Carter, Buddy RSS Articles

Carter votes to SAVE and Protect America with Reconciliation 3.0

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the House passed the SAVE and Protect America Act framework, unlocking the reconciliation process:

“Democrats have said the quiet part out loud - they can’t win without noncitizen votes. The SAVE and Protect America Act will secure our elections, making sure illegal aliens can’t decide the outcome, and defend our troops so they can finish the job in Iran and come home. In the face of Democrats’ obstructionism, House Republicans are advancing President Trump’s agenda, on behalf of the American people, and delivering wins for our democracy and national security while supporting farmers.”

###

Carter votes to ban insider trading for lawmakers

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:55:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today voted in favor of the Stop Insider Trading Act.

Rep. Carter is an original co-sponsor of the legislation, which helps restore Americans' faith and trust in government by prohibiting Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks and enacting much-needed federal voter ID laws to secure our elections.

“This bill helps ensure incoming Members of Congress are here to represent the people and serve the public, not their pocketbooks, and to safeguard the integrity of our election system,” said Rep. Carter.

The Stop Insider Trading Act would:

Ban Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing a security issued by a publicly traded company.

Require Members of Congress to file a public notice at least 7 days, but no more than 14 days, in advance for each intended sale with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Require the House Ethics Committee to (1) issue a fee equal to $2,000 or 10% of the value of the covered investment, whichever is greater, and the net gain realized from the sale, and (2) any net gain realized from the transaction during a specified period.

Require voters to show a photo ID when casting a ballot in a federal election and require absentee and mail-in voters to attach a copy of their ID to their mail-in ballot.

###

Carter secures $346.1 million for GA-01 in House-passed defense bill

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today secured $346.1 million for Georgia’s First Congressional District in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which heads to the Senate for consideration.

The NDAA includes $130 million in new funding for Kings Bay Naval Base for the Trident Refit Facility Expansion project to build the infrastructure needed to maintain the more advanced incoming Columbia-class nuclear-powered submarines.

“As the world’s premier fighting force, the United States military must have the resources necessary to remain second to none. To deliver on that promise, I fought to secure funding for our local military bases to support and expand critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Carter. “I am proud to have advocated for and supported legislation that strengthens Georgia’s First District military community, raises service members’ pay, improves barracks, and removes wokeness from our Armed Forces and refocuses on readiness and lethality.”

In addition to a 5 to 7 percent pay increase for all service members, the funding for Georgia’s First Congressional District includes:

$130 million for Kings Bay Trident Refit Facility Expansion
$11.2 million for Kings Bay Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Modernization (extended)
$74.5 million for Kings Bay Electrical Transmission and Distribution Improvements (extended)
$105 million for Fort Stewart barracks (extended)
$25.4 million for Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart joint grid power generation (extended)

###

Carter urges FCC to review broadcast licenses after refusal to air Presidential address

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:20:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr urging him to review ABC and NBC’s broadcast licenses.

The letter comes after the broadcasters refused to air President Donald Trump’s July 16 address on free, open airwaves.

In the letter, Rep. Carter writes, “Refusing to air a major presidential address because executives disagree with its content raises serious concerns that they intended to keep Americans in the dark about potential foreign interference in our elections.”

Rep. Carter continues, “I therefore ask the FCC to review whether the decisions made by licensed stations owned or operated by these companies were consistent with their obligation to serve the public interest… The public airwaves should inform the American people, not be used by corporate executives to decide which matters of national importance they are permitted to hear.”

Read full letter here.

###

Carter bill reducing unnecessary animal testing passes House

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:30:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated the House passage of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, a bill directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully implement provisions to reduce unnecessary animal testing for drug development.

Each year in the United States, millions of animals – including an estimated 50,000 dogs – are used in laboratory experiments and testing. This bill would require the FDA to fully implement the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, ensuring that safe and effective treatments are developed using advanced, innovative non-animal testing methods when possible.

“The House passage of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 marks a major step toward a more modern, effective, and humane system for evaluating medicines,” said Rep. Carter. “My bill will help update testing practices to reduce unnecessary animal harm, remove barriers to innovative, safe, and effective non-animal testing methods, and ensure the FDA’s implementation fully reflects both the law and today’s scientific capabilities.”

