The United States has been on defense for far too long. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re changing that.

This week, House Republicans took a major step toward implementing President Trump’s peace through strength agenda and putting our world-class war fighters first by passing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The FY26 NDAA is part of a generational investment in America’s national offensive strategy. Along with the Working Families Tax Cuts, the NDAA ensures the U.S. military remains the strongest in the world. It builds the fighting force of the future by prioritizing innovation, lethality, and readiness – not wokeness and DEI.

We’re cutting red tape and streamlining processes that put our troops at risk, refocusing the Department of War on one of its primary missions: getting our warfighters what they need when they need it.  

The Trump administration called for a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers and improved housing, education, and access to childcare for military families. This bill delivers on all fronts and will go a long way toward alleviating the pain that many military families are still feeling from the terrible economic policies of the Biden Administration that made life unaffordable.

The FY26 NDAA also ensures our Armed Forces have the capabilities they need to prevail in the wars of tomorrow by accelerating innovation and prioritizing cutting-edge capabilities like hypersonics and autonomous technologies.

We aren’t waiting for our enemies to strike before projecting strength – the United States is being proactive in hardening our posture against those who would wish us harm by improving our nuclear deterrence, expanding missile defense, and providing critical resources and authorities to counter adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. 

Hostile foreign nations should think twice before messing with the US of A.

Here at home, the First Congressional District of Georgia stands to gain from this bill becoming law as well. It includes more than $320 million in funding for military projects and installations along Georgia’s coast, including:

• $105 million for Fort Stewart Barracks
• $22 million for Fort Stewart 10-megawatt plant
• $25.4 million for joint power generation and grid funding at Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Stewart
• $119 million for Trident refit facility expansion project at Kings Bay 
• $11.2 million for Kings Bay Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition modernization
• $3.8 million for Air Guard Savannah Combat Readiness Troop Camp Design
• $11.4 million for Savannah Hilton Head International Airport’s corrosion control facility 
• $27 million for Savannah Hilton Head International Airport’s Dining Hall and Services Train Facility 

These projects will bring more jobs and opportunities to our district while improving quality-of-life for those who selflessly sign up to dedicate their lives to protect our freedoms.

I’m proud to have supported this bill and advocated for critical funding for our state.

Under President Trump, we are making the Department of War Great Again and implementing a peace through strength strategy that makes the entire world safer.

On this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we discuss the 1971 Thiokol plant disaster, which claimed the lives of 29 patriots, along with an additional explosion which claimed a 30th life two years later. My bill, the Thiokol Congressional Gold Medal Act, honors their legacy and sacrifice to their country.

Monday, December 8, 2025: Not even inclement weather could stop the annual St. Simons Island Pier Christmas Golf Cart Parade in the Pier Village this past Saturday. Hosted by St. Simons Island Bait & Tackle, I joined Glynn County Commissioner Bob Duncan as we led the small but enthusiastic group of participants along the parade route, spreading Christmas joy. Yesterday, I traveled to Valdosta in Lowndes County, where I attended the Park Avenue Church, part of the Global Methodist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Jimmy Towson, who delivered an inspirational and meaningful message. I’m on Jekyll Island in Glynn County this morning as I join the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), Georgia’s largest and strongest voluntary agricultural organization, at their annual convention. Led by my former Georgia State House of Representatives colleague and good friend, Tom McCall, GFB has almost 300,000 member families and is an independent, non-government organization mainly composed of farm families in rural communities. After a great visit, I head to St. Simons Island for a meeting with a constituent before hitting the road and traveling to Augusta in Richmond County. During the drive, I have a phone call with the attorney for the St. Simons Land Trust, Jim Barger, to discuss the False Claims Act, as well as a call with our communications consultant and staff to prepare for the upcoming week. Once in Augusta, I head to the studios of WGAC, where I have a live interview on the Austin Rhodes Show as we discuss news of the day. Next, I head to Evans in Columbia County, where I am honored to speak to the Columbia County GOP at their monthly meeting. Columbia County is a fast-growing county in the east-central part of Georgia and was the 12th county formed in Georgia, having originally been part of Richmond County.

