America was energy independent a year ago.
I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Like a bull in a china shop, Biden used the first day of his presidency to demolish our energy independence, one pen stroke at a time.
First, he cancelled the Keystone XL pipeline – killing not only 11,000 jobs and domestic oil production, but also any shred of hope that he would govern as an America First President.
He suspended oil and gas leases in Alaska. He banned drilling on federal lands.
He embarrassingly begged OPEC to increase oil production to help cover his poor decision making. If you’ve seen the price of gas lately, you know that they refused.
To make himself feel better over Thanksgiving, he released three days worth of oil reserves. Because those reserves are intended for an emergency, Biden himself is admitting that he’s created an energy crisis.
Now, after staring down nearly a year of record-breaking prices at the gas pump, the Biden Administration is considering the unthinkable – increasing the cost of drilling on public lands.
The nightmare has to end.
This week, I introduced the Make Energy Affordable Act. My bill will require the Biden Administration to create a report on rising energy prices in the US and a plan to combat it.
And that plan cannot include dipping even further into our emergency coffers.
With this bill, Congress has the opportunity to not only hold Joe Biden accountable for the disaster he’s thrust onto the American people, but also take concrete steps to fix it.
Rarely is a bill introduced in Congress that would have immediate, positive impacts on Americans’ wallets. Luckily, we have that opportunity with the Make Energy Affordable Act.
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In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefings, we're sharing the Christmas cheer with a side of Biden's bungles.
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Monday, December 13, 2021: We are truly blessed in our District to have hard working, dedicated advocates representing various organizations and programs that are important to them. One such person is Donna Camacho, who is relentless in her efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. My first meeting of the day is with Donna at our Savannah District office, and she brings with her a gentleman who has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s and who shares his story with me. After a great meeting, I join in on our all-staff conference call before meeting with another great advocate and tireless worker, Marolyn Overton, to discuss a number of issues. Marolyn is the founder and driving force behind Ladies on the Right, a dynamic group of advocates that, in a short period of time, has grown in size and influence. Next, I head to downtown Savannah for a meeting with my good friend, Gary Sanchez, who represents AT&T, a company intricately involved in bringing broadband to rural Georgia. Once back in our Savannah District office, I join in on the final three US Service Academy Interviews for this year. One of the many important responsibilities of a Congressman is to make recommendations for admission to our military academies. I am very fortunate to have a volunteer Academy Board consisting of Academy graduates, veterans and civilians who handle the interview process and make recommendations to me. With our District having such a strong active military and veteran population, we traditionally have a high number of applicants with outstanding qualifications. Today, the final three applicants are interviewed and, after a grueling review process, the Board sends me their recommendations. Later, I call the primary nominees and congratulate them on their selection. Next, I have a great meeting with Kenny Evans, the community relations officer with Stryke Team Savannah, a great group that is dedicated to helping veterans and decreasing veteran suicides. Later, we have our annual District staff Christmas party at one of my favorite restaurants in the District, Fishtails in Richmond Hill. My good friend Butch Broome and his great staff serve up some of the best seafood around. |
Tuesday, December 14, 2021: I’m off to Washington early this morning as we have been called back in to vote. Before heading to the House Chamber shortly after lunch for our first vote series of the day, I film a video congratulating Mike Bunker, who is retiring from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynn County after a great career.
Our first vote series of the day is next and, afterwards, I film a Christmas video next to the Gingerbread replica of the Capitol. After heading off of Capitol Hill for a visit with members of the Rental Car Association, I head back to my office where I meet with representatives from The Heritage Foundation to discuss section 230 reform and the illegal drug sales on the internet.
Next, I head to the Capitol steps where I join other members of Congress for a moment of silence in honor of the 800,000 Covid victims who have perished during the pandemic.
Afterwards, I head to the GOP Conference studio in Longworth where I film a video for the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. Later in the evening, we have a vote series at 9:30 PM followed by our final vote series at 12:15 AM.
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Wednesday, December 15, 2021: After a few hours of sleep, I’m up early this morning for a live interview on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the debt ceiling vote last night (and early this morning) and the situation at the border.
Later in the morning, I head to the Capitol where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings before heading back to my office where I have an interview with A Starting Point to discuss methane emissions and the proposed natural gas tax.
After heading to the airport and traveling back home, I immediately head to Toombs County for a meeting with members of the Vidalia Onion Business Council to discuss their concerns before heading back home to Pooler.
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Thursday, December 16, 2021: I’m back on the road this morning as I am excited to visit Chaparral Boats of Nashville in Berrien County. Founded in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 1965 by Buck Pegg, Chaparral relocated to Nashville in 1976 and now has over 1 million square feet of manufacturing facilities. With 1,000 employees, they are one of South Georgia’s largest employers. They are also the world’s leading manufacturer of quality offshore family fishing boats, Robalo boats. After being led on a tour of the plant by founder Buck Pegg, Senior Vice President Ann Baldree and other members of their leadership team, I meet with area business leaders for a round table discussion of issues impacting businesses today.
After a great visit, I head to Screven in Wayne County where I meet with Mayor Jason Weaver and Autumn Moon, a 10th grade student at Wayne County High School. A true inspiration, Autumn is a cancer survivor and will have the honor later tonight of lighting the Christmas tree at the City’s annual celebration.
Next, I continue on my tour of South Georgia as I head to Baxley in Appling County where I join State Legislators representing the area in a meeting with local elected officials and business leaders. Like many South Georgian cities, Baxley was first settled as a result of a railroad being built through the county, in this case the Macon and Brunswick Railroad in 1870. Baxley and Appling County are a great area with some of the nicest people you could ever ask to meet.
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Friday, December 17, 2021: After attending our Band of Brothers prayer breakfast this morning in Garden City, I head back home where I join in on a virtual *Committee on House Administration Member Day hearing. Most committees host Member Days to allow non-committee members the opportunity to address them on topics under their jurisdiction.
Afterwards, I have a phone interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) to discuss Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s visit to the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Garden City terminal today. Next, I head to the Garden City terminal where I join Secretary Buttigieg, other elected officials and stakeholders in a roundtable discussion on the supply chain issues facing our ports today.
Afterwards, I have a live interview on One American News Network (OANN) to discuss China and other news of the day.
Before leaving the Garden City terminal, I have interviews with WTOC-TV and WJCL-TV in Savannah to discuss Secretary Buttigieg’s visit and the port situation. Once back home, I have a phone interview with the Savannah Morning News (SMN) to discuss the Secretary’s visit.
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Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. |
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