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This week I voted in support of a balanced budget amendment. The amendment would amend the United States Constitution to require that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenue.
Unfortunately, my colleagues across the aisle blocked this measure from passing the House. This is extremely disappointing and unacceptable.
The national debt is the single greatest threat to our national security and, unchecked, threatens to leave future generations to a life indebted to other countries.
Americans are sick and tired of Washington's out of control spending and the federal government must cut up the credit cards. It's past time to require the federal government to finally take a cue from hard working families and small businesses by living within its means and learning to balance a budget.
Not spending more than you have is simply common sense. I will continue fighting to balance the budget. |
| INCREASing ACCESS TO OPIOID ADDICTION TREATMENT |
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This week I introduced legislation to increase access to treatment for those suffering from opioid and other addictions.
Currently, federal law prohibits a medical practitioner from dispensing controlled substances through the internet without first evaluating the patient in-person.
My legislation, the Special Registration for Telemedicine Clarification Act, instructs the Attorney General to take the necessary steps to allow for the prescription of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and other controlled substances via telemedicine. It requires a special registration to connect patients with the treatment they need without risking important safeguards to prevent misuse or diversion.
Millions of Americans across the country are currently addicted to opioids and we're losing 115 people every day. No community is safe, especially rural communities where many do not have access to the treatment they need in close proximity.
I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure those who do not have access to an in-person specialist are able to get the help they need through telemedicine without risking important safeguards to prevent misuse.
As the only pharmacist in Congress, I believe we must use every tool available to combat the opioid crisis. Telemedicine technology has evolved tremendously and it should absolutely be used in this fight. |
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In case you missed it, I had the opportunity to question Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week.
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| From our Nation's capitol CLVIII |
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Monday, April 9, 2018: Before jumping on a plane to head to Boston this morning, I have a phone interview with Fox 28 in Savannah to comment on train issues that the City of Savannah is having similar to what some other cities in the area have experienced in the past. While we recognize that trains are important for the transportation of goods to and from our ports, they are a big inconvenience when they block automobile traffic and pose a significant problem when emergency vehicles are delayed. Once I arrive in Boston, I have a phone interview with Slate Magazine to discuss this week’s upcoming hearing with the CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. Later, I have a meeting with representatives from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to discuss U.S.-Israel relations and matters in the Middle East.
Tuesday, April 10, 2018: My first visit today is with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals where I meet with the CEO, John Maraganore. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA therapeutics which aim to address genetic medicines, cardio-metobolic diseases and hepatic infectious diseases. John also currently serves as the Chair of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the world’s largest biotech trade association. Boston is a hotbed for biopharmaceutical research with many of the world’s leading biomedical companies headquartered here.
Rep. Carter receiving the American Conservative Union's Congressional Ratings Award |
Next, I head to Greentown Labs, the largest cleantech startup incubator in the U.S. where they provide access to working space, machine shops, prototyping labs, investor networks and legal services. The Boston area is home to many of the greatest universities in the world and the work that is being done here will transform the way we live, work and play. As I head to the airport for my trip back to Washington, I have a phone interview with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) to discuss the upcoming hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Once back in Washington, my first meeting is with representatives from the Community Bankers Association followed by a meeting with representatives from the American Dental Association. My next meeting is with representatives from the American College of Radiology after which I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee member meeting where we discuss our plans for the hearing tomorrow involving Mr. Zuckerberg. Afterwards, I head to an American Conservative Union (ACU) reception where I receive the ACU’s Congressional Ratings Award for my conservative voting record. Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018: We have a Doctor’s Caucus meeting this morning and our special guest is Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This is a great meeting as many of the initiatives of the Doctor’s Caucus deal directly with CMS. Afterwards, I head to our weekly Republican Caucus meeting and the buzz all morning turns out to be true as Speaker Paul Ryan, one of the most talented legislators I have ever known, announces he will not be seeking re-election to Congress next session. While this is a shock to many, it is not to me.
Rep. Carter at the E&C hearing with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg |
I spend a lot of time with Paul as we see each other every morning in the member’s gym and about a month ago we had the opportunity to travel together when he visited Savannah. Paul has teenage children back home in Wisconsin and is a dedicated family man. He has done great things for our country and, while his leadership will be missed and I hope he will return to public service again someday, he is making the right decision now. Next, I head to the long awaited and greatly anticipated E&C hearing involving Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Mr. Zuckerberg is here, of course, to answer questions about the recent data breach controversy involving Cambridge Analytica where personal data of more than 87 million Facebook users was compromised. Even for Washington standards, the amount of press and the commotion surrounding Mr. Zuckerberg’s visit is unheard of. This is his third straight day on Capitol Hill as he met with Congressional leaders on Monday and testified before the Senate’s Commerce and Judiciary Committees yesterday. A link to my questioning of Mr. Zuckerberg can be found above this column. Afterwards, I meet with representatives from the Georgia Pharmacy Association and then with representatives from the Food Marketing Institute before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Next, I have a Facetime interview with WTOC in Savannah to discuss the Zuckerberg hearing and then head to Statuary Hall for an interview with Ali Velshi of MSNBC followed by an interview with Fox Business, then with the BBC. All of these interviews are to discuss the Zuckerberg hearing and the Ryan announcement. A link to these interviews can be found here. Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day before heading to an E&C Health Subcommittee meeting on opioids followed by an E&C Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee meeting on the restoration of electric infrastructure in Puerto Rico.
Rep. Carter with participants of the Congressional App Challenge |
Thursday, April 12, 2018: I start my day with a radio interview with Bill Edwards and Laura Anderson with WTKS in Savannah followed by another radio interview with Sirius XM POTUS, both to discuss the Zuckerberg hearings yesterday and the Ryan announcement. Next, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing where we finish up the opioid hearing from yesterday. A link to my questions can be found here. Once back in my office, I meet with representatives from Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) followed by another radio interview with Sirius XM POTUS station to discuss the events of this week. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day before heading to the Congressional App Challenge Reception to greet and congratulate four students from Richmond Hill Middle School who are up visiting this week to receive their awards. I end the day with a visit to the Community Oncologist Conference in Maryland where I speak at the McKesson Specialty Health Reception.
Rep. Carter on Washington Journal |
Friday, April 13, 2018: I’m live on the Washington Journal on C-SPAN this morning to talk about the events of the week and take calls from viewers. A link to my 30 minute interview can be found here and here. Once back at the Capitol, I attend an E&C Environment Subcommittee meeting on high octane fuels. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day before returning to my office to record a video and then head to the airport for my flight home. |
| VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK |
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| Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.
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