The two biggest threats to our nation right now are China and our debt. This week, the Biden Administration and Senate Democrats made moves to strengthen both. 

A congressional delegation made a stop in Taiwan this week, a move that should have had the President’s full support. Instead, he bent to China’s threats. We are the leaders of the free world. We are a democracy. It is our duty and responsibility to defend democracy abroad, especially when it is so blatantly under attack by a communist regime. 

China seized upon the delegation’s visit to begin conducting missile tests around the Island. 

I visited Taiwan back in 2016 and saw, first-hand, what democracy and self-governance means to them. President Biden would benefit from doing the same. 

As if emboldening our enemy wasn’t enough, Manchin and Schumer announced what I am (unaffectionately) calling the Inflation Acceleration Act. This bill will balloon our national debt, stifle medical innovation, and add fuel to the fire of inflation - just to name a few of its egregious provisions. 

When I’m in the First District, China and inflation are the biggest concerns people bring to me. It’s time Washington Democrats started caring, too. 

In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are in the Big Apple talking with folks in the media about what's really in the Inflation Acceleration Act. 

Monday, August 1: On Saturday, I had a live virtual interview on Newsmax where we discussed Washington Democrats' insane proposal to raise taxes and spend more money during the recession we are currently experiencing. 

Last night, I had the honor of attending the celebration of 39 years of service to the city, state, and nation, of The Honorable State Representative Carl Gilliard held at the Savannah Civic Center Ballroom. During this great ceremony, I had the privilege of presenting my friend with a silver platter engraved with the emblem of the U.S. House of Representatives thanking him for his years of service to our community both as an elected official and minister. The event also marks the official national debut of his book “The Power of the Pen.” Our country needs more people like Carl Gilliard in public service. 

Today is a travel day for me as I am headed to Portland, OR, for a field hearing of the Select Committee on Climate Change on which I serve.  

Tuesday, August 2: After an all-day trip yesterday, I wake up in the Pacific Northwest where I am joined by other members of the Climate Change Committee. We are here to better understand the challenges facing Oregon’s coastal communities and ecosystems due to climate change and how the federal government can help state, local, and tribal partners build resilient, climate-ready coasts. 

We begin our trip with a visit to “Electric Island,” on Swan Island, an industrial area in North Portland. This first-of-its-kind heavy-duty electric truck charging site was built by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and Portland General Electric (PGE) and will help with the development and testing of zero emission (tank to wheel) commercial vehicles. With eight vehicle charging stations for the charging of electric cars, buses, box vans and semi-trucks, the site provides for charging for EVs of all shapes and sizes and serves as an innovation center to study energy management, charger use and performance. 

After a tour of the facility that includes electric commercial trucks, an electric school bus, and an electric transit authority bus, we have the opportunity to board and ride in an electric 18-wheeler before participating in a press conference with my colleagues. 

Next, we head to the Port of Portland Terminal 2 where we meet with the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition, a partnership between Oregon’s leading research universities and government agencies whose vision is to enhance and expand Oregon’s well established mass timber industry ecosystem and grow it into a significant regional cluster. The coalition, in partnership with the Port of Portland, is developing a mass timber modular manufacturing facility and workforce training center at Terminal 2 that is a prototype for mass timber affordable housing which could be an excellent opportunity for Georgia’s foresters.  

Later, we head to Ecola State Park located on the Pacific Ocean with breath taking views and managed by the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department (OPRD). The park stretches along 9 miles of coastline and its cliffside viewpoints of secluded coves have been included in many Hollywood movies including one of my three sons’ all-time favorites, “The Goonies.” During our tour of the park led by the Oregon Park Rangers, we witness the erosion and other effects that changing weather has had on the area. 

After a walk on Indian Beach, a secluded sandy beach nearby, we head to Astoria on the Columbia River where tomorrow’s field hearing will be held.

Wednesday, August 3: Before leaving my hotel room this morning, I have a radio interview with my good friend Scott Ryfun with StraightTalk radio in Brunswick and WTKS Savannah as we discuss Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan this week. 

Afterwards, I join in on a Doc Caucus virtual meeting with Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office and the Committees on Ways & Means and Energy and Commerce (E&C) to discuss the disastrous Inflation Acceleration Act Washington Democrats are proposing to increase taxes on nearly every American, kill research and development of new cures in our country, and advance their socialist Green New Deal agenda that’s already lead to record gas prices. 

Next, I head out into the port city of Astoria, the oldest city in the state of Oregon that was founded in 1811 and was the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. It is located in the northwest corner of Oregon on the south shore of the Columbia River where the river flows into the Pacific Ocean and has picturesque views. 

Our field hearing this morning is held at the Clatsop Community College in Astoria and examines the challenges facing Oregon’s coastal communities and ecosystems due to climate change and how the federal government can help build resilient, climate-ready coasts. Having the honor and privilege of representing the entire coast of Georgia, this discussion is obviously very important to me; and, with over 127 million Americans- almost 40% of the population- living in coastal counties, it is obviously important to our country. Our witnesses include the Executive Directors of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, an associate pastor for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies at Oregon State University and the Director of Westervelt Ecological Services Rocky Mounty Region.

After a great hearing with excellent testimony from our witnesses, we head to the Columbia River Maritime Museum, a museum of maritime history in the Northwest United States, where we are treated to a tour of the impressive facility by the Mayor of Astoria, Bruce Jones, who is retired from the Coast Guard and is a volunteer at the museum. 

After a great visit to this wonderful part of the State, we head back to Portland.

Thursday, August 4: Today is another travel day as I leave Portland and head to New York City where I have a number of live interviews lined up for tomorrow. 

While in Oregon this week, I was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Congresswoman Walorski and members of her staff. She was an incredible, kind, and forceful legislator who loved the people of Indiana with the passion necessary to be a wonderful representative. 

Please join me in praying for her family, staff, and staff members' families as they mourn the loss of these valuable public servants.