The news won’t tell you this, but there were two major bipartisan moves this week that will improve our health care system and protect man’s best friend – our dogs.
I’m referring to two pieces of legislation, the Lymphedema Treatment Act, which passed the House this week, and the Animal Fighting Amendments of 2022, which I was proud to be an original cosponsor of alongside several members of Congress from both sides of the aisle.
The Lymphedema Treatment Act is a long overdue piece of legislation that, finally, allows lymphedema patients to access doctor-prescribed compression garments, the clinically recognized treatment for lymphedema, through Medicare Part B. Lymphedema is a debilitating condition, common among cancer survivors, that causes swelling and discomfort in multiple parts of the body. For too long, as many as 3 million Medicare beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with lymphedema were unable to get coverage for treatments, leading to complications such as infections, loss of functions, and disabilities.
Simply put, this was an oversight, one that I am proud to have addressed through bipartisan action as a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
To those Medicare patients battling lymphedema: help is on the way.
I also had the privilege of co-sponsoring the Animal Fighting Amendments of 2022, which recognizes the horrible reality that dogfighting and cockfighting still exist in this country and strengthens federal law banning these barbaric practices.
If you think this issue doesn’t affect you, think again: cockfighting is associated with poultry disease, leading to outbreaks of avian flus and Newcastle disease that can spread to humans. In addition to safeguarding public health, this bill will also allow private citizens to file suit against illegal animal fighting and gambling rings, enabling more individuals to take a stand against this inhumane practice.
With this bill, I hope to see real bipartisan action to end the dog and cockfighting industries for good.
You heard me say this before, but I’m excited for a divided government, because it will force the Biden Administration and Washington Democrats to sit down with Republicans and reach consensus on key issues. I hope that these two pieces of legislation serve as a model for strong, bipartisan policymaking in the 118th Congress, so that we can work together on delivering positive results for the First District, Georgia, and beyond. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we are shocked by the price of Thanksgiving Dinner this year! |
Monday, November 14, 2022: After a day of flight delays and more flight delays, I finally make it to the Capitol this afternoon just in time for a conference rules amendment forum that lasts into the night. This week is primarily an organizational week for our conference where we will adopt conference rules and elect conference leadership. Although a number of House races across the country remain uncalled, freshman elected to serve in the 118th Congress, along with those who’s races have not been called yet, are in town and participating in our elections. |
Tuesday, November 15, 2022: I’m live on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business as I join a panel to respond to the release of the Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers this morning. The PPI is a group of indexes that indicates the average change in selling prices domestic producers of goods and services receive. Although the numbers are improving slightly and things are looking a little better, inflation remains at a 40 year high and with the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons upon us, Americans are feeling the pain.
Next, I head to the office of my colleague Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), who currently is Ranking Member on the House Small Business Committee to discuss leadership elections before heading to the House Chamber.
During morning order in the Chamber, I pay tribute to legendary University of Georgia Football Coach Vince Dooley who recently passed, the Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport on their selection as the Number One airport in America, and Martin Grizzard, a Pharmacist from Thomaston who recently passed.
Afterwards, I head to a meeting of the Georgia congressional delegation where we discuss our internal leadership for the 118th Congress. Next, I head to a joint meeting of the Conservative Climate Caucus and the Congressional Western Caucus where we here from Todd Myers, Environment Director at the Washington Policy Center, as he discusses his recently released book, Time to Think Small: How Nimble Environmental Technologies Can Solve the Planet’s Biggest Problems.
After a fascinating discussion, I head to the House Chamber for our first and only vote of the day and afterwards remain in the Chamber where I pay tribute to my friend and former Georgia State House suitemate Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), who recently announced he would not be seeking another term as Speaker because of health concerns.
Next, I head to the Congressional Visitors Center (CVC) where I welcome a family from the First District and take a picture with them before joining in on our 118th Organizing Conference and Leadership Elections that lasts most of the afternoon. Among those elected to leadership positions today are Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson (R-LA), Conference Secretary Lisa McClain (R-MI), and Conference Policy Director Gary Palmer (R-AL).
Afterwards, I head back to my office where I meet with representatives from the Emergency Department Practice Management Association and later meet with a group of colleagues from the Southern States to discuss leadership elections. |
Wednesday, November 16, 2022: My first meeting of the day is in my office as I have an interview with Route Fifty to discuss my run for Budget Committee Chairman and my plans for the committee.
Afterwards, I head to the office of my colleague Rep. John Carter (R-TX) to discuss leadership elections. Currently, there are three Carters serving in Congress, myself, Rep. John Carter (R-TX) and Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA). Jokingly, I say I am a tri-chair of the Carter caucus.
After heading back to my office and joining in on our all staff conference call, I head to the House Chamber where I pay tribute to Healthy Savannah for their recent recognition, retiring Glynn County Fire Chief Randy Mobley, Pat Bohler from Garden City who recently passed, and the country of India’s 75th anniversary of independence from Great Britain.
Next, I have three meetings with colleagues to discuss leadership elections beginning with Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), then Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and finishing up with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). And, of course, all three meetings are in different House Office Buildings.
Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber where we have our first and only vote series of the day before heading to the CVC for our Conference Rules Structure Ratification meeting that lasts for a couple of hours.
Once back in my office, I meet with representatives from CreativeFuture, a coalition of over 500 companies and organizations and more than 300,000 creative individuals in film, television, music, photography, and book publishing.
Afterwards, I head to the Senate office building where I participate in the Diwali on Capitol Hill celebration, a Hindu “festival of lights” that celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil.
Later in the evening, I meet with a bipartisan group of House colleagues as we discuss legislative plans to lower prescription drug prices in the next Congress. |
Thursday, November 17, 2022: This morning at our weekly GOP Doctor’s Caucus meeting we hear from Dr. Sally Satel, a Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute (AEI), as she speaks on how political correctness is corrupting medicine in our country. Afterwards, I head to the CVC where the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) elects my friend Rep. Kevin Hearn (R-OK) as our incoming Chairman. Next, I head to the office of Rep. Mike Kelly, (R-PA), to discuss leadership elections before heading to the office of Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) for more discussions. After our weekly Georgia delegation meeting, I head to the House Chamber for our last vote series of the week before heading back to my office where I have a virtual meeting with the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation followed by a virtual meeting with my good friend, Dr. Pat Godbey from St. Simons Island, who is representing the College of American Pathologists. Next, I head to the airport for my return trip home. |
Friday, November 18, 2022: After our weekly Band of Brothers bible study in Garden City, I head back to a grocery store in Pooler where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing. Later, I head back to the airport where I travel to Florida to participate in a roundtable discussion with other members of Congress at the America First Policy Institute annual meeting. |
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