“Patients deserve access to the most advanced medical technology available. The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 ensures that drug testing reflects today's innovations, helping to bring promising healthcare to families faster without compromising safety through unnecessary reliance on animal testing,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL). “As the Health Subcommittee Chairman of Ways and Means and the champion of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, I am proud to see my bill's impact be reinforced by this critical piece of legislation.”

"This bill will transform drug development for the 21st century. By requiring full implementation of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, this legislation ensures that developers use innovative, more effective testing methods throughout drug development, rather than relying on outdated and inhumane animal tests. It’s a win for patients, a win for innovation, and a win for animal welfare. I’m proud to champion this bipartisan measure to accelerate safer, more humane, and more effective medical breakthroughs,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA).

“Today’s floor vote is another important step toward modernizing how we bring safe and effective drugs to market,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN). “The FDA has the authority to move beyond outdated, cruel testing methods, and our bill simply directs the FDA to follow through and update its regulations accordingly. I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Buddy Carter and my colleagues to keep this bipartisan effort moving forward.”

"Four years ago, many people believed eliminating the archaic animal testing mandate in federal law was impossible. Today, Congress is completing that work, thanks in considerable part to the incredible leadership of Congressman Buddy Carter," said Wayne Pacelle, President, Center for a Humane Economy, Animal Wellness Action. "FDA Modernization Act 3.0 will help us fix a broken drug development system and stop putting dogs and primates through needless torment."

Read bill text here.

###

WATCH: CARTER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST UNNECESSARY ANIMAL TESTING

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today spoke on the House Floor in support of his bill, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0. This bipartisan legislation would bring the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations into the 21st century by recognizing modern, safe, and effective alternatives to traditional animal testing when possible.

The bill requires the FDA to update outdated regulations to reflect current law, providing researchers with greater flexibility to use innovative nonclinical testing methods without compromising the agency's gold standard for drug safety and effectiveness.

Watch Rep. Carter’s floor remarks here:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, bipartisan legislation that ensures the FDA fully embraces modern science while reducing unnecessary animal testing.

Many of our families would feel incomplete without the pets and animals that bring unconditional love into our lives.

Yet every year, millions of animals, including dogs, man's best friend, are still subjected to testing in the development of new medicines.

As policymakers, we have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

That responsibility includes embracing scientific innovation that can reduce unnecessary animal suffering while continuing to deliver safe and effective treatments to patients.

In 2022, Congress took an important first step by passing the FDA Modernization Act 2.0.

I was proud to help lead that effort.

That law gave drug developers the ability to use modern, scientifically validated alternatives to traditional animal testing when appropriate.

Congress made its intent clear.

We wanted to encourage more effective, more humane, and more innovative approaches to drug development.

Unfortunately, the previous administration failed to fully implement the law.

Without clear implementation, too many researchers have lacked the certainty they need, and too many animals continue to be used in testing that modern science can increasingly replace.

H.R. 2821 ensures the FDA finally carries out the will of Congress.

This bill is not about lowering standards. It is about raising them.

Today's researchers have access to technologies that simply did not exist a generation ago.

Advanced human cell models. Organ-on-a-chip technology. Artificial intelligence and computational modeling.

These innovative tools have the potential to better predict how medicines will perform in humans while reducing reliance on animal testing.

Our laws should reflect the science of today, not the science of decades past.

Modernizing drug development doesn't just benefit animals. It benefits patients.

By providing greater clarity and encouraging the use of validated alternative methods, we can help make the drug development process more efficient.

That means fewer unnecessary delays and more innovation.

And ultimately, that means lifesaving treatments can reach patients more quickly without compromising the FDA's rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness.

This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill. It reflects a simple principle.

We can advance medical innovation while improving animal welfare.

Those goals are not in conflict. In fact, they go hand in hand.

Mr. Speaker, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 fulfills the promise Congress made when we passed FDA Modernization Act 2.0.

It ensures that modern science is fully incorporated into our regulatory process.

