Monday was the deadline for President Biden to submit his budget. Most of you probably didn’t even hear about him missing it – for the third time in a row – because he didn’t address it in his State of the Union and the mainstream media largely ignored this breach of federal law.
Luckily, Republican members of Congress did not.
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and I introduced two bills aimed at holding the executive branch to its budget deadlines. The Presidential Accountability for Yearly Submission of the United States’ Budget Act, or PAYSTUB Act, will withhold all political appointees’ salary payments until the presidential budget is submitted. The Presidential Budget Accountability Act will withhold funds for presidential travel and other expense accounts if the President fails to submit a timely budget to Congress.
Without an enforcement mechanism in place, budget deadlines are mere suggestions. Right now, we have a system where presidents are held to a lower standard than average taxpayers, who have the IRS beating down their doors if tax deadlines are not followed.
If American families must live by a budget, so should the residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Like households and businesses across the country, the United States government cannot function properly without a budget - look no further than the $31 trillion in national debt for proof.
We need the PAYSTUB Act and the Presidential Budget Accountability Act to pass so we can show the American people that the balancing the budget is our top priority.
Don’t get me wrong, Congress shares in the blame for the delayed and broken budget process. But, if the President doesn’t submit his budget to Congress on time, the whole process is delayed. Essentially, a late start throws everything off and sends a message that the federal government is not serious about addressing the national debt.
I’m sending a different message – let’s pass these bills, hold the government accountable, and cut spending so we can pay down our debt. |
In this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we're talking about the State of the Union - or, as I like to call it, the State of Confusion. |
Monday, February 6, 2023: After a mid-afternoon interview at the studios of WTOC-TV in Savannah on Saturday to discuss a bill I have introduced to name the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler to the Official Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in the United States, I’m up early this morning and on a flight to Atlanta.
Once in Atlanta, I head to Plant McDonough in Smyrna where I meet with investors and interested parties of the Georgia Hydrogen Energy Braintrust. Georgia is an investor in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Hub program and this group is working to develop a long-term vision for hydrogen infrastructure in the State.
Afterwards, I head back to the airport and continue on to Washington and, once back on Capitol Hill, I head to the State of the Union media row where I have five separate interviews discussing what I hope to hear from the President tomorrow night in his State of the Union address.
Next, I head to our weekly Energy and Commerce (E&C) Communications and Technology (C&T) subcommittee staff huddle with Chairman Bob Latta (R-OH) to discuss the week ahead before heading to my office where I meet with a representative from the Congressional Excellence program.
After a meeting with my former Georgia State Senate colleague, good friend, and now Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson, I have a meeting with my Chief of Staff and Scheduler to preview this week’s schedule.
Next, I head to our weekly Whip Team meeting before heading to our first vote series of the week and afterwards remain in the House Chamber where I pay tribute to longtime University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt who has recently been chosen as an inductee to the College Football Hall of Fame. |
Meeting with Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson |
Tuesday, February 7, 2023: I’m up early and at a Border Security Caucus meeting where we hear from Steven Bradbury, former Acting United States Secretary of Transportation in the Trump administration.
Afterwards, I head to our weekly GOP conference before heading to a joint hearing of the E&C Environment and Energy subcommittees on unleashing American energy, lowering energy costs and strengthening supply chains.
Next, I head to a House GOP all-member press conference where we discuss tonight’s State of the Union address and afterwards head off Capitol Hill for a meeting with my good friend Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN).
Once back on Capitol Hill, I head back to media row for more interviews on tonight’s State of the Union address before heading to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day.
Afterwards, I head to my office where I have a series of meetings with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to discuss the reauthorization of the Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education program, Habitat for Humanity, including Zerik Samples from Savannah, Pulp and Paperworkers Resource Council including representatives from Brunswick in our District, and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), the only national tissue banking organization in the U.S.
After joining in on our all-staff conference call, I welcome to my office, Ambassador Jorge Arguello from Argentina, as we discuss the 200th Anniversary of bilateral relations between Argentina and U.S.
