We Have a Deal

I told you last week that we have been working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. I am excited to say we now have a deal that we will likely vote on next week and send to President Trump to sign into law.

With this final agreement, the typical family of four earning the median family income of $73,000 will receive a tax cut of $2,059. I can't wait to deliver this to the American people right before Christmas.

Among other things, the legislation lowers individual taxes, significantly increases the standard deduction, expands the Child Tax Credit, preserves the mortgage interest deduction, provides relief for Americans with expensive medical bills, and provides support for graduate students. This legislation will also spur our economy and deliver relief to our job creators.

Click here to see the policy highlights in this bill. To read the legislation, click here.

THIS IS HUGE! We are now just days away from historic tax reform. The biggest tax reform in more than thirty years.

I am excited for a big week ahead!

From our Nation's Capitol CXLIII

Tuesday, December 12, 2017: After sitting in the Jacksonville airport yesterday for a few hours during a flight delay, I finally made it back to the Capitol late in the afternoon and was able to make it to our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discussed the agenda for the week and plans for the following week. The Whip Team will be very busy for the next few weeks as we have a number of important votes and leadership will need to have a sense of how our conference is leaning in order to move forward. After our Whip Team meeting we had our only vote series of the day where we passed H.R. 2706, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act and H.R. 1730, the Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act. A link to all the bills that were voted on this week is provided below this column. Today begins with a members’ only meeting of the Energy and Commerce Committee where we hear from each of the many subcommittee chairman for a recap of what their subcommittee has addressed this year and what lies ahead for next year. Next, we have our weekly Republican Conference meeting and today we have plenty to talk about between tax reform and a spending bill. Although they can’t share a lot of information, we are brought up to date on the work of the tax reform conference committee and told that they expect to have an agreement by the end of the week. Afterwards, we have our weekly staff meeting before I head to an Energy and Commerce Environment and Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection joint subcommittee hearing where we have an update on the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. Next, I have an Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee meeting to "examine concerns of patient brokering and addiction treatment fraud.” A link to my questions can be found here.

Rep. Carter E&C Q&A at the "Patient Brokering and Addiction Treatment Fraud” Hearing.

After heading back to my office and filming a video, I have a meeting with representatives from Axial Health Care to learn more about their data-driven solutions to pain management. Following separate meetings with representatives from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Ameribev, and the Franklin Square Group, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day after which I deliver a one minute memorial on the House Floor to John Yates, a World War II veteran who I had the honor of serving with in the Georgia State Legislature. A link to my tribute can be found here.

Rep. Carter paying tribute to John Yates.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017: One of the primary reasons I worked so hard to get on the Energy and Commerce Committee was to serve on the Health Subcommittee. Because of my professional experience of practicing pharmacy for over 30 years, health care issues are very important to me and I want to utilize my experience and expertise. My first meeting today is with the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee as we have a hearing to examine the drug supply chain. Escalating prescription drug prices are a problem for all of us and, despite the amazing advances in drug therapy over the years, many people are denied access to some of these medications because they simply cannot afford them. I have been pressing the committee to hold a hearing to address this issue and we did that today. The hearing was an eye opening experience for many of our members and we have already begun to plan for our next hearing on this subject. A link to my questions can be found here.

Rep. Carter E&C Q&A at the "Drug Supply Chain" Hearing.

Afterwards, I drop by the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes card signing area where I sign cards to be sent to our troops serving overseas this Christmas.

Rep. Carter writing letters to servicemembers oversees.

Following our first vote series of the day, I head over to the Congressional Visitors Center for a meeting of members of our Conference to discuss the upcoming fiscal deadline of December 22^nd when the federal budget is set to expire. During this two hour meeting we discuss our spending priorities and policies that will be a part of this package. While none of us want to see the government shut down, all of us have priorities and this gives us an opportunity to hash those things out. After returning to my office for a meeting, I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day.

Thursday, December 14, 2017: I’m in my office this morning for a meeting with staff from the General Services Administration (GSA) to discuss the annex being proposed to the Tomochichi Federal Courthouse in downtown Savannah. My office has heard the outcry from citizens and stakeholders upset with the proposed building and I am very pleased to get a commitment from GSA to work with the community toward an amenable solution. Next, I meet with representatives from Premise Health before filming another video and then head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. After a meeting with staff from the Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss legislation I am planning to introduce, I have a phone interview with Patient Dailyvto discuss prescription drug pricing before heading to the airport for my trip home. Once back in Savannah, I stop by the Pooler Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet before heading to a meeting with the Georgia Manufacturers Association.

Friday, December 15, 2017: I’m up early this morning and travel to St. Simons Island where I have the honor of participating in the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce’s Grits & Issues Breakfast. With a great crowd of over 300 people, I join State Senator William Ligon and State Representatives Jeff Jones and Don Hogan in answering questions from the audience.

Rep. Carter speaking at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce’s Grits & Issues Breakfast.

Afterwards, I travel to McIntosh County where I am treated to a tour of Sapelo Sea Farms by owner Charlie Phillips. From clam farming to commercial fishing and even the popular Fish Dock restaurant, Charlie does it all. He has also served on several federal fishing boards, offering his knowledge and experience to helping maintain the coastal area and ocean habitat that all of us, especially Charlie, love and enjoy so much.

Rep. Carter touring the Sapelo Sea Farms.

Later, I head back to Savannah where I attend the Investiture Ceremony of Bobby Christine as our next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District. Bobby Christine is a fine man and I am certain will do a fine job in this position. After a members only conference call with House leadership to discuss the final product of the conference committee on tax reform, I head to my office in Savannah to meet with Pete Hoffman and LTC Curtis Perkins from Georgia Southern University to discuss ROTC scholarships offered through the school.

Votes in the House This Week

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