Rep. Carter joins WGAC Studio

Tuesday, December 9, 2025: I’m in Pooler in Chatham County at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force this morning as our Academy Board is interviewing candidates for military academy nominations today. We are blessed to have a great Academy Board that gives of its time to interview the students and make recommendations for nominations. The board is comprised of academy graduates, veterans, and business leaders from our district and represents the broad diversity of our area. After joining in on our all staff conference call, I head to the Savannah airport for my return trip to Washington, D.C. Once back in our office on Capitol Hill, I meet with the Founder and CEO of Cubby Beds, the manufacturer of pediatric safety beds used by children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and other complex conditions. Next, I meet with representatives from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to discuss the FY26 budget, the 340B drug program, and other issues before having a meeting with our scheduling staff, followed by a meeting with our legislative staff. Afterwards, I have an on-camera interview with One America News (OAN) as we discuss healthcare, the NDAA, and illegal immigration. Next, I head to the White House, where I join our office on a tour of the White House, all decked out in Christmas decor. Once back on Capitol Hill, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the week. After votes, I pay tribute to the faculty at Georgia Tech who have started a tradition of inviting students unable to travel home for Thanksgiving to their homes to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Rep. Carter at the Military Academy Nomination

Wednesday, December 10, 2025: I’m live on the radio this morning as I join POTUS Mornings on Sirius XM to discuss news of the day and afterwards head off Capitol Hill to Doctor’s Caucus Healthcare Freedom Fund meeting where we visit with two of our former members, Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Dr. Mike Burgess (R-TX), who are now both happily retired. Next, I head to our weekly GOP Conference, where we discuss our healthcare options before heading back to our office for a meeting with our communications staff. Afterwards, I head to an Energy and Commerce (E&C) Environment Subcommittee markup on permitting bills, including my Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act. Next, I have a meeting with representatives from Milacron, a manufacturer and distributor of advanced plastic processing equipment, as well as our White House liaison, Joe Ballard, as we do our best to console him on the pitiful performance of his Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship. After heading to the Canon Caucus room, where I am honored to speak to the Israel Allies Foundation, I head to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day. Once back in our office, I meet with Keith Poettker, CEO of Poettker Construction Company, to discuss issues at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah before joining in on a call with our District Staff. Next, I head to our second and final vote series of the day, and afterwards head off Capitol Hill, where I speak to a group of business leaders from Japan and Korea on the importance of American manufacturing and investing in America.

Rep. Carter speaks to the Israel Allies Foundation

Thursday, December 11, 2025: After our weekly Doctor’s Caucus meeting at the Capitol, I head off Capitol Hill to the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) EDGE Policy Conference, where I am the keynote speaker and bring them up to date on current legislation. Once back at the Capitol, I head to a Budget member meeting with my good friend, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, for a roundtable style discussion with members. Next, I head to the triangle on the Capitol Plaza for a press conference on the Pharmacist Fight Back legislation I am a co-sponsor of, and afterwards join our intern for the past few months, Sanjay Damodaran, for a picture. Once back in our office, I have a meeting with representatives from Southern Company to learn more of their plans to increase energy production in Georgia, and afterwards meet with pharmacists from Georgia who are visiting the Capitol. After heading to the House Chamber for our first vote series of the day, I head to an E&C member briefing on healthcare before heading back to the House Chamber for our second and final vote series of the day. Staying in the House Chamber, I pay tribute to my good friend, Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman, who has been selected South Georgia Sheriff of the Year by the Georgia Association of Black County Officials (GABCO).

Rep. Carter speaks on the Pharmacists Fight Back Act

Friday, December 12, 2025: After our final vote series of the week, I remain in the House Chamber and pay tribute to Great Dane on their 125th anniversary in business. Once back in our office, I record our Christmas special video before heading to the airport, where I fly to Atlanta and later attend the Atlanta Airport Chamber Holiday gathering.

Rep. Carter & Mrs. Carter visit the White House

Georgia is home to one of the nation’s oldest state parks, Indian Springs State Park, officially designated in 1927. Its history, however, dates back to the 1820s, when the land was ceded by the Creek Nation through the 1825 Treaty of Indian Springs and later affirmed in the 1826 Treaty of Washington. Following the treaties, the area was set aside for public recreation in 1826.

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