Despite fearmongering from the liberal media that a government shutdown was imminent, the House and Senate were able to pass a temporary extension of our current budget, referred to as a “continuing resolution,” that allows the federal government to stay open for an additional forty-five days while talks continue about how to address our nation’s growing debt crisis.
So, what happens now?
First, I want to point out a few things that were included in this continuing resolution. To start, there is no assistance for Ukraine. I’ve been saying for a while now that we cannot afford to continue sending blank checks to Ukraine with no end in sight, and I was pleased that this package put Americans first.
Second, this package extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which many Georgians, especially here on the coast, rely on for peace of mind and financial security should they experience a flood. It also provided additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which was running low on funds following a year of unprecedented natural disasters, including Hurricane Idalia which impacted us here in the First District.
While all of this is great, and I was proud to support the bill, it is far from the final package that will fund the government for fiscal year 2024. House Republicans have a lot of priorities that we need included in the final bill, including funding and policy changes for our out-of-control southern border and spending cuts so that we can get serious about addressing our nation’s $33 trillion debt crisis.
The fight isn’t over, but Washington Democrats proved this week that they were more willing to shut down the government than they were our southern border. That sent a cruel message to the families who lost loved ones to the fentanyl crisis, which is fueled by Biden’s wide-open border policies.
We need fiscal change, we need policy changes, and we have forty-five days to get it done. I’m ready to fight for you and will keep you updated as talks progress. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about two crises: our federal debt and our southern border. |
Monday, September 25, 2023: As we get closer to the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, we are trying to avoid a government shutdown and therefore on Saturday we had a GOP member conference call led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to discuss our options and plans.
Yesterday afternoon, I was honored to visit Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah to see some of the troops from Fort Stewart off as they are being deployed to Europe. These young men and women are truly our heroes and as I thanked each of them for their service and commitment, I prayed for their safety.
My morning begins today with a meeting with constituents on St. Simons Island as I hear from them regarding their concerns and thoughts on our government. Afterwards, I head to the Jacksonville airport for my flight to Atlanta where I am visiting health care companies today and tomorrow.
Once in Atlanta, I have a phone interview with WTOC TV in Savannah to discuss the potential shutdown of the federal government. Next, I head to Stim Labs in Roswell where they develop products and processing techniques in the placental tissue market to advance the state of regenerative medicine. Among the many uses of their products are barrier membranes for surgical applications and wound covering for chronic wounds and burn patients. |
Carter visits troops deploying to Europe at Hunter Army Airfield |
Tuesday, September 26, 2023: I’m at Piedmont Hospital on Peachtree Road in Atlanta this morning as I am touring LifeLink of Georgia where they help to facilitate the recovery of organs for transplantation within all hospitals in Georgia. The mission of this great foundation is to honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation. Along with LifeLink of Florida and LifeLink of Puerto Rico, LifeLink of Georgia honored nearly 800 organ donors, transplanted over 2,130 organs, and improved the lives of over 90,000 people in 2021-22.
Afterwards, I head to the Atlanta airport for my return trip to Washington and, once back in my office, have a staff meeting before heading to a meeting with the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) in his office.
Next, I have a great visit with Georgia State University President and Savannah, GA, native Brian Blake for an update on the university before meeting with CMC GR executive Chris Westrick to discuss steel imports.
Afterwards, I meet with Transportation Intermediaries Association to discuss third-party logistics followed by Truckload Carriers Association and then my communications staff.
Next, I head off Capitol Hill for a reception with the Korea International Trade Association. 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 day and week. Later in the evening, we have another vote series as we are trying our best to avoid a government shutdown. |
Carter meeting with GSU President Brian Blake |
Wednesday, September 27, 2023: This morning, we have the first of what promises to be many GOP Conference meetings this week. Afterwards, I head to an E&C Environment and Manufacturing Subcommittee hearing on the reauthorization of the brownfields program before meeting with Fox Rehabilitation, an outpatient rehabilitation company.
