When most people think of recess, they picture kids running around on the playground during school. So, it’s no surprise that many people have a negative association with the term “August recess,” which is when Congress takes the month of August to work from the District instead of D.C.
I’m sure there are some congressmen who use August like a vacation, but for most of us – myself included – this is our busiest time of year. It’s the only time of year when I can put 100% of my energy into meeting with, learning from, and listening to people in Georgia’s First Congressional District, as well as taking trips to learn more about policy fixes to issues you bring to me in meetings. August recess is when policy ideas are born, old ideas are brought back to life, new connections are made, and when my sole focus is on talking to Georgians and consulting with groups on how to solve your greatest challenges.
This year, I’m inviting you to come along with me.
Throughout the month of August, each week I will center my newsletter on an issue that I’ve spent the week diving into, sharing both what I’ve learned and how I’m using that knowledge to improve lives in Georgia’s First Congressional District. We have a ton of work to get done when we get back to D.C. in September, from funding to government to the NDAA, and now is the time when the hard work to make those policy priorities successful happens.
If there’s a topic that you want me to dive into this August, something you’re particularly concerned about, send me an email and I will put it on my list.
Next weekend, I’ll be attending a conference where I will consult with experts on everything from AI to trade to health care, and I’m excited to report back with what I’ve been able to learn.
Happy (almost) August, aka National Peach Month, and God Bless! |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about my questioning of HHS Secretary Becerra. |
Monday, July 24, 2023: Yesterday, I traveled to Jekyll Island in Glynn County where I was honored to speak at the Georgia Medical Directors Association’s annual conference about health care issues in Washington. Before entering Congress, I practiced as a consultant pharmacist in nursing homes and worked closely with medical directors to provide care to residents. I’m up bright and early this morning and at the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island as I welcome the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police to their annual conference and share with this great group of public servants the legislation we are working on in Washington to support them. Afterwards, I head to Darien in McIntosh County, and, during the drive, I have a conference call with Col. Joseph Geary with the Savannah District Corps of Engineers to discuss a project in Glynn County. Once in Darien, I meet with the new Superintendent of Schools for McIntosh County, Dr. Melissa Williams. Dr. Williams has worked in the school system for many years and brings experience and enthusiasm to the position. After a great meeting where Dr. Williams shares her vision of the future of the school system, I head to St. Marys in Camden County where I meet with Cumberland Island National Seashore Superintendent Gary Ingram. Gary is the longest-tenured superintendent of Cumberland, having served since 2014, and also served concurrently as superintendent of Fort Frederica National Monument for many of those years. He has done a great job in these positions, and both are much better off today because of Gary’s dedicated service. Next, I head to Two Rivers Gun Range, one of the premier shooting ranges in Georgia, which is owned and operated by Camden County. The range offers to provide a safe and respectful environment for hunters and recreational target shooters to sight-in firearms and to target practice. After a great visit, I head to the Jekyll Island Conference Center in Glynn County where I have the honor of speaking at the Georgia Sheriff’s Association’s annual conference. Sheriffs throughout Georgia are some of the most well-respected law enforcement officers in our communities and we are very appreciative of their service. |
Carter meets with Gary Ingram |
Tuesday, July 25, 2023: After yet another delayed flight this morning, I finally arrive in Washington and head to a meeting off Capitol Hill with the Pharmaceutical Printed Literature Association before heading to my office where I meet with Clean Harbors, a company that supports federal and state hazardous waste management and remediation operations. Afterwards, I meet with PrizePicks, a fantasy sports betting company headquartered in Atlanta before heading to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee huddle in Chairman Bob Latta’s office. Next, I head off Capitol Hill where I speak to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) at their annual Washington fly-in. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to our weekly Whip team meeting before heading to the House chamber for our first vote series of the week. |
Carter meets with representatives from Clean Harbors |
Wednesday, July 26, 2023: I’m up early and on my good friend John Fredericks’ TV show this morning as we discuss the news of the day. Afterwards, I head to a House Republican Policy Committee meeting on preventing a central bank digital currency in the U.S. before I head to the members’ dining room where I host our four Washington interns. Next, I head to our weekly GOP conference meeting before heading to an E&C Oversight and Investigations (O&I) subcommittee hearing that I waive onto with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. Next, I head to the House chamber where I pay tribute to Savannah native and 2023 British Open champion Brian Harman, Southern Soul Bar b Que on St. Simons Island, Ralph Dixon from Hinesville who recently passed, and Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah. Once back in my office, I meet with Pocket Naloxone, a company that is marketing naloxone nasal swabs (NaxSwab OTC) that can be purchased without a prescription and reverse the effect of fentanyl. Next, I meet with the newly appointed President and CEO of Georgia Power, Kim Greene, before having a virtual call with the Chief Economic Advisor to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Oleg Ustenko. Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill where I am the special guest at a Washington Industrial Roundtable (WIRT) luncheon. WIRT is an executive-level organization established in 1945 to serve and advise U.S. government leaders on wartime industrial policies. After returning to my office, I have a virtual call with company representatives to discuss a proposal for a Georgia critical mineral stockpile before heading to the House chamber for our first vote series of the day. Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill for a series of meetings before returning to my office where I meet with representatives from the Academy of Doctors of Audiology followed by a meeting with Full Circle Lithium. Next, I head to the Congressional Visitors Center where I attend the Farmlink Project reception and record a video regarding my visit before heading to the House chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. Afterwards, I remain in the chamber and pay tribute to Evalynn Sanford, a Camden County High School graduate who recently won a national competition in architectural drafting. |
Carter meets with representatives from Pocket Naloxone |
Thursday, July 27, 2023: After questioning HHS Sec. Becerra yesterday in an E&C O&I hearing, I have another chance to question him this morning as he is our guest at our weekly Doctors Caucus meeting. Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting before heading to the House chamber where I pay tribute to long time Garden City resident Virginia Deloach, Military Marriage Day, National Blueberry Month, and Howard Poe from Brunswick who recently passed. Next, I head to an E&C full committee mark-up that lasts most of the day with a few breaks, including our final two vote series of the week, a meeting with the new CEO of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), Michael Huynh, and representatives from Vulcan Materials. After our last vote series, I remain in the chamber where I pay tribute to my good friends, Trey and Erin Thompson from Tybee Island, who are being honored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of Savannah. |
Carter meets with APHA CEO |
Friday, July 28, 2023: I’m up early and live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business this morning as I join a panel to comment on the latest economic numbers and the state of our economy. Although inflation is slowing and decreasing slightly, it remains stubbornly high and well above the level the current administration inherited. After a meeting with a constituent in Pooler, I have a scheduling call with my district staff to discuss our August schedule when we will be out of Washington. |
Carter on Mornings with Maria |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. |
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