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This week is National School Choice Week. I support school choice because I do not believe education is "one-size-fits-all" and where a child lives should not limit their ability to access the best education possible.
Did you know that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes the most significant school choice expansion by the federal government in at least 20 years? Our pro-growth tax reform allows 529 college savings plans to also be used to pay tuition at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school.
Many families will now be able to save money tax-free for a better K-12 education for their children. |
| More great tax reform news |
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Since Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and it was signed into law by President Trump, companies across the country have been giving bonuses and raising wages due to tax reform. At least 3 million Americans are receiving special tax reform bonuses.
Just this week, Georgia-based Home Depot joined this growing list of companies that are using tax reform to invest in their employees. Citing tax reform, Home Depot announced bonuses for all hourly employees.
In addition to wage increases and bonuses, employers are increasing benefits due to pro-growth tax reform.
This week, Starbucks announced the company will expand its parental leave policy for cafe employees, give stock bonuses to coffee shop employees, and all employees will receive sick leave. This is on top of announcing the company will increase wages for hourly and salaried employees.
Tax reform is delivering real, long-term benefits for hardworking Americans here in the First District, and across the nation.
For more information about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, visit fairandsimple.gop. |
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Last week I read the classified memo from the House Intelligence Committee which outlines shocking surveillance abuses. This week, I heard from many of you asking Congress to release the memo.
For that to happen, the House Intelligence Committee needs to refer the matter to the whole House which can then vote to release it to the public.
I have requested the immediate release of the document because the American people need to be able to read it as well.
To see the letter I sent to the House Intelligence Committee with several of my colleagues, click here. |
| from our nation's capitol cxlvii |
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Sunday, January 21, 2018 (Shut down day 2): Well, I wish I had something better to report this morning but we still have no idea how long this will go on. Senate Democrats and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are clearly responsible for this unnecessary and ridiculous shut down and it is up to them to end it. How anyone could put illegal immigrants ahead of funding for children’s health care and our military is beyond me but that is exactly what is happening here. While we’re shut down we have to stay in town in case a resolution is proposed and we have to vote on it. It’s as if we are under house arrest and banished to our offices. This morning I finally get away from the Capitol and attend a church service with some of my colleagues which makes us all feel better. After filming a video to post on Facebook to keep everyone as informed as possible, we have a GOP Conference meeting where the only news to report is that the Senate has announced they will not vote on a continuing resolution (CR) tomorrow morning at 1:00 a.m. as previously thought, but will now vote tomorrow at noon. So it’s back to the same thing we’ve been doing all weekend - hurry up and wait.
Monday, January 22, 2018 (Shut down day 3): I’m up early this morning with a series of radio interviews beginning with Bill Edwards and Laura Anderson in Savannah, then with Joe Willie Sousa in Brunswick and finally with Bob Morgan on the Butch and Bob Show in Jesup. The subject of each interview is, of course, the shut down and what’s going on up here. Later, I have a phone interview with Dave Williams of WJCL TV in Savannah followed by a facetime interview with WTOC in Savannah.
Rep. Carter speaking to a class at Calvary Day School |
After heading over to the Capitol for a GOP Conference meeting where we are informed that a deal has evidently been reached and the Senate should be sending a CR to us sometime this afternoon, I head back to my office for a phone interview with NPR in Atlanta to discuss offshore energy. Later in the afternoon I head to a Whip Team huddle as we welcome back Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) who is back today after a two week stay in the hospital for more surgery from his shooting last spring. Finally, we have received a CR from the Senate and at 5:45 p.m. we are gaveled into session in the House Chamber and vote for passage. Afterwards, I head to the airport and reach Savannah at 11:45 p.m.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018: I have more radio interviews this morning to talk about the shutdown starting with Scott James in Valdosta and followed by Scott Ryfun in Brunswick. Later in the morning, I head to Calvary Day School in Savannah where I participate in a ground breaking ceremony for their new, state of the art, turf athletic field. Afterwards, I have a tour of the school by Gordon Hunter, Director of Development at the school and the son of two of my high school classmates, Greg and Lisa Bohler Hunter. Following the tour, I have the opportunity to speak to the AP U.S. Government class of Coach Mike Carswell, who coached all three of my sons while he was at Savannah Country Day School.
Rep. Carter at Union Mission in Savannah |
Speaking to students is one of the most enjoyable activities of my job as a Congressman and this great group of sharp and inquisitive young people was especially delightful. Afterwards, I head to Union Mission in Savannah for a tour of their facilities and learn more about the fine job they are doing of providing shelter for the homeless and helping them to get back on their feet. The Employment, Training & Counseling (ETC) program that they use is a critical supportive service that connects homeless individuals, and those who have recently been released from prison, with employment and workforce development opportunities.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018: A few months back, I received a letter from Hunter Helmey, a first grade student at Memorial Day School in Savannah, asking for my assistance in helping him meet President Trump and possibly clean his desk. Hunter was celebrating his 7th birthday and this was his birthday wish. I forwarded his request to the White House and responded back to Hunter, who invited me to come visit his school. Today I have that opportunity as I head to Memorial Day School and am greeted by Hunter and Mark Sussman, Director of Development and Athletics. After being introduced to key members of the school staff, including headmaster Mike Harper, I enjoy a tour of the school and get to stop in on several classes.
Rep. Carter at Memorial Day School |
This tight knit group of students and faculty have a great school and much to be proud of. Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office before heading to the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah. The director of the center, Keisha Gibson-Carter, introduces me to her team members and explains the work of the center and the obstacles that they face. This program is an invaluable resource for our community, providing 24 hour service and ongoing therapy for those in need. Next, I head to the monthly meeting of the Georgia Marine Business Association in Thunderbolt where I speak to the group and answer their questions. But mostly I listen to them to hear their projects for the year dealing with marine related issues. From Thunderbolt, I head to JF Gregory Park in Richmond Hill where I film a number of videos to update constituents and am assisted by students from Richmond Hill High School, who do the filming. I am very impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of these students who do an outstanding job helping me.
Thursday, January 25, 2018: I head straight to my Savannah district office this morning for a series of meetings starting with a meeting with the Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Dr. Simona Perry. I am very impressed with Dr. Perry as she has quite a bit of experience including having worked with NOAA for 7 years. The Ogeechee Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization that protects and improves the Ogeechee River basin. I have worked with the group in the past and found them to be most reasonable. Next, I meet with my good friend, Tom Barton, who recently retired as the Editorial Page Editor at the Savannah Morning News, before meeting with Brad Pickel, the Executive Director of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association. This group is doing a great job advocating for keeping our intracoastal waterways dredged and functional.
Rep. Carter visiting the Savannah College of Art and Design |
Next, I head to Cohen’s Retreat in Savannah for the monthly meeting of Buy Local where I have the opportunity to greet the group and quickly report on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that we passed in Congress last year. My last stop of the day is at the film and television department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where I meet with Erina Tandy, Director of External Relations, and DW Moffett, Chair of the film and TV department at the college. After a tour of the impressive facilities and meeting with some of the students, we are joined by Andrea Rene-Rabb, the Dean of the School of Entertainment Arts. The work being done here in Savannah is nothing short of amazing and rivals that of cities such as Los Angeles and New York. |
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