Representative Buddy Carter

if you enjoy nature, you'll love this

This week was Lands Week in the House of Representatives, meaning we voted on several pieces of legislation aimed at maintaining access to public lands and waters. The Biden Administration continues to try and restrict this access, which not only limits recreation but also threatens the rural way of life. It’s important that the federal government stand up for local communities across America by advancing policies that conserve our resources, expand multiple uses, and promote good stewardship of federal lands for generations to come.

Some of my fondest memories include hunting and fishing with my dad. I want my children, grandchildren, and all generations to enjoy Georgia’s pristine coastline and beautiful landscapes. No one loves the environment more than South Georgians, and I would submit to you that the very people this administration is trying to restrict, including hunters and anglers, are the original conservationists.

That’s why this week was such an important one. While Biden’s bureaucrats continue to restrict public lands access with the stroke of a pen, House Republicans understand that states, not the federal government, know best. We’re returning power back to the communities, tribes, and local leaders who have taken care of our resources for generations.

There’s no time to waste. Just two weeks ago, Biden’s Bureau of Land Management enacted a final rule that would cut off access for hundreds of western communities that depend on multiple uses of their public lands. Fortunately, one of the bills we passed this week, the WEST Act, would reverse that devastating rule and ensure no Administration could implement it in the future.

I also had the opportunity to speak in favor of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act on the House floor, which you can watch here. Through state license fees, stamps, permits and federal excise taxes, hunters and anglers have directly contributed tens of billions of dollars to conservation efforts nationwide. House Republicans are preventing any Administration from shutting off federal lands and waters access to America’s sportsmen and women by requiring the use of prohibitively expensive ammunition and fishing tackle.

Simply put, President Biden has no business telling South Georgians how to enjoy and use our own natural resources. House Republicans will continue to stand up to his overreaching, unnecessary mandates.

buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the despicable antisemitism that we are seeing on college campuses.

from our nation's capitol cdlvii

Monday, April 29, 2024: I grew up in Port Wentworth near Savannah in West Chatham County. When I was a kid, I rode my bike and marched with my baseball teams in the Stand Up for America Day parade. Growing up, never did I imagine I would one day ride in the parade as the U.S. Congressman representing my hometown. On Saturday, I did just that. The Stand Up for America Day parade was started in 1971 by then Mayor P.B. Edwards, Jr., an Army veteran who was permanently disabled in the Battle of the Bulge. During this very divisive time, Mayor Edwards started this parade in response to the poor treatment of returning soldiers during the Vietnam War. The parade is held the last Saturday of April, and this year was the 51^st year it has been held. Along with the parade, arts & crafts, live music and fireworks, this year’s celebration included 140 wooden crosses honoring the life of a veteran from Port Wentworth who has since passed. This is what America is about! Afterwards, I headed to the Savannah Country Club on Wilmington Island where I had the honor of speaking to the Chatham County GOP and bringing them up to date on news from Washington. Next, I headed to Thunderbolt for the annual Blessing of the Fleet celebrated to honor the area’s rich shrimping and fishing heritage. The overflowing crowd enjoyed arts & crafts, delicious food, live music and beautiful weather. Thunderbolt, under the leadership of Mayor Dana Williams, is a hidden gem in our District. After a great visit, I head to Southbridge Golf Course where I greet the golfers at the 7^th Annual Warrior Lift Golf Classic sponsored by American Legion, Post 135. Proceeds from this year’s event went to Team Savannah for Veterans. Later in the evening, I attended the Georgia Historical Society Trustee Gala held in downtown Savannah where Georgia Governor Brian Kemp inducted two new trustees, Carol Tome, CEO of UPS, and former US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Louis Sullivan.

Rep. Carter attends Stand Up for America Day parade

Yesterday, I joined Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his Georgia First conference on Sea Island in Glynn County as he was interviewed along with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. I’m back in my hometown of Port Wentworth this morning as I have a tour of the impressive 800,000 square foot IKEA global distribution center located on Little Hearst Parkway and learn of their sustainability initiatives. Next, I head to the Savannah airport for my flight to Washington and, once back in our office, I have a meeting with our scheduling team followed by a meeting with our legislative team before doing a phone interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah regarding the start-up of the Unit 4 nuclear reactor at Plant Vogtle. Next, I meet with staff from the Energy & Commerce (E&C) Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials Subcommittee that I chair to discuss our upcoming work this week before heading to Statuary Hall in the Capitol to pay my respects to Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr., a US Army Medal of Honor recipient from Tifton, GA, who is lying in state at the Capitol. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on a Budget committee bill, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Data Sharing Act, and then head to the Majority Whip’s office where I have a live interview on NewsMax to discuss the situation in the Middle East involving Israel and Hamas. Afterwards, I have an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution to discuss news of the day before heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting. After heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week, I preside over the House as Speaker Pro tem during bill debate afterwards.

Rep. Carter pays respects to Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024: My first meeting of the day is with the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) and other members of the Georgia delegation to discuss future growth of this economic engine. Afterwards, I head to our weekly GOP Conference meeting before heading to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing to increase Medicaid access and improve program integrity. Once back in our office I meet with our communications team before meeting with Takeda Pharmaceuticals head of Research and Development (R&D). Next, I meet with the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NCTA) representing the Rural Broadband Association before meeting with the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. After heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I head to the Cannon office building to meet with GPA officials and transportation and appropriations staff. Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber and speak on the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act before meeting with the Georgia Beverage Association in the hallway then heading to the Cannon office building where I speak at a Western Caucus Foundation (WCF) Digital Connect program discussing permitting and regulatory challenges. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and afterwards pay tribute to Jim Stewart from Waycross, owner of Stewart Candy, who recently passed.

Rep. Carter speaks in favor of H.R. 615, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act

Wednesday, May 1, 2024: I’m on the radio bright and early this morning on Morning Xtra for a lively discussion of news of the day before hosting a reception in our office with reporters from Axios for an off the record discussion. Next, I head to an E&C member meeting before heading back to our office where I join in on our all staff conference call before meeting with Biosimilar Manufacturers. After heading to the House Chamber where I deliver a heartfelt tribute to my dear friend Woody Woodside, longtime CEO of the Glynn/Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce (COC), who recently passed, I head to a Budget committee roundtable discussion on reforming the budget process. Once back in our office, I meet with the American Conservation Coalition and their Chairman Benji Backer, who presents me with a copy of his new book, The Conservative Environmentalist, before meeting with the US COC. Next, I head back to the House Chamber where I speak on the Antisemitism Awareness Act before joining in on a call with Pharmacists from Western Pennsylvania to hear their concerns with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s) and then heading to an E&C Energy Subcommittee hearing with Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm. Once back in our office, I have a series of meetings including Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), United Lauch Alliance Advocacy, Paper Recycling Coalition in Georgia, an anti-PBM advocate and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). After a virtual call with our district staff, I have a phone call with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna Gomez before heading to an E&C Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee hearing with the CEO of United Healthcare. After our second and final vote series of the day, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to Claxton High School students Alexandria Carbone and Marissa Ramirez who recently saved a life by performing CPR on a man at a Dairy Queen in Claxton.

Rep. Carter meets with the American Conservation Coalition

Thursday & Friday, May 2 & 3, 2024: Before leaving the Capitol for family obligations this weekend, I film a series of videos including this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings and Material Minute. Also, I have a phone interview with WJXT-TV in Jacksonville to discuss the recent antisemitic rhetoric on college campuses.

Rep. Carter celebrates Hinesville VA Clinic renaming bill passing the Senate

votes in the House this week

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