Next, I have a series of meetings in my office beginning with National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Web3 companies in Georgia, Bulloch County officials, Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association, Forest Resources Association, and National Fisheries Institute.
Afterwards, I head to the Speaker’s office to a debt commission meeting that I have been appointed to where we are addressing the non-discretionary spending in our budget. Later, I head to a southeast regional small group meeting of the Agriculture Committee to discuss my farm bill priorities before heading to our first vote series of the day.
Next, I head off Capitol Hill to a Prevent Cancer Foundation Gala before heading back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day. |
Carter meets with officials from Bulloch County, GA |
Thursday, September 28, 2023: Today I am honored to be shadowed by Julia Grace Benton, an 8th grader at Blessed Sacrament School in Savannah who is visiting Washington with her mom, Kathleen. Our day starts with a GOP Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we hear from Dr. Caleb Alexander who brings us up to date on the opioid settlement funds that are being dispersed to the states.
Next, we head to a meeting of the American Society for Microbiology where I bring them up to date on legislation I am cosponsoring dealing with antibiotic-resistant drugs. Afterwards, I head to a GOP Conference meeting before heading to an E&C Energy Subcommittee hearing on the state of grid reliability.
Next, I head back to my office where I welcome a Student Eagle from Georgia before meeting with representatives from The National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA). After heading to a briefing with the E&C Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee regarding video media, I have a meeting off Capitol Hill before heading back to the Cannon Rotunda for an on-camera interview with Gray TV (WTOC-TV Savannah) on the potential government shutdown.
Next, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day which consists of 33 votes, and afterwards head off Capitol Hill for a Clean Energy Week reception. Later, I return to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day which consists of 19 votes, and afterwards remain in the Chamber where I pay tribute to long-time WTOC TV reporter Dal Cannady who is retiring. |
Carter with Julia Grace, who is shadowing him for the day |
Friday, September 29, 2023: I’m always glad to be on the radio with my good friend Scott Ryfun with StraightTalk radio and this morning we discuss the pending government shutdown.
Afterwards, I head to an E&C member meeting before heading back to my office where I have a briefing with General Services Administration (GSA) staff and Judge Stan Baker from the Southern District regarding the Tomochichi Courthouse reconstruction in Savannah.
Next, I head to our first vote series of the day before heading off Capitol Hill for a meeting and returning later for our second and final vote series of the day. Afterwards, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to former Glynn County School Assistant Superintendent Buck Crosby, who recently passed.
Once back in my office, I have an interview with WJCL-TV in Savannah to discuss the possible government shutdown before joining in on our all-staff conference call. After filming this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing, I head to yet another GOP Conference meeting that lasts for over 2.5 hours. |
Carter discusses government funding deadline with WJCL-TV |
Saturday, September 30, 2023: Leadership has kept us in Washington over this weekend in hopes of averting a government shutdown that will occur at midnight tonight unless we can reach an agreement with the Senate on a continuing resolution (CR). While no one is happy about being held over, we all understand the importance of making every effort to keep the government open.
We begin the day with a GOP Conference meeting where Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and leadership outline the urgency of the situation and the limited options we have remaining in order to avoid a government shutdown at midnight tonight. After intense and passionate discussions, we finally settle on a plan and head to the House Chamber where later we pass a 45-day CR with disaster funding before heading out for the weekend and, thankfully, avoiding a government shutdown. |
(NEWSBREAK) - The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) has accepted a donation of Albuterol inhalers from Cipla USA, a global pharmaceutical company. The donation, facilitated by Representative Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Cipla USA, aims to improve student health and safety. As a result, 50 schools in the SCCPSS district now have Albuterol HFA Inhalers for the academic year. These inhalers are vital for students needing immediate respiratory medication.
The donation was in response to a request by District Nurse Lisa Wilson to address the shortage of Albuterol HFA inhalers in SCCPSS schools. Congressman Buddy Carter commended the donation, highlighting the importance of these inhalers for students. He was pleased that Cipla USA and SCCPSS recognized the need to protect children's health.
Read the full article here. |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives. |
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