Restoring Readiness of our Military

This week I joined my colleagues in the House to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation is the primary way Congress meets its most important constitutional obligations to "provide for the common defense." This defense spending blueprint for the year supports missions to defeat ISIS and works to repair and restore the readiness of our military.

It authorizes increasing the size of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Army Guard and Reserve, Naval and Air Reserve, and Air Guard. Additionally, the legislation provides a well-deserved pay raise for our troops - the largest in eight years - while extending special pay and bonuses for services members.

Critical for the First District of Georgia, the NDAA advances a program vital to the future of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay by authorizing continued construction on the next generation of submarines. It also provides critical funding for wing upgrades to keep the A-10 Thunderbolts at Moody Air Force Base flying.

Having the honor of representing many service members and veterans in the First District, I am especially proud to support this legislation. Our troops must be the most well prepared and well equipped force on the planet, and this legislation works to ensure this is possible.

From our Nation's Capitol CXXII

Monday, July 10, 2017: This past Saturday I had the privilege of participating in the Vietnam Veterans Certificate of Honor ceremony held at the First Baptist Church in Pembroke. This event, sponsored by the American Legion Post 164 along with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, recognizes our forgotten heroes, the Vietnam veterans who, despite Americans at large turning their backs on them, did not turn their back on America.

Rep. Carter at the Vietnam Veterans Certificate of Honor Ceremony in Pembroke

This morning I’m in Shellman Bluff in McIntosh County before heading to Brunswick in Glynn County for a meeting with my good friends Mike Maloy, Fred McGinty, Missy Neu, Woody Woodside and others to discuss flood insurance in our region and what Congress can do to help rectify this situation. Next, I head to the St. Simons Island GOP women’s club where I am the keynote speaker for this month’s meeting and where I am met by protestors as I enter. As always, this great club, led by my good friend Ruby Robinson, is very receptive and, as one would expect from a group as politically engaged as they are, pepper me with questions. Afterwards, I head to Jesup where I meet with members of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council to review recent developments in Washington and discuss issues of interest to small business owners. Later, I visit the Air Evac base located on the property of Wayne Memorial Hospital for a tour of their facility. With crew quarters, an aircraft hangar and helipad facilities all located close together here, they can respond quickly and provide this area with much needed emergency services. My final stop is with a group from Wayne and surrounding counties where I have the opportunity to bring them up to date on Washington news.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017: I’m in my Savannah district office this morning where I have an interview with South Magazine followed by a meeting with the University of Georgia Small Business Development to discuss the many services they have to offer.

Rep. Carter tours the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce

After a meeting with a constituent to discuss health care, I head out to Hinesville and Liberty County where I take a tour of the new Liberty Chamber of Commerce before heading to the Savannah airport for my return trip to Washington. Once back at the Capitol, I attend our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discuss this week’s agenda as well as health care negotiations and tax reform. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I preside as Speaker pro tem during our only vote series of the day.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017: My first meeting this morning is with the Doctor’s Caucus where we welcome FDA Commissioner, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, as our guest speaker. Dr. Gottlieb and his staff are doing a great job moving the department forward and trying to make it more efficient and responsive. Next, I head to a members meeting of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee to discuss our hearing later this morning before heading to the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee where we have a hearing on combatting the opioid epidemic. A link to my questions during this hearing can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on “Medical Product Manufacturer Off Label Use” before heading back to my office for a meeting with Volk Enterprises to discuss turkey farming in America. Next, I head to the House Chamber where I speak in favor of the FDA reauthorization that is being debated. A link to my speech can be found here. After staying in the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I head back to my office where I do a phone interview discussing town hall meetings with CBS 46 in Atlanta followed by our weekly staff briefing. Next, I head back to the House Chamber where I preside again as Speaker pro tem during our second vote series of the day.

Thursday, July 13, 2017: Our special guest for this week’s “Meet the Cabinet” series is Small Business Administration Chairman Linda McMahon who does a great job detailing her goals for the administration. Afterwards, I head to an Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee markup of the Drinking Water System Improvement Act before heading back to my office to meet with the Georgia Agribusiness Council to discuss trade opportunities and other issues of the agriculture and forestry industries. After heading to the House Chamber for an unexpected vote on adjournment called by the minority party, I return to my office where I meet with representatives from Wolfson’s Children Hospital in Florida, including Nora Sproles, a great young lady who is a joy to be around and is a patient at the hospital.

Rep. Carter meeting with the Georgia Agribusiness Council

After a few staff meetings in my office, I return to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and then attend a press conference in support of bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), both doctors, to repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) created by the Affordable Care Act. Afterwards, I record some video shots at the Capitol and monuments in the area for upcoming events before returning to the Capitol for our second and final vote series of the day. My final meeting of the day is with staff to prepare for committee hearings in the upcoming week.

Friday, July 14, 2017: I begin this morning with a live interview on Fox Business to discuss the latest Senate health care bill that has been released and how it might be accepted in the House. A link to my interview can be found here. Next, I head to the American Pharmacy Association Summer Leadership Institute where I speak to the student pharmacists about the importance of being involved before heading to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. Afterwards, I return to my office where I meet with former Republican health policy advisor Gail Wilensky about escalating prescription drug prices before heading to a meeting with Rep. Chris Stewart (R-NV), Rep. John Carter (R-TX), Rep. Henry Cuellar (R-TX) and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to discuss compounding pharmacies rules and regulations.