Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015. This bill guts ObamaCare, eliminating many of the penalties and programs that have been implemented over the last several years by this administration. Americans have been saddled with the burden of a healthcare insurance system that restricts what doctor they can see, what services they can receive, and has even limited them to who they can have as their pharmacist. If the President signs this bill into law, we can return the power of our healthcare system back to the American people. Americans should be in charge of their healthcare system, not Washington, D.C. With this bill, Congress will eliminate the individual mandate, the employer mandate, and repeal all future appropriated funds to the Prevention and Public Health Fund that has supported the failing ObamaCare law for the last several years. It repeals the medical device tax, the excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans, and the $2,500 limit on flexible spending accounts. It also repeals ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion eligibility pathway, which has left many States suffering with budget problems, and it restricts Federal funding to Planned Parenthood and its affiliated clinics for a period of 1 year, with appropriate funds being redirected to Community Health Centers to better serve women and their health. This bill returns to the American people a system that is driven by the market, not by artificial formulas and percentages created by Washington bureaucrats. As a pharmacist and former owner of three independent pharmacies, I can assure you the only way to lower costs and create an opportunity for everyone to participate is by allowing the free market to work as it was meant to. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and this bill so that we can eliminate this burdensome healthcare plan and bring greater opportunities for Americans to receive affordable health care.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Clinch County High School football team. Last Friday night, the Clinch County Panthers faced off against the Irwin County Indians for the Georgia Class A Public State Championship. Early in the game, both teams were well matched, with both scoring touchdowns in the first quarter. However, the Panthers scored a second touchdown early in the second quarter and never looked back. In total, the Panthers racked up 292 rushing yards in the 24-7 win. This was the sixth title in the school's history and the first since winning it in 2010. I commend Coach Dickerson and the Clinch County Panthers for a great season. You deserve it.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to join my friend, Ansley Williams, in celebrating the 40th year of business at Spanky's River Street in Savannah, Georgia. Spanky's River Street, home of the original chicken finger, began 40 years ago with a dream hatched by brothers Dusty and Alben Yarbrough and Ansley Williams, all natives of Thomaston, Georgia. They opened the original Spanky's restaurant in December 1976 with the idea of selling half-pound burgers and pizza. Culinary history was made when Alben insisted on having a chicken sandwich on the menu. The only problem was the bird was bigger than the bun. To get it to fit, the edges had to be trimmed off. Alben took the trimmings, tossed them in a special seasoned breading, and fried it up to a golden delicious treat. Right then and there, the original chicken finger was born. Spanky's River Street kicked off its 40th year in business with a celebration on December 16th to acknowledge and honor employees and patrons, past and present. With a staff as friendly as the happy hour and a history wider than the Savannah River, Spanky's has been a favorite dining spot for locals and visitors alike. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to recognize Ansley and the Spanky's family for all their hard work and dedication to Savannah's restaurant community. Congratulations on your 40th year of business.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. Ed Fendig, Jr. Ed was born in Brunswick, Georgia, in 1927 and moved to St. Simons Island shortly thereafter. Growing up, he was a very active Boy Scout, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Through his late teens and 20s, he served in the Navy in the Philippines and later in the Georgia Air National Guard in Casablanca. Between services, he played football on scholarship at the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs. While stationed in Casablanca, he would go down to the port and watch the tugs dock and undock merchant ships and fell in love with the work. Shortly after returning from North Africa, Ed's application as an apprentice bar pilot was approved. Ed served actively as a State- licensed bar pilot in the Port of Brunswick for 37 years. In addition to a full-time bar pilot, he also ran two long-time family businesses, Fendig Sign Company and Fendig Tire Company. Ed was a man of many talents and held a list of accolades. He was a community leader, but, more importantly, he was a husband, father, and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Fendig family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2820, the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2015. This bill reauthorizes the National Cord Blood Inventory program and the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, two programs that save lives every day through bone marrow transplants and blood infusions. This bill is very similar to legislation that the Georgia General Assembly passed in 2007, establishing the newborn umbilical cord blood bank. I voted for that legislation in the Georgia General Assembly, and I will vote in favor of this legislation. For some patients who have leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia, or a life-threatening blood cancer, help from programs like the National Cord Blood Inventory program and the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, may be their last hope at living longer, healthier lives. That is why H.R. 2820 is so important. This bill reauthorizes these two programs through 2020, and continues to provide lifesaving techniques and research to many who fight for their lives every day. This bill originally passed the House on September 8 by voice vote. I encourage my colleagues to support it again.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Shannon Johnson. On December 2, our country witnessed the worst terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. On this horrific day in San Bernardino, California, 14 people were tragically killed. Mr. Shannon Johnson was one of the people whose life was cut short that day. His friends and family say he enjoyed laughter, conversation, and music. He believed in the greatness of love, equality, and kindness, and treated others accordingly. On December 2, Mr. Johnson, who was a native of Jesup, Georgia, in the First Congressional District, displayed the ultimate act of heroism and sacrifice by shielding fellow coworkers from a hail of bullets. His last words were: ``I got you.'' Mr. Johnson died a hero. