Closing Security Gaps in the Visa Waiver Program

The House passed legislation this week with my support to close security gaps in the Visa Waiver Program to combat terrorist travel. ISIS and other terrorist organizations are looking for any opportunity to exploit the hospitality of a nation to cause devastating harm and the security gaps in the Visa Waiver Program are yet another opportunity for them to infiltrate our homeland.

The Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Protection Act gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to suspend a country's participation in the program if they fail to share counterterrorism information with the US, denies Visa Waiver Program status to citizens from participating countries that have traveled to certain terrorist hotspots, and requires all Visa Waiver Program countries to use fraud resistant e-passports.

The largest convergence of jihadists in world history is happening right now in Syria and Iraq and many hold Western passports allowing them to get into the United States without a visa. We must act immediately to close this dangerous loophole to ensure terrorists are not able to hop on a plane and cross our borders.

This legislation should be signed into law as soon as possible for the safety of the American people.

From our Nation's Capitol XXXXVI

Monday, December 7, 2015: I love parades! This weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in the Richmond Hill Christmas parade and had a wonderful time. Richmond Hill has many young families and the parade route was lined with children of all ages, their eyes filled with excitement.

Congressman Carter at the Richmond Hill Christmas Parade

Later in the day, I had the honor of participating in the Georgia GOP Veterans Committee Wheelchair presentation at Armstrong State University. Ms. Edith Lanier from Savannah, who turned 90 years young this week, donated four sports wheelchairs to area veterans to show her appreciation of their service. On Sunday, I attended the Annual Troop and Family Christmas event at Hunter Army Airfield as volunteers from Morrison Healthcare served a delicious donated meal to the troops and their families and Santa Claus made a special appearance. Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap and I are at the DeSoto Hilton in Savannah this morning to give welcoming greetings to the National District Attorneys Association as they are meeting in Savannah this week. Afterwards, I head to the airport to catch a flight to Washington. Once I’m back at the Capitol, we have our weekly staff meeting as we prepare for what will surely be a very busy week. Later that evening, Amy and I attend our first White House Congressional Holiday Ball hosted by the President and First Lady. It is a very memorable experience for both of us as the White House is beautifully decorated.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015: My day starts early with a meeting of the Whip Team to discuss this week’s agenda, followed by a meeting with LTG Mike Murray, Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8. I have known LTG Murray since his time as the commanding officer of the 3^rd ID at Fort Stewart and it is good to catch up with him and learn more about his new role in the Army.

Congressman Carter with LTG Murray

Afterwards, I attend a GOP conference where Speaker Paul D. Ryan brings us up to date on the progress of the budget negotiations, before heading to a meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to review the New London Embassy Project. This is the third time this year we have had State Department officials before our committee to discuss project delays and cost overruns and, in my opinion, are one of the most incompetent and money wasting departments in the federal government. A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head back to my office to meet with USMC MG James Lukeman to discuss plans for the Townsend Bombing Range in McIntosh and Long Counties. Next, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute speech in honor of Ms. Edith Lanier. A link to my speech can be found here. Afterwards, I stay in the chamber as I present the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center reauthorization bill that I am sponsoring. For the next few hours, I travel back and forth between my office and the House Chamber as the minority party is bringing up motions to adjourn as a way of protest. Once these procedural ploys are finished, I head to a subcommittee meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform before heading back to my office to meet with companies from the tech industry to discuss cybersecurity. After heading back down to the floor for our second and final vote series of the day, I head to a meeting with the Washington Intergovernmental Professional Group to introduce myself and discuss relevant issues.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015: My first meeting this morning is with members of the Nuclear Energy Institute Suppliers Council before heading to a meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where we mark up a number of bills.

Congressman Carter meeting with Resurgens Orthopaedics

Next, I head back to my office where I meet with representatives from Resurgens Orthopaedics to discuss issues impacting Ambulatory Surgical Centers and independent health care providers before heading down to the House Chamber to deliver a one minute speech congratulating long time Savannah meteorologist Pat Prokop on his recent retirement. A link to my speech can be found here. After attending a meeting of the Conservative Republican Study Committee and doing a TV interview, I head to a meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where we have a hearing on Internet gambling. Next, we have our first vote series of the day before I head back to my office for another TV interview to discuss the disappearance of two Afghan students from Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. I end my day by heading back down to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Thursday, December 10, 2015: After a meeting of the freshman class where we hear from House Budget Chairman Tom Price (R-GA), I head to a Republican Conference meeting where we get an update on the budget negotiations. Next, I head to a subcommittee meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where we discuss terrorism and the Visa Wavier Program. A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I deliver a one minute speech in honor of Jesup, GA, native Shannon Johnson, who was one of the 14 victims killed in the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, CA. A link to my speech can be found here. After our first vote series of the day, I head back to my office to meet with Dr. Pat Godbey, the CEO of Southeastern Pathology Associates in Brunswick, before meeting with a group of Optometrists regarding H.R. 3323, a bill I am sponsoring dealing with Optometrists and Dentists.

Congressman Carter with Dr. Pat Godbey

Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day before I assume the chair as Speaker Pro tem until we adjourn for the day.

Friday, December 11, 2015: Before heading to our first vote series of the day, I have a conference call with elected officials and board members of the Southeast Georgia Hospital System in Brunswick to get an update on the hospital. After returning to my office from the House Chamber, I have a TV interview with WSB in Atlanta to give an update on the two missing Afghan students from Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. After we have our second and final vote series of the day, I preside over the House as Speaker Pro tem for about an hour before heading back to my office then to the airport for my trip home.