Last month, the White House claimed that they had done more to secure the border than anyone else. Unfortunately for Biden, the numbers are telling a different story.
Since Biden took office, there have been more than 5.8 million illegal crossings at our southern border. 28 percent of those crossings, totaling about 1.6 million, evaded border patrol when they walked straight into this country through our wide-open border. Because of this lack of border security, cartels are now making $13 billion a year smuggling illegal immigrants into the United States, even employing people with ties to ISIS to help take these people across.
This is a national security concern not only because we have no idea who is in this country anymore and weak enforcement of our immigration laws, but also because there are people on the terrorist watchlist that are basically walking into this country on the red carpet. We know this because, this year alone, 146 people whose names are on the terrorist watchlist were detained at the border. You saw those numbers earlier – 1.6 million people evaded border control during this administration. How many of them came here with bad intentions? The number is probably a lot higher than any of us want to admit.
Which brings me to my last and most sobering point. Border patrol has seized 23,769 pounds of fentanyl so far in 2023. That is an astronomical number, and it is having real impacts on families and communities, even here in the first district. Families are losing children not to overdoses, but to poisonings. One pill, laced with an ant-sized dose of fentanyl, can be the difference between life and death, and there is enough of this drug in our country right now to kill every American several times over. Our children are dying, and the root of this problem is an out-of-control southern border.
House Republicans have put forward several solutions to this crisis, including H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. This legislation will, among other things which you can read about here, end the catch and release policy, force construction of the border wall, hire more border patrol agents, and strengthen laws against human trafficking to keep our children safe.
This bill is more important now than ever, and this president needs to do more than a photo op with border patrol agents in order to keep our country safe and functioning. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're discussing the state of our country's federal debt. |
Monday, September 18, 2023: I was honored to speak at the Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) annual meeting on Saturday at Jekyll Island in Glynn County and humbled to receive their Legislator of the Year Award. The GAB represents the interests of Georgia’s over-the-air radio and television licensees and is comprised of over 500 radio and television broadcasters who reach more than 95% of Georgia’s population every week.
On Saturday night, I was in Savannah for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Black Tie Gala which signifies that we only have six months until the next parade. And what a parade this one will be! In 2024, we will celebrate 200 years of the St. Patrick’s Day parade and, as always, the parade committee is hard at work planning for this great tradition.
Last night, I joined in on a GOP conference call where Speaker Kevin McCarthy outlined our conference plans for the upcoming week. This morning begins with a radio interview with my good friends on the Joe Willie and Robbie Sue show in Brunswick as we discuss the news of the day.
Before heading to the airport for my return trip back to Washington, I have a radio interview with my good friend Martha Zoller in Gainesville as we also discuss the news of the day.
Once back at the Capitol, I have successive meetings with my communications team, legislative team, and scheduling team to preview our week before heading to Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee Chair Bob Latta’s (R-OH) office for a C&T staff huddle. Once back in my office, I meet with school board members from Liberty and Camden Counties to hear their concerns before heading downtown where I speak at the Telehealth Awareness Week reception.
Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly Whip team meeting before heading to the House chamber for our first vote series of the week. Afterwards, I remain in the House chamber and pay tribute to Bill Shipp, a Georgia journalism legend who recently passed. |
Carter attends St. Patrick’s Day Parade Black Tie Gala |
Tuesday, September 19, 2023: I’m up early and at a Border Security Caucus meeting this morning as we hear from Todd Bensman, who is with the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) and has written many books detailing his experiences at the Southwest border.
Next, I head to a GOP member conference meeting where we discuss our plans for the week before heading to the House chamber where I pay tribute to Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Director Tom Walters on his retirement, David Sharpe from Brunswick who recently passed, The Crab Shack restaurant on Tybee Island in Chatham County for their recent recognition, and Dale Green on his retirement from the University of Georgia.
Afterwards, I head to an E&C Health subcommittee hearing on policies to improve seniors’ access to innovative drugs, medical devices, and technology before heading to a Budget committee member meeting to preview our resolution markup scheduled for tomorrow.
Next, I head to an E&C Environmental subcommittee hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed PM 2.5 rule before heading off Capitol Hill for a meeting with health care professionals. Once back at the Capitol, I head to a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conferee meeting. I am honored to be appointed to this committee as we will be working with the Senate conferees to hammer out our differences.
Once back in my office, I have a series of meetings including with the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Landmark Hospital in Savannah, US Inventor Project, Guidehouse Public Health, Novocure, National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, and the American Cancer Society.
Next, I head to the House chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading to the speaker's office for a meeting with the speaker and some of my House colleagues to discuss our current situation with the proposed continuing resolution.
Once back in my office, I have a virtual meeting with Alaska State Rep. Justin Ruffridge to discuss health care legislation before heading to the Rayburn Foyer where I speak to the Mom Congress and review legislation I have introduced regarding maternal mortality. Afterwards, I host an evening tour of the Capitol for some out-of-town visitors. |
Carter discusses maternal mortality with Mom Congress |
Wednesday, September 20, 2023: Today is a big day for us on the Budget committee as we spend most of the day marking up and passing our budget resolution that will set us on a path to balance our budget in the next 10 years. It will also reduce debt-to-GDP by 50 percentage points and cut $16 trillion by reining in mandatory spending.
Later, I have a series of meetings including with the Alliance for Pharmacy compounding, GenMab, Alnylam, and SLMA before joining in on a virtual call with the American Association for Homecare Advocacy. Before heading to the House chamber for our first and only vote series of the day, I meet with Georgia Independent Auto Dealers and Global Business Alliance.
After votes, I remain in the House chamber where I pay tribute to Mobilize Recovery Across Georgia before heading back to my office for more meetings including with Alliance for Childhood Cancer, bluebird bio, and Travere Therapeutics (TT). Next, I head to a specially called GOP conference where we discuss the proposed continuing resolution to keep the government open. |
Carter delivers opening statement at House Budget Committee markup |
Thursday, September 21, 2023: I head off Capitol Hill this morning to downtown Washington where I speak at the US Women’s Health Alliance (USWHA) Payer summit before heading back to Capitol Hill where I have an E&C C&T hearing on the Affordable Connectivity program.
Next, I meet with representatives from the Auto Care Association, my good friend Mark Mirza, who along with my two pastors, Revs. Ben Martin and Kenny Grant, prays for me and us in Congress every week. Then, I met with Electricity Canada before heading to an E&C member briefing on the implementation of the No Surprises Act (NSA).
After heading to the House chamber for our final vote series of the week, I head to the Cannon rotunda where I have an on-camera interview about funds for Ukraine and a potential government shutdown. Next, I head to the Rayburn foyer where I visit the Hyundai Hope on Wheels 25th Anniversary exhibit before returning to my office for a virtual call with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials to discuss a Housing project in Brunswick.
After heading to the House Recording Studios to record a video addressing the Health Care Provider Shortage, I head to the speaker's office for a meeting of the Debt Commission committee that I have been appointed to. Afterwards, I stop back by my office and record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before heading to the airport for my return trip home. |
Carter discusses government funding deadline with Gray TV |
Friday, September 22, 2023: My day begins with a radio interview with my good friends on the World Famous Butch and Bob Show where we discuss news of the day before having a conference call with staff and a constituent to discuss the Okefenokee Swamp. Next, I have a virtual call with constituents from the Jewish community to discuss provisions in the Farm Bill and, later in the evening, I have the honor of performing the coin toss at the Brunswick/Glynn County football game. |
Carter performs coin toss at Brunswick/Glynn County football game |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. |
|
