May 19, 2023

Friends,   

I hope you and your family are well! I wanted to provide you with a few updates regarding what’s going on –

Pressuring USPS on Ongoing Postal Issues

This week, I was granted special permission to temporarily join a different committee for the purpose of questioning Postmaster General DeJoy on ongoing postal issues in the state– issues I’ve been working to address for years now. As a federal representative for over 700,000 constituents, it’s unacceptable that USPS officials have refused repeated requests to meet with my constituents about the issues they’re facing. I’m tired of excuses from USPS, and I want them to take action to address these numerous constituent concerns.

Our office is working on a variety of postal concerns, but two issues where USPS has blatantly refused to engage involve the Savannah Lakes Village in McCormick and at the post office in the town of Laurens. Certain residents in the Savannah Lakes Village are denied home curbside delivery service because of an arbitrary 2012 USPS rule that requires the installation of cluster box units. This community was planned and plotted prior to the 2012 rule, and the area is not conducive and is unsafe for cluster box units.

The Laurens County Post Office is dealing with a similar issue where constituents are forced to receive their mail at an unsafe location due to the post office’s unwillingness to budge. After years of correspondence from myself, Senator Lindsey Graham, and Senator Tim Scott with the USPS regarding these two issues, they still refuse to meet in-person or conduct an on-site visit with stakeholders to see how their decisions affect their customers.

I’m simply asking USPS to meet to hear people’s concerns. I now have the Postmaster General on record saying he would meet with us regarding this. Click HERE to see my questioning of the Postmaster General. 

Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Markup 

We're fighting to advance and unleash U.S. energy to improve American lives and strengthen energy security. This week, in the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee, we advanced these 3 bills:

-H.R. 1042, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act to ban the importation of unirradiated low-enriched uranium produced in the Russian Federation.
-H.R. 1640, the Save Our Gas Stoves Act to prevent the Secretary of Energy from enforcing the proposed ban on cooking products like gas stoves.
-H.R. 3277, the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, which would improve the DOE’s emergency response and cybersecurity functions to better manage cybersecurity threats. Click HERE for my remarks. 
 
Save Our Gas Stoves Act

The Biden Administration wants to police every aspect of American life down to which cooktop we use. I'm fighting to protect Americans from this tyrannical, "rush-to-green" overreach, and I support the Save Our Gas Stoves Act to prohibit the Department of Energy from banning gas stoves. Click HERE for my remarks on this during the Energy Subcommittee Hearing this week. 

Biden Vetoes Bipartisan Legislation 

Congress passed a Republican-led, bipartisan resolution to protect American workers by overturning a rule that allowed Chinese solar panels to be dumped on the U.S. market, stifling competition, and making us more dependent on China in the process. This resolution passed the Republican-controlled House and passed the Democrat-controlled Senate but was vetoed by Joe Biden this week. 

Why would Joe Biden side with China over American jobs, American workers, and a bipartisan coalition in Congress? Biden seems to be interested in “going green” no matter the impact on the lives of everyday Americans, but is that the best strategy for the nation? This was another missed opportunity for the Biden Administration to follow common sense.

Our Nation is Being Invaded

Sixteen individuals on the FBI’s terror watchlist were arrested at the southern border in the month of April. This number for April alone (before Title 42 was lifted) is more than all four years of FY17, 18, 19, and 20 combined. The 16 individuals arrested on the terrorist watchlist are likely only a fraction of those who have crossed into our country undetected. We have no idea who is in our country because of our open southern border and illegal immigration surge. Joe Biden’s dangerous open border policies threaten our national security. This is an INVASION.

Last week, H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act passed the House. This bill would combat the southern border crisis by ending catch and release, restarting construction of the border wall, closing loopholes in our asylum laws, and more. It’s past time for us to build the wall, secure the border, and enforce our laws to end the crisis raging at our southern border. 

Final Durham Report Released

Special Counsel John Durham's final report released this week shows the FBI investigated the Trump campaign based on “raw, unanalyzed, and uncorroborated intelligence” and that it rushed to investigate Trump while acting “cautiously” on Hillary Clinton allegations. These “extremely troublesome” failures appear to be politically motivated. If we have learned anything from this, it is that there is a two-tiered, weaponized justice system in this country. The FBI launched a political witch hunt against President Trump at the expense of the agency’s credibility. This is a disgrace to the rule of law and a betrayal to the American people. Click HERE for more information on this. 

Greenwood Mills Tour and Congratulating Larry Jones for 60 Years of Service! 

I had the privilege of celebrating Larry Jones this morning in Greenwood for serving 60 years at Greenwood Mills—what an accomplishment! My dad worked in the textile industry, and I understand how vital this industry is for the community. I also had a tour of the facility and discussed the critical role they play in textile production for the military. Thanks for having me today!

Meeting with American Heroes

I had the opportunity to spend time with veterans and former Navy SEALs in Laurens this past weekend to discuss the importance of supporting veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life after service. Thank you to these heroes for their bravery and service to our country!

Supporting our Law Enforcement

Police officers are the unsung heroes in our communities, running toward the danger every day to keep us safe. I am committed to supporting law enforcement and will always Back the Blue. This week, we passed legislation in the House to reject calls the defund the police and support law enforcement. God Bless these brave men and women–we're thankful for all you do!

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R. 3400, Rep. Bob Good’s bill to prevent government overreach into small businesses through updates to the National Labor Relations Act.

I cosponsored H.R. 3329, Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act  to ban the use of taxpayer funds for "gender transition" procedures.

I cosponsored H.R. 3328, Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s Protecting Children from Experimentation Act to prohibit procedures for gender transitioning on minors.

I cosponsored H.R. 3308, Rep. Joe Wilson’s Bill to require the Secretary of Labor to modify the wage rates for H-2A employees.

I cosponsored H.R. 3256, Rep. August Pfluger’s bill to nullify Executive Order 14096, which seeks to force environmental justice policies on federal agencies.

I cosponsored H.R. 3212, Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Shall Not Be Infringed Act, to repeal each gun control measure passed by the 117th Congress.

I cosponsored H.J.Res.61, Rep. Bob Good’s resolution to disapprove of the Department of Labor’s rule that would remove clarity from religious exemptions regulations.

In the District

Eddie Wicker and Jon Erik Hartfield of Newberry were both in accidents that left them unable to walk for years. With the recent help of a personal trainer, the two have worked to restore their mobility and learned to walk again while building a strong friendship. This week, Hartfield reached his goal of walking 500 miles since his accident.

Hope Justus graduated with her Master’s Degree in Nursing from Clemson University this May and received her diploma with her brand new baby nestled in her graduation gown. Congratulations to Hope and the class of 2023!

It is an honor to serve the Third District of South Carolina. Should you or your family need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office directly.