Preventing Scams During the Pandemic

This week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation I introduced to prevent scams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been working together to stop fraud, including companies making false claims about COVID-19 treatments and prevention or scammers securing financial information when offering fraudulent COVID-19 assistance.

My legislation, the Combating Pandemic Scams Act, will require the FDA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC) to inform the public about the scams that have been reported. With this knowledge, the public can better avoid the scams.

The more Americans know about pandemic-related scams, the easier it will be to protect themselves.

This week on Buddy's Briefing

This week on Buddy's Briefing, we discuss my legislation to combat scams during the COVID-19 pandemic and remembering 9/11.

Click here for this episode of Buddy's Briefing

from our nation's capitol CCLXXXi

Tuesday, September 8, 2020: After a great Labor Day weekend visiting grandbabies, I’m back at it today as I begin with our daily all staff conference call followed by a visit to tour the Family Justice Center (FJC) in Savannah with Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap. HOPE International, one of the leading domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and intervention organizations in the United States, sponsors the FJC.

Rep. Carter visits the Family Justice Center (FJC) in Savannah

The FJC serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse and/or human trafficking with the goal of help being available at a one-stop-shop. Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office where I have an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee virtual conference to preview the upcoming full committee markup on 38 bills that will be held tomorrow. Later, I have another E&C member virtual conference where we have a briefing on grid and supply chain security from the perspective of a leading American critical asset manufacturer, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). Next, I record a video for the Doctor’s Caucus to update constituents on Operation Warp Speed. Afterwards, I record a video for the Windsor Forest Community Association for a political forum they are hosting that I will not be able to attend.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020: My day starts with a GOP Conference call where we hear from leadership about the plans for the next few weeks followed by what turns out to be a marathon E&C markup where we consider 38 bills. Of those 38 bills, 2 are bills that I am the lead Republican sponsor of and that I am happy to see move forward. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous scams across the country including fraud where companies make false claims about COVID-19 treatments as well as price gouging on medical devices and pieces of protective equipment. The Combating Pandemic Scams Act will require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health and Human Services (HHS), the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC) to inform the public about the scams that have been reported. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2019 authorizes NIMHD to facilitate research on minority health disparities through research endowments at current or former centers of excellence.

Rep. Carter visits the Clarence E. Morgan Complex and Josh Reddick Stadium

Later in the day, I travel to Effingham County where I join community leaders, representatives from Georgia Southern University, and area elected officials for a tour of the Clarence E. Morgan Complex and Josh Reddick Stadium. This great facility was made possible by a $1 million donation by Major League Baseball player Josh Reddick, who currently plays outfield for the Houston Astros and grew up in Effingham County. The stadium is accessible by all realms of individuals and athletes and includes handicapped-accessible dugouts that are level with the playing field, making it the area’s only fully accessible baseball field for children with special needs. Working with the Effingham County Recreation Department and the Georgia Network for Pediatric Neuromusculoskeletal health, which includes Georgia Southern, the Josh Reddick Foundation helps to bring transportation and recreation as well as improved outcomes to disabled children. Next, I head back to Savannah and, during the drive, I join in on our daily all staff conference call.

Rep. Carter meets with Savannah Area Young Republicans

Once in Savannah, I head to the Savannah Area Young Republicans meeting where I am honored to speak to the group.

Thursday, September 10, 2020: I’m up and at ‘em at 5:00 a.m. this morning as I join live on Fox and Friends via Skype to discuss Operation Warp Speed and the progress on a vaccine as well as the most recent developments (or lack of) concerning another COVID-19 relief package. A link to my interview can be found here. Later in the morning, I join my good friend Bill Edwards with NewsTalk 1290 in Savannah for an interview where we discuss the same subjects as earlier. Once in my Savannah office, I join a call with the American Optometric Association to discuss their legislative priorities and afterwards record a podcast interview with the Pharmacy Podcast Network where we discuss the upcoming Rutledge v. PCMA case that will be heard before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in October. Next, I meet with a constituent in the office to discuss an issue he is having with the VA before joining in on our daily all-staff conference call. Afterwards, I head to WTOC-TV in Savannah for an on-camera interview where I discuss another potential COVID-19 relief package as well as other legislative priorities for the upcoming three weeks I will be in Washington. Next, I head to downtown Savannah where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing followed by a tribute to our first responders in observance of Patriot’s Day tomorrow. A link to the tribute video can be found here. Once back in our Savannah district office, I have a virtual interview with WJXT in Jacksonville to discuss a number of topics including the COVID-19 vaccine before having a virtual interview with C-SPAN to discuss the books I am reading this summer.

Rep. Carter honors Tybee Island native Mack Kitchens

Next, I have a meeting with representatives from a company in Savannah that have developed technology that can eradicate 99.7% of the COVID-19 virus on surfaces through ionic systems that run through air systems. After speaking virtually to the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding Association, I head to Tybee Island where I attend the City Council meeting and have the honor of presenting Tybee Island native Mack Kitchens with a thank you letter acknowledging his aid in a rescue operation of two women who were swept off the beach’s shores. He attempted to rescue the two women who were trapped in a whirlpool about 150 yards off the shore between 18th and 19th streets. He was able to get one woman out but could not reach the other.

Friday, September 11, 2020: Today we observe Patriot’s Day when we remember those who perished on that fateful day 19 years ago when our country experienced the worst terrorist attack in our history. We also remember our first responders and front line medical professionals who ran into danger to save others that day. As I head to Brunswick in Glynn County, I have an early morning radio interview with Scott Ryfun with Straight Talk radio in Brunswick as we discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and other news of the day.

Rep. Carter at 104.1 The Wave

Afterwards, I join Bob Morgan with the world famous Butch and Bob show in Jesup where we discuss the same subject matter. Once in Brunswick, I stop by the studios of Golden Isles Broadcasting where I have an in-person radio interview with Joe Willie Sousa and his on-air partner and wife, Robbie Sue, as we discuss COVID-19 and other news items. Afterwards, I head to the Annual Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament on St. Simons Island where they have a special ceremony before the tournament to honor our firefighters and public safety personnel. Later, I have a GOP Doctors’ Caucus conference call where we are brought up to date on Operation Warp Speed and, afterwards, I visit the Glynn County GOP headquarters for their grand opening.

Rep. Carter performs the coin toss at the McIntosh County Academy - Brunswick High School football game

After a meeting with Glynn County School Board member Dr. Hank Yeargan and his son, Oran, I head to the McIntosh County Academy- Brunswick High School football game where I perform the coin toss before the game.