Representative Buddy Carter

The Case for impeaching mayorkas

The House Homeland Security Committee (HSC) officially launched impeachment hearings examining the failure of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This is a serious step that cannot, and should not, be taken lightly. In fact, the only cabinet official to ever be impeached was Secretary of War William Belknap in 1876, so we are in mostly unchartered waters right now.

While I don’t serve on the HSC, I will have the opportunity to vote on this issue should it come to the House floor. That’s why today, I wanted to break down why I believe Mayorkas’ conduct warrants an impeachment.

For nearly a year, HSC has conducted a methodical, in-depth, five-phased investigation into the causes, costs, and consequences of the unprecedented crisis at America’s borders. The results have been nothing short of shocking and deeply concerning. Since President Biden took office, there have been 8 million illegal crossings nationwide and more than 6.7 million encounters. The amount of illicit fentanyl flooding into our nation is even worse. There is enough fentanyl in this country to kill every single American several times over. It’s infesting our communities and poisoning our children, who don’t know what they’re taking until it’s too late.

Border security is national security, and our southern border is in shambles.

For three years, Mayorkas has refused to enforce the laws passed by Congress, abused his authority as secretary, and misled Congress and the American people. Additionally, he has released millions of illegal immigrants into our communities in a flagrant abuse of immigration laws passed by Congress. Finally, his policies have pulled thousands of Border Patrol agents off the frontline mission of securing the border. The criminal cartels have taken advantage of this, smuggling record numbers of illegal aliens and deadly drugs across while agents are overwhelmed or distracted. Ultimately, it’s American families that pay the price for these reckless and irresponsible policies.

Unfortunately, the more we learn about the crisis at our southern border, the more it becomes clear that this is no accident, it’s deliberate. Speaker Johnson identified 64 actions taken under this President that undermined our border security, which I encourage you to read here.

For these reasons, I believe Congress is well within our rights, abilities, and responsibilities to impeach Mayorkas. Congress has a responsibility to hold executive branch officials accountable when they fail to uphold their oath of office, abuse their authority, and/or are dishonest with the American people. Secretary Mayorkas’ actions and decisions, which have led to the loss of innocent lives and weakened national security, clearly meet the standard necessary for initiating impeachment proceedings.

If Congress fails to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable for his actions, we will be just as guilty of neglecting our duty as the secretary has been. We cannot allow the loss of life, safety, and rule of law to continue.

Buddy's Briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we call out Hunter Biden for his antics in Washington D.C. this week.

from our nation's capitol cdxli

Monday, January 8, 2024: On Saturday, I stopped by the newest Tex-Mex restaurant on St. Simons Island, Surcheros, where my good friend, John McCallum and his business associates were hosting a pre grand opening for friends and family. Surcheros owner Luke Christian opened his first restaurant in his native Douglas, GA, during 2007, and has expanded the chain to 26 Southeast locations. I also had the honor of speaking at the grand re-opening of Desposito’s Seafood, a Thunderbolt tradition established in 1965 as Walton’s Seafood. The newly renovated structure will continue the Desposito’s legacy that has catered to locals and Tybee Island visitors for years. I also had the pleasure of attending the 90^th birthday celebration of my good friend, Pete Waller, owner of Ottawa Farms in Bloomingdale.

Rep. Carter at Desposito's Seafood re-opening

I’m on the radio this morning with my good friend, Martha Zoller from Gainesville as we discuss news of the day and afterwards head to Sea Island in Glynn County where I have the honor of speaking to the Sea Island Roundtable, a group of current and retired business executives, as I bring them up to date on Washington affairs and hear their concerns regarding our country.

Next, I head to our Savannah district office and during the drive, have a phone interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah to discuss The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler being recognized as a museum of national importance. As part of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Pooler Museum is now known as the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Once at our Savannah district office, I have an on-camera interview with One America News (OAN) to discuss news of the day including the disaster at the Southern Border.

