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September 22, 2023
Friends,
I hope you and your family are well! I’m reaching out to provide some highlights and a summary of many of the most important recent events in the Third District and in Washington, D.C.
Cut Government Spending
We are quickly approaching the September 30 deadline to complete the appropriations process. Across the Third District and all of America, families are struggling to pay their bills, put food on the table, and keep fuel in their cars. Families are working hard to live on a budget and meet their basic needs. While families struggle, the Federal Government lives beyond its means with ridiculous spending plans that place the burden on our children and grandchildren. In 2019, Democrats used COVID as an excuse to increase spending. The pandemic is over, and we need to cut spending to pre-COVID levels. It's not just COVID spending though. Last Christmas, a bipartisan group of Senators struck a spending deal that increased spending before Republicans had taken control of the House of Representatives. When we talk about budget cuts, we need major cuts at every level of every department. Appropriations is also the way we can bind Joe Biden's hands from funding radical programs. By carefully examining every piece of the budget, we can put restrictions in place to ensure your tax dollars never fund DEI, abortion tourism, flying rainbow flags over U.S. embassies, or drag shows in third-world countries. Hand me a budget and a red pen and I'll show you where we can make common-sense cuts. It's past time the Government lives on a tight budget and stops increasing our now $33 trillion debt.
Protecting Second Amendment Rights
The ATF is once again restricting Constitutional rights, setting unreasonable compliance mechanisms, and targeting law-abiding citizens, not criminals. According to a new proposed rule, a citizen cannot privately sell a firearm to another citizen without being considered a business and requiring they have an FFL license. Citizens are not considered businesses if they sell their cars or any other item. This is a blatant attempt to curtail the Constitutional freedoms of Americans.
Biden Puts a Target on Every American
The Biden Administration negotiated a prisoner swap with Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism, and put a target on the back of every American. Biden traded 5 Americans for 5 Iranians and gave Iran $6 billion dollars. America should NEVER pay ransoms as it sends a message to nefarious countries that they can target American citizens and get a payday from the government. It’s time we get tough on sponsors of terrorism, not negotiate with them.
Southern States Energy Board
This week, elected officials from across the Southeast came to the Upstate for their 63rd Annual Meeting. As you know, I serve as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security. I have and will continue to fight back against Joe Biden's war on energy which amplifies grid instabilities, drives costs up for consumers, and weakens our national security. Thanks to the Southern States Energy Board and Governor McMaster for the opportunity to share about the work my Committee is doing to bring energy prices down and deliver reliable, affordable, and clean energy for Americans. Our state and country need more electricity and more options to generate that power. I’m proud to lead efforts in Congress to bring more generation online so all Americans can have access to reliable and affordable energy.
Have You Seen Our F-35?
On Sunday, we heard that a pilot ejected from one of our military F-35s and the plane was missing. Joint Base Charleston requested the public's help in finding the missing aircraft. While the aircraft debris was located on Monday, it’s important we get to the bottom of how we lost an F-35 that has an $80 million dollar price tag. America looks sophomoric when we lose a fighter jet and have to rely on tip lines to find it.
Clean American Natural Gas
On Monday, I testified before the House Rules Committee urging my colleagues to support H.R.1130 the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential of 2023 Act. America has some of the largest reserves of energy anywhere in the world. This legislation would help stop our dependency on adversaries. By passing this legislation, we can allow the safe and reliable supply of natural gas that creates jobs, bolsters our economy, and allows for clean American energy to be exported to our allies. Energy independence is America’s priority and it’s my priority.
Reliable, Clean Hydropower
On Wednesday, I led the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security in holding a hearing on “American Hydropower: Unleashing Reliable, Clean Power Across the U.S.” I remain focused on enacting policy that delivers affordable, reliable, and clean energy to all Americans and hydropower is essential to this mission. Unfortunately, hydropower relicensing is among the most complicated and bureaucratic permitting processes in the U.S. Nearly half of the nonfederal U.S. hydropower fleet will be up for relicensing in 2035. The current process creates uncertainty and confusion and ends up costing millions of dollars. Recently, Duke Energy filed to relicense the existing Bad Creek Facility in Salem, SC and also expressed a desire to build a second powerhouse that would offer an additional 1,600 megawatts of storage capacity that would help to integrate carbon-free generation across the Carolinas. While I'm working to lower energy prices and ensure power generation, Joe Biden forces rush-to-green policies that:
- Increase grid instability leading to blackouts.
- Raise energy costs on families who are already crippled by Bidenomics.
- Makes us more dependent on adversaries like China.
Hypocrisy of Climate Change Radicals
Countless radicals claim doomsday comes from fossil fuels, but then they use fossil fuels to charge their electric vehicle (EV) or even power their home during natural disasters. If they want to get rid of fossil fuels, then they need to be consistent and only charge their EVs by using wind and solar. Let’s see how many of these self-proclaimed environmental experts are willing to rely on a purely intermittent energy source. Because the wind doesn’t always blow and peak energy demand is when the sun is going down, we need an all-the-above energy policy. Our sources of energy should work in tandem with one another. For example, South Carolina could utilize solar in combination with nuclear energy to ensure 24/7, reliable, affordable, and clean energy.
Legislative Action
I cosponsored H.R.5646, Rep. McBath's Bill, to require colleges and universities to disclose hazing incidents.
I cosponsored H.R.5634, Rep. Good's Bill, to ensure colleges and universities cannot force students or employees to take a COVID jab.
I cosponsored H.Res.717, Rep. McBath's Resolution, to recognize September 25–29 as "National Hazing Awareness Week."
I cosponsored H.R.5577, Rep. Roy's Bill, to repeal prohibitions relating to freely accessing clinic entrances (FACE Act) which is used to infringe on the rights of pro-life activists.
I cosponsored H.R.5495, Rep. Lesko's Bill, to stop email providers from using algorithms that flag political emails, to which citizens have subscribed, as spam.
In the District
The Miracle League started its third season this week in Fountain Inn. The league exists to let all kids play baseball. Team members from the Fountain Inn High School baseball team support the special ability children who play in the Miracle League. If you get a chance, make sure you go cheer on these special athletes. Let's play ball!
Congratulations to Pastor David Gallamore of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, SC for celebrating 40 years of ministry. Pastor Gallamore was presented the Order of the Palmetto and the City of Easley recognized David Gallamore Day. Pastor, thank you for serving the Easley community.
Krista Smith and Carmela Jacobs joined other high school students in South Carolina for the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation's 2023 Youth Leadership Conference in McCormick, SC. They learned about the skills needed to be leaders in the agriculture industry in South Carolina. It's great to see students taking an interest in supporting family farms and continuing our commitment to agriculture.
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.
Blessings and Liberty,
Jeff Duncan
Member of Congress
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