Representative Buddy Carter

No tax on tips

President Trump has called for no tax on tips, and I agree with him.

In fact, I’m willing to take it a step further and call for no taxes on your paycheck at all.

I introduced the Fair Tax Act, a bill that would do away with all federal income and payroll taxes, eliminating the need for the IRS entirely. This might sound like a radical idea, and to federal bureaucrats it is, but I’d submit that we are closer than ever to making this a reality for hardworking Americans.

The Fair Tax is exactly that – fair. If you earn $40,000, you’ll take home $40,000 a year, no deductions or IRS monkey math. Instead, the federal government will run off a consumption tax, similar to a national sales tax. The benefits to this type of system are enormous.

First, you decide how much you pay in taxes, not the federal government. Every single dollar you earn will be yours to decide what to do with, putting the People back in charge of their paychecks.

Second, eligible households will receive a monthly pre-bate based on federal poverty levels and household size. This will allow families to purchase necessary goods, such as food, shelter, and medicine, essentially tax-free. In fact, a family of four could spend $30,000 annually without paying a penny in taxes to the federal government.

In addition, the Fair Tax captures the underground economy, tourism dollars, and purchases made by those here illegally. Not only will this strengthen our economy and help save and stabilize social security, but it will also ensure that everyone who uses our nation’s public services pays their fair share in taxes.

Finally, this bill will save small businesses hundreds of billions of dollars a year in compliance costs, making it easier to start and grow a business here in America.

No one likes paying taxes; but, given the choice between a consumption tax and an income tax, people prefer the consumption tax because it puts you in charge of your tax rate, not unelected bureaucrats.

Our current tax system is broken and oppressive. I’m ready to work with President Trump to fix it.

Buddy's Briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the March for Life rally that came to D.C. this past week.

from our nation's capitol cdxci

Monday, January 27, 2025: Last night, I was in Savannah to speak to the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), the national association representing the interests of the U.S. passenger vessel industry, at their national convention. PVA has been very involved in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposed rule dealing with North Atlantic Right Whale regulations that would have devastated their industry and many others. The regulations would have set speed limits of 10 knots along much of the Atlantic coast for up to seven months of the year for vessels 35-65 ft. Fortunately, NOAA has dropped the proposal. This morning, I’m on my way to Miami for the House Republican Conference Members Issue Retreat. After arriving and getting settled, I have a call with our communications staff to prepare for a Fox News interview this afternoon. Later, I have a live interview on the Will Cain show on Fox News as we discuss the retreat, the Fair Tax and other news of the day. Afterwards, I head to the ballroom where my Republican colleagues and I hear from President Donald J. Trump as he addresses our group with an exceptionally inspirational speech and details his plans for the first 100 days of his administration. President Trump has referred to his second term as the beginning of the “Golden Age” and outlines an aggressive and audacious agenda that has all of us enthused and excited. In my 11 years serving in Congress, I have never witnessed this level of enthusiasm and excitement among the electorate in our country and certainly not among members of our Republican Conference.

Rep. Carter joins The Will Cain Show

Tuesday, January 28, 2025: I’m up early this morning and live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as we discuss the retreat, budget reconciliation and the Fair Tax. Later in the morning, I head to our first break out meeting of the retreat as we hear from National Republican Conference Committee (NRCC) Chair Richard Hudson (R-NC), Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) Chair Chris Winkelman and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley on how to enact policies and the impact they will have on the electorate. Afterwards, we have a presentation from House Leadership including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalice (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-LA) and Majority Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI) as they discuss our timeline for budget reconciliation. Next, we hear from Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Republican Policy Chair Kevin Hern (R-OK) regarding budget reconciliation before hearing from communications specialist Kellyanne Conway regarding messaging complex issues to the American people. Afterwards, I have another training call with our communications team to prepare for the many interviews that I will be having this week regarding the retreat and budget reconciliation. Next, I head to one of those interviews, this one with CNBC to discuss the retreat and budget reconciliation before heading to a luncheon where we hear from Vice President J.D. Vance. Afterwards, I have a number of interviews, including with the Washington Examiner and Politico before heading to a discussion with Energy and Commerce (E&C) Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Homeland Security Chair Mark Green (R-TN) regarding budget reconciliation. My final meeting on reconciliation is with Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Committee Chair Jamie Comer (R-KY) to discuss the possibility of major changes to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

Rep. Carter joins Mornings with Maria

Wednesday, January 29, 2025: After flying up last night, I wake up in Washington, D.C., this morning as we have the bill signing at the White House of the Laken Riley Act today. Laken Riley was a University of Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan illegal alien who was previously arrested and paroled into the U.S. under the Biden-Harris administration. I am very proud that this is the first piece of legislation passed by the House and signed into law by the President this session. After the emotional ceremony where the mother of Laken Riley spoke, I head to our annual staff retreat at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) located in Shepherdstown in West Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River. NCTC leads the nation with training and education for natural resource managers and is a great location for a retreat. We have our District and DC staff present and begin with an overview of last year’s retreat before reviewing what we hope to achieve during this year’s retreat. Next, we have a review of the previous year, discussing what we feel we have done right and where we can improve, followed by various team-building exercises.

Rep. Carter at the Laken Riley Act bill signing

Thursday, January 30, 2025: My day begins with an interview with my good friends on the World Famous Butch and Bob show in Jesup as we discuss news of the day including the horrific plane crash that took place last night in Washington, the Fair Tax and other news of the day. Next, I have another radio interview with my good friend Scott James in Valdosta as we discuss the Fair Tax before heading back to our staff retreat meetings. We begin today with a yearly review presentation from our communications team followed by the same from our district team before having the legislative team review the legislative success we had last session, including the passing of 5 bills that were signed into law and 14 community projects that were funded. After some more team building exercises, we head back to our meetings and break into groups to come up with action plans for the upcoming session before more team building activities.

Team Carter at the NCTC

Friday, January 31, 2025: We head back to the Capitol today and before finishing up our retreat with a recap and fun awards ceremony, we have the extraordinary opportunity to go the Supreme Court and meet with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a native of Savannah and the First District. This bucket list item is truly a treat of a lifetime for all of us as we first take a group picture with Justice Thomas before he insists we put all the chairs in a circle and he spends over an hour with us telling stories and answering questions. Interestingly, Justice Thomas tells us that this is the first time in his 33 years on the bench that he has met with a congressional staff, much less from his home district. What a fascinating experience! The wisdom and intellect of this great American was a blessing for all of us to witness and a great ending to our retreat.

Rep. Carter speaks with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

Did you know?

Savannah: America’s First Planned City

Founded in 1732, Savannah was the first planned city in America. Its unique layout of squares and parks was designed by General James Oglethorpe, providing a mix of beauty and practicality that still charms visitors today.