My 8th Trip to our Southern Border

my 8th trip to our southern border

For the 8^th time in my 10 years in Congress, I visited the southern border this week, and I found the situation to be worse now than it has ever been.

While things improved during the Trump Administration, the Biden Administration’s total disregard of the border has resulted in record numbers of illegal crossings and the free flow of drugs such as fentanyl across the border. Today, fentanyl poisoning is killing 200 Americans daily and is now the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45 in our country.

As is the case each time I visit the border, I learned some new things this time.

1) According to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents, the majority of border crossers come from countries other than Mexico.

2) The street price of fentanyl pills has plummeted, indicating that the supply of fentanyl in our country now is surpassed by the demand. According to CBP agents, there is enough fentanyl in our country now to kill every American many times over.

3) We don’t have an immigration problem at the border, we have an organized crime problem at the border. According to CBP agents, the Mexican side of the border is secured by the cartels who are making enormous amounts of money on illegal crossings, human trafficking, drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

We have a crisis at our border. A crisis that has been created by the Biden Administration and can be stopped by the Biden Administration. The President has the ability to end this humanitarian crisis by simply using the tools at his disposal. Bringing back the Stay in Mexico policy, ending catch and release, and finishing construction of the wall are a few examples of what needs to be done.

Our country is being overrun by this administration’s total disregard for the southern border. Record numbers of illegal crossings, illegal drugs poisoning our citizens- this has got to stop.

Secure our border, Mr. President. And do it now!

Buddy's Briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, I am on location at the southern border, where things are worse here than I could've imagined.

icymi: can republicans lead on climate issues?

"Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) was born and raised in the House district he now represents, which spans roughly 100 miles of the Georgia coastline and houses both the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the bustling Savannah port...

"It’s this mix of industry interests and environmental concerns that have shaped Carter’s life and congressional career that began with his first House election in 2014...

"Despite the district’s strong support for the former president, who has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a “hoax,” Carter says he’s determined to use his new leadership post to encourage Republican leadership on issues of climate change — the kind, he readily says, that’s caused by humans...

“If conservatives are scared to talk about climate, then we’re not going to have a seat at the table when decisions are made,” the congressman told the Washington Examiner in an interview, recounting his recent trip to COP28 in Dubai...

"For Carter, attending COP28 helped crystallize his goals as the new head of another Energy and Commerce subcommittee he chairs, House Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals...

"As vice chairman of the Conservative Climate Caucus, he’s passionate about protecting the environment and protecting against harm caused by climate change while also railing against what Republicans view as President Joe Biden’s heavy-handed regulations on energy producers...

"Most recently, Carter joined other Republicans in criticizing the Biden administration’s pause on approving new liquefied natural gas export terminals, which critics argue could carry significant economic harm and create even more uncertainty for fossil fuel developers in the United States...

“I think it’s a very short-sighted decision by the administration,” Carter said of the LNG pause, which he described as “bad policy.”

“The U.S. has decreased carbon emissions in the last decade by more than the next 12 countries combined while still growing our economy,” Carter said...

"Ultimately, “there’s a balance between permitting and between protecting our environment...

"Most notably, Carter says he’s witnessed an evolution in their view on nuclear power, the reliable, carbon-free source of energy now considered crucial for countries hoping to deliver on their pledge of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050...

"I think Republicans have evolved on this,” Carter said. And I think that we’ve had a positive impact..."

Read the full article here.

From our nation's capitol cdxlv

Monday, February 5, 2024: On Saturday, I had the honor of attending the 53^rd anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Thiokol Chemical Plant explosion in Camden County. On February 3, 1971, two employees who fought valiantly to save the lives of their coworkers, Robert Rudolph, Plant Foreman, and Daniel Williams, Purchasing Agent, are honored with the dedication of this year’s Commemoration Book. Later in the evening, I joined the Weekend for Wildlife banquet on Sea Island, a 34-year annual charity event that has been one of the most successful conservation fundraising events in the nation. Yesterday, I was honored to attend the ceremony at the U.S. Air National Guard Unit at Travis Field in Savannah as we welcomed the 165^th Airlift Wing’s first C-130 J Model that will be missioned here.

Rep. Carter at Travis Field in Savannah

After an early morning radio interview today with my good friend Scott James in Valdosta, I head to the Jacksonville Airport for my return flight to Washington. Once back in our DC office, I have a series of staff meeting in our office including a scheduling, legislative, communications, and virtual district team meeting.

