Guantanamo Bay

President Obama announced plans to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay this week. The announcement proves the White House is willing to jeopardize the national security of the United States for a campaign promise.

The detainees he hopes to bring to American soil are the worst of the worst. Not only is this unacceptable, President Obama's own Attorney General and military leaders have said it is illegal to bring detainees from the facility at Guantanamo to the United States. Additionally, the plan fails to even answer the question of where in the U.S. a new facility would be located.

On the same day as President Obama's announcement, a former Guantanamo detainee was arrested on terror related charges. The president is living in an alternate universe if he believes released detainees or those sent to foreign nations will not return to the battlefield as many before them already have.

Instead of continuing to underestimate the threat of radical Islamic terrorists and focusing on releasing or relocating jihadist enemies, the president should be focused on destroying the threat to our homeland. Closing GTMO will do nothing more than increase this very real threat against the safety of our nation and it will not stand.

From our Nation's Capitol XLIV

Monday, February 22, 2016: This past Saturday morning I joined Karen Jenkins, Executive Director of the Savannah Tree Foundation, and other members and volunteers, as we planted trees on Tybee Island. The Savannah Tree Foundation is a 33 year old not-for-profit urban and community forestry organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and planting canopy trees in Savannah and Chatham County. Also joining us at the tree planting was Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman and a group of young people from the Tybee Island Youth City Council. With the addition of a new screened in pavilion, new bathrooms and these trees donated by the Savannah Tree Foundation, Mayor Buelterman and the Tybee Island City Council continue to make Memorial Park an even more beautiful area for visitors and residents. On Saturday night, I was honored to give the keynote address at the Effingham County Public Safety Awards Banquet. Led by Chief Clinton Hodges, the Effingham County Fire Department does an outstanding job protecting citizens and their property. The dedication and service that these brave firefighters provide to this community is an inspiration to all of us. I’m heading to Atlanta today and as is so often the case with flying, my flight is delayed and I end up sitting in the terminal for most of the afternoon.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016: It’s good to be back at the State Capitol this morning and to see all of my friends and colleagues that I miss so much. I am often asked what I miss the most by not being in Atlanta and I always say that it’s the people. I start off by attending the morning caucus meeting of the Senate Republicans before cruising the halls to say hello to friends. Later, I head to the Senate Majority Leader’s office where I sit in on a meeting with visiting Ohio Governor and presidential candidate John Kasich to learn more about his candidacy. Next, I head to the Senate Chamber where I am introduced by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and have the opportunity to address the Senate followed by a trip across the hall to the House Chamber where I address the House after being introduced by Speaker David Ralston. There seems to be quite a bit of excitement at the State Capitol this morning and, while I don’t think it’s the presence of Governor Kasich and I’m certain that it’s not my being here, I finally figure out the excitement is due to the presence of another visitor, new University of Georgia football coach Kirby Smart. Not to be outdone, I seize the opportunity to grab a picture with Coach Kirby and, needless to say, my staff is ecstatic when I send them a copy.

Congressman Carter with Coach Kirby Smart

After all this excitement, I head to the Atlanta airport for my return trip to Washington. Before boarding my flight, I do a quick television interview with WSB regarding the recent proposal to privatize security screenings at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. A link to that interview can be found here. Once back in Washington, I grab a picture with Chandler Dennard, a teacher and school wellness leader at Port Wentworth Elementary School who is visiting the Capitol, before we have our weekly staff meeting. Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016: Today begins with our weekly Republican Conference meeting followed by a meeting of the Committee on Education and the Workforce where we hear from Acting Secretary of Education John King, the administration’s nominee for Secretary of Education to discuss the president’s 2017 education budget proposal. Later, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day, after which I stay in the Chamber and speak in support of H.R. 3004, recognizing the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission. A link to my speech can be found here. Afterwards, I head back to my office for a meeting with Georgia Credit Union professionals and volunteers followed by a meeting with Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurray and Planning Director Jay Roberts. Next, I have a meeting with the U.S. Postal Service and Postmaster General Megan Brennan where we discuss a number of issues, including the deplorable conditions and overcrowding at the Pooler Post Office. My next meetings are with members of the Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Association of Broadcasters and Norfolk Southern. Before calling it a day, I meet with staff to review information for my appearance tomorrow on national television with MSNBC.

Thursday, February 25, 2016: I’m back in the office early this morning to review with staff one last time before my national interview, but before leaving, I meet with Adjutant General Joe Jarrard where he presents me with a Georgia National Guard Seal for display in my office. Next, I head to the Cannon Rotunda where I have my live national interview with MSNBC regarding next week’s presidential primary.

Congressman Carter on MSNBC

A link to my interview can be found here. Afterwards, I head back to my office where I meet with Nancy Retzlaff, CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, before heading to a meeting of the Committee on Education and the Workforce where we have another hearing with Dr. John King, followed by a meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. A link to my questions can be found here. Later, I head to a meeting of the Committee on Homeland Security where we question TSA officials on the mismanagement of the HR Information Technology Committee. After meeting with members of the Civil Air Patrol from Georgia in my office, I have a great visit with Trustee’s Gardens Club members Elanor Rhangos, Malinda Bergen and Linda Suthers from Savannah. Next, I have meetings with Judge Peggy Walker from Douglas County and officials from Chatham Area Transit who are visiting from Savannah. Following a Republican task force meeting to discuss health care reform, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. Afterwards, I stay in the chamber and deliver a one minute speech in remembrance of my good friend, State Representative Bob Bryant, who passed this morning. A link to my speech can be found here.

Friday, February 26, 2016: Following an early morning meeting of the House freshman class, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute speech on the STAR foundation. Next, I head to a hearing on Medical Technology and Cybersecurity before heading back to the House Chamber where I preside as Speaker Pro Tem during amendment debates. Following our only vote series of the day, I head to the airport for a trip this weekend to Detroit, Michigan, where I will be speaking to the Michigan Pharmacist’s Association.