August 18, 2023

Friends,   

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

Jack Smith, You're Fired

You and I know Jack Smith is not bringing a “fair trial” against President Trump. “Justice” is never served by circumventing the legal process with secret, out-of-district grand juries. Jack Smith has lost the trust of the American people. Because of his actions, we have an obligation to end the smoke and mirrors prosecution. Today, I cosponsored a bill from Congressman Andy Ogles to cut the salary of Jack Smith. In the words of President Trump—Jack Smith, “you’re fired.”

Persecution of Donald Trump

In 2016, we saw Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Georgia’s own Congressman John Lewis deny election results and claim Donald Trump was not legitimately elected. No one indicted John Lewis, Jimmy Carter or Hillary Clinton. This two-tiered system of justice is destroying our country as Democrats leverage it to take down Biden’s leading political opponent, Donald Trump.

The left claims that the process for these indictments is “fair,” but that’s laughable at best. Midday Monday, the Fulton County Court posted a document showing the indictment of Donald J. Trump BEFORE the jury had even voted—only to quickly delete the posting while the District Attorney claimed it was a “fictitious document.” Coincidentally, that “fictitious document” matched the official indictment released late Monday night. How do charges get filed and released before they have been voted on by a jury? During the press conference, the District Attorney would not address “the fictitious document.” Very telling.

The evidence the District Attorney is using to prove a “conspiracy” was Trump telling social media followers to watch the news on OANN. If you’ve told anyone to watch the news and you’re a Republican, you might be the next person indicted in Georgia. Worse yet, other evidence used against him was when he tweeted quotes from the U.S. Constitution. We live in a country where states like New York use taxpayer funds to PAY rioters for breaking the law and indict Presidents for telling Americans to watch the news or quoting the Constitution. This must stop!

Based on the standards of District Attorney Fani Willis, I assume we will see her bring indictments against Minority Leader Jeffries, former Speaker Pelosi, and Stacy Abrams as "election deniers" and "conspirators". I won't hold my breath though...

Biden's Failed Inflation Reduction Act

A year ago, I told you how Joe Biden’s ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ did nothing to address inflation and would only make it harder for families to put food on the table and fuel in their cars. This legislation was nothing more than a way to fund the radical “Green New Deal” agenda. It’s estimated that the tax breaks for “green” special interests cost 240% more than anticipated—that’s more than $650 billion. Don’t believe the lies from the left when they tell you these dollars are going to your community. The Joint Committee on Taxation shows that 90% of the tax credits pad the pockets of big business and Wall Street—notice the hypocrisy of the left. This legislation pads the pockets of the elites connected to Joe Biden.

Joe Biden even recently admitted that the legislation was misnamed as it “has less to do with reducing inflation.” Democrats will try and tell you that inflation rates have decreased thanks to this legislation. What is happening is inflation rates are decreasing because interest rates have increased at the fastest pace in U.S. history. The median sales price of a home in the United States is now $410,200. The cost of groceries has increased making it harder to provide for your family. Under Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasted that food prices will increase again by almost 6%. Every driver has experienced a robbery at the gas pump as costs impact both commuters and truckers. As the cost of diesel compounds on truckers, the more food and household goods cost you.

Instead of supporting commonsense legislation that will help everyday Americans and mom-and-pop businesses, Joe Biden gives your tax dollars to China to prop up the electric vehicle (EV) market without a plan to increase energy production in this country. First, China controls the supply chain for the raw materials, like lithium, needed to create batteries for EVs. China uses child labor and has lax environmental standards for mining these minerals. China is playing climate activists and Joe Biden like a fiddle while taking your tax dollars to the bank. Second, look at the rolling blackouts, brownouts and energy rationing that are taking place in places like California. We need an all-of-the-above energy policy that allows for adequate baseload power generation. Joe Biden would rather chase the Green New Deal and leave you in the dark, literally. Here’s what is happening. A person wants to buy an electric vehicle. Joe Biden gives them a tax credit to buy an EV which increases the profitability for China. Then, the government tells you when you can and cannot charge your EV because of the drain on the energy grid. Couple this with the left waging war on gas stoves, pizza ovens and the list goes on.

End of the day, what do we know on the anniversary of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act?

1. Joe Biden admits the legislation does not solve inflation.
2. Citizens are worse off today than before the Biden Administration because the cost of food and fuel has increased, and interest rates are rapidly increasing.
3. China profits off American tax dollars while U.S. citizens experience blackouts.

Anniversary of the Fall of Kabul

Tuesday was the second anniversary of the Fall of Kabul. Instead of having a strategy for pulling out of Afghanistan, Joe Biden haphazardly pulled troops out, leaving a vacuum for the Taliban to take over with fully stocked armories. Worst yet, his actions resulted in the deaths of 13 brave soldiers.

Biden Administration Plays Politics with School Lunches

Currently, 22 states are suing Biden's U.S. Department of Agriculture for its attempt to coerce them into supporting the transgender agenda. It’s despicable that the Biden Administration would stoop so low as to withhold funding for school lunches unless schools:

• Let biological men into women’s locker rooms
• Let boys compete in girls’ sports

Halting Climate Activists and Rogue Courts

On Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit issued a ruling that ensures climate activists and activist courts cannot circumvent the Constitutional authority of Congress in ensuring energy independence. Congress made clear the Mountain Valley Pipeline energy superhighway will be completed to connect the supply in West Virginia to the Southeast.

In July, I joined an amicus brief to the Supreme Court to fight back against those wanting to subvert our laws and lead us down a path of energy dependence, grid instability and blackouts.

Here in South Carolina, we are approaching our maximum natural gas pipeline capacity which could result in lost jobs and blackouts. By ending litigation and restarting construction of the pipeline, we can free up more gas in the current lines to power our homes and businesses, with the promise of additional capacity in the future—not to mention reinstating jobs for construction workers, increasing investments into local communities across the Southeast as well as continuing the payment of royalties to landowners. The ruling from the Fourth Circuit helps support 24/7/365 baseload power for South Carolina.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored Rep Ogles’ Bill to ban the use of federal dollars for any salary payments to John (Jack) Smith.

In the District

Congratulations to Lucas Glover, a former Clemson All-American, on winning the FedEx St. Jude Classic on last Sunday. This was his second consecutive win on the PGA tour, a feat that has not been accomplished by any other former Clemson golfer. Go Tigers!

Newberry's 'Lynch's Woods Park' will soon include the creation of an ADA-compliant trail and parking spaces, a bike repair station, and trail counters. The park will be a great location for the whole family as you adventure and enjoy the outdoors.

The City of Clinton is looking toward the future and is looking for ways to lessen the burden on the city in the future when electric rate hikes are expected. Currently, the city sells excess capacity from the Catawba Nuclear Station. However, the current contract for the sale of excess energy not used by Clinton ends in 2029. City Manager Tom Brooks is working to draft new contracts to support the energy needs of other cities, but also safeguarding citizens against higher energy costs.

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.