After a photo session with the Washington Examiner for an upcoming article, I have a virtual interview with WALB TV in Albany regarding the two soldiers from our district who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan a few weeks ago.

Later, I have a meeting with the CEO of BASF Chemical, who’s plant in Savannah I have visited on numerous occasions.

Next, I have an interview with ConservAmerica to discuss conservation and my role as co-chair of the Roosevelt Conservation Caucus.

After our weekly meeting with the Energy & Commerce (E&C) Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials (ENV) Subcommittee staff, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week.

Afterwards, I remain in the Chamber where I speak in opposition to President Biden’s recent executive order banning the export of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG).

Rep. Carter meets with BASF Chemical CEO

Tuesday, February 6, 2024: After a meeting of the Border Security Caucus where we hear from Joshua Treviño, Chief of Intelligence and Research and the Director for Texas identity at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, I head to our weekly GOP Conference.

Next, I head to a Budget Committee markup of process reform bills before heading back to our office where I join in on our all staff conference call and afterwards meet with the President of Augusta Tech.

After a live interview with Bloomberg TV to discuss the pending impeachment vote of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day.

Next, I head to an E&C Energy Subcommittee hearing on President Biden’s disastrous LNG Export Ban and it’s threat to America and the world’s energy and economic security.

Once back in our office, I have a series of meetings including with stakeholders on insulin availability, Stericycle healthcare solutions, Dismas, a reentry program for incarcerated people, and Georgia Narcotics Officers Association.

Afterwards, I host a tele town hall where we hear from constituents with questions and comments before I head to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day and remain in the Chamber afterwards to pay tribute to James Putney, Chairman of the 2023 Savannah Veterans Day Parade.

Rep. Carter meets with the President of Augusta Tech

Wednesday, February 7, 2024: My day starts off Capitol Hill as I meet with representatives from the American Hotel and Lodging Association before heading to the House Chamber where I speak in support of H. R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act.

Afterwards, I remain in the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week and then pay tribute to my good friend, Walter Parker, who served as Mayor of Tybee Island during the time I served as Mayor of Pooler and who recently passed.

After another meeting off Capitol Hill, I head back to our office where I record two videos before meetings with Ikea CEO Javier Quinones, Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) commissioner Russell McMurry, Habitat for Humanity International, and author Alex Epstein.

Next, I have a virtual interview with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch to discuss yesterdays failed votes on impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and funding for Israel

Rep. Carter meets with Habitat for Humanity International

Thursday, February 8, 2024: I wake up this morning in Tucson, AZ, as I traveled from the Capitol yesterday to join the Western Caucus and Committee on Natural Resources for a Southern Border Field Tour.

Our visit starts this morning with a roundtable with local stakeholders who share their perspective on the situation at the border and the impact it is having on their businesses. Afterwards, we head to the Cochise County College where we have a briefing from the Sheriff’s Department on the situation in this border county.

Afterwards, we board buses and head to the Southern Border at Coronado National Monument where we see the border wall that was started by President Obama, continued by President Trump and stopped by President Biden. We receive a briefing from Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents on the situation and their needs to address the situation.

Next, we head back to Cochise College where we have a field hearing with the Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Lands on the consequences of failing to secure federal border lands.

Rep. Carter meets with Customs and Border Patrol agents

Friday, February 9, 2024: This morning we travel to the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory in Sahuarita, a teaching laboratory of the University of Arizona that is part of the University’s Mining program.

After a welcome from University President Dr. Robert Robbins, we hear from other leaders of the program before being led on a tour of the mine. Because of my recent ankle surgery, I stay in the control room and am led on a virtual tour of the mine.

As the newly appointed chair of the E&C ENV Subcommittee, one of my primary objectives is to end our dependence on other nations - particularly China - for our critical minerals. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that in 2022, China was the world's leading producer of 30 out of 50 critical minerals. Through research and innovation, the University of Arizona is leading the way in intelligent mining and automation.

Rep. Carter and Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) at the Southern Border

friends of the first

We are coming up on Valentine's Day, and that means Friends of the First is just days away. Our office is still accepting Valentines cards for us to give out to the First District's first responders. Be sure to get yours in today!

wear purple

This coming Friday, February 16th, we will be wearing and displaying purple in honor of Sgt. Kennedy Sanders, a member of our community who was tragically killed-in-action while stationed in Jordan. Join us in honoring her heroic memory and the memory of heroes we have lost in defense of this great nation.

votes in the house this week

Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives.