March 1, 2024

Friends,   

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

Remember Laken Riley

My heart breaks for the parents, family, and friends of Laken Riley who was murdered at the University of Georgia.

José Antonio Ibarra has been arrested for violently murdering Laken. It’s reported that Ibarra is an illegal alien who Joe Biden’s administration caught and released.

Laken Riley’s death could have been avoided if Joe Biden's policies had not undone Donald Trump’s immigration polices and Biden had enforced the law.

Laken Riley is a victim of Biden’s Border Crisis. Remember her name.

Atomic Energy Advancement Act

On Thursday, the House passed the my bill, HR 6544 the Atomic Energy Advancement Act by 365-36.

I’ve worked tirelessly in Congress to preserve America’s nuclear fleet and increase nuclear power generation through meaningful reforms—the Atomic Energy Advancement Act does just that.

The Act restores American leadership in nuclear energy and technology which is critical to our economic and national security. I’m proud to lead the most significant update to nuclear energy policy in the United States in over a generation.

Nuclear power delivers reliable, affordable, and clean energy to all Americans. With America’s electrical grid powering hospitals, military bases, homes, and businesses, we must build up reliable, dispatchable energy resources.

This legislation bolsters American nuclear independence to keep the power on for Americans and safeguards national security through energy security.

South Carolina is growing which means our power demand is increasing. Our home state uses twice as much energy as we produce which is leading to a resource adequacy crisis in the state—while the Nation also sits on the precipice of an energy crisis. The good news for South Carolina is that we are blessed with expertise in nuclear technology.

My Atomic Energy Advancement Act will modernize licensing and streamline regulations around nuclear production. It also requires the NRC to conduct efficient, timely, and predictable licensing processes while establishing and regularly updating metrics and milestones to measure licensing performance to meet efficiency goals.

Expanding nuclear energy and increasing deployment of American nuclear technology both here and abroad is essential for:

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

Today, nuclear energy currently makes up half of America’s carbon-free energy, provides 20% of the nation’s power, and generates over half of South Carolina’s total power and over 90% of the state’s carbon-free power.

The Atomic Energy Advancement Act will lead toward America’s energy independence and bolster national security.

I urge my colleagues in the Senate to urgently take up this bipartisan bill and send it to the President’s desk to keep the lights on for Americans.

Learn more here.

Understanding the Border Crisis

Just in FY24, America has had 1 million+ encounters with illegal immigrants. America is suffering from Biden’s Border Crisis, but the Senate also bears some of the blame.

The Senate must pass HR 2 today, and Joe Biden must sign it. We can secure the border and stop the lawlessness that results in countless American deaths like Laken Riley.

Nationwide since Joe Biden took office, we experienced 8.7 million illegal border crossings. Yet, Sec. Mayorkas wants you to think “the border is not open.” Since day 1 of Biden’s Presidency, the border has been wide open for illegals.

We have Chinese, Venezuelans, and countless others illegally entering America. We have no idea who is in our Nation nor their intentions.

We know that 340+ people on the terrorist watch list have tried to enter America. The Biden Border Crisis rages on and Americans suffer while Biden's policies pander to radical leftists for political points.

More than 20,000 Chinese nationals have exploited our porous southern border. The Chinese Communist Party is taking advantage of Biden’s Border Crisis to infiltrate America.

Our national security is at risk and Joe Biden's policies are responsible.

For example, January 2024 marked the 35th straight month of record high encounters of illegal immigrants at just the southern border. Joe Biden's policies opened the floodgates, and they are responsible for the invasion of illegals that’s decimating our country.

Standing for Life

Joe Biden's policies are radically opposed to the Constitution and the values of South Carolinians. Just this week, Biden promised to veto any national abortion ban.

What this really means is Joe Biden proudly supports murdering innocent babies.

I have and will always stand up for the unborn!

Election Day vs. Election Season

A Delaware Court struck down the state's early voting (10 Days) and sided with language in their Constitution that sets Election Day. This may be one of the most monumental cases that I believe goes to SCOTUS. It puts an end to “Election Season” and gets back to “Election Day.”

We should all follow this as appeals happen and see if the US Supreme Court eventually weighs in on the case.

In 2020, we saw individual Election Commissioners, Secretaries of State and, in the case of Pennsylvania, the State Supreme Court all make election decisions concerning how their elections would be held—i.e. early and absentee voting, mail-in ballots, etc.

This is contrary to the US Constitution which gives that power solely to the Legislatures in the States.

Bidenomics: A Failing Grade

Ronald Reagan was right, the “nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help.”

Joe Biden’s economic policies have done nothing but hurt Americans by taking more of their hard-earned money out of their pockets.

In fact, Bidenomics has destroyed the American dream of home ownership. Average mortgage payments are now at $3,322/mo which is 90% higher than three years ago.

In Joe Biden’s economy, it’s harder for you to put food on the table and to have a home where you can live.

Term Limit Congress

For a functioning government that always puts the best interests of citizens first, it’s vital we enact term limits on Members of Congress just like we have on the President.

I’ve supported term limits since before I came to Congress. Tuesday, on National Term Limits Day, I called on Congress to finally set term limits that over 87% of Americans support.

South Carolina Ten-Year Energy Transformation Act

I commend the Speaker of the SC House of Representatives Murrell Smith and the cosponsors of H. 5118 the South Carolina Ten-Year Energy Transformation Act for making energy a priority in the Statehouse.

The JUSTICE Act

Why has America not banned child sex abuse dolls and robots from being imported to the US?

My bill HR 148, the JUSTICE Act, stops groomers from getting these obscenities that China makes and sends around the world. China is feeding the desires of pedophiles and predators with these dolls.

Leftists Are Soft On Crime

This week, Joe Biden met with Sheriffs at the White House to talk about crime in America.

Americans know that under Joe Biden's leadership we have looting, police officers attacked and killed, fentanyl killing innocent Americans, and Americans being killed by illegal aliens.

Joe Biden should resign in disgrace immediately.

American Energy Independence

Biden sells out America's national security—bending to political demands of environmental & climate activists. He wages war on American energy and making us reliant on adversaries like Russia and China. America can, and should, be energy independent.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R.7455, Rep. Emmer’s bill which will protect American citizens by reducing excessive government spending by holding government agencies accountable.

I cosponsored H.Res.1031, Rep. Lesko’s resolution to resolve that the current crisis taking place at the Southern border of our nation is deemed a national security threat and an invasion. 

In the District

30% of South Carolina jobs are tied to the more than 6,000 manufacturing facilities in our state. The SC Manufacturers Alliance is looking to find the “Coolest Thing Made In SC.” Follow along and as they find the coolest SC-made product!

The US Mint began selling the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin "to honor the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II." The Mint created $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and $0.50 coins. You can see the different coins and learn more here.

South Carolina is full of heroes. Four heroes were honored recently in Clinton for saving A'Rhyan, 11 years old, who was attacked by a pack of dogs on his way to school. Natasha Sims saw the vicious attack, called for help from 9-1-1, and then rushed to A'Rhyan's aid by chasing off the dogs. When police arrived, they also jumped into action to ensure the pack of dogs would not harm others in the community. Thanks to Natasha and the three responding officers for looking after your community and protecting A'Rhyan.

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.