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. I hope we may all recognize and never forget the acts of sacrifice that Mr. Johnson and others have made to protect the ones we love.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Patrick Prokop. After 38 years as a meteorologist, 35 of which were spent in Savannah, Georgia, Pat Prokop is retiring. He started his broadcasting career in 1977 and, through the years, worked in Kansas, Missouri, and Georgia. He was an advocate for letting science do the talking and never missed an opportunity to educate people about the weather. Pat announced his retirement on November 25 and said he is looking forward to spending more time volunteering, marathon training, and traveling. He also said he plans to enjoy the weather, which we should all do more of. I commend Pat for his years of service to the southeast Georgia community and wish him all the best. You deserve it, Pat.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3842) to improve homeland security, including domestic preparedness and response to terrorism, by reforming Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers to provide training to first responders, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3842, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Reform and Improvement Act of 2015. This important bipartisan legislation reforms and improves the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, FLETC, in the Department of Homeland Security. Established in 1970, FLETC aimed at providing basic and advanced training to Federal law enforcement personnel. FLETC now serves as an interagency law enforcement training organization for Federal, State, local, rural, tribal, territorial, and international law enforcement personnel with over 90 partner organizations. Since 2003 and FLETC's transfer from the Treasury Department, no legislation has been introduced to reauthorize FLETC within the Department of Homeland Security. H.R. 3842 amends section 884 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to improve domestic preparedness, prevention, and response to terrorism by establishing FLETC to provide consolidated and shared training to law enforcement agencies and partner organizations. H.R. 3842 strengthens the role of the Director of FLETC and improves training practices by codifying important authorities, including, but not limited to, listing functions and training responsibilities to be carried out by the Director, FLETC, and partner organizations. With daily threats nationwide, this legislation supports FLETC's mission of providing world-class, expert training that can quickly adapt to emerging threats and training needs. I wish to thank my colleague, Mrs. Torres, for her hard work and collaboration on this bill. I also appreciate Chairmen Goodlatte and Shuster for their cooperation. I urge all Members to join me in supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, December 8, 2015. Hon. Michael T. McCaul, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 3842, the ``Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Reform and Improvement Act of 2015''. This legislation includes matters that I believe fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In order to expedite Floor consideration of H.R. 3842, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure agrees to forgo action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill would not prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. I request that you please place a copy of this letter and your response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest into the Congressional Record. Sincerely, Bill Shuster, Chairman.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3842. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. If the gentlewoman from California has no more speakers, I am prepared to close.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Edith Lanier. Christmas came early this weekend for four disabled veterans. It came in the form of new wheelchairs. These were not just any wheelchairs. These were four custom sport wheelchairs. These more-than-deserving veterans were given these wheelchairs by Ms. Edith Lanier. Ms. Lanier was born in 1925. She tells stories about picking cotton, about milking cows, and pumping water from the well. She attended North Georgia College before moving to Savannah to build a business that she passed along to her daughter after 32 years of service. Over the last two decades, she has also dedicated her time to philanthropy. She is an asset to the community and closes her prayers with: May we be ever mindful of the needs of others. It comes as no surprise that the four custom sport wheelchairs were donated by Ms. Lanier. Oh, by the way, did I mention that this young lady this week will be celebrating her 90th birthday? I commend Ms. Lanier for continued acts of selflessness, her devotion to the needy, and her continued hope for the greatness of this country. Happy birthday, Ms. Lanier.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember journalist and community leader Tom Coffey. Last week, Tom Coffey died at the age of 92. He was one of the old- time newspaper guys. He never missed a chance to speak and listen to people he encountered. Mr. Coffey entered the news business as a copyboy when he graduated from Savannah High School in 1940. With the exception of a short time away to serve his country in World War II, where he was wounded in the Philippines, and a brief stint from 1969 to 1974, when he served as acting city manager of Savannah twice, he was a journalist until he retired as editor of the Savannah Morning News. More than 20 years ago, when Mr. Coffey retired in 1989, Representative Lindsay Thomas, my predecessor, referred to Tom as one of the most respected journalists in Georgia. During his life, Tom wrote about national news, including civil rights and desegregation, but he also wrote about the thrill of playing stickball in the backyards of Savannah and the local bootlegger who bribed local law enforcement. Tom's extraordinary career as a journalist and his work over the years has made life better for many people. He will truly be missed.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Chatham County Sheriff Al St. Lawrence. Last Tuesday, Sheriff St. Lawrence died after a long fight with cancer. He was 81 years old. He was a dedicated law enforcement professional for Chatham County for over 50 years, 23 of those years spent as sheriff. