A Government That's Accountable

A Government That's accountable

You deserve a government that’s accountable. House Republicans want to deliver that.

That’s why H.R. 1 – the very first bill a House Republican majority will introduce in the 118^th Congress – will repeal the 87,000 IRS agents the Biden Administration hired to audit small businesses and middle America, because taxpayer dollars should work for taxpayers and not against them.

Remember, Senate Democrats had the chance to prove that their new army of IRS employees would not go after middle America and unanimously rejected it. They need to be held accountable for that deceit. Biden, and all Washington Democrats, have turned their backs on the same people they campaigned on helping - those making less than $400,000 a year.

This is just the beginning. Oversight has been sorely lacking the past two years, because of course it has! Democrats control the House, the Senate, and the White House – they have no incentive to conduct oversight on themselves.

But that still doesn’t explain why they haven’t conducted some of the most basic of oversight and investigative functions, such as getting to the bottom of the origins of COVID-19 or monitoring how COVID-19 relief funds are being spent. That’s unacceptable and the American people are paying the price.

As a member of the House Budget Committee and a candidate for Chairman, I am also preparing to hold both the White House and Congress accountable to sticking to our budget deadlines so that the American people know how their hard-earned dollars are being spent and what our plan is to secure this country’s financial future. The American people have to stick to a budget, and so should the federal government.

Unfortunately, Washington Democrats can hardly be bothered to show up to work.

Under a Republican majority, that will change. We are going to fully reopen Congress so that Washington Democrats and Republicans alike are forced to show up for their constituents and do the work we were elected to do.

Only then can we have a government that’s accountable.

Buddy's Briefings

This week, we are coming to you from the Effingham Energy Facility in Rincon, Georgia.

From the first district

Monday, October 10, 2022: Last night I attended the Folds of Honor tournament banquet held at the Savannah Country Club on Wilmington Island in Chatham County. Folds of Honor is an organization that helps provide educational scholarships for the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled servicemembers. This year’s recipient from Savannah is Jurley Torian and her son, Elijah, who is attending Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Jurley shares with us the heroic story of her late husband’s service to our country in the War on Terror that claimed his life in 2014. Today, I join the 200+ golfers participating in the golf tournament at the Savannah Country Club to support the organization. This annual event, spearheaded by Dave Simons and Brianna and O.C. Welch, raised around $220,000 this year for this great organization.

Tuesday, October 11, 2022: I begin my day with a meeting with my good friends, Sam McCachern and Ralph Forbes, with Thomas and Hutton Engineers in Savannah as we discuss the exciting growth in our area and the challenges with labor and housing that it presents. After a great meeting, I head to Claxton in Evans County and, during the drive, I have a phone conference with my good friend and colleague, Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL). Gary serves as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and is an invaluable member of our leadership team. Once in Claxton, I head to City Hall where I meet with Mayor Terry Branch, Ogeechee Technical College President Lori Durden, Economic Development Authority CEO Adam Kennedy, Evans County Hospital CEO Bill Lee and Mark Bland and Mikell Fries with Claxton Chicken. Among the many issues we discuss is the labor shortage we are experiencing throughout the area and the Nation. Almost anywhere I go these days, the labor shortage is the number one issue businesses bring up. After a great meeting, I speak virtually to students at the University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy as I share with them my journey as the first Pharmacist to serve in the United States Congress since the early 70’s.

Canoochee EMT Conference

Next, I head to the Canoochee Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMC’s) annual meeting held at the Tattnall Campground. Canoochee EMC provides affordable, reliable electric service throughout nine counties in Georgia, including many in our District. Afterwards, I head to Pooler where I participate in a sign-a-palooza with the Chatham County Republican Party before heading to JF Gregory Park in Richmond Hill where I participate in a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally with the Bryan County Republican Party.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022: I’m up early this morning and on the road to Brunswick in Glynn County where I speak to the Golden Isles Rotary Club at their weekly breakfast meeting. After a great meeting where I bring them up to date on Washington issues, I head to Glynn Academy where I speak to a group of about 150 students in various AP Government Classes at the school.

Speaking to Glynn Academy Students

Without question, speaking to young people is the most enjoyable part of this position and these bright, energetic students do not disappoint. After introducing myself and sharing some of my personal story, the students and I had a fantastic question and answer session that reassured me that our country is in good hands with these future leaders. Next, I head to the radio studios of WBQO 93.7 in Brunswick where I tape a segment of ‘Bridge the Gap’ with Rita Spalding and Denise Esserman, two local attorneys whose weekly show highlights important issues in the Brunswick/Golden Isles area. Afterwards, I head back to Savannah where I am honored to speak to the Georgia Airports Association (GAA) Annual Conference that is meeting in downtown Savannah. The GAA is dedicated to the development, growth and empowerment of all Airports in the State of Georgia and does a great job advocating on the State and Federal levels. Once back home in Pooler, I have a virtual call with the Community Oncology Alliance as we discuss healthcare issues currently before Congress, including the 340B drug program and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s).

Thursday, October 13, 2022: I’m on an economic panel on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business this morning as we react to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report that is released this morning and share our thoughts on the state of the economy. Almost all of the numbers that are reported come in hotter than expected this month and the near-term outlook for our economy is still bleak. Afterwards, I have a virtual meeting with executives from Novartis as we discuss Republican plans for next session that will impact the pharmaceutical industry. After our all staff conference call, I head to Ludowici where I attend the annual meeting of the Long County Farm Bureau and hear of their concerns in the agriculture community. After a visit to Shellman’s Bluff in McIntosh County to meet with constituents, I head to Kings Bay Naval Base in Camden County where I meet with Admiral T R Buchanan who recently took command of Submarine Group 10. After a great meeting where we discuss the exciting plans involving the new Columbia Class submarines that will be replacing the current Ohio Class submarines, I head to St. Marys where I meet with constituents. Next, I head to Osprey Cove in St. Marys where I have the honor of addressing to Camden-Kings Bay Navy League Council at their monthly meeting. This great group of volunteers support the men and women of the sea services and their families while stationed at Kings Bay.

Meeting with admiral TR Buchannan

Friday, October 14, 2022: I’m on the radio this morning with my good friend John Fredericks as we discuss news of the day and my run for Chair of the Budget Committee next session. Next, I head to the Effingham Energy Facility in Rincon in Effingham County where I am honored to speak at their open house and plant tour. Formerly known as Plant McIntosh, Effingham Energy Facility is now owned and operated by Oglethorpe Power, one of the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives and one of the largest energy producers in Georgia. After the program and tour, I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings at the site before heading to midtown Savannah where, along with Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), I speak at a GOTV rally before the Georgia Senatorial Debate to be held in downtown Savannah later this evening. Next, I head to our Savannah district office where I meet with constituents before heading to Plant Riverside on River Street in Savannah where I attend the Georgia Senatorial Debate between Herschel Walker and Sen. Raphael Warnock. I do a number of interviews before and after the debate including meeting with the press assembled from around the nation.