We're in Conference

This week, the House voted to go to Conference with the Senate to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to create a final tax relief measure. Once the agreement is finished, each chamber will vote on it and send it to President Trump to be signed into law.

Now in conference, we are one step closer to delivering tax relief.

It has been estimated that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will raise after-tax income for middle income families in Georgia by $2,355. This is real money that families can use for mortgages, school, or other needs. This legislation not only lowers rates for American families, but also for small businesses who will create jobs and invest in our communities.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will invigorate our economy and I look forward to finally getting this to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. A fair and simple tax code would be a long overdue Christmas gift for the American people.

For more information about the House passed version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, click here.

Supporting your second amendment rights

This week I joined my colleagues in the House as we passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens with a state-issued concealed carry license or permit are able to carry a concealed handgun in any other state that allows concealed carry. The individual must follow the laws of the state.

This legislation is important to support and protect American's Second Amendment rights. Americans need to be able to protect themselves and their families, and this legislation ensures law-abiding citizens are able to do so at home and across state lines.

Efforts to expand gun control and restrict access to legal gun use have proven ineffective in reducing crime and leaves guns in the hands of criminals. In the current world we live in, we should be focused on legislation that allows ordinary, honest, law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.

Rest assured, this legislation allows only law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun across state lines. Criminals prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm will continue to be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm under this legislation.

From our Nation's Capitol CXLII

Monday, December 4, 2017: Yesterday, I was honored to attend the Annual Hunter Army Airfield Troop Christmas Party. This is always a special event for our troops and their families as we bring in the holiday season by thanking them for their service and sacrifices for our country. Most of these troops are scheduled for another deployment next year and won’t be home for Christmas next year making this celebration even more meaningful.

Congressman Carter speaking at the Hunter AAF Troop Christmas Party.

I also had the honor yesterday of attending the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler. This is the fourteenth year this ceremony has been held to pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and all those who selflessly served our nation at home and abroad during World War II.

Congressman Carter giving remarks at National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony.

I’m on Jekyll Island this morning bright and early as I am speaking to the Georgia Farm Bureau at their 80^th annual convention. Agriculture remains Georgia’s number one industry and we do our part to help the American farmer feed the world.

Congressman Carter speaking at Georgia Farm Bureau's 80th Convention.

Afterwards, I head to Jacksonville and fly back to Washington. Once back at the Capitol, I attend our weekly messaging advisory group meeting with Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA) before heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting to discuss a very busy upcoming week. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and then head back to my office. Later, I return to the House Chamber where we have our second and final vote series of the day.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017: Amy and I are at the White House early this morning as we are hosting our office staff on a tour.

Congressman Carter and Mrs. Carter at the White House.

We are joined by Effingham County Commissioners Vera Jones and Phil Keiffer and their spouses as they are in town visiting. Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly Republican Conference meeting where we get an update on the tax reform legislation as well as our plans to vote later this week for a two week Continuing Resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown. Next, I head back to my office for a meeting with officials from the Georgia Ports Authority and Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) to review his recent visit to the Port of Savannah. Afterwards, we have our weekly staff meeting before I head to a meeting with students from Episcopal High School here in Washington who are visiting the Capitol. Among the students visiting is Hunt Wasden, son of Anna and Wiley Wasden from Savannah.

Congressman Carter meeting with Episcopal High School.

After our first vote series of the day, I have a series of meetings in my office including one with representatives from MEAG Power to discuss tax reform. Finally, I film a video before heading back to the White House for the annual White House Congressional Ball where Amy and I have our pictures taken with Vice President and Mrs. Pence as well as with President Trump and the First Lady.

Congressman Carter and Mrs. Carter with Vice President Pence and the Second Lady.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017: I’m back at the White House first thing this morning as I am assisting Effingham County Commissioner Reggie Loper, his wife Sherry and three of their granddaughters’ access for a tour. Once back at the Capitol, I head to a Doctors Caucus meeting where we have an expert on Medicare brief us on the current status of the program. Next, I head to a meeting with members of the National Restaurant Association where we discuss tax reform and health care issues. After attending a member briefing on tax reform led by Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady, I head back to my office for a meeting with representatives from the Georgia Petroleum Council. Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce meeting where we markup and pass out of committee seven bills that will now go to the full House for a vote. After our first vote of the day, I head back to my office for a meeting with Dennis Brown from Athens and other members of the Georgia Resource Conservation and Development Council followed by a meeting with Ashley Burnsed from Pooler with Blue Force Gear. After a series of more meetings, I head to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day after which I return to my office for a meeting with representatives from energy companies.

Thursday, December 7, 2017: Every day is a special day at the Capitol but when we have visitors from back home it is even more special. Today is one of those even more special days as we have representatives from the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Commission and leaders from Darien and McIntosh County join us. Darien Mayor Bubba Hodge, Mayor Pro Tem Griffin Lotson, Darien News publisher Kathleen Russell and others are joined by curators from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress as we are celebrating the origin of the African American song “Kumbaya.” After meeting in my office, we all head down to the House Chamber where the group observes in the balcony and I have the honor of recognizing this special occasion during the morning session. A link to my tribute can be found here.

Congressman Carter with those representing the Gullah Geechee community.

Afterwards, we all take a picture on the steps of the Capitol and I head to an Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee hearing on “The Mission of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)” where we hear from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. A link to my questions can be found here.

Congressman Carter at the Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee hearing on “The Mission of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”

Following a phone interview with the Savannah Morning News to discuss the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive program and tax reform, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading back to my office for a series of meetings. Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day where we pass a two week CR through December 22^nd to assure that the federal government does not shut down.

Votes in the House This week

Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.