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| Assistance for Small Businesses |
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The Paycheck Protection Program was created by Congress in the CARES Act to help small businesses through the pandemic while keeping hardworking employees on the payroll. The program has approved over 1.6 million loans, totaling nearly $350 billion in emergency assistance. The program has been so popular that it has now run out of money. Unfortunately, for more than a week now, Democrats have blocked a standalone funding bill to replenish the program. I know small businesses in the First District, and across the country, are hurting and Congress needs to approve this funding. The political games the Democrats are playing must end now.
I have also heard concerns about another type of small business loan. I know small businesses in the First District have frustrations about the status of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications. I wrote a letter to the Small Businesses Administrator this week to get answers. |
| This week on buddy's Briefing |
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This week on Buddy's Briefing we discuss the latest on the coronavirus and our visit to Wayne County to survey the storm damage. While the damage is devastating, the community has pulled together to help each other in an incredible way.
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| Americans across the country have started to receive economic impact payments as part of the CARES Act. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have created a tool to check your payment status, your payment type and whether they need more information from you. The site also has additional information for non-filers. Visit https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment for more. |
| From our nation's capitol CCLXII |
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Monday, April 13, 2020: On Saturday I was back at the Empowerment Center in Garden City where I helped the Feed the Hungry group, run by my good friend Georgia State Rep. Carl Gilliard (D-Garden City), prepare hot meals to be served to those coming to the drive thru set up outside the building. The well-organized event ran like clockwork and fed many people a delicious and nutritious hot meal.
Rep. Carter at the Feed the Hungry Event at the Empowerment Center |
After a great Easter yesterday, I join in on our daily all-staff conference call this morning where we catch up from the weekend and prepare for the upcoming busy week. Afterwards, I head to our Savannah office where I have a conference call with Georgia Southern University President Dr. Kyle Marrero to discuss the latest developments at the university and the news coming out of the Department of Education for higher education. After a great Zoom call with members of the Golden Isles-Brunswick Chamber of Commerce (COC) where I give them an update on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and answer their questions, I have a conference call with my good friend and former Georgia State Senate colleague Cecil Staton, who is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Asian-American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Hoteliers such as these have been hit particularly hard during this pandemic as they have suffered from record low occupancy rates. Next, I have a group of health care providers as I speak on COVID-19 from a legislator’s, as well as a pharmacist’s, perspective and then answer questions. After a conference call with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on them financially and operationally, I have a very encouraging conference call with leadership at Memorial Health Center in Savannah, including CEO Shayne George. The report from Shayne as well as Dr. Meguiar and Dr. Thacker is a good one as the hospital is well prepared for any surge or spike in COVID-19 cases in the near future. We are truly blessed in the First District to have many fine hospitals that provide excellent health care to our citizens. Next, I have a call with former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to discuss legislation before having a conference call with bankers from the First District to answer some of their questions regarding the CARES Act. My special guest on the call is my good friend Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) who is the Ranking Member on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee. Afterwards, I have a telephone town hall to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic with my special guest, Rep. Steve Chabot, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call this morning, I head to Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah where I tour their drive-thru screening area and discuss what is being done to protect soldiers and families while remaining mission capable.
Rep. Carter visits Hunter Army Airfield |
Next, I head to our Savannah office where I have a Zoom conference with members of the Richmond Hill COC before having a GOP Conference call to hear from leadership and get an update on negotiations with Democratic leadership to appropriate more funds to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Afterwards, I head to Jesup in Wayne County where I have a Zoom conference call with members of the Wayne County COC before heading to Odum to meet with Mayor Greg Rozier and Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Richard Johnson to survey tornado damage from yesterday. When I arrive at the local church that is serving as the command center during this disaster, I am met by the other two Mayors in Wayne County, Mayor David Earl Keith of Jesup and Mayor Jason Weaver of Screven as well as a host of volunteers. After a TV interview with WTOC TV as well as a radio interview with WIFO-FM to discuss the disaster, I tour the devastation and speak to some of those impacted.
