Representative Buddy Carter

Warning: Classified

Biden administration officials continue to act as if they are above the law. House Republicans continue holding them accountable, because there should not be one set of laws if your last name is Biden and another set for everyone else.

Despite the Department of Justice (DOJ) finding evidence that Biden “willfully” kept classified documents during his time as Vice President, in clear violation of the law, the corrupt DOJ is not pursuing criminal charges. It has proof that a crime was committed, at the highest levels of our government, and is choosing to ignore it. This is an obvious double standard by the same department that is pursuing a slew of politically motivated charges against Biden’s biggest political opponent.

The DOJ’s behavior is un-American. Biden knows he cannot beat Trump at the ballot box, so his administration is attempting to crush him at the jury box. We cannot, and will not, let this corruption go unchecked – even though the DOJ is seemingly doing everything in its power to keep the truth from the American people.

This led the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees to launch a probe into whether the DOJ is applying the law fairly and impartially, which is one of the roles of Congress – to act as a check on the executive and judicial branches. To gather all the facts necessary to complete this probe, the committees issued subpoenas for audio recordings of interviews with President Biden and his ghostwriter as part of Special Council Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s misuse of classified documents.

It is important that Congress have access to these tapes for a few key reasons. First, they represent the best evidence of what was actually said in the closed-door interview. Second, Special Council Hur claims that Biden’s memory is poor, and that he is unfit to stand trial. To determine the truth of that, the Committees need the best evidence available to them, which – in this case – is the audio recordings. Finally, President Biden is currently facing an impeachment inquiry related to his families’ business dealings, and these audio recordings are important for determining whether Biden’s mishandling of classified documents was part of a larger plot to enrich his family.

As Attorney General (AG) Merrick Garland is aware, subpoenas are not optional – they are legal documents that compel someone to act. Yet, he’s refusing to release the tapes. Garland is breaking the law to prevent audio recordings of President Biden’s interview from being leaked. The transcripts have already been released, which begs the question: what is the Biden administration hiding in those recordings?

You know the saying – if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck. If it looks like corruption, acts like corruption, and sounds like corruption, then it’s probably corruption.

That’s why this week, House Republicans passed a resolution holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with the Judiciary Committee’s subpoena requests. This was a significant vote that I did not take lightly. I voted in favor of this resolution because the American people are sick and tired of our nation’s two-tiered system of justice. House Republicans committed to delivering a government that’s accountable, and we are holding AG Garland accountable for his abuse and disregard of the law.

It is up to Congress, not the executive branch, to decide what information we need to conduct proper oversight.

Garland, release the tapes.

Buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing a big win for our district in the Fiscal Year 25 National Defense Authorization Act.

from our nation's capitol cdlxiii

Tuesday, June 11, 2024: Family traditions are important and since I was a child, my family has taken a vacation during June in the Clark Hill area of North Georgia. From Elijah Clark State Park to Mistletoe State Park and for the past 30 plus years Richard B. Russell State Park, we have enjoyed the lakes of Northeast Georgia. This past weekend, we had 37 people at the lake and on Friday night Amy and I traveled to our alma mater of Young Harris College, where I was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni for Lifetime Career Achievement Award.

Rep. Carter receives the Distinguished Alumni for Lifetime Career Achievement Award from Young Harris College

