January 19, 2024

Friends,   

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

NO on the CR

With America at $34 trillion in debt and a porous southern border that Biden refuses to secure, I voted NO on the haphazard Continuing Resolution (CR) just like I've voted NO on countless CRs, omnibus, and minibus spending packages through the years!

Americans demand that Congress cut the bloated, reckless spending and I agree! We need to make massive cuts to our spending and ensure conservative priorities are included in any negotiation with the Senate.

Here’s an idea, shut down the border or shut down the government.

Bolstering American LNG

On Tuesday, I joined the Carolinas Natural Gas Coalition to speak to the SC Natural Gas Summit today on how America has the vast natural resources like natural gas to be energy independent.

American LNG exports are 40% cleaner than Russian LNG and our exports allow our allies to reduce their dependence on Russia, bolstering our Nation’s national security.

I’m fighting back against the Biden Administration’s attempts to block LNG exports as it would severally impact our national security and global influence.

Proudly Pro-Life

Today, citizens from across the country are in Washington to stand up for the unborn and to demand that life is protected. Thank you to everyone who marched for life today. Together, we will end abortion!

Yesterday, I voted in favor of HR6914 which will ensure pregnant women at college are informed of their rights and the legally required accommodations available to them on campus as they carry the baby to full term.

No woman should have to choose between going to school and having a baby. This legislation ensures that every woman is given the information and resources needed to have their baby and earn their degree.

This is what compassion and care look like. It does not look like Democrats attempting to kill babies through abortion.

I’m proud to receive an A+ rating on the Susan B. Anthony National Pro-Life Scorecard. I unashamedly will protect the right to life and ensure not $1 of your taxes funds an abortion to kill a baby.

Expanding U.S. Pipeline Infrastructure

On Thursday, I chaired a hearing on Fueling America’s Economy: Legislation to Improve Safety and Expand U.S. Pipeline Infrastructure.

The hearing focused on the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2023. Introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and me, the bill looks at how Congress can modernize and expand our pipeline infrastructure.

Pipelines are among the safest and most efficient ways to move fuels, but activist groups are aggressively working to shutdown pipelines and prevent maintenance.

South Carolina relies heavily on nuclear power and natural gas for electric generation to keep our homes and businesses powered. Pipelines are the key to safely bringing cleaner, dispatchable energy to South Carolina.

Currently, South Carolina is approaching our maximum natural gas pipeline capacity which could result in lost jobs and blackouts.

It’s past time to build a robust pipeline system by strengthening safety, expanding infrastructure, reforming permitting, lowering energy prices by protecting fuel choice, and reducing emissions.

Protecting Your Right to Vote

In December, the Colorado Supreme Court clearly acted outside of its judicial powers by removing Trump from the ballot—a clear act of election interference.

Instead of winning at the ballot box, radical Democrats want to strip away the right of voters to cast a ballot for a candidate of their choosing. That is something seen in dictatorial regimes, not a free America.

I proudly stand with Rep. Scalise, Sen. Cruz, 136 House colleagues, and 41 Senators in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging them to stop the abuse of power seen in Colorado. Read the brief here.

Government Overreach

On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee took action on evidence obtained by the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government showing an invasion into the privacy of Americans through financial institutions.

It’s unacceptable that federal law enforcement scrapped the data of American citizens from financial institutions. To build profiles of “extremism,” they searched your bank records to look for connections to “TRUMP” and “MAGA,” as well as to see if you bought a Bible or shopped at any outdoor store that sells firearms.

It’s imperative that House Republicans stand up for Americans and stop the flagrant, baseless attempts to classify conservatives as extremists for owning a Bible, shopping at an outdoor store, or supporting Donald Trump.

Protecting Public Land

On December 15, I joined colleagues in pushing back on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposal to list Natural Asset Companies (NACs) on the NYSE. NACs are rights to public and private land that can be sold or purchased by foreign entities to fully control economic activity on that land.

Due to our pushback, the SEC announced this week that they had withdrawn their proposal regarding NACs.

This is a victory for the protection and management of public lands. 

Legislative Action

I cosponsored HR 7027, Rep. Steube’s amendment to ensure that non-profits and other organizations are protected against being managed as beneficiaries of federal assistance.

I cosponsored HR 6942, Rep. Rosendale’s bill that would add verification of citizenship status to census data collection efforts to ensure congressional elections and reappointments.

I cosponsored HR 6939, Rep. Rosendale’s bill that would advise the United States Secretary of Homeland Security to continue to move forward with the Migrant Protection Protocols.

I cosponsored HR 6934, Rep. Foxx’s bill to safeguard the natural right of parents to have control over their child’s life and future.

In the District

Congratulations to Laurens County's Walter Todd Sr. who was recently inducted into the South Carolina Golf Association Hall of Fame. Todd has competed in national, international, state and local events for 40 years and claimed numerous titles like the SCGA and Carolinas Golf Associations Mid-Am Championships. Well done Todd!

Students in South Carolina will now be able to save money and transfer 30 or more credits from one of 16 technical colleges in South Carolina to either Clemson University or the University of South Carolina. The institutions announced a the new program that is designed to make college more accessible while also bolstering South Carolina's workforce. Learn more about the program here.

Great work by Anderson County Sheriff's Office deputies who located a missing child from Anderson this week. The child ran away on January 11 and located him on January 18. Always be sure to thank our law enforcement officers and first responders for their selfless service to our community!

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.