of the Year award. Next, I head to the airport for my return home and, once back in Savannah, I head downtown to participate in the Sergeant William Jasper Memorial Ceremony in Madison Square as the St. Patrick’s Day celebration that our city is so famous for continues. |
| 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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