August 4, 2023

Friends,   

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

Unfortunately, the last week has brought heart-breaking news to the Third District as we lost two police officers in the line of duty. My thoughts and prayers are with the families, the brothers & sisters in Blue and the communities that lost friends in the line of duty. The Newberry Police Department lost Lt. Michael Wood, a twenty year veteran of the department, following a collision as he responded to a call for service. The Easley Police Department lost Officer Matthew Hare who was struck by a train as he saved the life of an individual in a mental health crisis. We will remember their service and sacrifice.

Also, South Carolina State Senator Stephen Goldfinch was injured while on deployment with the U.S. National Guard. I'm praying for a quick recovery for him and am thankful for his service.

Trump: Victim of an Unfair Prosecution

Donald Trump is being unfairly prosecuted. Americans see through the smoke and mirrors. There are one set of rules for the elites and another set of rules for the rest of us. It’s time we restore justice, law and order. It’s time we end the persecution of Donald Trump.

Many of you have shared your concerns about the Biden Administration and impeachment of numerous officials who have failed in their duty. As you know, I voted to move forward with impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden in June of this year. House Republicans are methodically building our case and getting witnesses to testify under oath on what they know about the Biden Crime Family, the failed Biden Administration policies that allow for the invasion at our southern border, and the list goes on. With only a four seat majority, we must build a case that shows moderates they must vote with conservatives to impeach Joe Biden—otherwise the impeachment will fail and Joe Biden will be exonerated by a Republican controlled House of Representatives. I will keep you updated as we move forward with holding Biden and his administration accountable.

Five Pinocchios

Devon Archer, Hunter’s best friend and fellow Burisma board member, testified before the House Oversight Committee that then Vice President Joe "the Big Guy" Biden joined Hunter on speakerphone 20+ times with Hunter’s “business partners.” Isn’t it amazing that Joe Biden claimed categorically he had no knowledge of Hunter’s foreign business deals, but right before Archer testifies the White House changes their defense to Joe Biden was not in business with Hunter. Here's the bottom line: Joe Biden lied to Americans. Archer testified that Hunter was only used because of "the brand" which was then-Vice President Joe Biden. Burisma needed "the brand" to avoid business failure and to give them a legal shield. We have heard Joe Biden knew nothing of Hunter's business dealings. Now, the left wants you to believe that Joe Biden only talked about the weather with Hunter and his "business partners." Congress must ensure justice is served. Don't listen to the media, read the transcript yourself here!

Chips, Salsa and an Aborted Baby

Do you want your salsa mild, hot, or made from a murdered baby? I'm disgusted at the depravity of abortion activists. Remember when the left told us that murdering babies was rare? They no longer are hiding their callous disregard for life.

Failing to protect the most vulnerable in our society makes us barbarians. I'm proud to cosponsor the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023 to make sure not even $1 of taxpayer money is used to kill a baby.

Nuclear Energy Renaissance

On Monday, Southern Company achieved a milestone in America's nuclear energy resurgence by bringing Plant Vogtle Unit 3 into commercial operation. This is a major step towards affordable, reliable and clean energy that is available 24/7/365. This underscores the important work we are doing in Congress to expand nuclear energy with policies that make sense for the regulation of nuclear power today, and the new technologies expected to seek licensing and deployment in coming years. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security, we recently looked at draft bills that would improve the efficiency and predictability of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing, eliminate a superfluous Commission hearing at the end of the licensing process that no stakeholders request, and update NRC practices to incorporate more efficient oversight to free up resources to focus on safety significant matters.

It Started with Oppenheimer

If you’ve seen Oppenheimer, then you heard the story that changed how we envision national defense. However, have you heard how J. Robert Oppenheimer was a catalyst in the development of nuclear energy? America is sitting at a crossroad in our path to clean, affordable & reliable energy. It’s time we commit to nuclear energy expansion! Read my latest OpEd here.

Religious Liberty Protected

Have you heard about this great win for religious liberty? While peacefully protesting mask mandates during COVID by holding a public worship service, Christians were wrongly arrested and had their First Amendment rights violated in Moscow, Indiana. Gabriel Rench and Sean & Rachel Bohnet have been vindicated in Court and people of all faiths can celebrate the protection of their freedom to worship without Government infringement.

Stop Relying on China

Do you want to rely on our adversary, China, for the minerals required to create EV batteries? Do you like rolling blackouts that put lives at risk? That’s what Biden and climate activists know will be the result of their forcing electric vehicles onto Americans. Recently, I shared with colleagues about how citizens are told when they can charge their vehicles because the grid cannot handle the demand. Instead, we should find another means of creating EV batteries so we are not dependent on China as well as make full use of an all-the-above energy strategy to maximize the power generation to stabilize the energy grid. See my comments here.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.Res. 628, Rep. Alexander Mooney's bill to abolish the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in the House of Representatives.

In the District

Starting this school year, you can protect your kids from sun damage at South Carolina schools without a doctor's note—sunscreen is now legally allowed at school. This commonsense change lets parents have control of protecting their kids from excessive sun exposure and reduce the risks of skin cancer.

South Carolina's 2023 Tax-Free Weekend is here! It will run August 4-6. Get all the supplies your children will need for this school year, without paying any sales tax.

Congratulations to eight Clemson University students for winning their first National Championship in the Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) College Bowl Competition. They have proven their prowess in food science and made the Third District proud.

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.