This week, Chinese President Xi Jingping came to the United States for a relatively unproductive meeting with President Biden. One seemingly positive development was an agreement for China to curb the fentanyl ingredients, or precursor chemicals, flowing out of the country to Central America and Mexico, where illicit fentanyl is manufactured and then distributed throughout the United States through our southern border.
While I’m glad that the president acknowledged China’s role in our nation’s fentanyl crisis, this deal does not go far enough. The “agreement” was done behind closed doors and relies on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to act against those making the precursor chemicals to this deadly drug, the same people who knowingly allowed these drugs to be shipped to Mexico and kill almost 200 Americans every day.
There’s no enforcement and I don’t trust the CCP as far as I can throw them, so my confidence that this will end our fentanyl crisis is low, and a lot of people share that concern with me. We know how to limit the flow of fentanyl into this country, and the answer is within our control: policy changes to secure the southern border. We don’t need to rely on China, we can do this ourselves. Under President Trump, we had a secure border, and it’s time we get back to that.
Unfortunately, this President does not recognize the crisis at our southern border, and should-have-been-impeached-this-week Mayorkas is missing in action. This means that instead of focusing on prevention, we are forcing communities to put their time and attention towards mitigation.
Thankfully, we live in the medical innovation capital of the world and have access to lifesaving overdose reversal medications, like naloxone. It’s safe and reliable, and thanks to the FDA finally listening to law enforcement and health care professionals, including myself and other Members of Congress, it is now available over-the-counter.
I’ve been a long-time advocate of making this lifesaving medication more accessible. Recently, I sent a letter to the Committee on House Administration and other stakeholders requesting that they stock naloxone near defibrillators in all House Office Buildings. By increasing access to naloxone in our nation’s Capitol, we will set a new standard, increase safety, and save lives. I’m excited to see this come to fruition and will continue fighting for life-saving policies, from the southern border to Savannah. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about the latest government funding package that was just signed into law. |
Monday, November 13, 2023: On Saturday, I joined in on a GOP conference call where Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) outlined leadership’s proposal for a two-tiered stopgap funding bill that would avoid a government shutdown on Friday of this week when the current stopgap funding bill expires. Called by many a ‘laddered continuing resolution (CR),’ the never-before-used approach calls for four of the twelve appropriation bills to be extended through January 19, 2024, and the other eight to be extended through February 2, 2024. The four bills extended through January 19th are Military Construction & Veterans Affairs (MilCon), Transportation, Housing and Urban (T-HUD), Energy and Water Development, and Agriculture. The hope and expectation is that these four bills can be passed by the House and Senate and signed into law by the President before January 19th.
On my way back to the Capitol this morning, I have a conference call with two of the hospital systems in our district to discuss Medicare programs that they have concerns with. Once back at the Capitol, I have a series of meetings including a virtual meeting with our District staff, and in-person meetings with our scheduling staff, legislative staff, and communications staff.
Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee meeting where we discuss the upcoming week’s business. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on a bill I have introduced to rename the VA Medical Clinic in Hinesville after four Liberty County native sons who courageously paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. All four heroes, John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Lee Smiley, were in their early 20’s and were killed in action within months of arriving in Vietnam.
Next, I have a phone interview on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to discuss the stop gap funding bill we are considering before heading to the Russell building on the Senate side of the Capitol where I meet with representatives with the Hemophilia Federation of America.
Afterwards, I head back to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week, during which we pass the Hinesville VA renaming bill by a vote of 409 yea and 1 present. I remain in the House Chamber afterwards and pay tribute to the City of Savannah for being named one of the best Cities in America to retire. |
Liberty County heroes for whom Hinesville VA clinic set to be renamed |
Tuesday, November 14, 2023: I’m live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business this morning as I join a panel to discuss the latest economic numbers that have been released. Once back at the Capitol, I head to our weekly GOP member conference before heading to an E&C C&T subcommittee hearing on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Afterwards, I head to an E&C Environmental subcommittee hearing on the latest EPA power plant regulations before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Next, I head to the National Mall where I attend the March for Israel rally that attracts almost 300,000 people, and afterwards, I head to the National Press Club where I am honored to be the keynote speaker at the U.S. Tech for Climate Action conference.
Once back in my office, I meet with the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) before meeting with a constituent who is with the Running Start program, a nonpartisan nonprofit that inspires and trains young women to participate in politics and run for elected office.
After meeting with the Passenger Vessel Association, I have a call with the Savannah Corp of Engineers as we discuss the Buc-ee’s project in Glynn County. Later, we have our second vote series of the day where we pass the laddered CR to avoid a government shutdown. |
Carter embraces Holocaust survivor at March for Israel |
Wednesday, November 15, 2023: After our communications team and I host a meet and greet coffee this morning in our office for members of the media, I head off Capitol Hill to attend a House conservative function before heading back to the Capitol for an E&C Health subcommittee markup. During the markup, we recess and head to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week. After votes, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to long-time Savannah attorney and UGA Bulldog mascot owner Sonny Seiler, who recently passed.
Next, I head back to the E&C Health subcommittee markup and, once back in my office, I meet with my good friends, Fred and Dianah Gretsch from Pooler, who are at the Capitol advocating for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). After meeting with members participating in the Farm Credit fly-in who are here advocating for the Rural America Act, I head to the airport for my return trip home and, during the drive, I have a phone interview with Fox 28 TV in Savannah to discuss the renaming of the Hinesville VA clinic. |
Carter meets with Farm Credit fly-in participants |
Thursday, November 16, 2023: I’m in our Brunswick office this morning and have a virtual interview with A Starting Point to talk about one of the hottest subjects on Capitol Hill- Artificial Intelligence (AI). During this interview, we talk specifically about deepfakes, digitally altered content intended to mimic real events. Almost every committee on Capitol Hill has been holding hearings on AI, including the E&C C&T Subcommittee where I serve as vice chair. In fact, we had our third hearing on AI this week.
Afterwards, I head to Skidaway Island in Chatham County for the Ladies on the Right Military Appreciation luncheon where we hear from Stephen Friend, an Ex-FBI Whistleblower and author of the book True Blue. Later, I head to the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island for the 25th Anniversary Tourism Awards and Scholarship Dinner. Sponsored by the Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) under the excellent leadership of CEO Michael Owens, the tourism community honors some of the exceptional standouts in hospitality and tourism that is so vital to our economy in the District. They also award scholarships to students who are studying to join this dynamic field and have awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships thus far. |
Carter speaks at Ladies on the Right Military Appreciation Luncheon |
Friday, November 17, 2023: I am delighted this morning to be able to attend our Band of Brothers bible study in Garden City and have the opportunity to present a proclamation to our resident musician, Tim Malchak, who has been nominated as the Christian Country Music Artist of the Year.
Afterwards, I have a podcast interview with my fellow Band of Brothers member, Bill Edwards, before having a radio interview with my good friends on the World Famous Butch and Bob Show in Jesup.
After stopping by our Savannah District office, I head to the Over the Moon (OTM) ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Port City Warehouse near the Georgia Ports. OTM is a great organization that has a singular focus on ending diaper need and period poverty in Coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry by offering diapers, wipes, and period supplies at no charge to neighbors in need. Over the past few years they have distributed over 750,000 diapers and baby wipe supplies in our area.
Next, I head to our Brunswick office where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing, tech talks, a Thanksgiving message, and a holiday message for the 3rd ID currently deployed in Eastern Europe. Later, I have a communications training session with our communications staff and consultant to prepare for interviews next week. |
Carter at OTM ribbon cutting ceremony |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives. |
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