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| This week on BUddy's Briefing |
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Photos and reports of the Biden Border Crisis are disturbing and extremely concerning. I led more than 40 Republicans in demanding answers from the Biden Administration about the unaccompanied children at the border. Congress needs answers about the processes being used to transfer these children from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities to Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilities, current and future capacity needs within ORR, and plans to address the crisis at the border while prioritizing the safety and well-being of these children.
Click here to read more in Fox News.
Also this week, I had the great honor of dedicating the Senator Jack Hill Post Office in Reidsville. Jack was a close friend and mentor to me and I miss him very much, just as I know many other Georgians do. The Senator Jack Hill Post Office Building will preserve Jack’s wonderful legacy in the community he loved and will serve as a special reminder of Jack’s service and dedication to his neighbors and his state.
We discuss this and more in this episode of Buddy's Briefing.
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This week the CEOs of Google, Facebook, and Twitter testified before our committee in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. During the hearing, I questioned Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg after it was reported that human smugglers are using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to update migrants attempting to cross the southern border on impending checkpoints, transportation, where to stay, how to navigate immigration laws and more.
There is a disaster at our southern border and it is alarming that human smugglers are using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to help people cross the border illegally. Facebook needs to take accountability and ensure their platform is not assisting in this illegal activity that is resulting in horrible conditions for these people.
I spoke to Sean Spicer on Newsmax about the hearing.
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This week I introduced the Seniors Access to Vaccines Ensured (SAVE) Act with Congressman Sanford Bishop. This bipartisan bill will create a temporary Medicare benefit during the length of the pandemic to transport seniors to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
Congress should be doing everything we can to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine. One way we can do this is by ensuring vulnerable seniors have transportation to the vaccination sites. To end this pandemic Americans need to get vaccinated, and transportation issues should not stand in the way.
While many seniors have other transportation options such as a ride from an adult child, this temporary benefit will provide a lifeline to the significant number of beneficiaries unable to get to and from their vaccination appointments. |
| from our nation's capitol CCCV |
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Monday, March 22, 2021: On Saturday of this past weekend, I attended the Chatham County GOP mass precinct meeting in Savannah and afterwards headed to Fort Stewart in Liberty County where I attended the 3rd ID New Year Reception.
Rep. Carter at the 3rd ID New Year Reception |
Obviously, the New Year Reception has been delayed this year because of the pandemic and, while face masks and social distancing guidelines were followed, the soldiers and their dates were very excited to finally be able to get together. Later in the day, I traveled to Atlanta and Sunday afternoon I headed to the Fox News studios where I had a live interview on Fox News to discuss the crisis at our southern border. A link to my interview can be found here. This morning I travel to Lilburn where I meet with my good friend Rick Desai who gives me a tour of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple. A mandir is a Hindu place of worship and, while I have visited the mandir in Savannah, this was my first visit to this magnificent structure. The temple was inaugurated in August of 2007 after 17 months of construction time with 1.3 million volunteer hours and is made up of 3 types of stone - Turkish limestone, Italian marble and Indian pink sandstone.
Rep. Carter visits the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple |
The breathtaking masterpiece consists of 34,000 individual pieces that were carved by hand in India, shipped to the USA through the Port of Savannah, and assembled in Lilburn like a giant 3-D puzzle. Words simply cannot describe the beauty of this place of paramount peace. Afterwards, I join in on a virtual Energy and Commerce (E&C) full committee hearing on revitalizing our nation’s infrastructure and economy. A link to my questions can be found here. Next, I have an interview with Breitbart to discuss the crisis at the southern border. A link to my interview can be found here. The remainder of the afternoon is filled with meetings with individuals in the Atlanta area.
Tuesday, March 23, 2021: After meeting with a few individuals in the Atlanta area, I join in on an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on legislation to expand health coverage and lower costs. A link to my questions can be found here.
Rep. Carter visits Guardian Pharmacy Services |
Next, I have a great visit with my good friend Fred Burke, CEO of Guardian Pharmacy Services, a provider of long-term care services. Headquartered in Atlanta, Guardian is a leading national provider and expert in medication management for long-term pharmacy care. Before heading to the airport for my return trip home, I have meetings with more individuals in the Atlanta area.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021: I’m on beautiful Jekyll Island this morning as I have the honor of speaking to the Georgia Realtors Association at their annual convention. Although many are attending virtually, there is a good crowd in attendance as people are gradually starting to get back out these days.
