January 26, 2024

Friends,   

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

Stand with Texas

Since day one, Joe Biden has chosen to allow an invasion at our southern border, rather than to secure our country.

With the President and Senate refusing to take action for Americans, Texas exerted its right to self-defense and placed barriers to stop the flow of illegals into our nation.

One of the barriers used by Texas was to place razor wire along the Rio Grande to discourage any illegals from making attempts to cross the Rio Grande to infiltrate America.

While America reels from an invasion at the southern border with over 6.7 million encounters since Joe Biden took office, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that border patrol can cut down barricades established by Texas to stop the invasion.

Let's be clear, Joe Biden is responsible for many lives lost at the hands of illegals or by the fentanyl the cartel sends across our southern border.

It’s up to the states to defend themselves.

Stand strong Gov. Abbott and every Texan!

Solving the Border Crisis

Here's what Democrats do not want you to know: there are commonsense solutions to the border crisis. Let me outline a few of my solutions for you.

It’s past time to stop the invasion and secure our border. We can and should build a wall and use funds confiscated from the cartels to pay for it. I introduced HR 776 to make this happen. See me explain the bill here.

If you’re a non-citizen and dangerous enough for law enforcement to put you in the terrorist screening database and we're considering not allowing you to get on a plane, why are you allowed in our country? America is infiltrated by illegals and terrorists. See one of my solutions to secure America now here!

Social Security is only a few years away from insolvency, and the immigration crisis jeopardizes it even more. We must ensure illegal immigrants do not take benefits from hardworking American citizens. Illegals should not profit by coming to America illegally.

Some Democrats want to use illegal aliens to change the proportioning of districts and others want to allow illegals to vote. It's abhorrent that Democrats want to use illegals to amass power in their districts. To protect our country, we must protect the right to vote by defunding any government that allows non-citizens to vote in America.

At the end of the day, Joe Biden’s open border policies result in Americans being killed by illegals, fentanyl flowing freely across America, American school children being forced out of their schools, and the list goes on.

We must close the border and secure America!

However, democrats refuse to look at solutions that American patriots support. In May, the House passed HR2, the Secure the Border Act, to give real solutions to the border crisis Joe Biden allows.

The Senate must take up HR2 today to secure the border and protect Americans from Joe Biden’s failed, open border policies since the Supreme Court is turning its back on the safety of Americans.

I was proud to vote for HR2 because it provides solutions to the border crisis by ending catch and release, restarting construction of the border wall, and closing loopholes in our asylum laws.

It also includes principles from the immigration enforcement package I introduced in February, including cracking down on visa overstays and stepping up the deportation of those on the terror watch list.

This is by far the strongest border security bill to come to the House floor in decades, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take this issue seriously and pass this important legislation.

Biden's Anti-American Energy Policies

The Biden Department of Energy (DOE) announced it will pause liquified natural gas (LNG) export approvals in a decision that plays politics with American energy security to win points with environmental activists.

Joe Biden is jeopardizing American energy security and national security by placing the political demands of environmental activists over the responsibility he bears to ensure affordable, reliable, and clean energy for America.

Unleashing American energy production and exports with American LNG that is 40% cleaner than Russian LNG increases American energy independence and decreases reliance on our adversaries. That’s not a Republican viewpoint, that’s a pro-America viewpoint!

On Wednesday, I pointed out that Biden's order to the DOE, for all intents and purposes, would stall the DOE's assessment of the Calcasieu Pass 2 which will create a terminal on the coast of Louisiana to export LNG. According to reports from POLITICO, the terminal would export 20 million metric tons of LNG annually.

President Biden, you must unleash American energy production and export.

Modernizing America's Pipeline Infrastructure

Between the Biden Administration stopping LNG exports and activist groups aggressively working to shut down pipelines and prevent maintenance, it’s vital Congress acts to reauthorize and modernize pipeline safety while expanding capacity.

Pipelines are key to delivering natural gas into states like South Carolina to ensure a dispatchable, cleaner energy source to increase power generation.

South Carolina is approaching our maximum natural gas pipeline capacity which could result in lost economic opportunity and decreased grid reliability.

In addition to modernizing existing pipelines and constructing new pipeline infrastructure, the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2023 prohibits state and local governments from banning natural gas, gives FERC “backstop” permitting authority, and strengthens penalties for damaging pipelines.

Protecting Student Athletes

As a former student-athlete, I believe it’s important to establish a national standard for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for student-athletes, recruiters, and brands. Congress shouldn’t have to step in to fix this issue, but until we do, NIL standards are subjective based on where you live.

Recently, the House held a hearing on this important issue. You can watch my statement here.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R. 7045, Rep. Miller’s bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to instead give tax credits for individuals who donate to pregnancy support centers.

I cosponsored H.R. 7042, Rep. Mann’s bill that would end the ATF’s zero-tolerance policy towards FFLs, create a neutral appeals process, and allow revoked FFLs to reapply for a license under the new law.

I cosponsored H.R. 7035, Rep. Feenstra’s bill which would repeal the Federal Estate Tax to allow Americans to more easily keep multigenerational businesses and properties.

I cosponsored H.R. 7031, Rep. Biggs’ bill to provide women with the opportunity to see ultrasound images of their unborn child before an abortion to aid them in making the most informed and educated decision possible.

I co-sponsored H. Res. 974, Rep. Moolenaar’s bill to designate Jan. 21-27, 2024, as “National School Choice Week,” in order to help parents learn about the opportunities available to them for their child’s education.

In the District

Clemson University announced plans to open the state's first veterinary school. This College of Veterinary Medicine will allow students to stay in South Carolina to earn their degree and then begin work in their home state, while also attracting students to the state. The school is set to open in the fall of 2026.

Congratulations to the 31 contestants who participated in the "You Are Beautiful Pageant!" This pageant is designed to celebrate people with disabilities and let them just have fun. Thanks to Reagan McCullough and Lauren Ross for creating an event that gives these shining stars a place show the community their talents.

I wanted to share an update on Oconee County Sheriff's Deputy Lucas Watts who was injured in the line of duty late last year. Lucas is currently in rehab and has begun answering questions with a thumbs up or down and by speaking in a whisper! In fact, he is even able to say hello to his infant son. I'm glad to hear about his recovery, and will continue to keep Lucas 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.