Fighting Zika

This week, I joined a bipartisan majority in the House to approve immediate funding to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. Without action, this public health crisis will continue to spread putting all Georgians at risk.

The legislation provides $622.1 million to stop the virus at its source by funding mosquito control at home and abroad, help get vaccines and diagnostic tests online quickly and safely, and provide funds to states to care for mothers and infants with Zika. This funding is completely offset and allows work to begin immediately on proven methods while giving the Administration time to produce a more comprehensive plan that we have been waiting on for months.

Critics say this legislation does not provide enough funding, but the $1.9 billion requested by the Obama Administration fails to provide any justification or action plan for the funding despite repeated calls from Congress. I for one am not for writing blank checks under the guise of a crisis without some accountability as to how taxpayer dollars are going to be used.

We are in the middle of the regular appropriations process which gives us an opportunity to consider a longer-term approach through regular order. I am committed to providing authorities with the resources necessary to protect the public and combat this disease in a responsible way.

From our Nation's Capitol LXVI

Monday, May 16, 2016: I’m back in Washington this afternoon and once I arrive at my office I rush to the Capitol Plaza to grab a picture with students from the STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School in Savannah. Bartlett was the first STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) certified middle school in Georgia and received the Future of Education in Technology Conference First Place Excellence Award for middle schools for the entire nation. This great group of students and their chaperones are visiting their Nation’s Capital this week in what will surely be an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Congressman Carter with students from the STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School

Once I’m back in my office, I have a phone interview with Roll Call concerning the compound pharmaceutical industry and recent FDA rulings that have hindered their practice. This is yet another example of Federal agencies overreach and how the current Administration is obstructing businesses and in this case, preventing patients from getting the health care they need. Next, I head to the House Chamber where I speak in favor of H. Con. Res. 88, reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act, before heading to the weekly Whip Team meeting to discuss the agenda for this week. Our first and only vote series of the day is next in the House Chamber after which I stay to deliver a one minute speech on Rebuilding Together Waycross. A link to my speech can be found here.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016: Our weekly Republican Conference is my first meeting today where we discuss the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as well as the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, our first appropriations bill of the year that we will be taking up later this week. Afterwards, I head to a hearing in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) on the White House Narratives on the Iran Nuclear Deal followed by a hearing in the Education and the Workforce Committee on the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. My final hearing of the morning is in the Committee on Homeland Security (CHS) where we discuss the Oversight of Federal Efforts to Address Electromagnetic Risks. Yesterday, Speaker Paul Ryan appointed me to the conference committee on opioids and today I have my first meeting with the Speaker and the other conferees to discuss the House goals as we will be meeting with the Senate conferees next week. Next, I have an on camera television interview with WSB in Atlanta regarding security concerns for flights from Cuba before heading back to CHS for a hearing on the security risks of resuming U.S. Commercial Air Service to Cuba. After heading to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day and following meetings with Daniel Defense from Savannah and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), I head to the Rules Committee where I offer two amendments to the NDAA that we will be voting on in the next few days. Both amendments, one to close the St. Mary’s airport in Camden County, whose flight path is over Kings Bay Navy Submarine Base and poses a security risk, and the other, to clarify that small businesses will be part of the Tricare pharmacy pilot program, are accepted. My day ends with a fascinating discussion between a few fellow members and retired four-star general and Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, John M. “Jack” Keane.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016: After a hearing in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding employee misconduct at EPA, I head back to my office to meet with representatives from the Weather Channel. The majority of the remainder of my day is spent in the Committee on Education and the Workforce where we are marking up two bills today, the Persuader Rule and the long awaited Child Nutrition Reauthorization. Both of these bills are extremely important and much work has gone into them prior to this mark-up.

Congressman Carter meeting with the Home Care Association

During breaks in the mark-up, I meet with Martin Miller from Savannah who is in town with the Home Care Association of America and with Executive Vice Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Steve Wrigley. Also, as often happens, votes are called during the mark-up session, and we adjourn to go to the House Chamber to vote and reconvene after votes. Later, I meet with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association before heading to the House Chamber where I preside as Speaker Pro tem over debate on the NDAA. Afterwards, I stay in the House Chamber and speak in favor of the two amendments that I have offered to the NDAA and they both pass by voice vote. Around 9 p.m. we have our second and final vote series of the day, where we have 17 total votes, including 14 amendments.

Thursday, May 19, 2016: My day starts early as I attend the weekly member’s prayer breakfast in the Capitol this morning. There are a number of prayer breakfasts and Bible studies throughout the week and this is a bipartisan group that I enjoy very much. Next, I head back to my office to meet with Michael Lusk, the Refuge Manager at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, before heading to a Health Care Task Force Member meeting in the Capitol. Following our first and only vote series of the day that turned out to be quite contentious, I stay on the floor to deliver a one minute speech in honor of Savannah businessman Greg Parker. Later in the afternoon, after filming a Public Service Announcement with the Weather Channel, I attend a celebration at the Taiwanese embassy of the inauguration of the new President and Vice President.

Congressman Carter meeting with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Friday, May 20, 2016: I stayed in D.C. last night in order to fly down to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta this morning for an East Coast Air Power Demonstration. Along with other members, staff and General John Norman, the Director of Global Power Programs, we flew down on a HC-103J with 11 members of the 93^rd Air Ground Operations Wing. Unfortunately, due to weather constraints, we were unable to watch them conduct a static line airdrop or helicopter air-to-air refueling on our trip down. Once we arrived at Moody, we were greeted by community leaders as well as Col Kunkel, the 23^rd Wing Commander, Col Locke, the 93^rd Wing Commander, and Col Caine from the 9^th Air Force. We had a chance to see the A-10, the F-15, the HH-60 Pavehawk, and the F-16. We rode the HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters and had the opportunity to fire 50 caliber machine guns at the range. It’s a weapon that is absolutely critical to the outstanding men and women who are part of the Combat Search and Rescue mission at Moody. Our visit was capped off with an air power demonstration featuring the impressive aircraft and the Guardian Angels who have earned that nickname because of the lives they’ve saved and continue to save. After interacting with these fine young men and women of our armed forces and witnessing the air power of our Air Force, I remembered why I voted for the NDAA earlier this week and why I am so proud to be an American.