The media’s job is to inform the American people.

On July 16, President Donald Trump delivered a major address concerning election integrity and national security. During his remarks, he announced important information, including the declassification of intelligence that highlighted that the People’s Republic of China illegally acquired data on approximately 220 million American voters and the potential vulnerabilities in voter-registration databases, electronic voting systems, and other election infrastructure.

Every American – Republican, Democrat, or independent – deserved the opportunity to hear the President’s full remarks and to evaluate the information for themselves.

However, ABC and NBC declined to air the address on their primary television networks. Offering the address on a streaming platform is not an adequate substitute for free, over-the-air television. Not every American has reliable broadband access or subscribes to multiple digital services. 

When the President addresses the nation, media organizations are obligated to ensure it is easily accessible to watch with as few barriers to entry as possible.

I disagree with the liberal media daily, but broadcasters have every right to criticize the President’s – or anyone else’s – words because that’s part of a free press. But refusing to give the American people the opportunity to hear from their President is censorship.

Broadcasters operate as trustees of the public airwaves and are required under federal law to serve the public interest.

The public airwaves do not belong to ABC, NBC, or corporate executives, and the American people are more than capable of listening and reaching their own conclusions. 

On this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we discuss the House's passage of the Sunshine Protection Act and what it could mean for ending the twice-yearly clock changes. Tune in to learn what the bill does, where it goes next, and what it means for you.

Monday, July 13, 2026: Last night, I had a live interview with CNN to discuss the tragic passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the conflict in Iran. The passing of Sen. Graham shocked all of us and is a tremendous loss to South Carolina, the U.S. Senate and the World. I had the opportunity to be a part of Sen. Graham’s delegation to the Munich Security Council meeting in Munich, Germany, in February of 2022. The conference was held the weekend before Russia invaded Ukraine and, on that Saturday, we had the opportunity to hear Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address the attending delegates and appeal for help in what everyone knew was an imminent and certain war. Later that day we met with the Mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, who also appealed for help and Sen. Graham was more than ready to offer any assistance he could. America lost a great Senator, and the world lost a great leader. This morning, I headed to Savannah in Chatham County to visit with a former staffer who worked with former Congressman Lindsay Thomas, former Congressman Jack Kingston and myself, Trish DePriest. Trish trained many of our young staffers, mentoring them in the art of customer service and assisting the public. Afterwards, I head to the Savannah airport for my return trip to Washington and, once back on Capitol Hill, I have a live interview on the Julie Mason Show on Sirius XM as we discuss news of the day. Next, I have a series of staff meetings, beginning with a District teams call, legislative meeting, communications meeting and a scheduling meeting. After heading to a Budget Committee member meeting where we discuss our plans for a third reconciliation appropriation package, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting followed by our first vote series of the week. My final meeting of the day is with the Republican Main Street  Partnership (RMSP) where we hear from Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and White House Director of Legislative Affairs James Braid regarding the third reconciliation appropriation package.

Rep. Carter live on CNN

Tuesday, July 14, 2026: I’m up early and live on Fox Business Mornings with Maria as we discuss the Iran conflict and the 3rd reconciliation package. Later, I head off Capitol Hill for our weekly GOP Conference meeting and then head back to the Capitol where I join in on our all staff conference call before heading to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Fred Gretsch from Pooler in Chatham County on his 80th birthday, Clara Martin, a beloved educator, broadcaster and community leader from Atlanta who recently passed, former Chatham County Sheriff John Wilcher on his 82nd birthday and Market on the Square in St. Marys on their 25th anniversary. Once back in our office, I meet with CARA Medical, a medical technology company followed by a meeting with the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB). Next, I meet off Capitol Hill with our seven interns that we have in our office this quarter including a pharmacy student from the University College Cork in Ireland. Once back in our office, I meet with AfD Healthcare delegation from Germany to discuss healthcare issues before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environment Subcommittee markup before heading back to our office where I meet with Standard Concrete Products and then with Opus Genetics. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. 

Rep. Carter meets with Georgia Broadcasters

Wednesday, July 15, 2026: After heading to the Capitol Plaza where I get pictures with our interns, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee markup followed by a Health Subcommittee hearing on user fees. After meetings with constituents from South University and The Boys and Girls Club of America from Camden County, I head off Capitol Hill to downtown Washington where I receive the National Retail Federation (NRF) Hero of Main Street Award for my support of retail businesses. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to an E&C healthcare transparency meeting before heading to a GOP member conference where we hear from Vice President J. D. Vance regarding a 3rd reconciliation package. Once back in our office, I meet with the Georgia Corn Growers Association before heading to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill to a Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP) meeting before heading to a Congressional Crypto Caucus meeting. 

Rep. Carter attends National Retail Federation conference

Thursday, July 16, 2026: Before we can consider a 3rd reconciliation package, we must pass a budget resolution out of committee. My first meeting this morning is with the Budget Committee as we consider a resolution and vote on 14 amendments that are offered by the minority party. Thankfully, the resolution is approved and now heads to the House Chamber for a vote. During the meeting, we recess for our final vote series of the week and then return to pass the resolution. After votes, I remained in the House Chamber and paid tribute to Matthew Ledbetter, the longtime Forsyth County Tax Commissioner who recently passed. Next, I head back to our office where I meet with constituents from Blackshear in Pierce County and a student at Ole Miss from St. Simons Island who is interning in Rep. Trent Kelly’s (R-MS) office this summer. After a phone interview with The Capitol Forum to discuss the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act, I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings before meeting with the family of one of our interns.

Rep. Carter speaks on proposed amendment in Budget Committee

Friday, July 17, 2026: Although we don’t have votes today, I stay in Washington today to speak to a group of approximately 175 pharmacy students who are visiting the Capitol with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). It is always a treat for me to speak to students, and it is even more special that these are students in my chosen profession, pharmacy. Afterwards, I have a conference call with our District Director before heading to the airport for my return trip home. 

Rep. Carter speaks to APhA students

I’m proud to recognize the incredible individuals, celebrate special moments, and honor the legacies of those we’ve lost across Georgia’s First District, throughout our great state, and among those whose connections to our communities continue to enrich the lives of Georgians everywhere.

1. Clara Martin

2. Market on the Square

3. John Wilcher

4. Fred Gretsch

5. First Presbyterian Church of Macon

6. Matthew Ledbetter 

Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River by land area, stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast and offering one of the most diverse landscapes in the country.

Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives.