Snowball Effect

snowball effect

I, like the constituents I hear from daily, am deeply concerned about the impact inflation is having on hardworking Americans. The inflation crisis we are facing is not just a statistic—it’s a daily reality for Georgia families. We are feeling the effects in our wallets and are struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration remains oblivious to the hardships they are forcing onto taxpayers.

While Biden-Harris may tout modest improvements in some of the economic data, let’s not be fooled. The reality is that inflation has reached levels we haven’t seen in decades, and the snowball effect of rising costs is crushing middle-class Americans.

Inflation is up 20.5% since Biden-Harris took office, and the impact this is having on wages affects every worker, from every state, in every industry.

This administration does not seem to grasp the cumulative impact that four years of consistently high inflation is having on Americans. It’s a snowball effect that is quickly turning into an avalanche, pushing families further into debt and financial insecurity every single day. In Georgia, we’re spending $1,078 more per month to purchase the same basket of goods that we did in January 2021 and have spent nearly $30,000 more due to inflation over the past 3.5 years.

Does Harris realize what a $30,000 spending increase does to young people, seniors, and anyone on a fixed budget? The answer appears to be no.

We cannot afford four more years of policies that prioritize government spending over the needs of our citizens. The Biden-Harris administration’s weak approach to the economy has not only failed to curb inflation, but it has also placed us on a dangerous path. The federal government’s runaway spending is approaching a cliff, and disgustingly, we are taking the American people with us.

We need leadership that prioritizes the economic well-being of families in Georgia. That means supporting policies that encourage job growth, cut red tape, and promote energy independence—measures that would empower our communities rather than suffocate them.

I will continue to push back against the harmful policies of the Biden-Harris administration and advocate for a return to the common-sense economic policies we had under President Trump, when inflation was a mere 1.4%.

Buddy's Briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the anniversary October 7th, the horrific terror attack that struck Israel, and the war that wages on in its wake.

From our nation's capitol cdlxxix

Monday, October 7, 2024: Yesterday, I visited the staging area at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynn County for the Georgia Power lineman who have been doing such a wonderful job restoring power after Hurricane Helene. According to Georgia Power, Hurricane Helene was one of the most destructive storms they have ever seen in the state of Georgia causing extensive damage. Statewide, over 8,000 power poles and approximately 1,000 miles of wire have been or must be replaced or repaired. The outstanding work done by the lineman of Georgia Power and the Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) that serve our district and state has helped to get the vast majority of our power back in a timely and safe fashion. My week begins with a visit to Plug Power in Camden County for a tour of this green hydrogen-producing plant. Founded in 1997, Plug Power is engaged in the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems that replace conventional batteries in equipment and vehicles powered by electricity. Next, I head to Brunswick in Glynn County where I meet with two constituents in the real estate business to discuss the housing market in our area and how the federal government can help in this sector. Afterwards, I stay in Glynn County and visit King and Prince Seafood where they have a presentation explaining their operation before leading me on a tour of their plant. Opened in 1924, King and Prince recently celebrated its 100^th year in operation and has grown into one of the nation’s largest suppliers of quality seafood products across the world. Next, I head to the Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) in Savannah in Chatham County where I am honored to participate in a ceremony in remembrance of October 7^th, 2023, when the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel and killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostage including 12 Americans. Today, 94 hostages remain unaccounted for, including 4 Americans.

Rep. Carter attends ceremony remembering the October 7th attack in Israel

Tuesday, October 8, 2024: This morning, we make our first stop of three this week to deliver naloxone donations that were facilitated by Walgreens in conjunction with our naloxone training event held in Savannah during August. Our first delivery is to Gateway Services in Brunswick in Glynn County. Gateway is one of 26 Community Service Boards, the pre-eminent service providers for children, youth, adults, and families with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or substance use disorders in the state of Georgia. Afterwards, I head to the Tybee Coast Guard Station in Chatham County and, during the drive, join in on our all-staff conference call before having a call with Director Renee Wegrzyn of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a research funding agency that supports transformative biomedical and health breakthroughs. Once on Cockspur Island where the Coast Guard Station is located, I join the Coast Guardsmen at their new facility for lunch and to learn more about their role here, particularly with search and rescue. After a tour of the facility and their boats, I head to the Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA), a great charter school located on Tybee Island, where I meet with TIMA Principal Peter Ulrich and representatives from the Georgia Charter Schools Association for a tour of the school led by two students. TIMA is the first and only K-8 school in the state of Georgia with an educational program focused on career choices emphasizing maritime education. After a great visit, I swing by a farewell reception for long time Tybee Island City Clerk Jan LeViner before heading to a meeting at the Chatham County Republican headquarters. Then, I end with a meeting in Thunderbolt hosted by Americans for Prosperity.

Rep. Carter with members of the United States Coast Guard

Wednesday, October 9, 2024: I’m in Jesup in Wayne County this morning as I join my good friends on the World Famous Butch and Bob Show for an in-studio interview. Afterwards, I head to the post office in Hortense in Brantley County to meet with constituents who are trying to save this vital community asset from being closed. Next, I head to Anchored in Wellness in Jesup where we make our second naloxone delivery. Anchored offers important behavioral health services including mental health care and substance use disorder treatment to individuals in the area. Afterwards, I am honored to speak to the Wayne County GOP at their monthly meeting before heading to Springfield in Effingham County. There, I speak at the ribbon cutting of the Effingham Outpatient Behavior Health Center, a collaborative venture between Effingham County Hospital and Curtis V. Cooper Primary Health in Savannah. Next, I head to the Forest City Gun Club in Savannah for an event hosted by my good friend, Georgia State Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah).

Rep. Carter attends the Effingham Outpatient Behavior Health Center Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, October 10, 2024: I’m at the Westin Savannah Harbor Hotel on Hutchinson Island this morning as I bring greetings to the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) who are meeting here this week. Afterwards, I head to Soperton in Treutlen County where I join Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, and other state and local leaders for a press conference to review agricultural and forestry damage from Hurricane Helene. Next, I head to our Savannah district office, and during the drive, I join in on our all-staff conference call. Once at our office, I speak virtually to the Electrification Coalition to bring them up to date on our work on the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee before having a call with my good friend, Premier of Ontario Doug Ford. After speaking virtually to the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA) and bringing them up to date on health care legislation in Congress, I head back to our Brunswick district office where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and Material Minute.

Rep. Carter joins a press conference reviewing damage following Hurricane Helene

Friday, October 11, 2024: I’m live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business this morning as I join guest host Cheryl Casone to review the just released Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers that measure the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. Afterwards, I head to Ware State Prison in Waycross for our third naloxone delivery of the week before heading to Beach Timber Company in Alma where I meet with CEO Steve Strickland for a briefing on the impact of Hurricane Helene on the area’s timber and later Steve and I meet with our good friend Patrick Jones from Waycross to tour some of his land in Bacon County that has been devastated by the hurricane. Next, I head to the Glynn County football stadium in Brunswick where I speak to the Brunswick High football team before their big game with Statesboro High and then perform the coin toss before the game.

Rep. Carter delivers naloxone to Ware State Prison