After a grueling three weeks, some of the toughest I’ve had during my time in Congress, the House of Representatives is back up and running with a conservative, America First Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson (R-LA). Speaker Johnson is a great friend, effective legislator, and will faithfully serve the American people.
I go into more detail about why Speaker Johnson is the type of leader America needs right now in my weekly video, Buddy’s Briefing, which I encourage you to scroll down and watch. But I wanted to take some time to talk about a specific policy priority that Johnson and I both share: restoring fiscal responsibility in Washington.
In his speech on the House floor before being sworn in as Speaker, Johnson said “The greatest threat to our national security is our nation's debt…We have to get the country back on track…We are going to establish a bipartisan debt commission to begin working on this crisis immediately. Immediately.”
He hit the nail on the head.
Next fiscal year, we will spend more money in the interest on our federal debt than we will on defense. The number one responsibility of the federal government is to provide for our nation’s defense. Our federal debt jeopardizes our national security. At a time when China is eyeing Taiwan, Israel is fighting for its right to exist, and Ukraine seeks to defeat Putin, the United States can ill-afford to be asleep at the wheel.
To quote President Biden, which I do not do often, “show me your budget and I’ll tell you what you value.” Clearly, we must stop the over spending by our federal government that creates a dangerous situation by jeopardizing our national security. This requires immediate, bipartisan action and, fortunately, we have a leader in Speaker Johnson who understands the importance and severity of our situation.
As we approach the November 17th federal funding deadline, it’s imperative that we use all of the tools at our disposal, short of shutting down the government, to course-correct the bad policymaking and financial decisions that got us $33 trillion in federal debt. I’m not interested in blame anymore, I’m interested in solutions, and I am optimistic that we will see those under Johnson’s leadership.
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In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we discuss the new Speaker of the House, my friend Mike Johnson from Louisiana.
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Monday, October 23, 2023: On Saturday I stopped by the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival at J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill in Bryan County. One of the largest seafood festivals in the Southeast, this annual event attracts thousands from around the area who enjoy the arts & crafts, great food, and live music.
Later in the afternoon, I attended the Auction and Dinner Under the Stars for Morningstar Children and Family Services in North Glynn County. Morningstar’s residential program offers therapeutic, individualized services to youth who have often experienced trauma and need special care.
Yesterday, I joined the good folks at Trinity Methodist Church in Waycross as they celebrated their 129th anniversary by welcoming back former pastor Steve Patton for the morning service followed by a delicious, covered dish lunch in the social hall. Trinity Methodist is the Church my wife Amy grew up in and is where she and I were married in 1978 by Rev. Cardy Edmundson.
After flying back to Washington earlier today, I head to a GOP Conference meeting where we begin anew in our search for a Speaker. Today we have nine people who are running for Speaker- Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MG), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX). Today we have opening and closing statements from the candidates with questions from members in between. This laborious but important process takes up most of the afternoon and Speaker Pro tem Patrick McHenry (R-NC) announces that nominating speeches and elections will be held tomorrow. |
Carter attends Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival |
Tuesday, October 24, 2023: I’m live on the radio this morning with my good friend John Fredericks as we discuss the Speaker race as well as other news of the day. Afterwards, I head to a Border Security Caucus meeting where we hear from Art Del Cueto, Vice President, and national spokesperson for the National Border Patrol Council.
Next, I head to our GOP Conference where today we have nominating speeches and elections. After Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) gracefully pulled out of the race last night, Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) also pulled out before we begin today. Both of these gentlemen are good friends and either would do an excellent job as Speaker. After nominating speeches for the remaining seven candidates, we begin voting with the lowest vote-getter being eliminated after each round. After one member drops out, we are down to two remaining candidates in the round and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) gets more votes than Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) and therefore becomes our Speaker Designee. Immediately after the election, Speaker Designee Tom Emmer (R-MN) answers more questions and requests a two-hour recess.
Once back in my office, I meet with the American Chemistry Council CEO Chris Jahn, Savannah businessman Frank Peeples and members of the Improving Market Access Coalition (IMAC), Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and Ericsson North American CEO Niklas Heuveldop. After filming a video on Organized Retail Crime (ORC), I head back to conference where Speaker Designee Tom Emmer (R-MN) announces that he does not think he can get the 217 votes necessary to be elected Speaker and withdraws from the race.
After hearing from members on what our next step should be, we recess for a while and allow members interested in running to notify the conference of their intentions. We go back into conference later in the evening and this time we have six candidates- Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), and Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX). Immediately, Rep. Kevin Hern withdraws, leaving five candidates who answer questions from members before we have nominating speeches followed by voting. After the third vote, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has the majority of votes and is declared the Speaker Designee. After a roll call vote of the members present, it is obvious that Speaker Designee Mike Johnson (R-LA) has the requisite 217 votes, and the decision is made to take the vote to the floor tomorrow morning. |
Carter meets with American Chemistry Council |
Wednesday, October 25, 2023: After a meeting off Capitol Hill with members of the Coastal Georgia Military Affairs Committee, a group of elected and appointed officials from Chatham, Bryan, and Liberty Counties who advocate for our local military bases, I have another meeting off Capitol Hill with the American Academy of Neurology.
Once back in my office, I meet with members of the Ukrainian Parliament who are in Washington advocating for more aid to Ukraine. Next, I have a virtual interview with CNN to discuss the Speakers vote today and aid for Israel before heading back off Capitol Hill where I speak to a group of health care representatives and share with them our work on the Energy and Commerce (E&C) committee.
Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where Republicans unanimously elect Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) the 56th Speaker of the House of Representatives. Following a humble and optimistic acceptance speech by Speaker Johnson, I join a press conference with Speaker Johnson on the Capitol Plaza before I head to an E&C Health Subcommittee hearing on long-term care workforce.
Next, I head back to the House Chamber where we pass a bipartisan resolution in support of Israel and their right to defend themselves from the barbaric terrorist organization Hamas before heading off Capitol Hill where I take part in a discussion with fellow Georgia delegation member Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) at the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs’ Federal Policy Outlook (FOP) moderated by Dr. Charles Bullock. |
Carter meets with Ukrainian members of Parliament |
Thursday, October 26, 2023: After heading to the Health and Human Services (HHS) building near the Capitol for a meeting with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and a tour of the Secretary’s Operation Center (SOC) with the Doctor’s Caucus, I head back to the Capitol for a member meeting of the E&C Committee.
Next, I head to a Budget Committee Health Care Task force meeting before heading to my office for meetings with Reckitt Benckiser group and the Digital Chamber of Commerce. After our first vote series of the day, I’m back in my office and joined by fellow E&C committee member Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) for a Vehicle Date Access Briefing with the General Accounting Office (GAO) followed by a meeting with our scheduling staff.
Next, I have a very somber virtual call with the Coast Guard for a briefing on the tragic loss at sea of the three crew members of the fishing boat, the Carol Ann, that went missing off the coast of Brunswick. After our all staff conference call and a district teams call, I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day and remain in the Chamber afterwards and pay tribute to October as National Pharmacist Month.
Once back in my office, I have a live interview on Bloomberg TV before filming this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings and a Tech Talk video. |
Carter meets with Digital Chamber of Commerce |
Friday, October 27, 2023: I’m in Orlando, Florida, this morning after flying in from Washington last night and begin with a radio interview with Scott Ryfun with StraightTalk radio. I am honored today to be the guest speaker at the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA) annual conference. NCODA serves to strengthen oncology organizations with medically integrated dispensing services. I also have the opportunity to speak to the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) who happen to be meeting at the same convention center in Orlando. |
Carter delivers address at NCODA conference |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives. |
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