December 8, 2023

Friends,   

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

Hunter Biden Indicted

On Thursday, Hunter Biden was indicted for tax evasion, failure to pay his taxes, and filing false tax returns. Hunter owed at least $1.4 million in unpaid taxes that he spent on drugs and cars.

After Republicans' extensive oversight which led to the discovery of the "sweetheart plea deal" being offered to Hunter by the Justice Department, these new indictments combined with bank records revealed by the Committee on Oversight and Accountability prove why we must continue the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden.

Remember, Joe Biden claimed in October of 2020 that he did not make money from China. In reality, Joe Biden was accepting $40,000 of laundered Chinese money. That $40,000 was laundered from Northern International Capital through Hunter’s businesses and Joe Biden’s family to put $40,000 in “the Big Guys” pocket.

Joe Biden must answer to the American people.

Atomic Energy Advancement Act

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security, I worked tirelessly to deliver drastic, meaningful reforms to preserve America’s nuclear fleet and increase nuclear power generation.

My colleagues know that America is on the precipice of a countrywide energy crisis and voted on Tuesday to provide commonsense solutions for all Americans by passing my Atomic Energy Advancement Act out of the Energy & Commerce Committee.

America’s demand for electricity continues to grow, placing our Nation on the precipice of a countrywide energy crisis. Nuclear energy is reliable, affordable, and clean. It makes up half of the United States’ clean energy, provides 20% of the nation’s power, and over half of the clean power generation in South Carolina.

The American Energy Advancement Act bolsters American nuclear independence to keep the power on for Americans and safeguards national security through energy security.

Restoring American leadership in nuclear energy and technology is critical to our economic and national security. My bill, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, was passed through the Energy & Commerce Committee this week and is ready to be debated on the Floor. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation because expanding nuclear energy and increasing deployment of American nuclear technology is essential for:

1. Providing reliable, affordable, and clean energy to Americans.
2. Reducing emissions.
3. Building durable economic and strategic relationships around the world.

I'm fulfilling my commitment to delivering reliable, affordable, and clean energy for all Americans. Now, we take the legislation to the floor and enact the most significant update to nuclear energy policy in the United States in over a generation.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, America was attacked and 2,403 Americans died at Pearl Harbor. America rallied together to overcome that day of infamy and destroy evil regimes. We remember each serviceman and civilian who was killed that fateful day.

Protecting Your Freedom To Choose Your Vehicle

The Government has ZERO role in picking winners and losers in energy through an electric vehicle (EV) mandate. To stop the Biden Administration’s pushing of America in a direction that doesn’t work for all citizens, I spoke out this week to protect the right of Americans to choose what vehicle is best for them. Let’s be clear, EVs will be a part of our energy matrix, but EVs do not work for every American.

I voted in favor of The CARS Act because I refuse to allow Joe Biden to make America more dependent on China. The CARS Act stops Biden’s attempt to strip the freedom of Americans to choose the vehicle that works for them. China controls the supply chain for EV batteries. Here’s the facts:

1. China uses coal-fired power plants to create renewables for America.
2. Some smog on the West Coast can be attributed to China, not US emissions.
3. Forcing Americans to use EVs increases our dependence on China, our adversary.

Antisemitism in Higher Ed

This week, the Presidents of MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard refused to say that calling for the genocide of Jews is a violation of their respective school’s code of conduct. This is ludicrous in every way!

If a student calls for the death and destruction of a subset of your students and an entire race, that is bullying and harassment—it’s really that simple.

Censuring Representative Jamaal Bowman

On September 30, Rep. Bowman set off a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building which caused evacuations in the building and impeded Congressional business.

As Bowman pled guilty to violating the law by giving a false alarm about a fire, I voted to censure him today. Learn more here.

70 Years of "Live, Local, Breaking News"

This December, WYFF News 4 is celebrating 70 years of “Live, Local, Breaking News!”

WYFF News 4 has kept the Upstate informed on innumerable local events, heartwarming stories, storms, and national emergencies. Carol, Nigel, Jane, and the rest of the WYFF team, thank you for continuing the station’s legacy.

It was a privilege to honor them from the Floor of the House. Here’s to the next 70 years! Watch my remarks here.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R. 6625, Rep. Russell Fry’s bill to encourage The Secretary of Defense to release a report on the effects the China spy balloon had on our national security.

I cosponsored H.R. 6619, Rep. Michael Cloud’s bill to prevent the Department of Justice from using section 9 or 10 of the act of March 3, 1899, for border security reasons.

I cosponsored H.R. 6615, Rep. Jim Banks’s bill to create an office the Office of the Special Inspector General that handles Discrimination in Education.

I cosponsored H.R. 6612, Rep. Brian Babin’s bill to re-instate section 301 of the Immigration Nationality Act to explicate the classes of newly born Citizens of the United States.

I cosponsored H.R 6570, Rep. Andy Biggs’s bill to protect the Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act.  

I cosponsored H.R. 6563, Rep. Scott Perry’s bill to revoke the Secretary of Transportation from being required to supply specific regulations for technology for impaired driving.

I cosponsored H.R. 6558, Rep. Andrew Ogles’s bill to ban the rule “Upholding Civil Service Protections and Merrit Systems Principles” from being enacted.

I cosponsored H.Res.905, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar’s bill to Commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine.

I cosponsored H.R. 5796, Rep. Michelle Fischbach’s bill to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from finalizing a proposed rule regarding minimum staffing for nursing facilities, and to establish an advisory panel on the nursing home workforce.

In the District

Additive Plastics Group announced this week an expansion to their facility in Anderson County. The company will invest $6.2 million dollars to ensure they fulfill consumer demand. The expansion will also bring new jobs to Anderson County. Congratulations to Additive Plastics Group!

The school districts in Saluda, Aiken, Edgefield and Bamburg will receive grants from the State of South Carolina to enhance school safety. Schools should be places of learning for reading, writing, and arithmetic and these grants will bolster security in some school districts in the Third District.

Following the shooting of Corporal Lucas Watts of the Oconee Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff's Office announced they will equip police cruisers with bulletproof glass to protect each of their officers. Cpl. Watts is still recovering from the shooting and has a long recovery ahead of him. I am continuing to keep him, and his family, in my prayers.

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.