Following the massive election night victories for Republicans last week, we have returned to Washington. Now comes the hard part: delivering on the mandate’s promise to the American people.
That began in earnest this week on both sides of the Capitol as the incoming Republican majorities began the process of organizing for the 119th Congress. I am proud that House Republicans have united behind a team led by Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Steve Scalise, and Whip Tom Emmer. We look forward to working with our counterparts in the Senate led by Majority Leader John Thune, Majority Whip John Barrasso, and Republican Conference Chairman Tom Cotton.
We still have much to do in Washington before we leave this congress and jump into the next. My priority during this time of transition is providing relief to all those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, especially our farmers and our foresters.
Among my priorities for disaster response is enactment of the Disaster Reforestation Act to incentivize foresters to replant destroyed timber. It would ensure timber farming is a viable way of life, protecting the many jobs and consumer products it supports as well as its positive impact to our environment.
House Republicans are also focused on passing a National Defense Authorization Act, a government funding agreement, and potentially a Farm Bill. As the curtains draw on the 118th Congress, these major pieces of legislation must get through the House to meet the needs of the American people.
As we look to the 119th Congress, House Republicans are ready to move full steam ahead with President Donald J. Trump’s agenda to tackle inflation, lockdown our southern borders, cut crime in our cities, and unleash America’s energy potential.
As you can see from this past week, we are hitting the ground running to deliver for the American people. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the importance of Georgia's First Congressional District's veterans and the significance of Veterans Day to our community.
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In case you missed it, I was on C-SPAN's Washington Journal this morning, I was able to speak about my priority for the lame duck Congress, the Disaster Reforestation Act. Our foresters need relief from the uncertainty of natural disasters and this is how we can help.
ON THE DISASTER REFORESTATION ACT
"Greta, as you know, it's been a rough summer in South Georgia. It's been a rough summer in the state of Georgia. We've had hurricanes, Tropical Storm Debbie, which caused flooding in my district and throughout our state. We had Hurricane Helene, which was one of the most destructive storms that we've ever witnessed in the state of Georgia.
"That's why we've got to address FEMA and the Small Business Administration. That is the number one priority that I have in the lame-duck session right now as we come back is to make sure that we take care of them, that we have a disaster relief package.
"Now the Disaster Reforestation Act is very important. Georgia is the number one forestry state in the country. And, you know, forester’s trees are so important. I always relate to the to the saying when you breathe fresh air, get down on your knees and thank the farmer who planted the trees. We need trees.
"They are carbon sinks. 8% of all the pollution in the state of Georgia is removed by trees and by forests and by the carbon sinks there.
"What the Reforestation act will do is that if they will replant in trees, then those property owners can get a tax deduction for the value of their property. Right now after year 7, they don't get anything and they can't harvest until 20, 25 or 30 years later.
"That leaves an open window there where they're just at the mercy of nature. And what we do, we encourage them. It'll be win, win, win. We win because they replant trees. They win because they can sustain. And then all of us win because it serves as a carbon sink and helps us with our pollution.
Watch the full interview here.
The Disaster Reforestation Act will: - Fix a tax provision that prevents forest landowners from recovering costs after a disaster, such as a hurricane or fire.
- Eliminate the ‘basis limitation rule,’ allowing landowners who farm trees with the intent of sale to deduct the value of their timber loss from a natural disaster, providing forest landowners some financial recovery after a catastrophic event.
- Require those landowners to reforest their land within 5 years, ensuring the forestland is not converted to other uses and preserving the environmental and economic benefits.
Forest landowners face immense financial burdens when needing to reforest their lands after a natural disaster, which is often compounded at tax time when private forest owners find their ability to claim a casualty loss for destroyed timber is limited, often to zero dollars. Fixing the casualty loss issue would provide an immediate and permanent solution for forest landowners to keep their forests working – a vital part of rural economies.
