Combatting Communism

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is among the biggest threats to the United States of America. Its influence reaches into the furthest corners of the world and even into some of our institutions of higher education. While we work to counter the CCP’s influence around the globe, we cannot lose sight of what it is trying to accomplish inside our borders.

One of the ways the CCP influences American citizens is through Confucius Institutes, which embed themselves in schools and universities around the country and work to spread the harmful ideology of the CCP. Confucius Institutes were founded in 2004 and marketed as programs to promote Chinese language instruction, cultural education, and academic exchanges. In practice, these institutes advance the CCP’s “soft power” agenda. It is estimated that China spent around $17 million to establish these programs in United States schools.

The CCP’s goal is clear: exert influence over American institutions to gather intelligence and influence decision-making.

We won’t be allowing that to go on anymore. Not in the United States of America. The Communist Party of China is not our friend, it is our adversary and a threat to our nation. It should be treated as such.

At one point, there were more than 118 Confucius Institutes in the country, but by 2022, 111 had closed due to internal university reviews prompted by President Trump. The House acted this week to continue that legacy by passing a bill that will restrict funding for any American institute of higher learning that continues to peddle the CCP’s lies by maintaining a relationship with Confucius Institutes.

With legislation like this, House Republicans are reaffirming our commitment to keeping America safe. Fighting the influence of the CCP is a major step in preserving the safety of America and ensuring our students are not being influenced by a malicious foreign actor.

We must work hard to preserve American ideals in our young students so that the future includes more George Washingtons and Ronald Reagans and fewer Mao Zedongs and Xi Jinpings.

Buddy's briefing

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are discussing the codifying of President Trump's executive order renaming the "Gulf of Mexico" to the now "Gulf of America."

from our nation's capitol cdxcxv

Monday, May 5, 2025: I’m on a conference call with our communications staff this morning as we prepare for messaging of the budget reconciliation package and other issues, we expect to come up this week. Next, I join in on an all-staff conference call as we prepare for a remarkably busy week before heading to a roundtable of business leaders in Glynn County where I bring them up to date on what we are doing in Washington as well as take their questions and comments. Afterwards, I head to the airport for my return flight to D.C. and, once back in our office, I immediately jump into our weekly meeting of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Health Subcommittee staff. This week is a big week for this subcommittee that I chair as we will be finalizing what healthcare savings, we will include in the budget reconciliation package. After heading to our weekly Whip Team meeting, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and afterwards, I pay tribute to Savannah native and former University of Georgia football player Warren Brinson who was drafted in the sixth round of the National Football League (NFL) draft this year by the Green Bay Packers. Warren Brinson is a fine young man who gives back to our community and represents us well. Next, I head off Capitol Hill to a meeting of the Republican Main Street Caucus (RMSC) where I have the pleasure of introducing my former Georgia Legislature and congressional colleague, but most importantly, my good friend, Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins. Doug is truly one of the good guys in Washington and makes all of us in his native Georgia proud.

Rep. Carter recognizes Warren Brinson

Tuesday, May 6, 2025: I’m off Capitol Hill this morning and downtown as I am honored to speak to the American Hospital Association (AHA) at their annual membership meeting. The AHA represents nearly 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, networks and 43,000 individual members. I am honored to be introduced at the meeting by my good friend, Effingham Health System CEO Dr. Francine Baker-Witt. Effingham Health System is yet another example of the fine healthcare systems we are blessed to have in the First Congressional District. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to our weekly GOP Conference meeting before heading to our office where I meet with Joe Ballard with the White House Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) and our White House liaison on the E&C Committee. Next, I head to a member meeting of the E&C Committee as we spend the next two and a half hours laboring through the proposed savings to the healthcare portfolio that we have jurisdiction over. Afterwards, I join in virtually on a US Industrial Policy Roundtable with the World Economic Forum as I discuss the new priorities coming out of the 119^th Congress for manufacturing and supply chains within the E&C Committee. Next, I head to a Republican Governance Group (RG2) meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson as he reviews where we are in the budget reconciliation process before heading to the Congressional Visitors Center (CVC) to welcome students from the Saint Simons Christian School who are visiting the Capitol. Once back in our office, I meet with the CEO of Piedmont Health, the largest health system in the state of Georgia with 25 hospitals and 1,875 clinic physician practices. After meeting with the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) that serves more than 150 hospitals in Georgia, I meet with the CEO and leadership staff of Bacon County Hospital to discuss reimbursement issues with rural hospitals. Next, I head to the House Chamber for votes and afterwards pay tribute to my good friend, Dr. William Clark of Waycross who is retiring after 15 years as Chairman of the Okefenokee Swamp board. After heading off Capitol Hill for a healthcare focused roundtable sponsored by Walgreens, I head back to our office where I have a series of meetings including with Evergreen Shipping Agency, one of the world’s leading ocean carriers, the CEO of Genentech, a biotechnology company, and American Pharmacy Association (APhA) CEO Randy McDonaugh. Next, I head off Capitol Hill for meetings including with the American Council for Capital Formation for an Economic Policy discussion.

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Rep. Carter speaks at AHA

Wednesday, May 7, 2025: After a virtual call with the CEO of a pharmaceutical manufacturer to discuss how his company is being extorted by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s) during the release of a new drug from his company, I have a virtual call with our district staff. Next, I meet with the American Kidney Fund before heading to yet another E&C member meeting, this one lasting well over 4 hours. Later, I meet with Dr. Jarbas Barbosa with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) before meeting with my good friend Mark Burns, CEO of Gulfstream, as well as other members of the General Aviation Manufacturers. Next, I head off Capitol Hill where I speak at the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Energy Leadership Summitt and once back in our office I meet with Chris Boerner, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, followed by a meeting with representatives from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). After heading to the House Chamber for votes, I pay tribute to Linda Johnson Wade from Pooler who is retiring after more than 50 years of serving her community as a pharmacy technician.

Rep. Carter meets with PhRMA

Thursday, May 8, 2025: After a virtual meeting with our communications team, I head to our final E&C member meeting where we finalize our plan for savings to be included in the budget reconciliation bill. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week and afterwards pay tribute to Sue Adler who is retiring as CEO of the Historical Savannah Foundation (HSF). Once back in our office, I film a series of videos including this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing before meeting with BioMarin, a biopharmaceutical company. Next, I have a series of virtual interviews including with WJCL-TV, WSAV-TV and WTOC-TV in Savannah and Fox 5 in Atlanta.

Rep. Carter speaks with reporters outside of the Capitol Building

Friday, May 9, 2025: I’m in Atlanta this morning and begin my day with a radio interview with my good friends on the world famous Butch and Bob Show in Jesup before having a live Newsmax TV interview. The rest of my day is spent with the Atlanta media as I have a radio interview on WSB radio with Mark Arum followed by a TV interview with WSB-TV. Next, I head to 11 Alive for an interview before heading to Cox industries for a radio interview with my good friend Patrica Murphy on Politically Georgia. A long and exciting week ends with a Fox 5 TV interview with former Savannah news reporter Elizabeth Rawlins.

Rep. Carter recognizes Dr. William Clark

did you know?

In May 1791, President George Washington toured Georgia to strengthen national unity and boost support for the new government. He visited Mulberry Grove, Savannah, Waynesboro, and Augusta, meeting leaders and attending public events. His visit highlighted Georgia’s role in the young United States.

votes in the house this week

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