NO MORE EXCUSES

As you know, earlier this year the House and the Senate passed the fiscal year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is the primary way Congress meets its most important constitutional obligation to “provide for the common defense.” It advances the vital funding and authorities that America’s military requires. In an era of unprecedented threats, uncertainty, and technological change, the legislation ensures America’s Armed Forces are agile, efficient, ready, and lethal.

Even though this legislation passed with a bipartisan majority, the President chose to use our military and national security as a bargaining chip and vetoed the bill. While it's shameful Congress even had to vote on this legislation again, the House passed a revised measure this week with my support. The revised NDAA contains the same critical provisions in the original legislation to reject cuts to bases, protect weapons programs, and support troops while authorizing less in spending than was included in the original NDAA.

With the legislation cleared in the House this week President Obama has no more excuses. I strongly urge the President to stop playing dangerous games with our national security and put our troops and veterans ahead of party politics.

THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE

Also this week, President Obama announced his administration is rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline. Not to be confused with the Palmetto Pipeline, the Keystone Pipeline would carry up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day 875 miles from Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska. From there, the oil would go to refineries in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. Because the pipeline crosses a national border, it requires federal approval in the form of a Presidential Permit.

The Obama Administration’s decision to reject the Keystone Pipeline is a direct attack on American jobs and our national security. The Pipeline would create thousands of jobs and offset the oil we import from often hostile countries with oil from one of our longest-standing allies without a dime from the taxpayers. However, yet again, the President of the United States has put party politics ahead of what is best for our nation and the American people.

I strongly condemn this decision and will look to pursue every avenue possible to get this pipeline up and running. I refuse to stand idly as our addiction to foreign oil grows as threats around the world increase.

From our Nation's Capitol XXXXII

Monday, November 2, 2016: I fly back to Washington, D.C. this morning after spending yesterday in Raleigh, N.C. where I spoke to the North Carolina Pharmacists Association at their annual meeting. My first meeting today is with the Vice President of Facilities with the U.S. Postal Service to discuss post offices and postal service in the First District followed by a meeting with Ian Haley, President of PaR Marine in Brunswick. PaR Marine has parts in service on every US Naval surface combatant vessel but primarily makes elevators that are used on US Navy ships. Very few people realize that the elevators used on US Navy ships are made in Brunswick, GA. Next, I have a meeting with Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) followed by a meeting with representatives from Delta Airlines. Following our weekly staff meeting where we discuss the upcoming week’s agenda as well as office affairs, I head to a Whip Team meeting where we review the floor schedule for the week. Next, we have our first and only vote series of the day where we pass H.R. 1853, directing the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization.

Tuesday, November 3, 2016: My day starts with a meeting of the Republican Conference where, for the first time in nearly five years, Speaker John Boehner is not present and newly elected Speaker Paul D. Ryan is presiding. Most of the discussion today revolves around the transportation bill that will be on the floor on Thursday. Next, I head to a meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where we have a hearing on security gaps within the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) before heading to a meeting of the Committee on Homeland Security where we have a hearing on bioterrorism. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I give a one minute speech honoring Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce President Woody Woodside for his 30 years of service.

Congressman Carter at the Healthcare Innovation Expo

I head over to the Cannon Building next where I am honored to receive a Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award given by the Healthcare Leadership Council before doing a television interview with NBC about the President’s “Ban the Box” ruling that was announced today.

Congressman Carter Named a Champion of Healthcare Innovation

After returning to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I head to a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing on the 2020 Census. Afterwards, I head back to my office for a meeting with representatives from Rite-Aid to discuss their proposed acquisition by Walgreens. Following a phone interview with a constituent who is a veteran and writes for a veteran’s magazine, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day where we vote on eight different amendments to the transportation bill.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015: After an early morning meeting with representatives from the Association of US Postal Lessors, a group of building owners who lease to the US Postal Service primarily in rural areas, I join other members of the Georgia delegation as we meet with Tom Fanning, CEO of the Southern Company which is the parent company of Georgia Power. This off-the-record discussion with the CEO of one of America’s largest producers of electricity proves to be informational as well as thought provoking as Tom shares with us his views on the current state of energy in America as well as where we are headed.

Congressman Carter at an Oversight and Government Reform Hearing

Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading to a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee meeting where we have a hearing on reducing IT acquisition risks within the government before heading to a Committee on Homeland Security meeting where we mark up my bill to reauthorize the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick. Following a television interview to discuss my FLETC reauthorization bill, I head back to my office to review our 2015 office budget with my Chief of Staff, Chris Crawford, before heading back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Thursday, November 5, 2015: My day starts with a roundtable discussion with member representatives of Airlines for America, a group representing the major U.S. airlines, as we discuss various issues including the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. Next, I head to another Republican Conference meeting where we discuss the upcoming appropriations process and how we will proceed before the December 11^th deadline. Next, I head to the House Chamber where we have our first vote series of the day where we pass the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act and vote on more amendments to the transportation bill. After heading back to my office for staff meetings, I return to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. Later, I head to the airport for a flight to Houston, Texas, where I am speaking to the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA) at their annual meeting. PCCA supplies independent compounding pharmacies with supplies and expertise to compound medications for patients.

Friday, November 6, 2015: This is my first trip to Houston, America’s fourth largest city. Although I am told that the weather is unseasonably warm for this time of year, it appears to be very similar to Savannah in that it is very humid. After giving the keynote address to the more than 600 attendees of the PCCA annual meeting and bringing them up to date on the affairs in Washington as well as stressing to them the importance of being involved politically, I head to the airport for my flight back home, where I have spent less than 24 hours in the last three weeks. Needless to say, I am glad to be home.