It helps reduce unnecessary animal testing and strengthens American medical innovation.

And it helps bring new therapies to patients more efficiently.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0.”

###

CARTER STATEMENT ON FTC SETTLEMENT WITH CVS CAREMARK

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a settlement with CVS Caremark to drive down patients’ out-of-pocket costs, increase transparency, and ensure community pharmacies are treated fairly, saving patients and consumers up to $13 billion over ten years:

“When Congress passed my pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) legislation, we sent a clear message that their days of abusing patients are over. The FTC is continuing that mission by holding bad actors accountable and ensuring patients, not profits, are the center of our health care system. Under President Trump and Chairman Ferguson’s leadership, we are diligently working to make quality health care accessible and affordable for all Americans. I hope the FTC continues looking into PBMs and making sure they can no longer rob patients blind.”

###

Carter statement on SCOTUS birthright citizenship ruling

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) upheld birthright citizenship in the landmark Trump v. Barbara ruling:

“I am disappointed that SCOTUS is allowing our Constitution to be abused by non-American parents, including illegal immigrants, having children in the US solely for that child to gain citizenship. That was not what the founders intended when they wrote the Constitution. Birth tourism is a scam that harms honest citizens and takes advantage of the freest and most generous nation on earth. We must now look for legislative avenues to correct this wrong.”

###

Carter vote secures aviation safety training tool for Savannah airport

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $7.6 million to replace the current air traffic control training system at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV), increasing safety, reducing delays, and modernizing air travel. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) voted in favor of this funding as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024.

The funding supports the Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) Retrofit of Tower Simulation Systems (TSS) to SAV. TSS is a high-fidelity, computer-based, and immersive training tool used by the FAA to train Air Traffic Controllers in a safe, simulated environment. These systems feature 360-degree views, realistic airport layouts, and variable weather conditions, reducing controller certification time by up to 30%, increasing safety and efficiency at major airports.

“The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport had a record-breaking year in 2025, welcoming more than 4.2 million passengers from across the country and around the world. While we love bringing visitors to the Hostess City of the South, that growth comes with the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety and efficiency,” said Rep. Carter. “This investment in new air traffic control training systems will prepare the next generation of air traffic controllers to keep passengers safe as we welcome more visitors to experience the beauty of coastal Georgia.”

"We appreciate the support from Congressman Carter to help ensure the air traffic controllers at our airport have the most current training systems available to keep air travelers safe," said Greg Kelly, Executive Director, Savannah Airport Commission.

###

Carter urges American Medical Association to reverse harmful maternal health billing policy

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 02:45:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today sent a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA) calling on it to revoke a recent change to the way maternity services are billed that will impact health care affordability for mothers and babies.

The letter surrounds AMA replacing the bundled maternity care Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) framework with a system of individually billable services beginning January 1, 2027, despite concerns regarding affordability, care coordination, administrative burden, wasteful spending, and harmful effects on value-based care.

In the letter, Rep. Carter writes, “This is not a routine coding update. It is a fundamental restructuring of how maternity care is reimbursed throughout the American healthcare system.”

Rep. Carter continues, “At its core, unbundling maternity care is inflationary. For decades, policymakers, providers, health plans, employers, and patient advocates have worked to move healthcare away from fragmented fee-for-service reimbursement and toward coordinated, value-based models that reward outcomes rather than volume. The existing global maternity codes reflect those principles by encouraging comprehensive management of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care under a single bundled framework. I strongly urge the AMA to reconsider this misguided policy before it takes effect.”

Read the full letter here.

BACKGROUND

The longstanding bundled maternity care CPT framework allows reimbursement for pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care under a coordinated global payment model. This approach promotes care coordination, simplifies billing, supports value-based care, and helps protect patients from unnecessary costs and administrative complexity.

The American Medical Association’s new policy would replace that bundled framework with a fragmented system of individually billable maternity services beginning January 1, 2027. Unbundling maternity care would increase health care costs, create incentives for unnecessary visits and services, add administrative burdens for providers and health plans, and move the health care system away from coordinated, patient-centered care.

###