Obamacare for Financial Planning - UPDATE

Earlier this month, I told you about the Department of Labor's final "fiduciary" rule or Obamacare for financial planning. The rule finalized earlier this month will make it harder for middle- and low- class Americans to save for retirement and cause many to lose their trusted financial advisors.

This week, the House passed legislation with my support to prevent the DOL's rule from going into effect. H. J. Res. 88, the Protecting Access to Affordable Retirement Advice Act, invokes Congress's powers under the Congressional Review Act to block implementation.

I am committed to stopping this misguided rule because I know firsthand what cutting off this resource could mean for hard working Americans and their families and I refuse to let that happen. Having owned and operated community pharmacies for nearly thirty years, I take pride in having provided my employees with the tools they needed to achieve financial independence. One of the most important tools in this effort were retirement investment plans so employees could save to retire comfortably. Thanks to the Obama Administration and this new rule, that is now under attack. Like many small business owners, I consider my employees part of my family and that is why blocking this rule is so important.

I am pleased this legislation passed in the House this week and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take swift action. The federal government should encourage saving, not hurt those who need help planning for retirement the most.

From our nation's capitol LXIII

Monday, April 25, 2016: This past Saturday we celebrated Clara Ford’s 150^th birthday at the Ford Plantation in Richmond Hill. Henry and Clara Ford had a tremendous impact on Bryan County and the Richmond Hill area and it is only fitting that we celebrate this historic occasion. I also had the opportunity to visit the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm for their annual Sunday in the Strawberry Patch celebration and see the tremendous improvements that are continually being made to this hidden gem in the First District. This morning I have the honor and privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Vietnam Veteran recognition event at Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center in Savannah.

Congressman Carter at the Vietnam Veterans Recognition Event at Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center in Savannah

These special residents are most deserving of this recognition as we honor them with a lapel pin commemorating their service to our country. Next, I head to Savannah television station WSAV for an interview to discuss phone encryption, the presidential race and other topics. Afterwards, I head to Valdosta and Lowndes County where I join 8^th District Congressman Austin Scott for an event. Rep. Scott and I both represent Lowndes County and work closely together on issues important to the area, particularly Moody Air Force Base.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016: After an early morning flight, I’m back in Washington today and my first meeting is with Scott Haggard and Kathryn Lawler with the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Congressman Carter meeting with the Atlanta Regional Commission

Kathryn is the Aging and Health Resources Manager and brings me and my staff up to date on aging issues in the state of Georgia. Next, we have our weekly staff briefing before I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting. At both of these meetings we go over the agenda for the upcoming week and what we will be voting on including H.R. 4901, the SOAR Reauthorization Act. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Jason Chaffetz, the sponsor of H.R. 4901, is unable to attend and asks me as a member of the committee to present the bill to the Whip Team. SOAR is the Scholarship Opportunity and Results Act that provides Washington, D.C. students with school choice. Before heading to the House Chamber for votes, I stop by and meet with the American Conservative Union Foundation where I receive the 45^th Annual Ratings of Congress Award for my conservative voting record.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016: The budget continues to be the primary topic discussed at our weekly Republican Conference this morning and we are continuing to work toward a resolution. After this discussion, I head to a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on management practices and misconduct at TSA. A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head to a subcommittee on the Education and the Workforce Committee where we have a hearing on the Persuader Rule issued by the Department of Labor, a rule that will make it harder for right to work states like Georgia to remain competitive. My next stop is at the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute speech on the Richmond Hill High School band who recently participated in the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade here in Washington, D.C.

Congressman Carter meeting with the Carpet and Rug Institute

After attending the weekly conservative Republican Study Committee, I head to a subcommittee hearing of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the best and worst places to work in the Federal Government. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading back to my office to meet with representatives from the Carpet and Rug Institute. After a meeting with staff members, I head back to the House Chamber where I preside over our second series of votes as Speaker Pro tem. Afterwards, I stay in the House Chamber and speak during special orders on reining in the Executive branch and restoring Article 1 constitutional powers.

Thursday, April 28, 2016: My first committee meeting today is with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where we have a hearing on criminal aliens released by the Department of Homeland Security. A link to my questions can be found here. My next committee meeting is with the Committee on Homeland Security where we hear from South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to the homeland and the implications it would have on states and local communities. A link to my questions can be found here.

Congressman Carter meeting with the Valdosta/Lowndes Chamber of Commerce

Afterwards, I head back to my office for a meeting with representatives from the Valdosta/Lowndes Chamber of Commerce before heading to a Committee on Education and the Workforce meeting where we mark up a bill. Next, I head to the House Chamber to give a one minute speech on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day before heading to the House Visitors Center to meet with a great group from the Glynn County/Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. It’s always good to welcome groups from back home to the Capitol and this week is exceptionally nice with folks from Lowndes and Glynn Counties visiting. My next stop is the House Chamber as we have our first vote series of the day. After voting, I stay in the House Chamber and speak during consideration of H.J. Res. 88, disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor that would eliminate access to retirement savings advice for working American families. A link to my speech can be found here. After heading back to my office for more meetings with staff, I head back to the House Chamber where we have our second vote series of the day and pass H.J. Res. 88.

Congressman Carter with the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce

Friday, April 29, 2016: It’s a pleasure to welcome Dr. Peter Lyons, vice provost and dean of Perimeter College at Georgia State University to my office this morning along with my good friends, Tom Lewis, Julie Kerlin, and Keith Morrison. I have worked with Georgia State University for many years and am very appreciative for the fine work they are doing in higher education in Georgia. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber to speak during consideration of the SOAR Act reauthorization. After meeting with Les and Debbie Conklin, parents of Caralee Conklin, our legislative assistant who does an outstanding job, I have my last vote series of the week as we pass the SOAR Act reauthorization.