Rep. Carter speaks at the Georgia Realtors Association annual convention |
Afterwards, I head to Brunswick High School where I congratulate the students who recently passed the Early Childhood Education, End of Pathway test. The test is 193 questions and takes a minimum of three hours to complete. Not only did all of the students who took the test this year pass, this was also the highest scoring group that the school has ever had. Next, I head to the Brunswick Country Club where I speak to the Coastal Republican Women’s Club about the horrible Democratic backed Equality Act that recently passed the House without any Republican support. After I finished speaking, I meet with a group of business owners from Glynn County to get their perspective on current issues before heading to our Brunswick office where I meet with representatives from Hercules to discuss community involvement in Superfund sites.
Rep. Carter visits Brunswick High School |
Next, I meet with the new City Manager of Brunswick, Regina McDuffie, as we discuss municipal issues and she brings me up to date on the great things happening in this growing area. Afterwards, I head to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat dock near the Sidney Lanier Bridge as I meet with Unified Command and we ride out to see the progress of the dismantling of the Golden Ray. This project has turned out to be much more difficult than anyone anticipated, but progress is being made.
Rep. Carter receives an update on the Golden Ray |
After returning to our Brunswick office, I join in on a GOP virtual call before having a virtual call with Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Christopher Nunn as we discuss the department’s role in allocating CARES funds. Before leaving Glynn County, I head to a book signing and reception with Jackie Gingrich Cushman.
Thursday, March 25, 2021: I’m up early this morning as I have a live interview on Fox News to discuss todays E&C hearing with Big Tech where we will be hearing from the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter and Google. A link to my interview can be found here. Later in the morning, I have a radio interview with my good friend Bill Edwards with NewsTalk 1290 in Savannah to discuss today’s hearing followed by a radio interview on the Martha Zoller Show in Gainesville in North Georgia. Once at my Savannah office, I meet with representatives from the Citizen’s Climate Lobby before joining in on our all-staff conference call.
Rep. Carter meets with the Citizen’s Climate Lobby |
Next, I have a virtual call with representatives from Georgia Foundations followed by a virtual call with Coca-Cola and then with AIDS United. Afterwards, I have the much-anticipated E&C joint Communications and Technology (CT) and Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPAC) Subcommittee hearing on social media’s role in promoting extremism and misinformation. A link to my questions can be found here. Next, I head back down to Jekyll Island in Glynn County where I speak to members of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding (APC) who are having their annual meeting here. After addressing this great group, I have a live interview on Spicer & Co. on Newsmax to discuss the crisis at the southern border and the Big Tech hearing. A link to my interview can be found here. Next, I have the honor of speaking to the student chapter of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) followed by a phone interview with WJCL-TV in Savannah to discuss SB 202, Georgia’s new voting law, that was passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law today by Governor Brian Kemp.
Friday, March 26, 2021: After attending our Band of Brothers bible study this morning in Garden City, I head to Reidsville in Tattnall County where we honor one of my political mentors and my dear friend, the late State Senator Jack Hill, by naming the post office in his honor.
Rep. Carter at the dedication of the Senator Jack Hill Post Office |
Born and raised in this area, Jack served in the State Senate for 30 years, serving as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for many years where his expertise was known and respected throughout the state. After the ceremony, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading to Blackshear in Pierce County where I meet with Sheriff Ramsey Bennett. Next, I head to Waycross in Ware County where I visit the Global Partnership for Telehealth to learn more about the great work they are doing before heading to the Ware County mass vaccination site and join Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for a walkthrough. Afterwards, I head back to Pierce County where I stop by Pierce County High School and meet with some of the senior football players from the 2020 AAA state championship team.
Rep. Carter and Governor Kemp at the Ware County mass vaccination site |
This is the first state championship in football in the history of Pierce County and the community is obviously extremely proud. Next, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I have a virtual interview with WJXT in Jacksonville to discuss the election reform law passed in Georgia yesterday before heading to a book signing by my good friend Larry Barker. Once at home, I have a live virtual interview on Newsmax to once again discuss the election reform law passed this week. A link to my interview can be found here. |
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