The President's Budget Request

This week, President Trump released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2018. While it's important to remember that this is just the starting point for budget discussions, it is encouraging to finally have a president that realizes it's past time to cut up the credit cards. This budget proposal creates a framework for a necessary and long overdue discussion about reining in Washington's spending addiction. It works to balance the budget and reduce our nation's debt while reversing the defense sequester to support our Armed Forces. The budget also invests in border security.

Click here to read the president's budget request.

Now, Congress will work with the administration to create a fiscally sound budget to grow our economy. As we move forward, it's my job to ensure the First District is supported and I take that job very seriously. I will fight for our ports, the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, the Coast Guard, our military installations, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and other critical projects as discussions continue.

From our Nation's Capitol CXV

Monday, May 22, 2017: What a great weekend! I was able to spend all day Saturday in McIntosh County at Shellman Bluff with some truly great people. After spending the morning at an event sponsored by McIntosh County Sheriff Steve Jessup in support of the Georgia sheriff’s home, I attend the Coastal Community Health Services Shellman Bluff location grand opening. My office assisted Martin Miller, Martin Nesmith and Mike Hardy secure a federal grant for this center and, with numerous volunteers throughout the community, the center was built in less than six months. Along with the Perry Park and Brunswick locations in Glynn County, the Shellman Bluff location is the third facility operated by Coastal Community Health Services and will provide affordable and accessible health care for the area.

Congressman Carter at the grand opening of Coastal Community Health Services

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, I head to the community “thank you” celebration at the Shellman Bluff fish camp where I deliver the keynote address and congratulate the community on their great accomplishment. This morning I have the pleasure of visiting with WWII veteran Walter Parrish, who resides at Savannah Commons in Savannah, to present him with a copy of the tribute I entered into the Congressional Record in his honor last week. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my flight back to Washington and, once back in my office, I meet with the president of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), DeAnn Mullins from Florida. Next, I meet with members of the Community Bankers of America to discuss the Financial CHOICE Act that we will be voting on in the next couple of weeks. After a meeting with a veteran from the district, Harry Daniel, to discuss legislation dealing with the men who served in the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Cleanup Program during the late 70’s, we have our weekly staff briefing to discuss the week ahead. Before heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting, I meet with Rep. Dave Schweikert (R-AZ) to discuss legislation he is working on. After heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I head to a meeting with Speaker Paul Ryan and other members of his Congressional kitchen cabinet to discuss issues and upcoming legislation.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017: Our weekly Republican Conference is this morning and we hear from Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) who reviews details of the CHOICE Act that his committee has been working on and that we will be voting on soon.

Congressman Carter with students from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy

Afterwards, I head back to my office where I meet with students from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy before heading to an Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee hearing on the U.S. public health response to the Zika virus. A link to my questions can be found here. Next, I have a meeting with Medela US, a company that provides breastfeeding products before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head back to my office where I meet with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association before meeting with representatives from the Atlanta Beltline. My next meeting is with the Georgia Society of CPA’s before heading to a Republican Study Committee meeting with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Finally, we have our second and final vote series of the day.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017: We continue our “Meet the Cabinet Series” today as we meet with Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin. I am particularly interested in what the secretary has to say as we have a number of veterans who live in the First District and most of our casework involves veteran issues. Afterwards, I meet with executives from RaceTrac, a gasoline store chain in our district and throughout the southeast, to discuss the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver issue. Next, I head to Statuary Hall in the Capitol for an interview with MSNBC to discuss the president’s budget proposal as well as the American Health Care Act (AHCA), before heading to the World War II Memorial on the mall to record a video in honor of Memorial Day. A link to my interview with MSNBC can be found here.

Congressman Carter meeting with the American College of Physicians

Once back in my office, I meet with members of the American Chemistry Council followed by a meeting with the American College of Physicians before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. After returning to my office, I have a number of meetings first with the Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, followed by Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International. My next two meetings are with the CEO of Allied BioScience and the fragrance industry before I head to an Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee members’ briefing on grid security. After heading to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day, I have a meeting with Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, to discuss the issue of prescription drug pricing. Next, I return to the House Chamber for a Memorial Day special order where I have the opportunity to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our county. A link to my speech can be found here.

Thursday, May 25, 2017: With Memorial Day being observed next Monday, I am reminded this morning of the ultimate sacrifice that so many great Americans have made for our country. A few weeks ago, Army 1st Lt. Weston Lee was killed when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated during a patrol he was involved in while serving in Mosul, Iraq. Born and raised in Bluffton, GA, in Clay County, 1st Lt. Lee was the pride and joy of his family and community and represented everything that is good about our country. This morning, my entire staff and I are honored to attend his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. In the thick, misty rain of this May morning, we lay to rest one of our country’s finest who gave his life for the freedoms that we, as Americans, often take for granted. As I pause next Monday when we observe Memorial Day, I will be saying a prayer and thanking all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, especially Army 1st Lt. Weston Lee, for our country. Once back at the Capitol, I head to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day before heading back to my office for a meeting with the American Association of Homecare.