A Nationwide Public Health Emergency

This week I had the honor of joining President Trump at the White House when he declared a Nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioids crisis.

I am very glad President Trump made this declaration. Americans are dying every day from an opioid overdose and the situation is only getting worse. This is absolutely a health emergency and it should be considered one.

After the event, I spoke with Fox Business Network about President Trump's declaration from the White House.

Click here to watch my interview about President Trump's declaration on opioids.

Also this week, I joined my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for a full committee hearing about the federal response to the opioid epidemic. You can see my Q&A during the hearing here.

As a lifelong pharmacist, I have seen opioid addiction end careers and ruin lives. However, at the same time, I have seen firsthand how vital these medications are for those who truly need them. As a pharmacist, I viewed addressing prescription drug abuse as part of my professional duty and I have continued this work in the United States House of Representatives. I am committed to continued work with President Trump and the entire administration to combat this epidemic.

From our Nation's Capitol CXXXVII

Monday, October 23, 2017: This past weekend was very busy as I joined the Savannah Area Republican Women at their Ladies, Guns and Ammo event on Saturday where we heard from Katie Pavlich, who is known for her work with The Five on Fox News Channel and online news magazines Townhall.com and The Hill. Also on Saturday I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Savannah Jaycee’s 75^th Diamond Anniversary Gala.

Rep. Carter at the Savannah Jaycee's 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala

The Savannah Jaycees are a civic organization of business men and women between the ages of 21 and 40 who inspire leadership growth through community involvement and whose motto is “Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life!” On Sunday, I joined Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA) and Rep. Roger Marshall at the annual meeting of the Georgia Medical Association in Savannah. Each of us had the opportunity to share brief remarks and afterwards participated in a panel discussion on health care issues. Before leaving for Washington this morning, I stop by the Savannah district office for a meeting with Dr. Karen Turner, a long time Savannah physician who is currently serving as the President of the Georgia Osteopathic Association. Once back in Washington, I head straight to the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where I meet my staff and we are treated to a rare behind the scenes tour of this amazing organization. Once back in my office at the Capitol, I meet with representatives from the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry before heading to a meeting of the Messaging Advisory Group of the Republican Conference of which I have recently been appointed. Afterwards, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.

Rep. Carter meeting with representatives from the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Tuesday, October 24, 2017: Our weekly GOP Conference is my first meeting this morning and, as to be expected, most of our discussion revolves around the budget vote that is expected to take place on Thursday of this week. Afterwards, I head back to my office where we have our weekly staff briefing and welcome our newest staff member, Nick Moore. Nick is originally from Alabama and has most recently worked in the office of Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL). We also announce that Nick Schemmel, who has been with us since we took office, has been promoted to Legislative Director. Next, I meet with representatives from McKnight’s Long Term Care News before going to my first committee meeting of the week as I have an Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee meeting on ‘Examining HHS’s Public Health Preparedness for and Response to the 2017 Hurricane Season.’ A link to my questions at this hearing can be found here. Afterwards, I meet with representatives from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs before heading to the Capitol steps to meet and have a picture taken with students from Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island who are visiting the Capitol this week.

Rep. Carter meeting with students from Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island at the U.S. Capitol

Later, I head to the House Chamber where we have our first vote series of the day after which I head to my office for a meeting with representatives from the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. Next, I meet with staff members in my office to prepare for the opioid hearing we will be having in Energy and Commerce tomorrow before heading to the Kennedy Caucus Room in the Senate where I speak to the Girl Scouts of America who are having a summit in honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Following a series of meetings with different groups, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017: I’m at the White House first thing this morning as I am assisting some visiting constituents gain access to the building. Once back at the Capitol, I attend another ‘Meet the Cabinet’ series where we meet Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and learn more about her vision for the Department of Education. Afterwards, I head to a full committee meeting of the Energy and Commerce Committee where we have a hearing on ‘Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis’ that starts at 10:00 a.m. and lasts until 3:00 p.m. A link to my questions can be found here. The only interruption during this five hour hearing is a 30 minute vote series in the House Chamber. Afterwards, I meet with representatives from the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association before heading down to Statuary Hall for a live TV interview with MSNBC. A link to my interview can be found here. Once back in my office, I have a very productive meeting with Col. Marvin Griffin and others with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss progress on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP).

Rep. Carter meeting with Col. Marvin Griffin and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

After meeting with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. After votes, I deliver a speech on the House Floor in honor of Dr. Sam Coker. A link to my speech can be found here.

Thursday, October 26, 2017: One of the true delights of serving in Washington is hosting the many interns that we have during the year. Our current intern is Mikayla Mobley from Macon and this morning I have the pleasure of welcoming her father to the Capitol. Mikayla is a fine young lady who has done an excellent job while working in our office. My first two meetings today are with the Rural Broadband Association and the National Concrete Masonry Association. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day as we pass the fiscal year 2018 budget that was sent to us by the Senate and will serve as the vehicle for tax reform. After votes I deliver a speech in recognition of the 71st Rescue Squadron. Later, I head to the White House where I am a special guest for President Trump’s press conference on combatting the opioid epidemic. I am very impressed with the President’s grasp of the situation as he uses personal stories of addiction in his family and emphasizes the need for non-addictive alternatives. Afterwards, I have a live TV interview on the White House lawn with Fox Business to discuss the press conference. A link to my interview can be found here.

Votes in the House this week

Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House.