Save our elections

American elections should be decided by American citizens – period.

This should not be a controversial stance to take. In 1996, the House passed the Immigration Control and Financial Responsibility Act, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner, that prohibited noncitizens from voting in federal elections. This is a common-sense bill that protects the Founding Father’s intent for our democracy, and then-President Clinton signed the bill into law.

Fast forward to 2024, and things look a little different.

Recent studies into federal election security found that in the 2008 and 2010 elections, not only had noncitizens voted, but their votes likely determined the outcome of some races. States like Massachusetts, Ohio, and Virginia recently removed noncitizens from their voting rolls after discovering that noncitizens had, in fact, voted in elections.

Clearly, our current system of determining who is or isn’t a citizen for the purposes of voting is not working, and illegal immigrants are taking advantage of it, which is shockingly easy to do. Take a look for yourself:

When registering to vote, registrants are asked to self-report whether they are a citizen, no proof or documentation necessary. We take their word for it and ask for nothing more. If someone is in this country illegally, then they have already demonstrated that they are comfortable breaking the law. Why would they stop short of checking a box claiming that they are a US citizen?

The answer is simple: they’re not.

That’s why this week, the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. We know that illegal immigrants are voting, and we know that under President Biden at least 1.8 million people have entered our country illegally without being stopped by border patrol. That could pose a significant threat to our nation’s election security, and we cannot allow hostile foreign nations such as China to abuse this loophole to undermine American democracy. We must use every tool in our toolchest to protect our rights, or they could cease to exist. This is an easy, common-sense, and necessary move that will safeguard our elections against those who wish to do the United States harm.

Shockingly, 198 House Democrats voted against strengthening our election security. An issue that used to be bipartisan – ensuring that only Americans vote in American elections – has now been politicized by the radical left to score cheap political points. The only logical reason for Far Left Washington Democrats to vote against the SAVE Act is that they want the millions of illegal immigrants they let into our country with their failed open borders agenda to vote in our elections in a desperate attempt to maintain their grip on power.

Congress must pass the SAVE Act to close the loopholes that allow noncitizens to register to vote, enhancing our election security against foreign interference and restoring Americans’ confidence in U.S. elections. Our democracy depends on it.

buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing an important report put out by the Federal Trade Commission and their appearance before us in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

From our nation's capitol cdlxvii

Monday, July 8, 2024: I’m on my way back to Washington this morning and, as I tell people all the time, I’m excited every time I go back up. The shine has not worn off for me. It is such an honor and privilege to serve in Congress and represent the people of the First Congressional District, an area I have lived in all my life and intend to live in the rest of my life. Once back on Capitol Hill, I have a series of staff meetings beginning with a scheduling meeting, followed by a legislative team meeting, and then a communications team meeting. Next, I have three separate interviews with candidates for a staff position that we have open before having a virtual call with Josh Carter, grandson of President and Mrs. Carter, and Jennifer Olsen, CEO of the Rosalynn Carter Institute in Atlanta. The purpose of the call is to discuss Caregiver and Mental Health policy initiatives of the Institute including the Caring for Credit Act and Physician Fee Schedule Caregiver Training Implementation. Afterwards, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting followed by our first vote series of the week in the House Chamber. After votes, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to Ella Shaffer from Savannah who was recently awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal for her volunteer work in our community.

Rep. Carter pas tribute to Ella Shaffer

Tuesday, July 9, 2024: At our weekly Border Caucus meeting this morning, we hear from Fox News Contributor Sara Carter as she shares with us her experiences with the border and her perspective of what should be done. Afterwards, I head to a meet & greet with newly elected Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof who is in town for the NATO Summit this week before heading to our weekly GOP Conference. Next, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) Subcommittee hearing on the FY ’25 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Agency budget before heading to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to our District Director extraordinaire, Brook Childers, who is leaving our office after many years of outstanding service both with us and with our predecessor in this office. I also honor University of Georgia (UGA) baseball player Charlie Condon who won the Golden Spikes Award this year, my good friend Dr. Russell Keen who has been named the new President of Augusta University, and Bernadette Ball Oliver who recently retired from the Savannah-Chatham Public Board of Education. Once back in our office, I join in on our all staff conference call before heading to an E&C Innovation, Data, and Commerce (IDC) Subcommittee hearing that I waive onto dealing with the FY ’25 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) budget. After a meeting off Capitol Hill with the Republican Main Street Caucus (RMSC), I head to the House Visitors Center (HVC) where I speak to the American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) of Asia Pacific on trade and investment between the region and the U.S. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day before heading back to my office where I have a series of meetings including with the Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) board, newly appointed FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, and Rwandan Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana. After heading to the House Chamber where I speak on the Refrigerator Freedom Act, I remain in the Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day and afterwards pay tribute to my good friend Patrick Parker from Brunswick whose business, Parker’s Convenience Stores, is celebrating 40 years in business this year. My final event of the day is in the Rayburn House Office Building (RHOB) where I speak at the IKEA Government Relations Reception and where our staff member, Michael Shinholster, is declared the winner of the competition to assemble an IKEA table the fastest. Congratulations, Michael!

Rep. Carter celebrates with Michael Shinholster at the IKEA Government Relations Reception

Wednesday, July 10, 2024: I’m live on the Laura Coates radio show this morning as we discuss the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act and other news of the day before heading to a Doctor’s Caucus meeting. After a meeting off Capitol Hill, I head back to my office where I meet with my good friend and prayer partner Mark Mirza who will be leaving us soon and who I will certainly miss. Next, I have a series of meetings in our office including with the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), Home Depot, Georgia Agribusiness Council, and EB5 Capital. After speaking to a group with the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), I head to the Capitol lawn where I speak to the Korean Church Coalition for North Korea Freedom (KCC). Next, I head to a meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) before heading back to our office where I join a webinar on the proposed Vessel Speed Rule (VSR) with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). After meetings with the Alliance to End Homelessness followed by a meeting with my good friend Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), I speak virtually to the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO) before heading to the House Chamber for votes.

Rep. Carter speaks at the Korean Church Coalition for North Korea Freedom

Thursday, July 11, 2024: I’m live on the Washington Journal on C-SPAN this morning as I discuss news of the day with the host and answer questions from callers. Next, I head to our weekly Doctor’s Caucus meeting before heading to the Capitol Plaza where I speak to the Gulfstream Student Leadership participants who are in town this week. After an E&C member meeting to discuss our upcoming business, I head to the House Chamber where I preside as Speaker pro-tem during the final debates on amendments and then into our final vote series of the week. Afterwards, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to all those involved in the construction of Plant Vogle Units 3 & 4, which was awarded POWER magazine's Plant of the Year. Once back in my office, I meet with Olympians Kendrick Farris and Dotsie Bausch regarding adding soy milk to school lunches. After taping an interview with WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, I film Buddy’s Briefings and Material Minute before joining in on our all staff conference call and heading to the airport for my return trip home.

Rep. Carter meets with Olympians Kendrick Farris and Dotsie Bausch

Friday, July 12, 2024: After hearing a great message from our leader Kenny Grant at our weekly Band of Brother’s bible study in Garden City, I head to Gulfstream at the Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport where, along with Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, I join in on the ribbon cutting ceremony of the $150 million expansion of the maintenance facility. This state-of-the-art facility will create approximately 200 more jobs and is another example of Gulfstream’s commitment to quality. Next, I head to Ludowici in Long County for another ribbon cutting ceremony, this time for the grand opening of the Cecil Nobles Public Safety Complex. This great facility is dedicated to the long serving Sheriff of Long County and the ceremony is led by Cecil’s son and current Sheriff, Craig Nobles. After a great ceremony and tour of the facility, I head to Jesup in Wayne County where I have a great meeting with Sheriff Nobles and Wayne County Sheriff Chuck Moseley. Next, I meet with staff from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Jesup to discuss conditions at the prison before having a phone interview with Capitol Forum to discuss the FTC’s interim report that was released this week on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s).

Rep. Carter with Sheriff Nobles

votes in the House of representatives

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