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On Memorial Day, all across our great nation, we remember and honor the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. These patriots gave everything for our freedom, country and the lives we are blessed to live today. Click here to see my Memorial Day message.
God bless our service members and God bless America. |
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I introduced a very important proposal with Senator Tim Scott this week to make the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on foreign countries such as China. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more clear than ever that America cannot continue to rely on foreign entities like China for anything, especially when it comes to lifesaving medications.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately 72 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) used in the U.S. drug supply are manufactured in more than 150 countries, with 13 percent coming from China alone. The reason our pharmaceutical and medical supply chains are dependent on nations like China and India is simple. They can produce cheaper factories, provide lower-cost labor, utility costs and raw materials, impose fewer regulations, and more.
The Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients (MADE) in America Act, will work to mitigate drug shortages while incentivizing the domestic manufacturing of drugs, API, personal protective equipment (PPE), and diagnostics. This will be achieved through a new tax credit for manufacturers that operate in certain American Opportunity Zones.
This legislation is designed to significantly reduce the advantage that foreign countries provide and encourage companies to maintain, expand or relocate their production activities back to the United States through a tax credit that will serve the most disadvantaged communities in our nation.
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| This week on Buddy's Briefing |
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This week on Buddy's Briefing we discuss Memorial Day, legislation I introduced to make the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain less dependent on foreign countries like China, and legislation I introduced this week to help ensure the development of facial recognition technology balances both America's leadership role in emerging technology and consumer protections.
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| From our Nation's capitol CCLXVII |
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Monday, May 18, 2020: After arriving in the Savannah office this afternoon, we have our daily all-staff conference call where we catch up on the activities of the weekend and discuss the upcoming week. Next, I record a message to our Muslim constituents and the Muslim community wishing them Eid Mubarak, an Arabic term meaning “blessed feast/festival,” as they celebrate the end of Ramadan. Afterwards, I have a conference call with Dr. Lawton Davis, Health Director for the Coastal Health District, to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and response. Most of the counties in the First Congressional District are also in the Coastal Health District that Dr. Davis oversees. The news from Dr. Davis is good as he reports that of the 18 health districts in the State of Georgia, the Coastal Health District is the eighth most populist yet we have the second lowest number of COVID-19 cases in the state. Also, Chatham County is the fifth most populist county in the State of Georgia but ranks number 20 in the number of COVID-19 cases. Next, I have a call with the CEO of Vibrant Emotional Health, the administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Disaster Distress Helpline as we discuss their support of H.R. 4194, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline Designation Act. Afterwards, I have a conference call covering the mandatory workplace rights and responsibilities training that all members of Congress are required to complete before heading back home. Once at home, I have a call with Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) to discuss specialty crop protection in the CARES Act. Specialty crop producers such as vegetable and blueberry farmers will be compensated for 85% of their price loss during the first quarter of this year but only 30% during the second quarter. Our hope is that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be able to correct this inequity if there is a phase 4 relief package.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020: I’m up and at ‘em this morning as I’m headed to Nahunta in Brantley County and, during the drive, we have our daily all-staff conference call. Once in Nahunta, I meet with Myra Thrift from the Waycross Journal Herald to discuss how the District is performing during the COVID-19 pandemic and then meet with Brantley County Express editor Mittie Vaughn on the same subject. Next, I head to the Brantley County jail where I meet with my good friend Sheriff Len Davis before heading to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup where I meet with President/CEO Joe Lerardi who shares with me the outstanding work this fine rural hospital continues to deliver even during these challenging times.
Rep. Carter visits Historic Strand Dinner Cinema |
Afterwards, I visit with my good friends Ralph and Jamie Hickox who are the owners of the Historic Strand dinner cinema in downtown Jesup. The vast renovations that this community minded couple have completed has resulted in one of the most charming restaurants and cinemas in Georgia. Next, I have a phone interview with WSAV TV in Savannah to discuss a groundbreaking medical device that Savannah physician Dr. Jerry Williams has developed for dental practices. A link to the segment can be found here. Next, I head to the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce where I join members of the Industrial Development Authority as we have a presentation from a business looking to locate in the area that could generate over 100 jobs. After a great meeting, I have a phone conference with IBM representatives from Georgia to discuss their issues before heading to Hinesville in Liberty County where I join my good friend Nick Westbrook, manager of Chick-fil-A, as we congratulate three employees of the business who have each been awarded a $2500 scholarship from the parent company.
Rep. Carter congratulates Chick-fil-A scholarship recipients |
A link to a segment on the presentation can be found here. Later, after arriving back home, I join a webinar with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to discuss pharmacy issues.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020: I’m in the Savannah office this morning and my first call is with Sen. David Perdue to discuss the same specialty crop protection issue in the CARES Act that I spoke with Sen. Loeffler about on Monday. Afterwards, we have our daily all-staff conference call followed by an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee member briefing where we hear from Greg Burel, who served as the Director of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) for 12 years until his retirement in January 2020. Later, I have a bipartisan member call with Ari Sacher, the Educational Director with the United States Israel Education Association to discuss proactive steps Israel can take to prevent China from weakening the US-Israel relationship. Next, I have a conference call with members of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation to discuss their issues before having a Zoom call with a group of health care associations to discuss the impact that COVID-19 will potentially have on the remainder of the year from a legislative perspective. My final conference call of the day is with GOP members as we hear from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Thursday, May 21, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call, I have a radio interview with my good friend, Bill Edwards, on WTKS NewsRadio in Savannah as we discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and I take questions from listeners. Next, I have a call with representatives from WalMart to discuss their COVID-19 response and what their pharmacies are doing to address the pandemic. Afterwards, I head to the Interstate Centre II industrial park in Bryan County where I visit CMZ Foundation Equipment, a company that has recently relocated their headquarters from Brazil to Bryan County bringing around 75 new jobs to the area.
Rep. Carter at CMZ Foundation Equipment |
Along with Bryan County Commissioner and Chairman of the Development Authority, Noah Covington, and Anna Chafin, CEO of the Development Authority of Bryan County, we tour this impressive facility and learn about their success in receiving the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. Next, I head to historic downtown Savannah and during the drive have a conference call with other members of the Select Committee on Climate Change as we hear from Mayor Sharon Weston Broome from the City of Baton Rouge, LA, and Craig Fugate, former Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Once in Emmet Park in Downtown Savannah, I film this weeks Buddy’s Briefing and then head down to the beautiful World War II Monument on River Street where I film a video for Memorial Day. Next, I have a phone interview with WSAV TV in Savannah where I discuss the pharmaceutical independence bill that I have introduced in Congress.
Friday, May 22, 2020: After our daily all-staff conference call this morning, I head down to Brunswick for the graveside service of Jack Hardman, a longtime resident and former Chairman of the County Commission in Glynn County. After a meeting with my friends Buddy Deloach and Georgia State Representative Don Hogan (R-St. Simons Island), I meet with Joe McDonough to learn more about an exciting recycling project he has underway. Next, I head to Camden County where I pay a surprise visit to Knute Jones and his family at their home.
Rep. Carter with Knute Jones and his family |
Knute was one of the first students that I nominated to a service academy when I entered Congress and today, he is participating in his virtual graduation from the United States Naval Academy. Surrounded by family and friends, Knute is sharply dressed in his Marine Corps uniform and I am honored to congratulate him and present him with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in his honor. Afterwards, I head to McIntosh County and during the drive I have an E&C member conference call where we discuss our proposed schedule for the next few weeks. Once in McIntosh County, I meet with my good friend Sheriff Steve Jesup for an update on the progress the county is making recovering from the pandemic and afterwards head back to Pooler. During my drive home I have a conference call with representatives from the American College of Rheumatology to discuss issues impacting their profession during the pandemic. |
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