Read the full bill text here. |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024: With the election behind us, we’re back in Washington this week. Although a number of races have yet to be called in the House, it looks as if we will have a Republican trifecta with a majority in the White House, Senate and House. Immediately as I walk in my office today, I have a phone conference with the Chairwoman of the Education and Workforce Committee to discuss legislation I have before her committee. The Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 will reauthorize federal funding for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to provide teachers with resources and training necessary from the past to prevent antisemitism today. Next, I meet with our legislative team before having a live interview with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch to discuss the upcoming government funding deadline and the lame duck session. Afterwards, I meet with our communications team followed by a meeting with our scheduling team. After heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting, I head to the House Chamber for our first votes of the week and of the lame duck session.
Rep. Carter joins Washington Watch
Wednesday, November 13, 2024: I’m up early and live on Newsmax this morning as we discuss news of the day including the Laken Riley trial in Georgia. Next, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with representatives from Walmart before heading to downtown Washington where we have our GOP member conference meeting and leadership candidate forum. After hearing from Speaker Mike Johnson who is running unopposed for another term, we are paid a surprise visit by President Donald Trump who addresses our conference for about an hour and thanks everyone for their hard work and support. Interestingly, President Trump is accompanied by Elon Musk who, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, the President-elect has selected to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. After an inspirational address from President Trump, I head back to our office on Capitol Hill where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings and Material Minute before heading back off Capitol Hill to downtown Washington where I am honored to be on a panel discussing Health Care of the Future at the Innovations Shaping Health Care conference. Joining me on the panel are former Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, my colleague Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-Health) Director Renee Wegrzyn and Michael Milliken of the Milliken Institute. Next, I head to another meeting off Capitol Hill with representatives from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) before heading to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day. After voting, I remain in the Chamber and pay tribute to Lt. Gen. Buck Shuler, who recently passed. Lt. Gen. Shuler was instrumental in the building of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, and I was honored to serve with him on the Board of Trustees of the museum for many years. Next, I head back off Capitol Hill to downtown Washington as we continue our organizing conference and have our leadership elections. Our current leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Conference Vice-Chair Blake Moore (R-UT) are all unopposed and re-elected unanimously. Because our current Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has been nominated by President Trump as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, we have an open position and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MG) is selected to replace her. The position of Conference Secretary that Rep. McClain previously held is now open and she is replaced by Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN) while the position of Conference Policy Chair is filled by Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK).
Rep. Carter joins Newsmax
Thursday, November 14, 2024: I’m up at 4 a.m. this morning as I have a photographer with The Washington Post visit me in my office at the Capitol to take pictures for an op-ed I am submitting. Later in the morning, I’m live on C-SPAN on the Washington Journal as I take questions from callers. Next, I head to our weekly Doctor’s Caucus meeting where we elect Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) to serve alongside Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) as our Co-Chair for the upcoming session and adopt our by-laws. Afterwards, I head off Capitol Hill to downtown Washington and the headquarters of Hyundai where I am honored to be the guest speaker of the Georgia Business Council at their monthly meeting. Next, I head back to the Longworth office building on Capitol Hill where we have our Conference Rules Amendment Forum and consider 18 proposed rules. Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to former Georgia State Senator Ed Zipperer from Savannah who recently passed, Howard Young from Savannah who will celebrate his 100th birthday in a few days, Blackshear Assistant Fire Chief Leon Davis who was tragically killed in the line of duty during Hurricane Helene, and former Energy and Commerce (E&C) staff member Jerry Couri, who recently left Capitol Hill. Later, I have a virtual interview with Straight Arrow News to discuss Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform. Once back in our office, I have an interview with an aspiring student seeking admission to the University of Georgia before heading to the House Chamber for our first and only vote series of the day. After meeting in our office with officials from UCB, Inc., I head back to the Longworth Office Building where we finish our Organizing Conference for conference rules. Later, I attend a meeting off Capitol Hill with some of my colleagues as we welcome Fox Business News Anchor Maria Bartiromo to town.
Rep. Carter speaks to the Georgia Business Council
Friday, November 15, 2024: This is the week of elections for our different caucuses in Washington and this morning we elect our new Chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC). My good friend and fellow E&C Committee member Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) is chosen to lead us next session. Afterwards, I head back to our office to catch up on paperwork before heading to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week. Later, I have a phone interview with CBS news to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and what revisions the next Congress might make with this legislation.
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Click here to see this week's vote sheet in the House of Representatives. |
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