|
|
|
|
Happy Independence Day weekend! Now, more than ever, we need to be as loud as possible about how proud we are to be Americans. There is no question we live in the greatest country on Earth.
God bless America!
|
| this week on buddy's briefing |
|
|
This week on Buddy's Briefing we discuss more partisan legislation from House Democrats, our hearing on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
|
| accelerating high speed internet deployment |
|
|
This week I introduced legislation to accelerate high speed Internet deployment.
Currently, when a company applies to make minor upgrades or modifications to an existing wireless tower or base station, they are required to go through a similar, lengthy review process that a whole new facility would. My bill, the Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, would remove bureaucratic red tape and speed up the deployment of eligible facilities requests that do not substantially change the physical dimensions of a structure by removing the requirement for certain duplicative federal review processes.
Plain and simple, a site that has already been reviewed and permitted does not need to go through the same process again for something as basic as changing a wire or replacing a generator.
As we all work to adjust to a new reality during the pandemic, this legislation is critically important to ensure all Americans are connected no matter where they live. |
| from our nation's capitol CCLXXII |
|
|
Monday, June 29, 2020: After an early flight to Washington this morning, I’m in my Capitol office and start with our daily all-staff conference call before heading over to the House Chamber to speak on the partisan bill to expand the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that the majority Democratic party has proposed. In the midst of the worldwide pandemic that we find ourselves in, it is truly disappointing, and astonishing, that the Democrats have proposed this bill that includes government price controls on medications. As a result of these proposed price controls, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that research and development (R&D) by pharmaceutical manufacturers will be decreased and result in anywhere from 8-15 drug cures not coming to market over the next 10 years. The big question is which drug will this be? The cure for COVID-19? The cure for Alzheimer’s? Regardless of which cure doesn’t make it to market, that’s one cure too many and that’s why I voted against and adamantly opposed this bill. A link to my comments can be found here.
Rep. Carter speaks to Nexstar |
Afterwards, I head out to the Capitol Plaza where I have an on-camera interview with Nexstar (WSAV-TV Savannah) regarding this legislation before heading back to my office for a conference call with my good friend and former Georgia State Senate colleague Judson Hill to discuss a bill I am sponsoring to promote broadband expansion. After a series of meetings in my office, I head back to the House Chamber for a series of seven votes that, because of our policy during the pandemic of limiting the number of members on the floor at any one time, lasts from 3:55 p.m. until 8:40 p.m. After this grueling vote series, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to Bishop Gregory Hartmayer who has recently been named Archbishop of the Diocese of Atlanta. A link to my tribute can be found here.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020: I begin today with a GOP Conference call where we have as our special guest former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb who brings us up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, I have a WebEx conference with members of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee to discuss the upcoming committee agenda for July before joining in on our daily all-staff conference call.
Rep. Carter at an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing |
Afterwards, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on proposed legislation to improve mental health during the pandemic. Although this is a virtual hearing, I join other Republican members in the E&C hearing room in the Capitol during the hearing. Shortly after the hearing starts, we have our first vote series of the day and, once all members return, we resume the hearing. A link to my questions can be found here. Later in the afternoon, I have phone interviews with potential wounded warrior fellows to work in our district office. I head over to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day around 6:00 p.m. and afterwards stay in the chamber where I speak on the India & U.S. relationship. A link to my speech can be found here.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020: I’m back in the House Chamber this morning as I am paying tribute to two great Georgians, former State Senator Jack Hill and longtime Technical College System of Georgia member Ben Tarbutton. A link to my tributes can be found here and here. Afterwards, I head to a Doctors Caucus meeting before heading back to my office for our daily all-staff conference call.
Rep. Carter participates in a briefing on vaccine development |
Next, I join an E&C member briefing on what turns out to be a most interesting and informative session on vaccine development and brings us up to date on the progress of COVID-19 vaccines. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. we have a series of five votes that lasts until after 5:00 p.m. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my return trip home.
Thursday, July 2, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call , I have a series of calls with constituents before heading to Southeast Georgia Health Systems in Brunswick to join a “Wear your Mask” tour with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. Along with elected leaders and health care personnel, we hold a news conference stressing the importance of wearing a mask and highlighting the benefits of controlling the virus.
Rep. Carter participates in Governor Kemp's "Wear a Mask" Tour |
Afterwards, I head to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. FLETC celebrated their 50th anniversary yesterday and the Glynco campus continues to be the premier law enforcement training facility in the nation. Next, I head to the recently completed Glynn County Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Brunswick where I film a video celebrating Independence Day. A link to the video can be found here. Before leaving Glynn County, I head back to Southeast Georgia Health Systems where I film a video on the importance of wearing a mask. A link to the video can be found here. |
| VOTES IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK |
|
|
| Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. |
|
|
