As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded that our nation was built on a shared identity: liberty, responsibility, allegiance, and love of country. Citizenship is a sacred bond between a nation and its people.

We are the most generous nation in the world, but our laws have been abused by foreign nationals, including illegal immigrants and birth tourists, who come to America solely to secure U.S. citizenship for their children. That cannot be what the Founders intended.

The prevalence of birth tourism is a scam. It’s a scam to the American people; it exploits the freest and most generous country on earth and undermines the value of American citizenship. Plainly, it’s downright disrespectful to the millions of honest citizens and legal immigrants who follow the rules and embrace the identity of what it means to be an American.

America is the beacon of freedom. But allowing bad actors to take advantage and exploit our nation’s generosity weakens the very identity that has held America together for 250 years.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what the Supreme Court did earlier this week when it voted to continue birthright citizenship. 

According to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, “the Court has repurposed the Fourteenth Amendment to protect its own set of preferred rights that the Reconstruction Congress never contemplated and that cannot find support in its text. Today, the Court does so again by recognizing a constitutional right to citizenship for the children of all foreign birth tourists and illegal aliens.”

And I agree with him.

Now, it’s on Congress to act. It’s time for lawmakers to pursue legislative avenues to protect the integrity of citizenship and ensure that American nationality cannot be exploited by fraud or unlawful entry.

250 years later, I am confident the Great American Experiment will endure. I’m fighting to protect the American Dream because I’ve lived the American Dream. May we never take this nation for granted, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

On this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we discuss the Supreme Court's landmark decision protecting girls' sports and why preserving fairness and equal opportunity for female athletes is simply common sense.

Monday, June 29, 2026: On Saturday I was in Rincon in Effingham County for their annual Freedom Rings Parade and Festival that includes a full day of activities in this fast-growing municipality. The theme of this year’s event was “Proud Past, Bright Future,” and the parade was led by Mayor Kevin Exley and members of the City Council. Complete with local organizations, public safety agencies and community partners, the parade displayed patriotism, history and hope for the future and drew an impressive crowd of hundreds of people along the route. Afterwards, I headed to Hinesville in Liberty County where I attended the visitation ceremony for Melinda Schneider, affectionately known as the “Yellow Bow Lady,” who passed away on June 13th. One of the most civic-minded members of our community, she was committed to our veterans, local organizations and public service. Her roles and affiliations with various groups were numerous and she was the recipient of the Marne Rock Star award for her commitment to the Soldiers of 3rd Infantry Division and all service members stationed at Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart. I was honored to present her husband, PJ, with a flag flown over the United States Capitol in her honor. This morning, I was honored to join WDUN radio in Gainesville for a tribute program to long time broadcaster Martha Zoller who sadly passed on June 22. More important to me than her distinguished broadcasting career as a conservative talk show host was the fact that she was my good friend. I appeared frequently on her show and just a few months ago she was my special guest at the Capitol when King Charles addressed a joint session of Congress. She was a tough interviewer, but she was fair, and that’s all an elected official can ask for. Georgia has indeed lost a great friend and so have I. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my return trip to Washington and, once back on Capitol Hill, I have a series of staff meetings beginning with our scheduling staff, communications staff and legislative staff. After a virtual meeting with our district staff, I have a meeting with the Under Secretary of War of Personnel and Readiness (USW P&R) Honorable Anthony Tata to discuss the current readiness levels across all branches of the military and to identify areas for improvement. Next, I join in on a GOP member conference call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff for an update on negotiations with Iran before heading to the Rules Committee where I am presenting four amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for their consideration. After our weekly Whip Team meeting, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and later return to the Chamber where I have reserved time for a special order where I pay tribute to individuals and groups throughout the State. 

Rep. Carter honors life of Martha Zoller on House floor

Tuesday, June 30, 2026: I’m up early this morning and live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as we discuss the challenges we are experiencing in Congress trying to pass the Save America Act and the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence. Afterwards, I head to a Meet the Cabinet series with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins before heading to our weekly GOP Conference meeting. Next, I head to the National Mall where the Great American State Fair is taking place for an interview on Fox News Radio on the Brian Kilmeade radio show. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology Subcommittee hearing on oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Afterwards, I return to my office and have a meeting with a Congressional Association before joining in on our all staff conference call and then meeting with a staff member. Next, I head to our first vote series of the day before heading to an E&C CMT Subcommittee hearing on global competitiveness that I waive onto. Afterwards, I am honored to speak at the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) fifth annual Hindu Advocacy Day before heading back to our office where I meet with members of the Korea International Trade Association who are visiting our Country. After a phone conference with a constituent to discuss mental health issues, I head to our second vote series of the day and what turns out to unexpectantly be our last vote series of the week. Later, I head to the White House where I join my fellow GOP members for a special meeting with President Donald J. Trump. 

Rep. Carter on National Mall with Fox News

Wednesday, July 1, 2026: I begin the day with a podcast interview with Rxperience, a pharmacy focused podcast, as we discuss Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform, the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act and my time in Congress thus far. Next, I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading to the airport for my unexpected early flight home. Originally, we were scheduled to be in session and voting today and tomorrow, but because we were unable to pass the rule yesterday on the NDAA, we find ourselves at an impasse and cannot debate or vote on the legislation and therefore cannot move forward. Although the fourteen members who voted against the rule have their own various reasons, the main holdup right now is the Senate’s inability to pass the Save America Act, which many of our members, and President Trump, find to be essential.  

Rep. Carter talks Supreme Court on this week's Buddy's Briefing

Thursday, July 2, 2026: I’m in Darien in McIntosh County this morning as I join Mayor Bubba Hodge, City Manager Holden Osburn, Sheriff T.K. King and other officials and community members for a special flag raising ceremony. Darien is the state’s second oldest historic coastal city, founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders as a military outpost. In 1721, McIntosh County was settled by the British with the construction of Fort King George, which was part of a set of forts built under the direction of General James Oglethorpe as a buffer between the British colonies to the north and Spanish Florida to the south. Afterwards, I head to St. Marys in Camden County where Trevor Readdick with Readdick Construction hosts an open house of his newly renovated construction studio.

Rep. Carter speaks at Darien flag raising ceremony

I’m proud to recognize the incredible individuals, celebrate special moments, and honor the legacies of those we’ve lost across Georgia’s First District, throughout our great state, and among those whose connections to our communities continue to enrich the lives of Georgians everywhere.

1. Camden Pharmacy
2. Mr. Paul Watkin
3. UGA Graduates Kennedy Ingram and Macie Phillips
4. Chef Mashama Bailey
5. Greg Tanner
6. Sandra Fryhofer
7. Martha Zoller 
8. Josh Brooks
9. Rep. Larry Walker, Jr.
10. Adrian Bonsey
11. Dr. Ángel Cabrera
12. Melinda (Whalley) Schneider
13. Miss Georgia 2026, Sophia Wootten, and Miss Georgia's Teen 2026, Melony Tidmore
14. Dr. Willie Underwood III
15. Barrett Carter

With an Atlantic coastline and a border shared with Florida, Georgia serves as a gateway between two of America's most important coastlines, supporting trade, tourism, and national security.

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