Pro-American, Pro-Growth Trade Policies

As I travel around the First District, I have made it a priority to discuss tariffs and trade policy with citizens and local businesses.

This week, I visited Yoder Metals in Screven. This family run business has experienced the impacts of tariffs on steel and aluminum firsthand. Their feedback on the impact of tariffs on their business is invaluable information for me.

I was a small business owner before entering public service. Since then, I have dedicated my work to support small businesses and the families they employ.

That is why, while I wholeheartedly support President Trump's actions to correct the trade imbalance against America, I will continue to work to ensure any action is made in the best interest of American workers and job creators.

For example, after I heard from a local newspaper about their concerns with the duty investigations into the import of groundwood paper from Canada, I worked with both the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to ensure they realized the negative impacts that this situation could have on American industries like U.S. newspapers, commercial printing industries, and the paper manufacturing industry.

I will continue working with President Trump on an America first, pro-growth trade agenda and I want to hear from you. Click here to send me your thoughts on trade and your experiences with recent tariff announcements.

From our Nation's Capitol CLXXIV

Monday, August 6, 2018: Today I have been invited by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to visit Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected area located 19 miles offshore of Sapelo Island. NOAA, an American scientific agency located within the Department of Commerce, focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere and manages Gray’s Reef, the only protected natural reef on the continental shelf off the Georgia Coast.

Rep. Carter on NOAA Ship Nancy Foster Research Expedition at Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Its value as a natural marine habitat is internationally recognized and the 22 square mile sanctuary is used as a living laboratory for a variety of marine research and monitoring projects. After meeting up with Michelle Riley, Communications and Public Outreach Coordinator for Gray’s Reef, we head to the dock on Skidaway Island and board the R/V Joe Ferguson where Captain Todd Recicar takes us to meet up with the NOAA ship Nancy Foster. During the two hour trip, I have the opportunity to meet with some of the participants, including research scientist Dr. Peter Auster from the University of Connecticut, Gray’s Reef Resource Protection Coordinator Becky Shortland and Gray’s Reef Superintendent Scott Kathey. After learning more about Gray’s Reef and the interesting experiments going on, including one dealing with predators and their prey in the sanctuary, we board the Nancy Foster and receive a warm welcome from Captain Mark Miller and his great crew. After a tour of the bridge area, we head downstairs where I meet with the highly impressive research scientists on board and learn more about the projects they are working on. I am very proud to learn that many of the scientists working on this mission are from Georgia Southern University. Later, we tour the ship and observe the scientists prepping for their many scuba dives to the reef that is 65-70 feet below the surface. I spend over five hours on the Nancy Foster before re-boarding the Joe Ferguson and heading back to dock. My experience today was invaluable. I cannot say enough good things about the crew of the Nancy Foster, about the work these great research scientists are doing with NOAA and especially about the natural treasure that we have right off of the coast of Georgia - Gray’s Reef.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018: This morning I have the opportunity to tour Audiology and Hearing Aid Services in Savannah to learn more about the important services they offer to the community.

Rep. Carter at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services in Savannah

After a briefing from Dr. Susan Timna where she explains to me the testing of the hearing and balance systems and the health links of untreated hearing loss and its impact on earlier memory problems and other common health issues like diabetes and hypertension, I have a tour of the facility. Included in my tour is the sound simulation room where people can be tested in noise like they experience every day in restaurants, etc. Afterwards, I have an interview with two local TV stations that have come along for the tour. Next, I have a phone interview with The Columbus Dispatch in Columbus, OH, to discuss Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on prescription drug pricing. My next stop is in Midway in Liberty County where I am honored to take part in the grand opening of the Liberty Regional Medical Center East End Clinic. Along with other elected officials and community leaders, I help cut the ribbon on this much needed facility that will bring quality health care services to the residents of this area. Afterwards, I head to Hinesville where I am the guest speaker at the Hinesville Rotary Club’s weekly meeting and I have the opportunity to bring them up to date on what’s going on in Washington.

Rep. Carter at the Hinesville Rotary Club meeting

After my speech, I have the honor of presenting a letter of recognition to one of Liberty County’s finest citizens, Ms. Charmette Reeves, whose dedication to her community is unsurpassed. Next, I visit Harris Ace Hardware in Hinesville to learn more about this family owned business and discuss the positive impact that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has had on their business. Combining a large lumber yard with their retail store, Colby Harris and his great staff have built a fine business concentrating on customer service. Afterwards, I head back to Midway where I meet with the fine folks at Coastal Electric Cooperative and we have a round table discussion about the Farm Bill that is currently being considered in Congress. Currently there are different versions of the bill in the House and the Senate and we will be working out our differences when we return to Washington after Labor Day. My final visit of the day is in Screven in Wayne County where I visit another family run business, Yoder Metals. Tony and Holly Yoder and their beautiful family run a great business but have recently seen significant price increases in their products as a result of tariffs on steel and aluminum. Their feedback on the impact of tariffs on their business is invaluable information for me.

Rep. Carter visiting the Coastal Electric Cooperative

Wednesday, August 8, 2018: I’m headed down to St. Simons Island this morning and on the way I have the pleasure of doing a phone interview with the Verb Altitude Hour community radio station in Savannah to discuss what’s going on in Congress. Once on St. Simons Island, I have the opportunity to speak to state and municipal officials at the Roberts Civil Engineering meet and greet and to bring them up to date on what we’re doing in Washington. Afterwards, I head to Brunswick where I have the opportunity to speak to the Golden Isles Employment Committee at their monthly meeting. Next, I head down to St. Marys in Camden County where I tour the property being proposed for Wharf St. Marys and learn more about this exciting project before heading to City Hall to meet with Mayor John Morrissey and city officials who bring me up to date on the many fine projects underway in the community. After meeting with Councilman Dave Reilly to discuss issues involving the Navy League, I head back to Brunswick and meet with Dr. Kevin Coyle with Consultants in Pain Medicine to discuss the opioid epidemic and learn about the work he does in acute and chronic pain.

Rep. Carter receives an update on Wharf St. Marys

As a member of Congress and a practicing pharmacist for over 30 years, it is certainly encouraging to know that we have such fine professionals as Dr. Coyle and his staff working in pain management.

Thursday, August 9, 2018: I’m in Savannah at my district office this morning for a series of meetings beginning with my good friend, Rep. Jesse Petrea, who does an outstanding job of representing the people of the 166th district in the Georgia House of Representatives. My next meeting is with representatives from Oceana to discuss offshore energy exploration and with whom I have a great discussion. Next, I meet with a constituent from Pooler to discuss local and national issues before meeting with my good friend Mary Anne Hill who has worked at the federal courthouse in Savannah for many years.