Next, I have a meeting with representatives from Direct TV before heading to a joint subcommittee meeting of the E&C subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigations (O&I) to discuss our plans for tomorrow’s joint hearing.
My evening is filled with pre-State of the Union events including a reception hosted by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, before heading to the House Chamber for President Joe Biden’s third State of the Union address.
Afterwards, I head to Statuary Hall where I have a series of interviews before heading to the Congressional Visitors Center (CVC) for more interviews. Later in the evening- or I should say early the next morning- I head to the Washington studios of Fox News, where I am a guest on the Ingraham Angle with Laura Ingraham as we discuss the State of the Union address and Republican work in the 118th Congress. |
Rep. Carter in-studio on the Ingraham Angle |
Wednesday, February 8, 2023: After a few hours of sleep, I’m back at it this morning and have a radio interview with my good friend Scott Ryfun.
Once back in my office, I meet with the Dean of the University of Georgia’s College of Engineering, Dr. Don Leo, before heading to the aforementioned E&C Health and O&I joint hearing on the Federal Response to COVID.
Next, I head to an E&C C&T subcommittee hearing on unleashing innovation in satellite communications technologies before heading to a meeting of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC).
Once back in my office, I have a series of meetings with Georgia Narcotics Officers Association to discuss grant programs, Technical College System of Georgia, including St. Marys councilman Artie Jones, Jr., PhRMA board members to discuss Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform, ZeroFox, an American technology company expanding to the Savannah area, and Hemophilia of Georgia, who recently established the Comprehensive Care Model Telehealth program based in Savannah.
After a meeting with Mark Newman, the CEO of Chemours, a critical mineral mining company with operations in Jesup in Wayne County, I head to the House recording studio where I record a series of videos promoting the use of Naloxone nasal spray, an FDA-approved opioid reversal medication.
Next, I head to the House Chamber for our only vote series of the day and afterwards pay respect to the emergency management personnel on the anniversary of the Imperial Sugar plant explosion in Port Wentworth in Chatham County in 2008.
Once back in my office, I record a video for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for their upcoming convention. |
Rep. Carter records PSAs on naloxone use |
Thursday, February 9, 2023: After attending a classified bipartisan member briefing on the China surveillance balloon that was shot down last week, I head to an E&C member breakfast meeting before heading to an E&C full committee markup authorization and oversight plan for the 118th Congress.
Afterwards, I head to the House Chamber for our final vote series of the week and remain on the Floor and honor Dr. Lucy Greene, who was recently named as 1 of 17 recipients in the United States to receive the 2023 Defense Community Champion Award.
Next, I head to the Capitol plaza where I record this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefings before heading to the Cannon rotunda where I have a live interview on the Big Money Show on Fox Business to discuss news of the day.
Later, I have a virtual meeting with Joint National Committee for Language to discuss language education program funding before joining in on our all-staff conference call.
Finally, I have a radio interview with Andrew Wilkow on Sirius XM to discuss the Fair Tax Act before heading home. |
Rep. Carter on Fox Business' The Big Money Show |
Friday, February 10, 2023: I’m in my Savannah District office this morning as I meet with the new District Health Director for the Coastal Health District, Dr. Bonzo Reddick. A native of Savannah, Dr. Reddick received his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta.
After a great meeting, I head to Savannah Classical Academy in Savannah where I read books to students in honor of Black History month.
Once back in my office, I record a video for the National Quality Forum to thank them for awarding me the 2023 Congressional Leadership Award before facetiming Delana Theiss, a homeschool student from the District, who I have nominated to the Air Force Academy and surprise her with the news that she has officially been accepted.
Next, I head to mid-town Savannah for a meeting with my good friend, Ruel Joyner and, later in the evening, I head to Richmond Hill in Bryan County for the Shell Out for a CURE Oyster Roast to support those with childhood cancer and their families. |
Rep. Carter reads to Savannah Classical Academy students |
Click here for this week's vote sheet in the House. |
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