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he joined the Chatham County Police Department in 1959, after leaving the service. He was appointed to the State Peace Officers Standards and Training Council twice. He was named Police Chief of the Year three times during his tenure. In 1992, he ran for sheriff and won, being reelected five times. In his 20 years as sheriff, he oversaw numerous changes to the department, including the construction of a new jail. He was a gentleman, a professional, and a mentor. He was a man of few words and believed in personal responsibility. He loved the Sheriff's Department, and he loved the people that worked there. I commend Sheriff Al St. Lawrence for years of service to his country and to the Chatham County Sheriff Department. We should all strive to achieve the success and admiration that Sheriff St. Lawrence achieved through his years of service.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 8, a bill that will help our Nation rise to meet growing energy demands and challenges. Our energy policy is incompatible with the current state of domestic energy supply and production. The United States is now the world's largest energy producer, but our energy infrastructure is woefully inadequate. We have the innovation and technology to safely expand the electric grid and pipeline systems, but administrative red tape has severely hindered these projects. As long as natural gas, hydroelectric, and nuclear energy projects continue to languish for years in drawn-out Federal permitting processes, nobody can benefit from the cleaner and more affordable energy these sources can provide. Not only do we desperately need to expand our energy infrastructure to ensure reliable and affordable energy, but our national security depends on secured energy sources and updated infrastructure to protect against real threats. Cyber attacks on electric utility systems and electromagnetic pulses are no longer things you only see in movies. These threats are very real and possible, and we need to be prepared. We need to improve energy infrastructure security now, not later. I urge my colleagues to support this bill so Americans can continue to have access to an affordable, reliable, and secure energy supply.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 24, which expresses Congress' disapproval of the EPA's carbon emission rule for existing power plants. The administration's unprecedented rule would inhibit our ability to produce affordable and reliable electricity. A robust energy supply is essential to national security, public health, and the economy, yet the administration continues to wage war on the source of 85 percent of America's energy. Until our energy infrastructure can support widespread use of alternate energy sources, we cannot arbitrarily force the closure of plants that are keeping lights on for millions of Americans. Implementing this rule would result in the loss of over 125,000 jobs, as well as significantly higher electric bills in 48 States. Forty of these States would see double-digit electricity price increases. Our Nation is still in a period of economic recovery. Low- and middle-income American families already spend 17 percent of their household budget on electric bills. These families cannot afford to have another costly mandate forced upon them. Our economy cannot recover, much less compete on a global level, with this many jobs lost. This resolution would prevent this rule from having any effect and would prohibit the EPA from reissuing this rule in a similar form. I urge my colleagues to support this bill so we can assure Americans are not disadvantaged by another costly regulation.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 23, which disapproves of the EPA's carbon standard rules for power plants. Our country is blessed with an abundance of energy sources. Reliable, affordable, and secured energy is critical to our national security, and a diverse energy portfolio adds to our strength. While new technologies have allowed us to tap into sustainable sources of energy, we lack the infrastructure to use that energy nationwide. Clean coal, natural gas, and nuclear produce the bulk of America's energy for a reason. They are affordable, reliable, and the most available. The carbon capture and storage technologies mandated by this rule are not commercially viable. Make no mistake. The EPA is seeking to ban the construction of any new fossil fuel power plants and severely limit the production of the others. With its companion rule on greenhouse gases, the EPA will simultaneously force the closure of many existing power plants. Until alternative sources of energy are affordable and available from coast to coast, we must ensure that Americans can continue to affordably light and heat their homes. Under this rule, we will be unable to achieve this. I urge my colleagues to protect families and the economy by supporting this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Uga IX, the University of Georgia's beloved mascot who also goes by the name of Russ, for his dedicated service over the past three-plus seasons. On October 22, 2015, the University of Georgia announced that Uga IX has decided to retire at the age of 11. Russ has worked a total of 38 games since being awarded a ``battlefield promotion'' and assuming the title of Uga IX during the 2012 season. Following the deaths of his half-brother, Uga VII, and his successor, Uga VIII, Russ also served as the interim mascot for 25 games from 2009-2012. With a 51-22 record, Russ served admirably as Uga IX and is cherished by University of Georgia fans worldwide. The Bulldog Nation is sad to see Russ retire, but we look forward to welcoming Uga X, ``Que'', as our new mascot. Que will be formally introduced during the Georgia Southern game on November 21, 2015, in Sanford Stadium. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to rise today to recognize Uga IX, ``Russ,'' and thank the Seiler family of Savannah, owner of the lineage of ``Uga'' Bulldog mascots, for their continued support of the program. Go Dawgs!

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Living Vine Christian Maternity Home in Savannah, Georgia. For 20 years, Living Vine has been a safe haven for over 350 women who are experiencing an unexpected pregnancy and have nowhere to turn for help. Once at Living Vine, they are provided with food, shelter, education, medical care, and a chance to learn about child care, financial management, how to find a job, and much more. Day in and day out, Living Vine teaches a perspective that embodies true success. No matter what has happened in the past, Living Vine teaches women that they are valuable as a human being, they are valuable as a woman, and they are something to be treasured. The Living Vine Christian Maternity Home fulfills their purpose solely through private donations and through its new thrift store called Blessingdales. I am honored to have this organization located in the First Congressional District of Georgia. I salute them for 20 years of success and wish them continued success for years to come.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1073) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats, and for other purposes, as amended.