The Farm Bill
The House passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, also known as the Farm Bill, this week. 

The legislation includes several measures critical for agriculture in the First District of Georgia including reauthorizing the crop insurance program, reauthorizing and improving the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) options, and supporting specialty crops including blueberries, peaches, olives, grapes, tree nuts, and more.

Additionally, the Farm Bill supports forestry in Georgia by encouraging research to help open new markets for wood products. 

As Georgia’s top industry, the hard work of our farmers, ranchers, and producers significantly contributes to the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world.

I voted for this legislation because it provides critical support and long-term certainty that our agricultural community needs and deserves. It is an honor to represent a large part of Georgia's agricultural community, and I am committed to fighting for Georgia's farmers and this industry that is responsible for one in seven jobs in our state.

Securing the Border
This week I voted for the Securing America's Future Act. Unfortunately, it failed to pass the House.

This legislation supports President Trump's border wall, closes dangerous loopholes, requires the mandatory use of E-Verify and halts sanctuary cities. Additionally, the legislation ends chain migration and the visa lottery system while transitioning to a skill based system.

I am disappointed the legislation failed this week. Our immigration system is broken and Congress must act. This bill supports President Trump's commitment to secure our border while making important positive reforms to legal immigration.

Failure of this bill is further proof that immigration is a complicated issue. We must move forward with securing our borders while acting to keep families apprehended at the border together during detention. This issue is not new, but now is the time to end it once and for all.

From our Nation's Capitol CLXVII

Monday, June 18, 2018:  On Saturday night I had the honor of attending the Military Employee Awards Banquet at the Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler as local employers who hire and support those who serve in our military were awarded the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Awards.  One of the many things that I am proud of in our District is how we embrace and support those who choose to serve our country through military service.  Companies in our community, such as Gulfstream Aerospace and Nine Line Apparel, hire and work with many who serve in the Guard and Reserves solidifying the bond between our local military units and our community.  This morning I’m in Springfield in Effingham County, along with other elected officials from the area, meeting with the Effingham Health System for a health care education session to learn more of the fine work they’re doing here.

Rep. Carter participating in an Effingham health care education session

Afterwards, I head to the Unitarian Universalist Church in downtown Savannah where I meet with faith leaders from the area, including Rev. David Messner, Rabbi Steven Henkin and Rev. Michael White to discuss faith issues in our country.  I meet with this group from time to time and find their input to be invaluable. 

Rep. Carter pictured with faith leaders from the community

Next, I head to our Savannah district office where I have a series of meetings beginning with one of my high school classmates, Clyde Campbell and his wife, Brenda, to learn more of the fine work they are doing with their ministries.  Recently, Clyde Campbell Ministries, Inc. was recognized by the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Coastal State Prison as volunteer of the year for their program “Development of a Man” that they present at jails and prisons.  My next meeting is with Jeb Bush and Kristen Breau from the Forsyth Farmers Market to discuss the Farm Bill that we will vote on later this week and proposed changes to the SNAP program.  Next, I meet with Savannah Police officer John Huaber to discuss legislation and pilot programs to help curb police suicide.  Office Huaber shares with me his personal story and stories of his colleagues that make me appreciate our public safety personnel even more.  Later, I have a phone conference with Dr. Robert Redfield, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to discuss work being done at the CDC. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:  Some days teach us patience more so than others.  Today is definitely one of those days.  I had scheduled meetings in the district this morning and planned on flying back to Washington mid- afternoon in time for votes tonight.  After finding out my flight has been cancelled early this morning, I book another flight from Savannah to Washington with a connection in New York City.  After getting to the Savannah airport at 11:00 a.m., my flight to New York goes well and I arrive at 1:00 p.m. only to find out that my connecting gate has changed.  Once I get to the new gate, I find out that my flight to Washington has been delayed.  Not wanting to wait around all afternoon I book another flight that requires me to change terminals and go through the TSA screening again.  Once I’m at my new gate in a new terminal, I find out this flight has been delayed and, after waiting an hour, I find out it has been cancelled.  I head back to my original flight in another terminal requiring me to go through TSA screening again only to find out that, once again, the gate has changed.  Finally, I board the plane headed to Washington only to sit on the tarmac for over an hour before leaving for Washington at 5:30 p.m.  Once I’m finally at the Capitol, I head straight to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and afterwards head downtown where I am the guest speaker at the McKesson Ambassadors meeting. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:  I’m at the White House early this morning to assist constituents from Savannah gain access for a tour and afterwards head downtown to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) where I am the guest speaker at their meeting.  EEI represents all U.S. investor owned electric companies with their companies providing electricity for 220 million Americans and operating in all 50 states.  Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly GOP conference meeting where we discuss the two immigration bills that are scheduled for a vote later this week.  Next, I head back to my office where we have our weekly staff briefing before heading to the Rayburn House Office Building where we have media from around the country gathered to discuss the opioid bills we have been working on in Congress.  Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee meeting where we have a very rare closed hearing to discuss a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit of cybersecurity at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Next, I meet with representatives from McKesson followed by a meeting with the Patient Quality of Life Coalition.  Once back at my office, I meet with the CEO of Evoqua, Ron Keating, followed by a meeting with the CEO of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah, Kathy Kleinsteuber, before heading to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day. 

Rep. Carter meeting with Kathy Kleinsteuber, CEO of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Savannah

Thursday, June 21, 2018:  This morning I attend a workplace rights and responsibility education class before heading back to my office where I meet with Jennifer Darsey and Cole Seal from the Liberty County United Way.

Rep. Carter pictured with United Way

Afterwards, I record a series of videos including one for the Tennessee Pharmacists Association annual meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.  Once back at my office, I record more videos including one celebrating the 6 month anniversary of our tax reform legislation that has the economy booming.  After heading back over to the House Chamber where we have our second vote series of the day, I head back to my office where I have a phone interview with WABE in Atlanta to discuss Spaceport Camden before meeting with the new commanding officer of Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Col. Paul Birch. 

Rep. Carter meeting with Colonel Paul Birch, the new commander of the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing at Moody AFB

Following a TV interview with Christian Broadcasting Network to discuss the opioid epidemic, I meet with the Large Urology Group Practice Association before heading back to the House Chamber for our third vote series of the day where one of the immigration bills we are considering fails.  Following this vote series, I head to a two hour GOP briefing where we discuss the remaining immigration bill that we are considering.    

Friday, June 22, 2018:  I’m in the House Chamber first thing this morning as I deliver a tribute to Alevia Cox from Richmond Hill who, although her life was cut short by cancer, was an inspiration to all who knew her.  A link to my tribute can be found here.  Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber where I speak on H.R. 6, the comprehensive opioid bill.  A link to my speech can be found here.  Next, I head to the office of Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA) where I meet with he and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) regarding the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam in Augusta.  Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day before heading to the airport for my return trip home.   


VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.

 
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