This week on Buddy's Briefing

This week on Buddy's Briefing we discuss expediting a vaccine for COVID-19 through Operation Warp Speed, defending our law enforcement, and more.

Click here for this episode of Buddy's Briefing

President Trump has delivered in the Middle East

President Trump recently announced a historic peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The announcement of the normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel is the first of its kind in decades.

Not only will this bring about more peace discussions, it also opens up new economic opportunities for both sides, improves the potential for personal relationships, and fosters what will hopefully be additional peaceful actions in the region.

I wrote an op-ed in the Washington Examiner this week about how President Trump has delivered in the Middle East. Click here to read more.

from our nation's capitol CCLXXX

Monday, August 31, 2020: Yesterday, I had the opportunity to join Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) at Ft. Stewart as we met with Commanding General Antonio Aguto, Garrison Commander Col. Bryan Logan and other leaders for an unclassified briefing on the operations at the base. Ft. Stewart, home of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and is the Army’s premier power projection platform on the East Coast. It’s always good to have statewide officials in the First District and this morning, I’m in downtown Savannah where I meet with Governor Brian Kemp, Sen. Loeffler (R-GA) and constituents for an opportunity to hear from both leaders.

Rep. Carter and Sen. Loeffler visit Fort Stewart

Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office where I have a virtual meeting with representatives from Universal Corp, a company whose businesses include procuring, financing, processing, packing, storing and shipping tobacco and other agri-products. Next, I have a meeting with newly elected Savannah City Councilman Nick Palumbo to discuss Historic Savannah opportunities followed by our daily all staff conference call. After a call with BIO to hear the latest developments on Operation Warp Speed, I join in on an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee conference call with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn for a briefing on the agency’s COVID-19 response efforts. Next, I have a virtual call with representatives from Caterpillar before joining in on a virtual call with my good friend, Dr. William Clark, for an update on recent developments at the Okefenokee Swamp Park. My last conference call of the day is with the Whip Team as we have an update from Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).

Tuesday, September 4, 2020: I’m in Sunbury in Liberty County this morning as I meet with the owner of Coastal Broadband, Don Payseur, to see his setup and learn how he is making available a true fixed wireless broadband highspeed microwave signal to residents of Colonel’s Island, Sunbury, parts of Richmond Hill and Fancy Hall.

Rep. Carter speaking at the Brunswick Exchange Club meeting

This is a great project that provides residents in the area an alternative for high speed internet service. After a great visit, I head to Glynn County and, during the drive, join in on our daily all staff conference call followed by a call with my House colleague Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) to discuss his service on the House Veteran Affairs Committee (HVAC). Once in Glynn County, I have the honor of speaking to the Brunswick Exchange Club at their weekly meeting and bring them up to date on COVID-19 and another potential relief package. Afterwards, I keep heading south as I travel to Kings Bay Naval Base where I join my good friend and colleague, Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), for a mission brief at the base HQ with Captain Chester Parks, SUBASE Commanding Officer.

Rep. Carter with Rep. Collins at Kings Bay

Every time I visit Kings Bay, I leave more impressed with this great facility and the sailors serving here. We are truly blessed to have this East Coast home of the Ohio Class submarines in the First District. Once back in Savannah, I head to Calvary Baptist Temple where the Band of Brother’s, headed by my good friend Rev. Kenny Grant, is having a revival service for men this week.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020: I’m back in my Savannah office this morning and, before joining in on our daily all staff conference call, I record a video for the ribbon cutting of the new facility at the Savannah Speech and Hearing Center followed by a video congratulating winners of the Caregiver of the Year awards presented by the Rosalynn Carter Institute. Next, I head back to our Savannah office where I have a conference call with Logisticare CEO Dan Greenleaf to discuss Non- Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT) and, afterwards, I record a video for the upcoming ribbon cutting ceremony of the Valdosta Veterans Clinic. Before heading home for the day, I have a couple of constituent meetings that prove to be very productive.

Thursday, September 3, 2020: Before heading to our Savannah office, I stop by a local pharmacy in Pooler where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. Once at our district office, I join in on our all staff conference call before having a virtual interview with WSAV-TV in Savannah to discuss our office's recent announcement of Federal Health Center Improvement Grants that have been awarded in the First District. Afterwards, I have a great conference call with my good friends with the Georgia Broadcasters Association to discuss the potential for another Coronavirus relief package and what it might include. Next, I have a constituent meeting with an advocate with the Borgen Project, an innovative nonprofit that serves as a voice for the world’s poor, before heading to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in South Carolina.

Rep. Carter visits the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge

Once at the Savannah NWR, I meet with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith where we are provided a tour of the visitor’s center and an overview of this great facility. Afterwards, I head to Brunswick in Glynn County to the Coastal Community Health Center where I meet with the CEO, Barbara Meyers and representatives from the Community Health Centers of Georgia to discuss proposed changes in the 340B pharmacy program. Before heading home to Pooler, I meet with my good friend, Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) member Lauren “Bubba” McDonald and constituents on St. Simons Island.