Monday, May 12, 2025: Yesterday, I was a guest on ‘Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy’ as we discussed news of the day. Trey and I served together in Congress during my first two terms and were on the Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) Committee together during my first term. A former solicitor, Trey set the standard for other members of the committee with his questions of witnesses before the committee. Later in the evening, I had a conference call with members of the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee to review our part of the budget reconciliation package that will be submitted to the budget committee. Afterwards, I had a conference call with my fellow GOP Conference members to discuss the budget reconciliation package as leadership brought us up to date on our progress and answered questions. I’m on the Fox News Rundown podcast this morning as we discuss news of the day including the budget reconciliation process and a bill I have introduced to strip the three democratic members of Congress who stormed the ICE facility in New Jersy this past weekend of their committee assignments. Afterwards, I’m honored to be the guest speaker at the Golden Isles Republican Women (GIRW) at their monthly meeting on St. Simons Island in Glynn County. Headed up by long time Republican activist Ruby Robinson, this busy group is not only politically active but also sponsors many projects that give back to the community. Next, I join in on a conference call with the Ways and Means Committee as they review their submissions to the budget reconciliation package before heading to St. Simons Elementary School where I participate in my favorite activity: speaking to students. This select group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are attentive and inquisitive, asking great questions and hanging on every word I say. I am reminded by this group of why I am so optimistic about our country’s future. They also enjoy the support of great teachers and administrative staff who are present including new Glynn County School Superintendent Mike Blackerby. After joining in on our all staff conference call, I head to the St. Simons Airport where I meet with representatives from Odyssey Aviation as well as local pilots to discuss Department of Defense (DOD) proposals to absorb more airspace in the area. Next, I head to MAP International where I meet new President and CEO Chris Palombo. MAP International is a global Christian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential medicines and health supplies to people in need worldwide.

Rep. Carter at MAP International
Tuesday, May 13, 2025: After flying back to Washington, D.C. this morning, I’m back in our office and start with a meeting with the CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), Tarren Bragdon, to discuss budget reconciliation before having a joint communications/legislative staff meeting. Next, I head to an E&C pre markup huddle before we begin our E&C markup of our portion of the budget reconciliation package at 2 p.m. Later in the evening, we temporarily suspend the markup and head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week and afterwards, I pay tribute to former McIntosh County Superior Court Clerk Ann Poppell, who recently passed. Next, I head back to the E&C markup where I spend the entire night alternating between my seat on the upper dais and chairing the meetings.

Rep. Carter at the Energy and Commerce Markup
Wednesday, May 14, 2025: There’s certainly no sleep for the weary during this marathon 26 and a half hour markup as we’re up all night debating and voting on amendments to our portion of the budget reconciliation bill. I do get to step out in the hall for a few moments to meet with the National Forest Owners as well as the Chairman of ASCENT, a social good organization. We again temporarily suspend the markup for votes around 1:30 in the afternoon but return afterwards and continue on with the markup until it mercifully ends at 4:30PM. Although 26 and a half hours is certainly long enough, I am somewhat disappointed that we don’t break our committee’s record of 27 hours and 27 minutes from 2018 when we marked up the American Health Care Act. Once back in our office, I have a phone interview with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch as we discuss the budget reconciliation process. Next, I head back to the House Chamber for our second vote series of the day and afterwards pay tribute to former Glynn County Board of Education member George Miller Allen, Jr., who recently passed. Finally, after being up for the past 42 hours, I get some rest.

Rep. Carter pays tribute to George Miller Allen, Jr.
Thursday, May 15, 2025: I’m up early once again this morning and downtown at the Fox News Studios as I’m live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as we discuss news of the day. Afterwards, I remain off Capitol Hill as I meet with a group of healthcare advocates before heading back to our office where I record a series of videos for future events. Next, I’m live on the radio with my good friend, Martha Zoller, in Gainesville as we discuss news of the day. After recording yet more videos, I join in on a virtual meeting with our district staff before heading to a member meeting of the Budget Committee where we preview our markup of the budget reconciliation package set for tomorrow. Once back in our office, I have a taped interview with Newsmax as we discuss news of the day before heading to the Congressional Visitors Center (CVC) for a GOP Conference meeting where we get an update from leadership on the budget reconciliation process. Next, I head to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week before heading back to our office where I meet with Colonel Ronald Sturgeon and his leadership staff from the Savannah District, U.S. Corps of Engineers. After a conference call with our Chief of Staff and District Director, I head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with healthcare advocates and later return to our office where I have a virtual interview with WTOC TV in Savannah to discuss funding for the Savannah and Brunswick ports for maintenance of the harbors that we have secured in the appropriations budget.

Rep. Carter joins Mornings with Maria
Friday, May 16, 2025: I’m at the White House bright and early this morning as I assist some constituents in gaining access for a tour and, once back on Capitol Hill, I head to the long-anticipated Budget Committee markup of the reconciliation bill. Unfortunately, we still have some Republican holdouts on the bill and fail to get it passed. However, the good news is we will be able to bring it back up for reconsideration in the near future and progress seems to be being made with the holdouts. Once back in our office, I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing and later have a phone conference with my good friend Ralph Reed and the Faith and Freedom Coalition that he heads up. After a radio interview on the Sean Hannity Radio Show where we discuss news of the day including the budget reconciliation bill, I head to the airport for my return trip home.

Rep. Carter participates in the Budget Committee Markup