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This week I led the entire bipartisan Congressional delegation from Georgia in a united effort to urge the House Appropriations Committee to prioritize funding for the construction of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). In a letter to Chairman Mike Simpson and Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies, we requested that the committee allocate the funding needed to keep the project on time and on track.
In his fiscal year 2018 budget request, President Trump requested $50.06 million for SHEP. However, the Army Corps of Engineers estimates that without annual funding of $80 to 100 million a year, the project cannot be completed on time and the resulting delays will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Additionally, a partially completed channel deepening project provides zero benefits to our state or nation.
For these reasons, the entire delegation has requested that the committee provide the critical funding necessary to keep the project on track to completion. I will continue to fight for this project. With a 7.3 to 1 benefit to cost ratio upon completion, we must do everything we can to make this a reality.
Click here to read the letter we sent to the Appropriations Committee. |
| From our nation's capitol CXIX |
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Tuesday, June 20, 2017: After attending the Brunswick/Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet and the Georgia Tech Alumni gathering on Jekyll Island last night, I stayed in Brunswick overnight and this morning to meet with a group of local business leaders before heading to Savannah.
Rep. Carter and Secretary Perdue at the Georgia Ports Authority in Garden City |
Once in Savannah, I head to the Georgia Ports Authority in Garden City to attend a press conference with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as he hosts Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Jose Calzada and Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay. The three leaders are attempting to build a dialogue as they begin the process of reaccessing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Afterwards, I head to a meeting with Savannah area business leaders before heading to the airport for my trip back to Washington. Once back at the Capitol, I attend our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017: I’m at the White House first thing this morning as I am assisting my good friend Dr. Stuart Tazman and his wife gain access to a White House tour. Dr. Tazman is an optometrist in Kennesaw, GA, who I worked closely with while I was serving in the Georgia State Senate and he served as President of the Georgia Optometric Association. Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly Republican Conference meeting where we discuss the schedule for the upcoming week and receive good news on the recovery of our friend Rep. Steve Scalise. Next, I head back downtown to the NBC studios to do a live interview with MSNBC to discuss the results of the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia special election last night and other issues. A link to my interview can be found here.
Rep. Carter with University of Georgia President Jere Morehead |
My next meeting is back at my office with University of Georgia President Jere Morehead and Vice President for Government Relations Griff Doyle followed by a meeting with representatives from the National Cable Television Association. After meetings with Chevron Marketers concerning fuel standards and members of the Council for Responsible Nutrition to discuss dietary supplements, I have a phone interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution to discuss legislation I am supporting to make hearing aids more affordable and accessible. Next, I meet with the National Association of Manufacturers to discuss tax reform and infrastructure before we have our weekly staff briefing. Before heading to a meeting with the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), I meet with officials from HCA Hospitals and then from Vulcan. HCA is a privately owned hospital system based in Nashville, TN, that has recently bought two hospitals in the First District, Satilla Regional in Waycross and Memorial University Health in Savannah while Vulcan is a company owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen that is interested in wildlife conservation and advancing nuclear energy. During this vote series, I preside as Speaker Pro tem after which I head back to my office for more meetings including meetings with Nature Conservancy Advocacy and MiMedx. Next, I meet with a student from Savannah Arts Academy, Caroline Jackson, who is attending a forum at the Capitol this week and then Air Evac Lifeteam before heading back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day. After votes, I have a live TV interview with Fox Business to discuss the the election of Karen Handel to Congress and the impact it has nationally. A link to my interview can be found here.
Thursday, June 22, 2017: This morning I have a series of radio interviews beginning with NPR at 7:00 a.m. to discuss the health care bill that is being considered by the Senate at this time. At 7:30 a.m., I have an interview with Joe Willie Sousa with 104.1 in Brunswick and at 8:35 a.m., I speak with Scott Ryfun with Straight Talk 1440 in Brunswick. Our “Meet the Cabinet” series guest this week is U.N. Ambassador and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who shares with us her recent experiences in Syria and other areas in the Middle East. Once back in my office, I meet with Georgia Southern University President Jaimie Herbert before heading to the House Chamber where I preside over morning hour as Speaker Pro tem. I also have an opportunity at this time to deliver a one minute tribute in memory of A. A. “Gus” Karle, affectionately known as “Mr. Waycross” for his love of and service to the community. A link to my tribute can be found here.
Rep. Carter donates blood in honor of Rep. Steve Scalise |
Afterwards, I head to a blood drive sponsored by the Red Cross and being held at the Capitol in honor of Rep. Steve Scalise. After donating blood to this great cause, I make my way back to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day and then head to the Richard Russell Senate Office Building Rotunda to do two television interviews regarding the health care bill being considered by the Senate. Once back on the House side of the Capitol I tape a “get well” video for Rep. Steve Scalise before heading back to my office to meet with representatives from St. Joseph’s/Candler hospital in Savannah and officials from the Veterans Administration regarding medical services for area veterans. Next, I meet with former-Rep. Phil Gingrey and a group representing hospitals who utilize the 340(b) drug discount program. After a GOP member huddle with former Speaker Newt Gingrich, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day before meeting with my good friend and colleague, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) to discuss legislation we are working on together. My final stop of the day is to meet with a group of Girl Scouts from throughout the country who are visiting the Capitol this week.
Friday, June 23, 2017: This morning I attend a Men’s Health Caucus workout led by my good friend and former MMA fighter Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), as we have over 40 members and staff working out together. Afterwards, I head to a GOP planning session before attending a Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we hear from three experts about physician burnout. After our first and only vote series of the day, I head to a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee where we discuss extension of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). A link to my questions can be found here. Following a meeting with representatives from Walgreen’s to discuss various pharmacy issues, I head to the airport and fly to Jacksonville, FL, and then drive to St. Marys where I speak to the Camden County Chamber of Commerce at their annual banquet before heading home to Pooler. |
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