Community Involvement in Superfund Cleanups

According to the EPA, thousands of contaminated sites exist nationally due to hazardous waste being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. These sites include manufacturing facilities, processing plants, landfills and mining sites. We have these sites right here in the First District of Georgia. The Superfund allows the EPA to cleanup these contaminated sites.

However, currently, local communities do not have adequate involvement in the cleanup of Superfund sites.

I saw this first hand last year as the consent decree for the Terry Creek Superfund site in Brunswick was close to being finalized. Many in the community were caught off guard by the process due to its outdated system. Because of this, I introduced the Community Cleanup Act this week.

My legislation will work to ensure that outreach is improved, public access is improved and the needs of the community are respected when Superfund sites are being remediated in our communities.

Specifically, my bill ensures that elected officials are made aware of the proposed plans for any site so that they can work with the EPA to address concerns ahead of time. It also updates the notification process so that media outlets in addition to newspapers, including TV and radio, may be used by the government to provide information on Superfund projects to the local community. Finally, it expands the input utilized for future site uses. One of the primary concerns with the consent decree at the Terry Creek site was that the proposed cleanup didn’t fully remove the contaminated materials, leaving the site potentially unsuitable for different uses.

With Superfund sites in the First District of Georgia, it's imperative that the process be updated to maximize the input and participation from the local community. Those with the Superfund sites in their backyards should absolutely be involved with the cleanup throughout the entire process. I introduced this legislation to ensure their voices are heard.

A Partisan Spending Bill

I'm disappointed that House Democrats put an extremely partisan spending bill up for a vote this week. The bill includes four spending bills - Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; Defense; State and Foreign Operations; and Energy and Water Development.

Comprehensive spending bills include funding for important priorities across the country and the bill should be bipartisan. Unfortunately, the bill not only failed to address our nation's most pressing issues like the security and humanitarian crisis at the border, it also supports the Obamacare train wreck and cuts our national defense.

President Trump has rightfully said he will veto this legislation leaving it dead on arrival. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work in a bipartisan manner to get these critical funding priorities across the finish line.

From our nation's Capitol CCXVI

Monday, June 17, 2019: This past weekend I attended the Georgia Pharmacists Association (GPhA) annual meeting in Amelia Island, FL, where I spoke at the General Session and brought them up to date on issues being discussed in Washington related to their profession. I could not be prouder of my chosen profession of pharmacy nor could I be prouder of this fine association that I have been a member of since I graduated.

Rep. Carter speaking at the Georgia Pharmacists Association (GPhA) annual meeting

GPhA’s advocacy for our profession helps to promote the value of pharmacy services to the health and welfare of the patients we serve. This morning I’m honored to join Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp and two of their daughters at Hunter Army Airfield to welcome home the first flight of the Georgia Army National Guard 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) from their 9 month assignment in Afghanistan. We joined the Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, MG Antonio Aguto and the Adjutant General of the GA Army National Guard, MG Thomas Carden as we shook the hand of each returning soldier. These 48th Brigade soldiers certainly live up to their motto, “Volunteers! Send Me!”. Afterwards, I head to Offerman in Pierce County where I meet with Mayor Brenda Dennison at City Hall. As a former mayor myself, I have a special affinity for mayors particularly those that work as hard as Mayor Dennison. As she shares stories with me of how she grew up on a farm where she learned the value of hard work, I better understand why she takes it upon herself to work so hard for the city and citizens she loves.

Rep. Carter visiting Southern Ionics Minerals

Next, I head to Southern Ionics Minerals (SIM) in Patterson for a tour of their processing facility and learn more about their new partnership with Chemours’ new Jesup mine that will bring about 90 new jobs to the area. Afterwards, I meet with local community leaders including Patterson Mayor R.D. Thomas, Jr. before heading to an agriculture roundtable and farm tour at Fmr Burch Farms in Screven. Along with my good friends State Rep. Steven Meeks (R-Screven) and his wife Joy, former Congressman Lindsay Thomas and others, we discuss the recently approved Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Bill as well as other issues important to farmers in the region. Next, I head to the First National Bank of Alma in Bacon County for a meeting with area blueberry farmers and bankers to discuss the Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Bill and other issues.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019: I’m in my Savannah district office this morning as I meet with constituents including local attorney Richard Sanders followed by a meeting with Lt. Danny Davis with the Chatham County Marine Patrol. After a phone call with representatives from the Susan B Anthony List, I head to the airport for my flight to Washington.

Rep. Carter meeting with Lt. Danny Davis with the Chatham County Marine Patrol

Once back at the Capitol, I have a meeting with representatives from EMD Serono, a biopharmaceutical firm, and afterwards head to the Capitol Plaza, where I take pictures with our four interns this summer, Megan McCright from Dallas, TX, Jackie D’Aniello from Philadelphia, PA, Jackson Warren from Charleston, SC, and Katelyn Bickett from Chickamauga, GA. Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day where we have 12 votes. A few hours later around 10:00 p.m. we have our second vote series of the day where we have 23 votes and walk off the floor around midnight.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019: My morning begins with a member meeting of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee followed by our weekly GOP Conference meeting. Afterwards, I meet with Dana Dornsife, founder of the Lazarex Foundation, a group that helps cancer patients who are clinically underserved get into cancer trials. Next, I head to the Capitol Visitors Center where I speak to students attending the Georgia Electrical Membership Corporation (EMC) Washington Youth Tour.

Rep. Carter meeting with the Georgia Electrical Membership Corporation (EMC) Washington Youth Tour

Afterwards, I have the honor of introducing Vice Admiral (VADM) Johnny Wolfe, Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs to the Strategic Forces Association at their meeting. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day where we have 12 votes. Afterwards, I meet with my good friend Tybee Mayor Jason Buetlerman, who is in town advocating for his great city, followed by a meeting with representatives from the American Forest & Paper Association. My next meeting is with Roger Spink, a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Falkland Islands Government. Next, I attend a roundtable discussion with other Members of Congress, pharmaceutical manufacturers and advocacy groups to discuss how to improve patient enrollment, retention and underserved and minority participation in cancer clinical trials.

Thursday, June 20, 2019: After a meeting with representatives from the University of Georgia followed by representatives from the Georgia Oral Surgeons Association, I head to an E&C Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPAC) and Environment joint subcommittee meeting on fuel economy and clean car standards. A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on health care in the U.S. Territories. A link to my questions can be found here.

Rep. Carter meeting with representatives from the Accreditation Commission of Health Care

Once back in my office, I meet with Ron Keating with Evoqua Water Technologies followed by a meeting with Jose Domingos, ECO of the Accreditation Commission of Health Care. Next, I head to a member roundtable of the Select Committee on Climate Change where we hear from experts on electric transmission infrastructure. Later, I head to the House Chamber where we have a total of 28 votes that lasts almost two hours. Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber to pay tribute to Lt. Col. Ken Dwyer, who recently transferred from Hunter Army Airfield as the Garrison Commander. A link to my comments can be found here.

Friday, June 21, 2019: I’m up early this morning and head to the C-SPAN studios downtown where I am a guest on the morning show, Washington Journal, where we discuss a number of issues including the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) replacement for the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, and climate change.

Rep. Carter on Washington Journal

A link to my appearance on the program can be found here. Once back at the Capitol, I head to a Rules Committee Parliamentary bootcamp on floor procedures before heading to my office for a meeting with Pastor Mark Mirza from Georgia. Our final vote series of the week is next as we end a very vote filled week.

VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

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