School Choice

school choice

It’s no secret that parents’ rights in schools have been attacked over the past few years. From the Biden administration labeling concerned parents as “domestic terrorists” to prolonged COVID-19 closures that harmed children’s health and education, American parents are saying that enough is enough. Parents, not teachers unions or governments, know what is best for their child. There’s no substitute for parental involvement in the classroom and no one-size-fits-all policy will ensure every child has the tools and resources they need to find success.

It’s time that parents are in the driver’s seat of their child’s education. That’s why House Republicans passed H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights, as one of our highest priority pieces of legislation in the 118th Congress. This bill restores parents’ voices in their children's education, holds the Biden administration accountable for labeling concerned parents “domestic terrorists,” and fights against the totalitarian control teachers' unions hold over our children’s education.

This is important progress, but there is still much more work to do.

This past week, we recognized National School Choice Week, which shines a spotlight on the many effective K-12 education options for children including traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. It’s an unfortunate reality that not all schools are created equal, and what works for one child may not work for another. No child should be forced to go to a failing school or a school that doesn’t meet their educational needs based purely off their zip code. School choice ensures that they don’t have to.

Simply put, school choice is any policy that allows families to take their children’s education dollars to approved education providers that work for them. There are different methods and ways to implement this policy, but at its core it is the idea that the money that the state would be spending on a student’s education at one school should be made available to parents to subsidize their child’s education at a charter, private, or home, or other school setting.

By making these funds available to families, we will level the educational playing field so that a families’ zip code or financial situation does not determine whether their child can receive a high-quality education. This is a commonsense reform, one that some scholars refer to as the civil rights issue of our time.

I’m a proud supporter of school choice and believe all students deserve access to the education that works best for them, not the government.

buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing we are discussing the new role that I am taking on in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

ICYMI: CARTER OUTLINES ENVIRONMENT PRIORITIES WITH FOX NEWS

Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., told Fox News Digital in his first interview since being appointed to chair a key environment subcommittee that he would use the position to combat climate change, an issue that has divided Republicans for years.

Carter — who House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., appointed to lead the panel's Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee — said climate change is a serious issue, pointing to rising sea levels in his coastal Georgia district. However, he argued that fossil fuels will be needed in the coming decades and the U.S. must onshore green energy supply chains...

For example, the Georgia Republican said COP28 created progress on advancing a pathway for future nuclear energy permitting, adding that Democrats acknowledged during the summit that they are beginning to favor an expansion of nuclear...

In addition, Carter said another top priority of the subcommittee under his leadership will be clawing back green energy supply chains from China.

"We need to beat China. Let's face it, China is the OPEC of critical minerals. My district is one of the few districts in America that is mining critical minerals right now, and we need to do more of that...

"The Biden administration's approach to this is dismal at best," Carter continued. "It has not been good at all. They have really just turned a blind eye to the fact that we are too dependent on China and our adversaries for essential, critical minerals that we're going to have to have."

He said major green energy projects in the U.S., such as the $5 billion Rivian electric vehicle plant in his home state of Georgia, are reliant on pro-growth policies such as those in Georgia...

Read the full Fox News article here.

From our nation's capitol cdxliii

Monday, January 22, 2024: On Saturday, I was honored to welcome the Georgia Young Farmers Association to their state convention on Jekyll Island in Glynn County. Afterwards, I headed to Blackshear for the community celebration of the Pierce County High School Class 2A state football champions. The frigid temperatures couldn’t stop members of this tight knit community from coming out and congratulating these young men and showing their appreciation for their hard work. Afterwards, I stopped in Hortense in Brantley County to visit with Ronnie Deloach who hosted his annual community oyster roast this weekend and later I headed to the St. Simons Island Land Trust annual oyster roast at Gascoigne Bluff Park on the Island. Although the temperatures were low, the sold-out event’s food was delicious as usual.

Rep. Carter at the Pierce County Championship Celebration

This morning starts with a phone interview with Fox News to discuss my new role as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environmental, Manufacturing and Critical Materials Subcommittee.

Next, I have a phone interview with the Wall Street Journal to discuss the same subject matter before heading to Glynn County where I tour Rise Risley School, Brunswick’s first public school for African Americans that was opened in 1870. The five-acre complex is also home to the Colored Memorial High School, both landmarks of African American education in Glynn County. Currently, the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority is working to create a community resource/access center serving as a resource/referral hub, transportation locus, and community center.

Next, I head to a meeting with my good friends, Glynn County Sherriff Neal Jump, Camden County Sherriff Jim Proctor, and Glynn County Superior Court Clerk Rebecca Walden.

