Our children deserve protection against drug overdoses. We all want to believe that it couldn’t happen in our families, schools, or communities; unfortunately, that is far from the case.
I was at a town hall meeting a few months ago and misspoke. I called the epidemic killing hundreds of Americans daily “fentanyl addiction.” A brave mother stood up and corrected me. She said, “My son took one pill and he’s dead. It’s not fentanyl addiction, it’s fentanyl poisoning.” She was right; our children are being poisoned, often unknowingly, by taking pills laced with a drug no bigger than the size of an ant.
If an overdose happens in one of our public schools, we need to make sure that both teachers and students are equipped with life-saving resources. That’s why I am proud to have introduced a bill in Congress that will put naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, in every public school in America.
Wherever you see a fire extinguisher or a defibrillator, you should see naloxone – plain and simple. If any of you reading this are old enough to remember, Syrup of ipecac used to be in every medicine cabinet in America to protect against poisonings. We need to make naloxone, which is safe, affordable, effective, and available without a prescription, just as accessible. My bill, the Saving Lives in Schools Act, will help us get there.
The State of Arkansas is leading the nation on this issue. I had the privilege of sitting down with State Rep. Tara Shepherd (D-AR), who recently passed a bill in her state that will put naloxone in every publicly-funded high school and college. Her legislation was the inspiration behind my bill, and it is so encouraging to see bipartisan leaders at all stages of government rallying together to protect lives.
During our meeting, Rep. Shepherd shared with me a tragic story out of her state, where a young woman overdosed in a public high school. Just like her, I am working to ensure that a similar tragedy never happens again.
Rep. Shepherd and I sat down with WTOC to talk more about this bill, which you can watch here. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about a serious issue that impacts Georgia more than most states - maternal mortality. |
Monday, July 17, 2023: My week starts with a meeting with constituents in downtown Savannah as I bring them up to date on the happenings in Washington and preview the upcoming week.
Afterwards, I head to the Savannah Airport for my flight to Washington and, after a few delays by the airlines, make it to my office. After a series of meetings with my staff including a legislative staff meeting, a communications staff meeting, and a scheduling meeting, I join in on our all-staff conference call.
Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee member briefing on nuclear spent fuel as we discuss the Nuclear Waste Policy Act. Once back in my office, I have an Artificial Intelligence (AI) briefing with the Consumer Technology Association. AI is a hot topic of discussion in Washington these days as we begin the process of regulating this growing phenomenon.
Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House chamber for our first vote series of the week. After votes, I remain in the chamber and pay tribute to tennis star Chris Eubanks, an Atlanta native and Georgia Tech alum, who recently reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.
Next, I join my colleagues in the Congressional Visitor’s Center (CVC) for a dialogue with Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, followed by a showing of the movie, Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. |
Carter pays tribute to Wimbledon quarter-finalist Christopher Eubanks |
Tuesday, July 18, 2023: After our weekly GOP Conference meeting, I head to an E&C Energy Subcommittee hearing on American Nuclear Energy Expansion that I waive onto. Although I am not on this subcommittee, I have a strong interest in nuclear energy and have a bill, the Global Nuclear Energy Assessment and Cooperation Act, that will help grow nuclear energy in America.
Next, I head to the House TV gallery studios where I participate in a press conference on the compromise solution to the Direct Capitol Access Act (DCA). This bill, an amendment to the Federal Aviation Act (FAA), would increase the number of airline slots allowed at Reagan International Airport, the closest airport to the Capitol.
Afterwards, I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on Innovative Drugs, Medical Devices, and Technology before heading to a House Budget Committee Republican (HBCR) roundtable as we discuss our plans for marking up a budget for FY ’24.
After our first vote series of the day, I head back to my office where I meet with my good friend Pastor Mark Mirza, founder of Common Thread Ministries, who hosts 60-65 prayer conference calls each week, including one for me. Afterwards, I have a series of meetings in my office including with the National Cotton Council, SIGMA Fuel Marketers (owners of Racetrac gas stations), and the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO).
Next, I meet with Arkansas State Representative Tara Shepard (D), who passed legislation in her state requiring naloxone to be placed in every high school and college in Arkansas wherever there is a fire extinguisher. After meeting with Rep. Shepard to hear more about her legislation and discussing my proposed federal legislation to have naloxone placed in every school in America, we have a joint interview with Gray TV (WTOC Savannah) to discuss our initiatives. Later, we meet with Arkansas Online for a radio interview on the same subject.
Next, I head to the House chamber for our second vote series of the day and remain in the chamber afterwards to pay tribute to Savannah native Tyrone “Hollywood” Brown, a former Harlem Globetrotter who has recently been inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame.
Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill to the 2023 Military Times Service Member of the Year award banquet where I am honored to introduce the Veteran of the Year, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Lindsey Streeter, from Richmond Hill in Bryan County. |
Carter meets with State Rep. Tara Shepherd |
Wednesday, July 19, 2023: After a meeting of Southeast regional members with members of the Agriculture Committee to discuss our priorities for the upcoming Farm bill, I head back to my office where I meet with students from the Kennedy Center National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute program.
Next, I head to an E&C full committee markup of health care bills that lasts from 10 AM till 7 PM. After consideration of the first bill, we recess for a joint session of Congress where we hear from His Excellency Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. President Herzog gives an excellent speech where he stresses the importance of a strong relationship between Israel and the United States which is warmly received by the vast majority of Congress.
After the address, I have a taped interview with NTD to discuss President Herzog’s address before returning to the markup. Later in the evening, we have our only vote series of the day as we consider 22 amendments to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) reauthorization that will be voted on tomorrow.
After votes, I remain in the House chamber and pay tribute to Ware County firefighter, Bobby Blue Smith, who sadly was killed in the line of duty recently. |
Carter attends joint session of Congress with Israeli President Isaac Herzog |
Thursday, July 20, 2023: I’m on the radio with my good friends from the world-famous Butch and Bob show in Jesup this morning as we discuss the news of the day.
Afterwards, I head to an E&C member breakfast to discuss our schedule for next week before heading to a Congressional Sportsmen Caucus Briefing on the Right Whale speed rules being proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
After a meeting off Capitol Hill, I head to the House chamber for our final vote series of the week where we pass the FAA reauthorization. After staying in the chamber to pay tribute to Chazito’s Latin Cuisine, a Pooler restaurant that was recently featured on ‘Dines, Drive Ins & Dives,’ I head to the plaza steps where I take pictures with interns with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
Once back in my office, I meet with student leaders with Bank of America who are visiting the Capitol this weekend. After a meeting with legislative staff to review this week’s work, I head to the airport and fly to Boston, MA, where I am the keynote speaker tomorrow for Cardinal Health’s Annual Retail Business Conference (RBC). Once in Boston, I have a conference call with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and our staff to discuss pharmacy legislation we are leading in our respective chambers. |
Friday, July 20, 2023: I am honored this morning to address the many attendees at this year’s Cardinal Health RBC and to join my good friend Doug Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacy Association (NCPA), in a discussion on the legislative landscape in Washington. Later, I join Doug in a live podcast recording and, afterwards, enjoy interacting with many of the attendees at the massive trade show.
After a great day, I head to the airport and make it home shortly after midnight to end what has been an exhausting week. |
Carter records podcast with NCPA CEO (photo credit Alabastro Photography) |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the house. |
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