This week, I joined my colleagues in the House to pass legislation that extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through the end of the Atlantic hurricane season. As we enter hurricane season, the need to extend the program is urgent for the First District.

While I am very glad the program has been extended, we now need to work on real reforms to improve it. We must work to give the program more financial stability, increase competition with the private sector, and give localities more flexibility.

If you have any questions about flood insurance or need help, please don’t hesitate to contact us in Savannah at 912-352-0101 or in Brunswick at 912-265-9010. 

Monday, July 23, 2018:  This past Saturday I had the honor of participating in the ribbon cutting of Josh Reddick Stadium in Effingham County.  Thanks to a $1 million donation from the World Series Champion Houston Astros outfielder and Effingham County native, the community now has a state of the art baseball stadium that is handicap accessible.  Immediately after the ribbon-cutting the Effingham County Navigator Team - an advocacy group for children with special needs - played the inaugural game at the stadium.  After an early morning flight to the Capitol today, my first meeting is our weekly staff briefing after which I head to the White House for the Made in America reception.  In order to celebrate each of our 50 state's efforts in making and producing products made in America, a single product from each state is displayed and varies from beef jerky to helicopters to bass boats. 

Rep. Carter and Rep. Rob Woodall celebrate Made in America products at the White House

Once back at the Capitol, I have a phone interview with Bloomberg to discuss Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) before heading to the House Chamber where I speak on a bill supporting rural broadband and afterwards preside over debate as Speaker Pro-tem.  Next, I head to our weekly messaging advisory group meeting with House Republican Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) before heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting with Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).  Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and to do a tribute to Houston Astros outfielder and Effingham County native Josh Reddick for his donation to build Josh Reddick stadium in his hometown.  A link to my tribute can be found here.  Later, I participate in a speech to discuss how the lives of Americans have improved under policies implemented by House Republicans. A link to my speech can be found here.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018:  I’m at the White House early this morning to assist one of our office interns, Sam Brogan from St. Simons Island, along with the Grubb family from Richmond Hill gain access for a tour.  Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly GOP Conference meeting before heading to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Oversight and Investigations (O&I) hearing on “Examining Advertising and Marketing Practices within the Substance Use Treatment Industry.”  A link to my questions can be found here.  Later, I head to a listening session on Tax Reform 2.0 with Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) as he discusses the committee’s plans to make key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent.  After heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I head back to my office where I meet with the Concrete Preservation Institute before meeting with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Trey Glenn and members of his staff to discuss environmental issues.  Next, I meet with Joshua Clifford, a student at the University of Georgia who is from Camden County and is a Summer Junior Fellow with the Library of Congress this summer. 

Rep. Carter meeting with Library of Congress intern, Joshua Clifford

Finally, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018:  My first meeting this morning is a hearing in the E&C Health Subcommittee on “21^st Century Cures Implementation: Updates from FDA and NIH.”  A link to my questions can be found here.  Afterwards, I head to an E&C Environment Subcommittee hearing on “Renewable Identification Numbers under the Renewable Fuel Standard.”  A link to my questions can be found here.  After attending the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) meeting I head back to my office where I meet with GenRXMed before having a phone interview with NBC News regarding pharmacists refusing to fill prescriptions based on moral or ethical grounds.  Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and afterwards meet with my fellow Georgia delegation member Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) to discuss disaster relief for blueberry and peach farmers to be included in the Farm Bill.  After heading back to my office, I meet with representatives from the Antimicrobials Working Group followed by the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America and then the Utilities Technology Council. 

Rep. Carter meeting with the Utilities Technology Council

After a phone conference with members of a hospital authority in the First District, I head to the office of Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) to speak to him about disaster relief for blueberry and peach farmers.  Next, I head to the House chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Thursday, July 26, 2018:  This morning I have the opportunity to participate in a GOP member huddle as we hear from Larry Kudlow and Peter Navarro who serve as economic advisors for the President.  Both of these impressive gentlemen are still upbeat from yesterday’s announcement of the new trade agreement with the European Union and answer questions about the President’s trade policies and tariffs.  Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and afterwards head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on “MACRA and MIPS: An Update.”  A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day and stay on the floor to pay tribute to former Georgia State Senator Ed Zipperer.  A link to my tribute can be found here.  Next, I have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Oceana, including film star and former Tybee Island resident Diane Lane, to discuss environmental issues.  Later, I head downtown to visit the Visa Innovation Station to learn more about how the company is connecting consumers to their products via technology while maintaining security and privacy.  Afterwards, I head to the U.S. Coast Guard National Command Center for a tour with Lieutenant Commander Raquel Salter and others and learn more about their mission to maintain situational awareness of all major Coast Guard Operations world-wide. 

Rep. Carter touring the United States Coast Guard National Command Center

This impressive facility is home to a highly trained staff that works in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for our nation’s defense.

Friday, July 27, 2018:  After an early morning radio interview with Laura Anderson with WTKS in Savannah to discuss my visit yesterday to the Coast Guard Command Center, I jump on a plane and fly home to Savannah and immediately head to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) International Trade Park in Port Wentworth to meet up with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, R.D. James.  I have invited Secretary James to Savannah to visit our Port, see the critical need to fund the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, and to meet with local stakeholders for a wetlands tour and discussion. 

Rep. Carter with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, R.D. James

After a tour of OA logistics to view their impressive facilities and then a bus tour along Jimmy DeLoach Parkway to look at different sites we head to the Hilton Head/Savannah International Airport where Sec. James and I meet with the press to discuss his visit and later meet with stakeholders to discuss their concerns.