Next, I head to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler where, along with Museum CEO Scott Loehr, we have a press conference officially announcing the well-deserved distinction the museum is receiving of being named a National Museum.

Afterwards, I head to Pembroke in Bryan County where I am honored to speak at the inauguration of newly elected Mayor Tiffany Zeigler and new council members Ed Bacon and Sharon Lewis. I am also privileged to recognize longtime outgoing Mayor Judy Cook, who has done an excellent job for many years.

Rep. Carter speaks at the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force

Tuesday, January 9, 2024: I’m on the radio again this morning, this time with my good friend John Fredericks as we discuss the current budget situation that we are dealing with in Congress.

Afterwards, I join in on our all staff conference call before heading to the airport for my return trip to Washington. Once back in my office, I have a series of meetings with staff including a legislative meeting, a communications meeting and a virtual district staff meeting.

Next, I have a phone interview with Modern Healthcare to discuss legislation I am sponsoring to lower prescription drug costs before heading to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee huddle to discuss upcoming hearings.

Afterwards, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and remain in the House Chamber afterwards to pay tribute to the City of Brunswick for being named one of the most affordable beach towns in America.

Rep. Carter delivers a One Minute Speech paying tribute to the City of Brunswick

Wednesday, January 10, 2024: After our weekly GOP Conference meeting where we discuss the Speaker’s agreement with Senate leaders regarding the top line number for our budget, I head to an E&C Environment Subcommittee hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) overreach on energy production in the U.S. This is the last hearing of the subcommittee chaired by my friend Chairman Bill Johnson (R-OH) who recently announced he is resigning his seat to become President of Youngstown State University.

Once back in my office, I meet with newly appointed Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Dr. Mandy Cohen, before heading to a meeting of the Conservative Climate Caucus, where I have recently been appointed as a Co-Chair.

Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading back to my office where I meet with Benjamin Huffman, the newly appointed Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco in Glynn County.

After meeting with my good friend, Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., (R-NJ), I head to the House Chamber where I speak on a Congressional Review Act (CRA) involving electric vehicle (EV) charger stations.

Once back in my office, I have a live interview on Newsmax American Agenda to discuss our current budget situation as well as Hunter Biden’s appearance at a House Oversight and Investigations (O&I) hearing earlier today.

Next, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with representatives of health care companies.

Rep. Carter meets with FLETC Director Benjamin Huffman

Thursday, January 11, 2024: At our weekly GOP Doctor’s Caucus meeting this morning, we meet with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) as we present he and his team with our health care priorities.

Next, I head to a meeting with the Chairwoman of E&C, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) to discuss committee business before heading to an E&C C&T Subcommittee hearing on cybersecurity.

Afterwards, I head to a Budget Committee member meeting to discuss formalizing the Debt Commission before heading to the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) hearing room where I present the First District’s priorities for this year’s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

After heading to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Alan Yovich from Savannah who recently passed, I join in on our all staff conference call before our first vote series of the day.

Once back in our office, I film a series of videos including this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing, Tech Talk, and an acceptance speech for an award I am receiving for my work on maternal mortality.

Next, I head back to the House Chamber where I speak on proposed Physician Fee Schedule cuts before our second vote series of the day.

Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill where I join my House Colleague, Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC), in a conversation with members of the bipartisan Center Forward group.

Rep. Carter speaks to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding WRDA priorities

Friday, January 12, 2024: After an early morning conference call with our communications consultant on the way to our Savannah district office, I’m live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as I join a panel discussing the state of the economy.

Next, I have a phone interview with Politico to discuss my new role as co-chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus and our plans for the year. Later in the afternoon, I have a live interview with Bloomberg radio to discuss news of the day before heading to Pooler where I tour the impressive Amazon robotics fulfillment center that opened last August.

Next, I head to downtown Savannah where I meet with members of the Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association who are in town for their annual convention.

Rep. Carter tours Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Pooler

votes in the house this week

Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives.