Representative Buddy Carter

our new role

This week, Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who is the first woman to ever chair this important committee, appointed me to serve as Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), a great friend who has done amazing work during his time in Congress, is retiring tomorrow, leaving the position vacant. I wish him all the best, we will miss his influence on E&C, and I am honored to take on this new leadership role.

Becoming Chair of this Subcommittee gives me the opportunity to display the wonderful work our state and district have done to become nationwide leaders in energy, manufacturing, conservation, and critical minerals production. Georgia is seeing a manufacturing boom, particularly in the energy space, with the largest single economic development in the state’s history – an electric vehicle and battery manufacturing plant – opening right here in the First District. This didn’t happen by accident; it’s happening because state and local leaders have worked hard to create a pro-growth, pro-business environment that balances innovation with conservation.

We’re also blessed to be at the forefront of some exciting new technologies, such as Plant Vogtle 3, which is a nuclear reactor that recently came online and is the first nuclear reactor to be built from scratch in the United States in over 30 years. Nuclear energy is clean, affordable, and reliable. Not many energy sources can offer all three of those benefits. To meet our emissions reduction goals, we must have nuclear as part of our energy portfolio, and Georgia is leading on this front. While there is also an Energy, Climate, and Grid Security subcommittee, the Environment subcommittee’s also works towards lowering emissions and protecting our environment, which are goals that clean energy technologies will help advance.

Locally, our district is blessed to include the entire coast of Georgia, over 100 miles of pristine coastline and ocean views. This resource is a major economic driver, supporting our military, ports, manufacturing industry, commercial and recreational fishing industries, and much more. While we benefit greatly from the beauty and opportunities the coast provides, it also brings with it a unique set of challenges, not the least of which is sea level rise. You’ve heard me say this before, but I’m a believer in climate change. I believe that it is influenced by human activity, that we need to be responsible stewards of the environment, but I also recognize that climate is cyclical and influenced by natural occurrences, independent of human activity as well. Simply put, our planet is a complex system, one that will require adaption, mitigation, and innovation to preserve and protect.

It is critical that we continue to examine how federal policies can help communities mitigate, prevent, and recover from natural disasters, whether they are the result of climate change, and Georgians are uniquely qualified to participate in this national discussion.

Permitting reform is another priority for this subcommittee. We must cut unnecessary red tape so that companies are incentivized to invest here, not in China. By streamlining the permitting process, we will make it easier to start and maintain a business here in the United States, using the advantages of the free market to benefit the world.

As I transition into this leadership role, I will continue to put the First Congressional District first, both on and off committee. That’s why I’m excited, today, to hear from you. The rest of the country could benefit from learning a bit more about how we do things down in Georgia, the #1 State in the Nation to do business, and I want to know what you believe the subcommittee’s priorities should be for the remainder of the 118^th Congress:

What do you think the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee should focus on?

Clean energy

Domestic manufacturing

Permitting reform

Beating China

Emission reduction

Other

I’m excited to report back next week with the survey results and am even more excited for another great year of serving you in Washington, D.C.

Buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the Houthi Terrorist threat in Yemen.

From our nation's capitol CDXLII

Tuesday, January 16, 2024: This past weekend was one of the rare times that I stayed in Washington. Since we were not scheduled to come back until today for votes, I had scheduled an early morning flight home yesterday and was at the airport at 6AM. As I’m sure you’ve heard me say many times before, Washington has all four seasons- Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. They are definitely experiencing Winter now as ice and snow are everywhere. After sitting on an airplane on the tarmac at the airport for a total of eight hours yesterday, I finally gave up and abandoned my plans of going home.

The snow and ice continue this morning and, while votes are cancelled, the House Chamber is open and basic functions at the Capitol continue. Thanks to modern day technology, I’m still able to conduct business from our office and begin with our all-staff conference call before heading to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to former Effingham County High School football coach Bob Griffith who recently passed, Brunswick business owner Ward Sweat, who is retiring after 54 years, Ricciardi’s Pizza in Richmond Hill having been honored for their Chicago style pizza, and Chatham County Emergency Services Team Members Robert Bateman, Donte Boykin, Dustin Turk and Lt. Ray Jennings, who have been recognized by the Savannah Exchange Club for their work.

Once back in my office, I have a series of virtual calls, including with our scheduling staff, legislative staff, and communications staff.

Next, I have a virtual call with one of the witnesses testifying before the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee tomorrow.

After a virtual call with our district staff, I have a live interview with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch as we discuss the border and government funding.

Later, I join a meeting of the Main Street Caucus as we hear from Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) staff regarding negotiations on the budget and the pending continuing resolution (CR) proposal.

Rep. Carter delivers a One Minute Speech to honor Coach Bob Griffith

Wednesday, January 17, 2024: I’m up early and on the radio with Scott Rhino on Morning Xtra in Atlanta this morning as we discuss the border and government funding before heading to our weekly GOP conference meeting.

Next, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Rosemary Mitts, a Chatham County EMT and American Ambulance Association Stars of Life recipient, Mamie Bacon, who recently retired from King and Prince Seafood in Brunswick after 50 years of service, Hobart Manly, Jr, from Savannah who recently passed, and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport for recently being named the No. 1 Airport in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler.

Afterwards, I head back to my office where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and two more videos for conferences I am unable to attend before heading to a conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) meeting.

After our first vote series of the day, I head to an E&C C&T subcommittee hearing on Open Radio Access Networks (ORAN) before heading back to our office where I meet with representatives from Domtar, a company with facilities in Jesup in Wayne County that makes absorbent materials out of wood fiber.

Next, I have a virtual call with Georgian Advocacy for Type 1 Diabetes before heading back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Once back in our office, I have a live interview with Newsmax to discuss the Hunter Biden saga before heading to Conservative Climate Foundation reception introducing myself and two others as Vice-Chairs of the Conservative Climate Caucus.

Rep. Carter introduced as Vice-Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus

Thursday, January 18, 2024: After our weekly Doctor’s Caucus, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with health care advocates before heading to a very unusual Budget Committee markup. Normally the Budget Committee does little with legislation, instead concentrating on formulating a budget. The purpose of this legislation is to hear proposals for a Social Security and Medicare commission to try and save, sustain and stabilize the programs.

Afterwards, I head to the E&C offices where I meet with E&C Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) who brings me the good news that she is naming me Chairman of the Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Minerals Subcommittee to replace outgoing Chairman Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) who is resigning to become President of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.

Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and afterwards remain in the Chamber where I speak on H.R. 6918, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women Act.

Once back in our office, I meet with University of Georgia Vice President for Government Relations Kevin Abernathy before meeting with the Under Secretary of the Army, Gabe Camarillo.

Next, I waive onto an E&C Innovation, Data, and Commerce (IDC) Subcommittee hearing on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and afterwards head back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and final vote series of the week.

Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber to pay tribute to Lauren Curry who was recently named Chief of Staff for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and becomes the first woman in Georgia history to occupy that position.

Rep. Carter meets with University of Georgia Vice President for Government Relations Kevin Abernathy

Friday, January 19, 2024: After getting back home late last night, I grab a few hours of sleep before heading to Wayne County High School in Jesup, for a surprise ceremony honoring the newest Georgia Milken Educator, Colt Brockington, a science teacher and alum of the school.

The award was created in 1987 by Lowell Milken to give outstanding teachers the recognition they deserve for their important work and includes a check for $25,000. '

Afterwards, I have a call with my House colleague, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), to discuss legislation we are co-sponsoring before heading to Brunswick in Glynn County to the offices of Live Oak Fiber for an update on their growing business in the First District.

After a meeting with representatives from PEMB-USA to discuss their operations in Camden County, I head to our Brunswick District office where I film this week’s edition of Tech Talk.

Later in the evening, I attend a meeting of the First District Republican Party on St. Simons Island.

Rep. Carter honors Georgia Milken Educator, Colt Brockington

votes in the house this week

Click here to see this weeks vote sheet in the House of Representatives.