Rep. Carter surveys storm damage in Wayne County |
Although a tragedy, the outpouring of support from the community is amazing. I am told that yesterday over 30 tractors showed up from throughout the county to help remove debris. Afterwards, I have a virtual town hall via Zoom with GA Bio to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic before having a Skype interview with Gray TV to discuss my tour of the tornado damage in Odum. Later in the evening, I have a Zoom conference where I am the guest speaker for the First District Rotary Club meeting.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020: After a call with a compounding pharmacist in North Georgia to discuss drug shortages in the state and the need for Federal Drug Administration (FDA) rules to be relaxed during this pandemic, I join our daily all-staff conference call. Next, I head to our Savannah office where I have a Zoom conference with members of the Darien-McIntosh County COC to discuss the CARES Act and answer their questions. Afterwards, I speak on a Virtual Recovery Town Hall Zoom conference with members of the Georgia Substance Abuse Council to discuss mental health and substance abuse treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic before joining an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee member conference to discuss committee issues. Next, I join an International Conservation Caucus Foundation (ICCF) virtual caucus Zoom conference to discuss the need to stop the type of human-wildlife interactions that allow viruses like COVID-19 to jump from animals to humans. After a call with Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health to discuss the need for more COVID-19 testing in nursing homes in Georgia, I have a Whip Team conference call where we hear from economists Art Laffer and Stephen Moore.
Thursday, April 16, 2020: I have a great call with St. Joseph/Candler Hospital CEO Paul Hinchey this morning as he delivers a very upbeat report to me regarding the preparedness of their hospital and the great work their staff is performing during this pandemic.
Rep. Carter and members of the Georgia Army National Guard at the Second Harvest mobile food pantry |
Next, I head to River Street in Savannah as I join a host of volunteers at the Second Harvest mobile food pantry including members of the Georgia Army National Guard. As cars are directed down River Street we load their trunks with boxes of canned goods and fresh fruit. Afterwards, I head to our Savannah office where I join an E&C Environment Subcommittee conference call with Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Administrator Andy Wheeler to discuss COVID-19 issues before joining our daily all-staff conference call. Afterwards, I record a video for the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy virtual commencement service before heading to Hinesville where I volunteer at the Liberty County Farmers Market Box Drive-thru at the COC offices.
Rep. Carter at the Liberty County Farmers Market Box Drive-thru |
This is a great idea to help local farmers sell their products and while there I record a video promoting Georgia Grown products. A link to the video can be found here. Next, I head to Ft. Stewart where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings before heading to the LaQuinta Inn where I have a Facebook Live event and answer questions on COVID-19 and the CARES Act. Next, I head back to Pooler and once at home speak on a telephone town hall with the Southern State Millwright Regional Council.
Friday, April 17, 2020: I begin this morning with a conference call with a large medical group in Savannah and am joined by the ranking member of the E&C Health Subcommittee, Rep. Mike Burgess (R-TX), as we discuss COVID-19 issues impacting large medical practices. After our daily all-staff conference call, I head to our Savannah office where I have a conference call with members of the Georgia Hospital Association to bring them up to date on the CARES Act. Next, I have a House Energy Action Team (HEAT) call where we have an update on the oil and gas industry before having a GOP member call with special guest Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to discuss COVID-19 issues. Afterwards, I join an administration briefing led by representatives from CDC, HHS, Department of State and Department of Treasury before joining a call with representatives from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) to discuss the CARES Act. Next, I film a video addressing the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program that needs additional funding before filming a video regarding the USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder that helps students find sites where meals can be picked up. A link to those videos can be found here and here. Next, I join a virtual celebration with the UGA College of Pharmacy to congratulate graduating students on the last day of classes before having a telephone interview with the Brunswick News to discuss President Trumps guidelines on reopening the economy that were released yesterday. |
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