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This week, Justice Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as the 103rd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
Throughout the confirmation process, Justice Barrett showed her brilliant legal mind. I believe she will be a strong defender of the Constitution and is an exceptional addition to the Supreme Court. |
| this week on buddy's briefing |
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Wheeler was in Southeast Georgia this week to make a few major announcements.
First, we were in Brooklet where the EPA Administrator announced the approval of new five-year registrations for two dicamba products. This is critical to provide much needed security and clarity for our farmers and agriculture communities moving forward.
Next, Administrator Wheeler was in Savannah to announce regulatory relief for our ports and bar pilots. Without this action, the pilots could have been forced to scale back their critical work that is required for every ship to enter and exit both the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick. This would have been devastating for our ports. Now, the pilots will be able to keep traffic moving until boat-builders are able to meet the standards necessary to keep up with regulations for boat engines.
We discuss more about these announcements in this episode of Buddy's Briefing.
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| From our nation's capitol CCLXXXVIII |
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Monday, October 26, 2020: Once I arrive in my Savannah district office this morning, my day begins with a virtual call with the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding which represents more than 4,000 pharmacists, technicians, students and members of the compounding community focusing on the specialty practice of pharmacy compounding. Like many professions, pharmacy is very diverse and has many different associations to represent specific areas of practice. The compounding of medications is a very specialized practice that provides patients with much needed precision medications that are not available commercially. After our daily all staff conference call, I have a virtual call with representatives from Flowers Foods, a great Georgia company headquartered in Thomasville that produces fresh and frozen bakery foods - from breads, buns and rolls to snack cakes and pastries. Afterwards, I head downtown where I meet with my good friend and one of Savannah’s most successful businessmen, Greg Parker. Not only is Parker’s recognized in Georgia and South Carolina as a great brand, they also are recognized nationally and were recently named one of America’s Top 10 “Best Gas Station Brands” by USA Today readers as well as named 2020 Convenience Store Chain of the Year by CStore Decisions.
Rep. Carter speaks with WTOC |
Once back in my office, I have an on-camera interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah to discuss news of the day. A link to my interview can be found here. Next, I have a virtual interview with The Hill to discuss our country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how we are preparing for future events. A link to my interview can be found here. Later in the evening, I head to Tybee Island where I attend the Tybee Island Republican Club monthly meeting and give them an update on current events.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020: After our daily all staff conference call this morning, I have a virtual call with Defenders of Wildlife, a group dedicated to protecting and restoring imperiled wildlife and habitats across North America. Local members of this group are concerned about the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in our District and what impact proposed mining around the area might have. The remainder of my morning is spent with virtual calls and meetings preparing for upcoming visits to our area by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Andrew Wheeler. I work closely with Administrator Wheeler in Congress, as I am a member of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environment Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the EPA.
Rep. Carter speaks at EPA Administrator Wheeler's announcement on dicamba |
Administrator Wheeler is visiting our area to announce a number of policy and rule changes promulgated by the EPA that will benefit our area. Early in the afternoon, I travel to nearby Brooklet in Bullock County where federal, state and local officials are joined by interested parties at Cromley Farm to welcome Administrator Wheeler to the area. Today’s background of a cotton field is appropriate for this occasion as Administrator Wheeler announces regulatory relief ensuring access to dicamba, an herbicide critical to cotton production across our country.
Rep. Carter with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black |
This is certainly welcome news to our area as earlier in the year an activist judicial order was issued vacating and invalidating the EPA’s scientifically-based process for ensuring safe use of dicamba in farming. After a great press conference and tour of the farm, I record Buddy’s Briefings with my good friend Zippy Duvall, who serves as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020: I’m at SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex in Savannah this morning as I join Administrator Wheeler in yet another important announcement impacting our district. A few years ago, our office was contacted by Master Pilot Trey Thompson, President of the Savannah Bar Pilots Association, who explained that his group was in need of a new pilot boat but recently-implemented EPA regulations made it impossible for them to have one built to their specifications. After years of work by our office, EPA and the bar pilots, the EPA announced today regulatory relief for the pilots that will allow them more time to comply with the rule and avoid what could have been a devastating impact on our ports. Administrator Wheeler also highlighted Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants that have been awarded to the Georgia Ports Authority recently that will reduce emissions to improve air quality while maintaining the growth of our ports.
Rep. Carter speaks at EPA Administrator Wheeler's announcement on relief for bar pilots and our ports |
Afterwards, Administrator Wheeler and I meet with SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex developer Reed Dulany, III, who gives us a tour of the 600 acres of developable land that will have an economic impact in the billions of dollars. The redevelopment efforts and environmental remediation at this site are the result of the partnership between environmental regulatory agencies and private industry and are a model for other industrial complexes around the country. Afterwards, I head to Brunswick in Glynn County where I visit St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and have the opportunity to visit with some great students before heading to our Brunswick office where I meet with Coast Guard District Commander Rear Admiral Eric Jones who gives me an update on the progress of the Golden Ray clean up. Next, I join in on an unclassified all member call on election security with the Director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Christopher Krebs.
Thursday, October 29, 2020: I’m off to Jesup in Wayne County this morning and during the drive I join in on our all staff conference call.
Rep. Carter participates in a roundtable with the Wayne County Substance Abuse Coalition |
Once in Jesup, I participate in a roundtable discussion with members of the Wayne County Substance Abuse Coalition to hear their ideas of how to use federal grants they have been awarded to fight substance abuse. Afterwards, I head to Waycross where I am honored to be the guest speaker at the Ware County Exchange Club.
Rep. Carter at the Ware County Exchange Club meeting |
After bringing this great group up to date on the happenings in Washington, I head back to Jesup where I visit Chemours Titanium Technologies, one of the world’s largest producers of Titanium Dioxide, to learn more about how the company is preserving the area’s natural resources while developing mineral deposits.
Friday, October 30, 2020: I’m back on the road again this morning and this time I’m headed to Harris Neck in McIntosh County for a special Unity in the Community Ceremony where we witness the Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS), Aurelia Skipwith, and Direct Descendant of Harris Neck, Mrs. Frances Ethel Campbell Powers, sign an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that represents a commitment between FWS and the Harris Neck Community to cooperate on preserving the land and history of Harris Neck. Afterwards, we head to the First African Baptist Church in Harris Neck where we celebrate and give thanks for this historic occasion that has been many years in the making.
Rep. Carter visits the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge |
Next, I head to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Folkston in Charlton County where I meet with NWR Manager Michael Lusk and Kim Bednarek, Executive Director of the Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP) for a tour of this majestic natural wonder. After this great educational experience, I head back to Richmond Hill in Bryan County where I perform the coin toss at the Richmond Hill High School at Brunswick High School football game before heading home to Pooler after yet another busy week. |
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