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This week I voted in support of the fiscal year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This legislation provides funding for the federal government for the current fiscal year.
The legislation includes $50.06 million for construction on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) and $37.9 million combined for operations and maintenance at the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick. Additionally, the bill provides more than $100 million for the A-10s like those stationed at Moody Air Force Base and $861 million for a new class of 12 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) which will one day replace the existing Ohio-class SSBNs such as those currently homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
The largest economic drivers in the First District of Georgia need the funding in this legislation. This legislation is critical for our ports and continued construction at the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. The bill also includes record level funding for our veterans, keeps the A-10s flying, and prevents interruptions in future missions at Kings Bay.
The bill also provides the necessary funding to rebuild our nation's military with the largest investment in 15 years.
Our military should be the most well prepared and well equipped force on the planet. However, the last administration failed our military. Over the last 8 years, troop numbers and resources were slashed. Last year, we lost nearly four times as many service members due to accident and training incidents than we lost in combat. I supported this legislation because it provides the largest investment in our military in 15 years. It also provides the largest pay increase for our troops in 8 years. This is support our service members need and deserve.
The funding measure also includes conservative victories including funding for 100 miles of a border security wall along the Southwest border, the largest federal investment to date to combat the opioid crisis, $21.2 billion in new funding for long-overdue improvements to our nation’s infrastructure, and more than $2.3 billion in new funding for mental health and school safety programs.
This legislation provides funding for several priorities I have been dedicated to. I voted for this legislation because these resources are absolutely necessary to secure our border and build President Trump's border wall, combat the opioid crisis, and secure our schools. Our nation needs this funding. |
| Lowering Prescription drug prices |
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This week, I introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure pharmacists are able to advise patients when there may be a better, more affordable out-of-pocket alternative to what is covered by their insurance plan.
Currently, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) are able to include requirements in contracts that prevent pharmacists from providing advice to their patients on the best and cheapest out-of-pocket alternatives to medications covered under insurance. This is commonly known as a gag clause. Pharmacists can be legally penalized, or barred, from PBM contracts because they have notified their patients of cheaper out-of-pocket alternatives.
As a pharmacist for more than 30 years, there were many times when I was prevented from telling my patients that there was a cheaper option because of a gag clause. There is no reason pharmacists should not be able to talk to patients about what is best for them. Many times, my patients were senior citizens who had to choose between groceries and their prescription. These patients need and deserve the most affordable options.
My legislation, the Prescription Transparency Act, nullifies and prohibits these gag clause provisions. This will allow pharmacists to properly advise their patients and help guide them to the most affordable and best option. This is an important step in our mission to lower prescription drug prices for Americans. |
| From our Nation's Capitol CLV |
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Monday, March 19, 2018: There’s no place I would rather be on St. Patrick’s Day than in Savannah. Having grown up in this area, I can remember attending the parade as a child and marching in the parade when I was in High School.
Rep. Carter at the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade with Vice President and Mrs. Pence |
While it may only be the third largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world, it’s unquestionably the best. Amy and I were up bright and early Saturday morning and arrived in downtown Savannah around 7:30 a.m. Our first stop was at our home Church, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church on Calhoun Square, where we always support the youth group at their annual pancake breakfast. Afterwards, we walked down the parade route along Abercorn Street on our way to City Hall on Bay Street where we met Mayor Eddie Deloach and his wife Cynthia and waited for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen. After the Pence’s arrival, we all observed the parade from the balcony of City Hall before merging with the parade and marching for a few blocks along the parade route before the Vice President’s party left. We were honored to have the Vice President and his wife join us in Savannah and they thoroughly enjoyed their visit. This morning I have the honor of visiting St. Vincent’s Academy, a private, Catholic, all-female high school located next to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in downtown Savannah. In celebration of Women’s History Month, I present the school with a copy of the book “Woman in Congress” to be placed in their library.
Rep. Carter reading to students at Port Wentworth Elementary School |
After sharing with a group of students my experiences working with some of the important women legislators I have the honor of serving with, I participate in a question and answer session with them. Afterwards, I head to Port Wentworth Elementary School where I read the book “Singing in the Rain” to the Pre-K class students. This is a special treat for me as I grew up in Port Wentworth and attended grades 1-7 at the old Port Wentworth Elementary School. Next, I head to the airport for my return trip back to Washington and, once I’m back at the Capitol, I have a live TV interview with Ali Velshi on MSNBC to discuss the opioid epidemic. A link to the interview can be found here. Afterwards, I head to my office where I have a meeting with Liberty and Camden county school board members to discuss impact aid, followed by a phone call with Labor Secretary Acosta to follow up on a meeting we had a few months ago dealing with H-2A regulations. Next, I head to a member meeting of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee to discuss upcoming hearings, followed by a meeting of the Messaging Advisory Group. After attending a special called GOP member meeting to discuss the spending bill we will be considering this week, I head to the House Chamber for votes and stay on the floor afterwards to speak during a special order on tax reform. A link to my speech can be found here.
Rep. Carter receives the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Enterprise” Award |
Tuesday, March 20, 2018: I am honored this morning to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Enterprise” award at a special ceremony near the Capitol this morning before heading back to the Capitol to meet with the Georgia Airport Commission. Next, I head to our weekly GOP conference before doing a recorded interview on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on prescription drug pricing. Afterwards, I head to an E&C O&I Subcommittee hearing on “The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Role in Combatting the Opioid Epidemic.” A link to my questions can be found here. Next, I head to an E&C Energy and Environment joint hearing on “The FY 2019 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Budget.” After a phone interview with Politico to discuss legislation I have recently introduced to ensure patients have access to the most affordable prescription medications, I head back to my office to meet with my good friends from the Camden County Chamber of Commerce followed by a meeting with Dr. Kile Kinney from Augusta with the Foot and Ankle Group. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and then return back to my office for two phone interviews to discuss my legislation before heading back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018: Today is the first of two days of hearings that we are having in the E&C Health Subcommittee dealing with the opioid epidemic. We have two panels today and therefore most of my day is spent in these meetings. The first panel consists of representatives from government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the second panel consists of groups from anti-drug coalitions. A link to my questions can be found here.
Rep. Carter meeting with the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals |
After these hearings I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and then to my office where I have separate meetings with a number of different groups including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Southeastern Wood Producers, Concerted Services, Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals and Immune Deficiency Foundation. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.
Thursday, March 22, 2018: I’m at the White House first thing this morning to assist a constituent in gaining access to a tour and return to the Capitol for our second day of opioid hearings in the E&C Health Subcommittee. Today we are focusing on the treatment aspect of opioid addiction and both panels consist of experts in the field. We have our first and only vote series of the day during the first panel and, after I return from the House Chamber, we finish both panels in what turns out to be a full day of hearings. Later in the afternoon, I head to the airport for my flight back to the district.
Friday, March 23, 2018: After a very short visit home, I head to Atlanta today to join Vice President Mike Pence at a Georgia Republican Party function. This is the second time this week that the Vice President has been in Georgia and we appreciate his focus on and attention to our great state. |
| 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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