Critical Funding for the First District

Congress passed the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill this week to fund the government through September 30, 2016. I voted for this bill because it provides critical funding for the First District and the entire state of Georgia. Our largest economic drivers in the First District cannot operate without this legislation.

It supports our ports in Savannah and Brunswick and ensures construction continues in the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. The bill also provides important construction funds to our military bases, ensures Kings Bay has the resources needed for future missions and, despite shortsighted attempts by the Air Force, fully funds the A-10 Warthog at Moody Air Force Base to keep it flying.

Additionally, the legislation provides needed resources and training for our troops in the field and to combat the threat of ISIS and other enemies around the world. The legislation also strengthens the security of the Visa Waiver Program to ensure individuals entering the United States with the program are not security risks. The threats against Americans at home and abroad are too great to ignore. Now more than ever we must strengthen our national defense and support our military to destroy ISIS.

While I wish this legislation would have gone further to end Washington’s spending addiction and promote conservative principles, it does provide many victories for conservatives and the American people. The legislation ends the antiquated ban on crude oil exports, supports Second Amendment and pro-life measures, and continues the fight to end Obamacare.

Passage of this legislation is another stepping stone in a far from over fight to rein in spending and push forward conservative values.

From our Nation's Capitol XXXxVII

Monday, December 14, 2015: We all know that our world changed on September 11, 2001, and that it will never be the same. Terrorism is a part of the world we live in now and while we understand that, quite often we still think it can’t happen to us. I was reminded of how untrue that is this weekend when I attended the funeral of Shannon Johnson in Jesup on Saturday. Shannon was one of the fourteen people killed in San Bernardino on December 2^nd in the worst terrorist attack in our country since 9-11. Shannon Johnson was born and lived for a while in Jesup before moving away. Shannon died using his body to shield a co-worker from an onslaught of bullets during the attack. His last words were “I got you.” I was honored to be able to present to the family an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Shannon. He was an American hero.

Congressman Carter at the Patterson Christmas Dinner

I also had the opportunity this weekend to participate in the Screven Christmas parade in Wayne County as well as the Patterson Christmas Dinner in Pierce County and the annual Shalom New York Fundraiser at Bnai Brith Jacob Synagogue in Savannah.

Congressman Carter at the Screven Christmas Parade

I begin today with a trip to South Effingham High School where I have the opportunity to speak to Ms. Drain’s American Government Class. It is a delight to interact with these bright and inquisitive young people who give me hope for the future of our nation. Next, I head to Savannah where I have the opportunity to speak to the Savannah
Area Chamber of Commerce Owners Council and give them an update on what we’re doing in Washington. Afterwards, I meet with the Savannah Board of Realtors before doing a TV interview at my Savannah Office with a local station.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015: After flying back to Washington this morning, I head to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for an end of the year member meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. After returning to my office where I am able to get caught up on some paperwork, I head to a late night Republican Conference meeting where Speaker Paul D. Ryan and other members of leadership bring us up to date on the budget negotiations that have been taking place over the weekend.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015: Today begins with our weekly Whip Team meeting where we discuss the legislation expected to be brought to the floor this week. Normally, our Whip Team meeting is held the evening we return to the Capitol but because of the late night Republican Conference last night we are meeting this morning. Afterwards, we have another Republican Conference before I head to the House Chamber to speak on H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Authorization Act, a bill passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee that is being voted on today. A link to my speech can be found here. After speaking, I stay in the House Chamber where we have our first vote series of the day before heading to a meeting of the Georgia delegation to discuss language we have discovered in the proposed Omnibus that could have a devastating impact on the longstanding water dispute between Alabama and Georgia. After the meeting, which included a conference call with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, I head to a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee meeting on the Merit Systems Protection Board. Next, I head back to my office where we have our weekly staff briefing before heading back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. Throughout the day I am in constant contact with other members of the Georgia delegation in regards to the water language in the Omnibus, a situation that has turned into a major ordeal. Finally, I end my day with a member’s only meeting of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform where we discuss plans for 2016.

Thursday, December 17, 2015: I’m back in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform this morning as we have a hearing on “Terrorist Travel: Vetting for National Security Concerns.” A link to my questions can be found here. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where we have our first vote series of the day. As we are leaving the House Chamber, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy calls members of the Georgia delegation for a meeting to give us an update on the water language in the Omnibus bill. We are joined in this meeting by U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue as we discuss our plans of removing the language that was added in the Senate by Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL). This is a very serious situation as this language could threaten the ability to provide drinking water to the vast majority of our state’s population. Next, I head back to my office where I have a meeting with members of the American Petroleum Institute before I head back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. After votes, I remain on the House floor and deliver a one minute speech on the passing of Ed Fendig, Jr. from Brunswick. Later in the afternoon, we have another meeting of the Georgia delegation, including both Senators, where house leadership finally reports to us that they have replaced the water language in the Omnibus, reassuring all of us, including Governor Deal, that Georgia will not be hurt by any water language. My final meeting of the day is back in my office with the new representative from CVS/Caremark.

Friday, December 18, 2016: I’m in the House Chamber at 8:30 a.m. this morning as I deliver a one minute speech congratulating the Clinch County Panthers on winning the Class A Public School High School Championship last week. Afterwards, we have our first and only vote series of the day as we pass the Omnibus Appropriations bill by a margin of 316-104. Later in the day the Senate passes the bill by a wide margin and the President signs it into law in the late evening. Like almost all appropriation bills, this Omnibus is a mixture of good and bad but includes many things that will help the First District of Georgia and the nation as a whole.