I’m up early and live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business where we discuss news of the day including the recent video showing then Speaker Nancy Pelosi accepting responsibility for not calling in the National Guard on January 6^th. Next, I head to the Savannah airport for my return trip to Washington and, before boarding, I have a radio interview with my good friend Martha Zoller in Gainesville to discuss news of the day. Once back at the Capitol, I head straight to the Rules Committee where I propose six amendments to be added to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that is being voted on this week. Because there are over 1300 amendments being considered by the Rules Committee, they are very stringent in their consideration, and I am only granted one of the six I have proposed. However, it is a good one as it will protect funding for Combat Readiness Training Centers (CRTC) operated by the U.S. Air National Guard where they provide pilot training, regional training conferences, classified engagements, and regional operations support. There are four CRTC’s in the U.S., including the Air Dominance Center at Travis Field in Savannah, and this will ensure that it stays up and running. Once back in my office, I meet with the Citizens Climate Lobby before filming a video for the Budget Committee followed by our weekly meeting of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environmental, Manufacturing and Critical Materials (ENV) Subcommittee staff. Next, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with my good friend, Marty Daniel with Daniel Defense in Black Creek, before heading to the Senate side of the Capitol where I speak to the American Telemedicine Association and bring them up to date on my legislation extending this integral part of healthcare delivery. Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week. Afterwards, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to Logan Noel Sharpe from Waycross, who was tragically killed in an automobile crash recently. Next, I head back off Capitol Hill for a meeting with Southern Company and other power companies involved in the construction of Plant Vogtle's two newly operational nuclear reactors. Plant Vogtle is now the largest generator of clean, emissions-free energy in the country.

Rep. Carter discusses inflation and immigration on Mornings with Maria

Wednesday, June 12, 2024: After attending our weekly GOP Conference meeting this morning, I head to the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) and House Health Care Innovation Caucus “Health Innovation Expo 2024” where I am honored to receive the Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award for my ongoing support of patient-centered medical progress. Next, I head to an E&C Full Committee markup of 13 health bills that will increase access to care, address waste, fraud and abuse, and help make care more affordable. I have always maintained that the E&C is the most bipartisan committee in Congress and today adds more proof to that assertion as all 13 bills are passed by unanimous recorded votes. Afterwards, I have a series of meetings including with the CEO of DisposeRX, a product that allows for safe at home disposal of prescribed controlled substances, Energy Fuels and Astron Corporation, a critical mineral processing company, the CEO of Mutual of Omaha, James Blackledge, to discuss Medicare benefits, and representatives from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). After a conference call with the VA to discuss the case of a constituent, I meet with the Portland Cement Association (PCA), Anovion Technologies, the Independent Electrical Contractor’s and my good friends, Mark and Jerry Konter with the National Association of Home Builders. They are accompanied by Robert Headley of Jesup who recently completed his internship in our office and joined NAHB as their legislative intern. Next, I join in on our all staff conference call before heading off Capitol Hill for a private tour of the Auto Innovators Tech Showcase where I see the great work in automotive technology being done by LG, before heading back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day. Later, I join a great crowd at the annual Congressional Baseball game where the Republicans beat the Democrats 31-11 but the real winner are the area charities as the game raises over $2.2 million.

Rep. Carter meets with the National Association of Home Builders

Thursday, June 13, 2024: After our weekly Doctor's Caucus meeting, I head off Capitol Hill to a GOP conference with former President Donald J. Trump. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) before heading to an E&C ENV hearing on Critical Materials Supply Chain that I chair. Afterwards, I speak to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association before heading back to our office where I meet with Ella Shaffer from Savannah, a youth recipient of the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal Award. After speaking virtually to the National Organization of Rheumatology Management (NORM), I head to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day. After votes, I pay tribute to Caroline Dowling, a young Pierce County student who was tragically killed in an accident recently.

Rep. Carter Chairs a hearing in the Subcommittee on the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials

Friday, June 14, 2024: I’m presiding over the House this morning as we have our final vote series of the week and pass the FY ‘25 NDAA. This is a must pass bill that will now go to the Senate and come back to us to work out our differences. After votes, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to the Valdosta State University (VSU) men’s tennis team for winning the NCAA Division II National Championship. Once back in our office, I join in on a District teams call before filming this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings and Material Minute. After recording a podcast for the Canadian American Business Council to discuss U.S./Canada trade relations, I head to the airport and to San Antonio, TX, where I will be speaking this weekend at the American Pharmacies annual expo. American Pharmacies is a 100% member-owned pharmacy cooperative that fights for the economic, legal and political interests of independent pharmacy.

Rep. Carter presides over votes in the House of Representatives

votes in the house this week

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