March 22, 2024

Friends,   

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

Another Omnibus, Another NO

Today, I voted NO on the Senate omnibus because I believe we should be making massive cuts to Federal spending.

We must rein in our out-of-control spending that has us $34 trillion in debt.

The rampant Senate earmarks and countless conservative policy concessions prove this is nothing more than another Swamp Omnibus that should be rejected. You only need to look at the victory lap being taken by liberals supporting this bill to know it is bad for America.

While there are many reason to vote no on this failed spending bill that does not secure the border or tackle America's rising debt. I will share a few key reasons I oppose this bill.

I voted NO on the Swamp Omnibus because liberals included funding in Defense spending for abortion tourism, continue DEI in the federal government, forces the woke climate agenda on Americans, and continues to pay the Salary of Secretary of Defense Austin who went AWOL this year.

Liberals are treating the federal budget and your tax dollars like their personal slush fund to indoctrinate your children. Don’t take my word for it, here’s proof of $400,000 earmarked for Garden State Equality Education Fund, Inc. that promotes things like networking events for drag queens and “gender-affirming” undergarments. This is how liberals want to spend your tax dollars in the Swamp Omnibus.

It’s an election year so the Senate has made sure to earmark $322,000 for the Steamfitters Local Union in the swing state of PA. Since the Steamfitters Union boasts that they spend $300 million annually for training, I’m sure they must have a need for over $322k of your tax money. This is where liberals want to send your money instead of using it to stop the invasion at our southern border.

Liberals are celebrating that the Swamp Omnibus will allow your tax dollars to “cover the cost of gender-affirming care” for those enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan. There are only two genders: male and female. Your tax dollars should never be used to fund someone’s fairytale that they can be any gender they want.

With more than 8.7 million illegal border crossings since Biden took office and the Biden Border Crisis rages on, the Swamp Omnibus has ZERO funding for a border wall. I voted NO on the omnibus because we must build a wall and secure the border.

Here’s the bottom line on the Swamp Omnibus. America is $34 trillion in debt with an active invasion at our southern border. Americans are struggling to put food on the table, gas in their cars, and to even pay their mortgage.

Meanwhile, liberals in Washington are playing fast and loose with your tax dollars and spending money that does not exist.

Our federal budget should stop the invasion by building a border wall; defund Critical Race Theory; stop Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government; defund taxpayer-funded transgender surgeries in the DOD; prohibit the out-of-control climate agenda that threatens American energy security. This spending bill does the exact opposite of what Americans demand from Congress.

I’m standing with my constituents in the Third District and with patriotic Americans across the country in rejecting this bill.

Energy Week in the House

This week in the House, Republicans fought back against Joe Biden’s war on energy by debating 6 pieces of legislation.

Biden’s policies wage war on energy because he favors environmental and climate activists over energy independence, national security, and ensuring everyday Americans have reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

My bill, H.R. 1121 the Protecting American Energy Production Act, is a commonsense measure that ensures no President has the unilateral power to shut down fracking. This legislation also makes it clear that no President should have the power to stop any of our domestic energy production—that power should reside with Congress and the States.

America must unleash an all-the-above energy policy, not allow a President to unilaterally shut down domestic energy production or fracking.

H.R. 1121 passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 229-188.

I’m proud to have protected America’s ability to harvest our vast natural resources and convert them to power from Joe Biden’s hopes of "no more drilling.”

Since day one, Biden has waged war on energy and pushed America to the precipice of an energy crisis. I’m proud of my work in Congress on behalf of all Americans to stop Biden’s work to make us reliant on adversaries for energy and to close reliable energy generation.

I’m proud to lead House Republicans in unleashing an all-the-above energy policy that ensures America becomes energy independent.

Expanding Pipeline Infrastructure

On Wednesday, the House Energy & Commerce Committee debated 28 bills focused on improving America’s global position regarding energy, the environment, patient health, and safeguarding communication networks.

My bill, H.R. 7655 the Pipeline Safety, Modernization, and Expansion Act of 2024, modernizes and expands US pipeline infrastructure by prohibiting natural gas bans, implementing permitting reform, strengthening pipeline safety, and reducing emissions by encouraging investment in carbon capture and storage.

I'm proud to say this bill passed Committee and is heading toward the Floor of the House. It's vital we deliver our natural resources to the states to ensure America's energy security.

Justice for Parker Egbert

On Thursday, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee discussed “Safety Measures Implemented to Protect Athletes.” One of the organizations testifying was SafeSport which is designed to stop sexual abuse in sports.

I questioning SafeSport CEO Ju'Riese Colón about the failures in SafeSport that allowed the brutal rape and abuse of Parker Egbert by alleged serial abuser, Robert Griswold.

Let me share Parker's story.

Parker Egbert is a fantastic swimmer who has an intellectual disability. Griswold has a physical disability and no mental or intellectual disabilities affecting his judgment of right and wrong.

A major power imbalance was created by pairing an intellectually impaired athlete with a physically impaired athlete.

Parker was forced to be roommates with Griswold at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center in a situation that was ripe for abuse.

According to court documents, Parker was abused physically, sexually, and mentally by his roommate, Robert Griswold. Also according to court documents, Parker was raped in the showers, punched, withheld food, and forced to watch pornography—all by Griswold.

Griswold was added to the SafeSport database in September 2020 for a separate incident, but was still allowed to room with Parker and was given a supervisory position over him.

According to court documents, Parker now requires extensive physical therapy due to his trauma from the abuse at the hands of Robert Griswold.

Parker’s family told me that the honor of representing our great country was completely taken away by the hands of a monster.

SafeSport has yet to give answers on why Griswold, with prior allegations of abuse and placement in the SafeSport database, was assigned as Parker’s roommate or even allowed to attend the Tokyo Games.

Let’s be clear, Parker Egbert is a victim.

Robert Griswold is a serial abuser and predator according to court documents.

SafeSport is not delivering justice for Parker.

Bidenomics Drives Up Foreclosures

Every American knows that under Joe Biden's economic policies it's harder to put food on the table and gas in their cars. Unfortunately, Bidenomics also means you can't cover your mortgage.

Foreclosures are going up while home affordability is at its worst. In South Carolina, foreclosures increased 51%.

Joe Biden’s economic policies are failing America.

In the District

Great news for my fellow anglers as Visit Anderson, the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Anderson County, recently announced multiple fishing tournaments will come to the area soon. The Hartwell Slam, an Association of Collegiate Anglers event, will be held in mid-April. Later in August, the region will welcome the Bassmaster College National Championship. Lastly, the new National Professional Fishing League will also hold a tournament in the county this year.

Clemson University and the SC Forestry Commission are working together to rid the state of invasive Bradford Pear Trees. You can get up to 5 native trees if you chop down an equal number of Bradford Pears on your land. Learn more about the requirements and see where to claim you trees here.

Spring is here which means it's a great time to visit somewhere new in the Third District. Tomorrow from 10a-2p, there will be a Spring Craft Show at the Uptown Market in Greenwood. Make plans to experience Greenwood, try the food, and see the art at the show this weekend.

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.