June 16, 2023

Friends,   

I hope you and your family are well! It's been a productive week, as I have chaired three hearings as Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair. Here are a few updates regarding what’s going on –

American Grid Security

America’s power grid is the world’s most complex and highly interconnected system in the world, and the challenge of protecting it is immense. In the past few years, we have witnessed electrical transmission substations attacked in Tacoma, Washington, and in Moore County, North Carolina, which resulted in blackouts and outages, as well as a critical pipeline attack on the Colonial Pipeline that caused fuel shortages and price hikes. At today’s field hearing in Moore County, we were able to hear from experts to learn more about the substation attack in December and understand how we can prevent similar events from occurring.  

It is our responsibility on the Energy and Commerce Committee to enact policies to bolster our energy security and resilience, and we are working to harden our power grid. Click HERE for my opening remarks and click HERE for my questioning at the grid security field hearing today in North Carolina. 

Oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

This week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Commissioners testified before my Subcommittee. The United States has the capability to be the global leader in nuclear energy, but to do that, the NRC must become a partner that works with stakeholders to bring new projects online rather than simply an impediment. This doesn’t mean moving away from its principles of safety; it just means shifting their mindset and ensuring a streamlined and common sense process for new approvals.

Nuclear energy is clean, safe, reliable, affordable, available 24/7/365, and accounts for more than half of our nation’s carbon-free electricity, over 90% of South Carolina’s carbon-free electricity, and over half of South Carolina’s total power generation. Nuclear energy is essential for our grid reliability, national security, and our nation’s energy future. We need a nuclear regulator that reflects the technological and engineering talent and capabilities of the American nuclear sector to propel us to the next level.

We are working to provide this accountability over the NRC to pave the way for a robust nuclear energy future. Click HERE for my opening remarks and click HERE to see my questioning of the Commissioners this week. 

Oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

This week, my Subcommittee also conducted critical oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under the Biden Administration, FERC has not been living up to its core statutes, and in turn, this has weakened our energy security. Addressing grid reliability and strengthening our energy security are top priorities for this Subcommittee, and they should be for FERC as well.

We’re working to ensure FERC returns to its core mission to ensure the reliability and affordability of our energy system, instead of chasing hyper-partisan, unrealistic environmental policies. With the rise in blackouts and energy rationing across the country, FERC is falling short in fulfilling its core mission, and we are holding them accountable for the sake of our energy security and economy. Click HERE for my remarks and click HERE for my questioning. 

Legislation to Block Biden's Pistol Brace Ban Passes House

This week, I was proud to vote for H.J.Res. 44 to block the Biden Administration’s rule on pistol stabilizing braces and see it pass the House with bipartisan support. A pistol brace is a stabilizing device mounted to the rear of a firearm, and many wounded veterans, for example, use a pistol stabilizing brace to safely fire a gun with one hand. The ATF previously determined that pistols equipped with these devices were not considered short-barreled rifles and thus subject to NFA regulation. Since this determination, millions of pistol braces have been sold to Americans, but the Biden Administration went back on their word and classified these devices as NFA items without the consent of Congress. This means millions of Americans are subject to 10 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines, all with a stroke of a pen.

Many proponents of this new rule were entirely unaware of the consequences for everyday Americans who purchased these devices legally, and even the Director of the ATF, Steven Dettelbach, did not understand the requirements under this rule. While I applaud the House for passing this resolution, this rule is still in effect. I implore my colleagues in the Senate to quickly take this resolution up and get it to President Biden’s desk to protect law abiding Americans’ right to bear arms

Save Our Gas Stoves Act Passes House

It is no secret the Biden Administration has waged war on American energy and has done everything possible to phase out the use of all fossil fuels, including American-produced oil and clean burning natural gas. They’ve now taken this a step further and are going after the appliances Americans purchase for their kitchens, including gas stoves.

H.R. 1640, the Save Our Stoves Act, prohibits the Secretary of Energy from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the recently proposed rule that would prohibit the sale of roughly 96% of all gas stove cooking tops. I was proud to speak on behalf of this bill on the House floor and see it pass the House! Click HERE for my full remarks. 

Let Freedom Sing

It’s a sad day in our country when a children’s choir is interrupted during their performance of the National Anthem in the United States Capitol. It’s a shame this happened recently to a group from Greenville, and we are working to ensure this never happens again. I am proud to cosponsor the Let Freedom Sing Act to prohibit the regulations on the singing the National Anthem in the United States Capitol to help us preserve national unity and freedom of speech. I hope to see the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir return to Washington, DC to finish their patriotic performance! Click HERE for more information on this. 

Protect Children's Innocence Act

A key part of the Biden Administration's agenda is advocating for children to undergo irreversible, body-mutilating procedures in the name of "gender identity," and we have especially seen the Left's agenda to come after our children come to light during the month of June. I cosponsored the Protect Children's Innocence Act to protect minors from this horrible abuse and prohibit so-called "gender-affirming" procedures on minors. Click HERE for more on this.

South Carolina Energy Summit

At the SC Energy Summit last Friday, Gov. Henry McMaster and I discussed how to support our state’s growth and energy future. It’s important to promote nuclear energy expansion, unleash all-of-the-above American energy production, and roll back federal overregulation inhibiting the energy sector. 

South Carolina Business Council

This week, I joined the South Carolina Business Council and discussed recent energy policy wins in Congress and how I am working to support our nation's future and South Carolina's continued growth by strengthening our energy reliability and security. 

Old Glory Only 

On June 14, we celebrated Flag Day to honor the day the original version of the American flag was adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. The Stars and Stripes is the ONLY flag that should represent our nation because it is the only flag that displays our nation's shared values. My bill, the Old Glory Only Act, prohibits any other flag besides the American flag from flying over our embassies or consulates worldwide.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R. 4003, Rep. Joe Wilson’s bill to protect the right to sing the National Anthem and ban all regulations that would restrict an individual’s ability to do so.

I cosponsored H.J. Res. 69, Rep. Michael Burgess’ resolution to disapprove of the Environmental Protection Agency’s "Federal 'Good Neighbor Plan' for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards" rule.

I cosponsored H.R. 3952, Rep. Mike Bost’s bill to limit the flags that can be flown over the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.

In the District

Two Clemson Tigers and two South Carolina Gamecocks were selected for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's All-America first, second, or third teams. Caden Grice and Billy Amick from Clemson were both named first-team All-Americans, and the University of South Carolina's Ethan Petry and Cole Messina were named first-team and second-team All-Americans. 

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.