This week, the House sent a bill to Biden’s desk that, among many strong provisions, will provide U.S. troops with their largest pay bump in twenty years. This is a massive win for our nation’s heroes, and I was proud to vote in favor of this necessary improvement to service members’ quality of life.
The bill I’m referring to is the National Defense Authorization Act, which is an annual bill that sets the military’s funding levels and outlines our national security priorities. There is a long tradition of passing this necessary legislation, which has happened every year since 1961, and we upheld that tradition this week while making progress on several key policy priorities as we head into 2024.
Before I detail those wins, I want to take a moment and discuss a small but mighty provision in this bill that is personal to me and our district. I was Mayor of Pooler when the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum opened, and it was a project that was the result of a lot of hard work from our community. I encourage you to visit the museum and learn more about the history of the Mighty Eighth, which was started in 1942 in Savannah, Georgia. It became the largest air armada in the world and was a critical part of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II.
The FY24 NDAA formally designates the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, Georgia as the official Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in the United States. Our district has a large, proud military community and I am thrilled that our rich history of service is getting national attention.
The 26,000 men who laid down their lives in WWII, the 28,000 WWII veterans who became prisoners of war, and those members of the Mighty Eighth who risked their lives in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and now as part of our nuclear deterrence deserve nothing less.
Additionally, the FY24 NDAA builds and maintains our nation’s military readiness, so that we can counter Communist China’s aggression. It also reduces childcare costs for military families, increases mental health resources, ensures TRICARE beneficiaries have access to their local pharmacy, and authorizes funding for the construction of new military barracks. Finally, the bill pushes back against woke ideology being forced on our service members by banning critical race theory, enhancing service members’ rights, protecting parent’s rights in Department of Defense schools, and more.
Passing this bill was a fantastic way to end the 2023 legislative year, and I look forward to next session when we can continue to build on these wins. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're discussing a major bill that passed the House this week that will bring much-needed health care reform. |
Monday, December 11, 2023: On Friday of last week, I traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with members of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee, to attend COP28. COP stands for Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This two-week conference is the 28th session and the location is significant as it is the first time a COP has been held in a country whose economy is primarily dependent on fossil fuel production.
After arriving back in Washington midafternoon today, I head to the House Chamber where we are debating E&C bills, including the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act that includes two of my bills dealing with drug pricing. I speak in favor of this act as well as the Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act and Support Act.
Afterwards, I head to a GOP member policy briefing where we discuss the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) reauthorization. While we all agree it is a necessary tool for our intelligence community, FISA is very controversial as it has been abused and used against our own citizens.
Next, I head back to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and afterwards pay tribute to Braeden Pence from Savannah who recently passed. Before heading back to my office to recoup from a very long weekend, I take part in a special order in the House Chamber where we speak on National Bible Week. |
Carter speaks on panel at COP28 |
Tuesday, December 12, 2023: I’m up early and at a House Energy Action Team (HEAT) meeting this morning where we hear from Cheniere Energy CEO Jack Fusco. Next, I head to a GOP Conference meeting before heading to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Charlie Stewart from Brunswick who recently passed, Glynn County Clerk of Superior Court Ron Adams who recently retired, Wade Benson, long time comptroller at Young Harris College who recently retired, and the Glynn County School District for their improved standardized test scores.
Once back in my office, I have a series of meetings, beginning with our scheduling team, followed by our legislative team and communications team before joining in on our all staff conference call.
After a meeting off Capitol Hill, I head back to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading to a Doctor’s Caucus briefing on the impact of Valley Fever Disease on Animals and Humans. Next, I head to an E&C member briefing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) where we hear from Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, before heading back to our office where I have a district staff virtual call.
After our second vote series of the day in the House Chamber, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to my good friend Dale Critz, Sr., from Savannah who passed recently. |
Congratulations to the Pierce County Bears for winning the 2A State Championship! |
Wednesday, December 13, 2023: After a live radio interview with my good friend John Fredericks where we talk about the situation in Israel and Ukraine as well as our budget, I head to a University of California Berkley executive MBA panel where, along with my colleague Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), we speak to a group of students and answer their questions. Next, I head to Media Row in the Cannon Caucus room where I have a series of print and video interviews regarding the upcoming vote on whether to move forward with the impeachment inquiry on President Biden. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to the Pierce County Bears who won the Georgia State Class 2A High School Football Championship yesterday, Reverend Clarence Williams from Savannah who recently passed, long time Beach High School basketball coach Ronald Booker on his distinguished career, and the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club for their work in the Savannah area. Next, I head to an E&C full committee hearing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) before heading to a meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) where we hear from Ret. General Jack Keane on defense issues. After heading off Capitol Hill for a series of meetings, I head to the House Chamber where I speak on an E&C bill, HR 2365, the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis National Plan to End Parkinson’s and remain in the Chamber afterwards for our first and only vote series of the day. Remaining in the Chamber after votes, I pay tribute to Brochu’s Family Restaurant in Savannah that has been voted one of the best new restaurants of 2023 by Food and Wine Magazine. Later, I have a virtual call with Soleo Health in Texas to discuss health care issues. |
Carter discusses impeachment inquiry vote at media row |
Thursday, December 14, 2023: After an early morning radio interview with my good friends on the World Famous Butch and Bob Show in Jesup where we discuss the latest news from Washington, I head to our weekly Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we hear from E&C and Ways & Means staff on the status of physician reimbursement.
Following a meeting off Capitol Hill, I head to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the year as we pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and remain in the Chamber afterwards to pay tribute to the City of Savannah for being named one of the best cities to retire by Southern Living Magazine.
Once back in my office, I have virtual meetings with the Georgia Aquarium, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Suntanning Association, and an in-person briefing on the fentanyl crisis with Peter Ejbye-Ernst with the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR).
After heading to the House recording studio where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and Tech Talk, I return to our office where I join in on our all staff conference call before heading to the airport for my return trip home. |
Carter meets with Netherlands Embassy officials |
Friday, December 15, 2023: I’m in Rincon in Effingham County early this morning as I join Georgia State legislators Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Rep. Bill Hitchens (R-Springfield) at the Effingham County Eggs and Issues Breakfast.
After a great meeting with county civic and business leaders, I have the opportunity to tour the Effingham College and Career Academy before heading to the Effingham Health System in Springfield where I meet with CEO Dr. Fran Witt and her leadership team as they review the great work being performed at the Hospital and the challenges they are facing.
Afterwards, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County for a meeting with a constituent before heading to our Savannah District office where I meet with Dr. Philip Day to discuss legislation dealing with Chiropractic practice.
After an in-person interview with WTOC TV in Savannah to discuss my trip to COP28, I have a virtual interview with Fox 28 news in Savannah to discuss the Biden impeachment inquiries. |
Carter speaks at Effingham Eggs and Issues meeting |
I am having a telephone town hall meeting tomorrow at 5:30 pm.
This is the best way to get involved in with the government and learn about what is going on in Georgia's First Congressional District. I look forward to hearing from you!
Participant Dial-in number: 877-229-8493 PIN: 114030 |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives. |
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