Afterwards, I head to our Brunswick district office where I have an interview with Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MADPA) to discuss legislation I have introduced requiring naloxone, a nasal spray that if used quickly enough can reverse the effects of fentanyl, be in every school in America.

Later, I have a phone interview with Politico to discuss my new role as Chairman of the E&C Environment Subcommittee followed by an interview with the Washington Examiner to discuss the same subject matter.

Afterwards, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County for a meeting of the Bryan County Republican Party.

Rep. Carter speaks to the Bryan County Republican Club

Tuesday, January 23, 2024: I start the day at M-Clip, a locally owned business that makes stylish and functional money clips as well as other high-quality accessories.

Once back in our Savannah district office, I meet with newly elected Guyton City Councilman Theo Hamby to discuss the great things happening in the rapidly growing Effingham County area.

Next, I have an on-camera interview with WTOC-TV in Savannah to discuss an award I have received from the Sickle Cell Foundation for legislation I am championing to fight the dreadful disease.

After traveling to downtown Savannah where I am delighted to be the guest speaker this week for the Downtown Kiwanis Club and bring them up to date on Washington issues, I head back to our Savannah district office where I meet with members of the Sickle Cell Foundation, and they present me with the aforementioned award.

Next, I meet with Justin O’Leary with Foresight Driven Solutions to discuss issues with the military and veteran community in our district.

My final meeting of the day is with a federal employee who has recently completed 20 years of service as I thank her for her work.

Rep. Carter receives award from the Sickle Cell Foundation

Wednesday, January 24, 2024: I’m up early this morning and at the Jacksonville airport as I head to Atlanta for the day.

My first stop is in Roswell at the headquarters of Arrow Exterminators as I meet with industry representatives to discuss the Farm Bill and Beagle Brigade Act.

Next, I head to the State Capitol for a full day of visits beginning with Senate President Pro-tem, Sen. John Kennedy (R-Macon).

Next, I have an interview with a Wall Street Journal writer to discuss my trip to COP28 and my new role as Chairman of the E&C Environment Subcommittee.

Next, I meet with representatives from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, as they present me with an award for my work on Maternal Mortality before meeting with Governor Brian Kemp’s new Chief of Staff, Lauren Curry and presenting her with a a commemorative copy of my speech congratulating her for being named the first female Chief of Staff in our State’s history.

After testifying before the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee on legislation dealing with prescription drug pricing sponsored by Sen. Mark Newton (R-Augusta), I head back to the airport for my return trip home.

Rep. Carter presents Chief of Staff Lauren Curry commemorative speech

Thursday, January 25, 2024: My day begins with a delightful phone call with the sister of Ralph H. Johnson, an American hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and who the Ralph H. Johnson VA healthcare system is named in honor of.

Next, with the help of staff at the school, I facetime Timo Moeller, a senior at Savannah Country Day School to surprise him with the news that he has received an appointment to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point.

After joining in on our all-staff conference call, I head to Telfair Ave. in Savannah to the ribbon cutting of Veteran Carriers, a veteran owned and operated company that specializes in intermodal/drayage shipping and storage. This state-of-the-art facility is the pride and joy of my good friend, Cliff White, and I could not be happier for its success.

Afterwards, I head to our Savannah district office where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before meeting with local hotelier Pritpal Singh to hear of the exciting projects he is working on followed by a meeting with another constituent who recently moved to the district.

Next, I record a podcast on Artificial Intelligence (AI) before heading to the Knights of Columbus in downtown Savannah where I am honored to be the guest speaker at the German Friendly Society’s annual meeting.

Rep. Carter at Veteran Carriers Ribbon Cutting

Friday, January 26, 2024: After attending our Band of Brothers bible study this morning in Garden City, I have a radio interview with my good friend, Scott Ryfun, on StraightTalk as we discuss my recent appointment as Chair of the E&C Environment subcommittee and upcoming Friends of the First campaign.

Next, I have a virtual call with representatives concerned with potential CMS Part D and Medicare Advantage rules related to enrollment before heading to Mana Nutrition in Pooler for a site tour.

Afterwards, I head to the Habersham YMCA where I meet with my good friends, CEO Joel Smoker and Pastor Herb Hubbard to hear about the great plans they have for our growing area.

My final stop of a very busy week is at South University as I speak to students in the pharmacy program regarding advocacy and the importance of civic involvement.

Rep. Carter meets with Habersham YMCA

Survey results

Last week, I asked you what my priorities should be as Chair of the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials subcommittee. The overwhelming majority of you said that we need to focus on domestic manufacturing, followed by beating China and clean energy.

Thank you to everyone who took my poll and I look forward to updating you as we make progress on these key policy priorities.