April 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 –

Foreign Aid Package

Today, I voted NO on the Democrat Foreign Aid Rule I’m disappointed to see the Republican-controlled House cede power to the Democrats by allowing them to dictate what Rules are brought up for consideration on the House Floor and voting through their preferred legislation.

This Rule ignores the number one issue for Americans—securing our border. Additionally, the Rule presents watered-down versions of bills the House has already delivered to the Senate.

The bills considered under this rule should have included a ‘pay for’—a federal program to defund and reallocate money to cover the cost of the aid.

I stand by securing our border through H.R. 2 which passed in May of 2023 and giving Israel aid via H.R. 6126 which passed the House in November 2023. The Senate should debate the bills, pass them, or amend them for return to the House. That’s the legislative process.

The American people gave the House majority to Republicans. We should stand by the legislation we have passed instead of allowing Democrats to control the Chamber and ‘show vote’ for political cover.

Stand Unapologetically with Israel

On Saturday, April 13, Iran launched an attack on Israel with “hundreds of drones, missiles.”

My heart and prayers are with Israel as they are violently attacked by cowards and Hamas terrorists.

I have and will continue to call on President Joe Biden to give Israel a ‘green light’ to do whatever is necessary to protect their people, their homeland, and their very existence.

My Israeli friends, stand strong and fight hard. Chazak v'amatz—be strong and courageous.

After Iran - the leading sponsor of terrorism - attacked Israel on Saturday, anti-Israel protests have shut down the Golden Gate Bridge, traffic into O’Hare in Chicago, and parts of Lower Manhattan this week.

Americans should never support terrorists over innocent people fighting for freedom from oppression.

If you hear a pro-Palestine protestor or anyone else say “from the river to the sea,” that means they are calling for the complete extermination of Israel. Call anti-Semitism out for what it is, or we will see another Holocaust.

On November 2, the House sent an Israel aid bill to the Senate. It passed the House 226-196. Yet, the Senate killed this aid package a mere 12 days later. I don’t need to hear a plan from any Democrat on how we can help Israel. We have one in HR 6126 that you killed by tabling. If you truly want to help Israel, then pass HR6126 or amend the bill and send it back to the House for debate. That’s the legislative process.

Am I the only one who remembers Joe Biden endangered American lives by negotiating with terrorists by giving them $6 billion and 6 Iranian prisoners in exchange for 6 captured Americans? America should NEVER negotiate with terrorists.

We should strike fear into our enemies so they never think to take an American hostage.

Iran's attack against Israel was with “hundreds of drones, missiles.” The UN sanctioned Iran’s drone and missile program in 2006, but Obama and Biden struck a deal for Iran to remove the sanctions in 2015 in the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Donald Trump reinstated the sanctions in 2020, but Biden again made sure the sanctions expired in 2023.

Why is Biden set on ensuring Iran, the leading sponsor of terrorism, has access to drones and missiles?

American Presidents should strike fear into the enemies of America. Joe Biden only strikes our enemies into fits of laughter.

America needs a leader at the helm.

Biden's Policies Worsen Global Energy Poverty

For the billions in the unempowered world, Joe Biden's LNG ban policy is a backward step that we should not take. Congress should do everything to stop this effort.

This week, I gave an update to the Washington Times on how Biden's LNG freeze is a backward step for all humanity.

Let me be clear, an LNG ban undermines world health & disrupts successful efforts to combat energy poverty.

In my update, I shed light on how the climate policies of the left fail to eradicate energy poverty.

However, we can ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy by opposing Biden’s LNG export ban.

You can read my latest update on how Biden's climate policies wage war on reliable, affordable energy and fail to address global energy poverty here.

The only realistic path toward addressing global energy poverty is for America to produce more, not less, crude oil and natural gas.

Impeachment of Mayorkas

Sec. Mayorkas was impeached by the House for allowing an invasion at the southern border that led to countless murders, children violently raped by illegal aliens, and deadly fentanyl being trafficked across our border by Mexican cartels.

This week, the House Impeachment Managers delivered the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.

Unfortunately, Schumer and the Senate failed to uphold the duties of their Office by refusing to actually hear the Mayorkas impeachment trial.

The Senate has failed the American people.

Border Crisis Rages On

This is day 1,185 of Joe Biden’s Presidency and the Biden Border Crisis.

On day 1, Biden reversed Trump’s border policies. Joe Biden is responsible for the innocent American lives lost at the hands of illegal aliens and fentanyl.

54 convicted sexual predators have tried to get into America through our porous southern border just since October 1, 2023. We literally have child rapists trying to get into America.

How many of the 1.8 million illegal “gotaways” are child rapists?

Call your Senators and Representatives and demand that they build the wall and secure the border today.

Thanks for Visiting

It was great to meet with the Pickens Regional Joint Water System team this week. Thanks for coming to Washington and keeping me informed on issues in Pickens County.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R.8049, Representative Mooney’s bill to prohibit abortion being classified as a medical treatment and exclude elective abortions from eligible health savings account expenses.

I cosponsored H.R.8011, Representative Steube’s bill to designate any foreign entity or organization that is affiliated or controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.  

I cosponsored H.R.7991, Representative Higgins’ bill to prohibit illegal immigrants from Child Tax or Earned Income Tax credits.

I cosponsored H.R.7979, Representative Murphy’s bill to prevent China from evading tariffs on Chinese produced imports.

I cosponsored H.Res.1148, Representative Weber’s resolution to condemn Iran’s internal suppression, sponsorship of global terrorism, and its regional proxy wars.

I cosponsored H.R.7964, Representative Ogles’ bill to prohibit the use of federal funds to establish, implement, or enforce any COVID-19 mask mandate.

I cosponsored H.R.7959, Representative Meuser’s bill to make squatting a deportable offense for illegal immigrants and render them permanently inadmissible for entry to the United States.

I cosponsored H.R.7951, Representative Green’s bill to stop illegal immigrants from boarding flights without proper identification.

I cosponsored H.R.7937, Representative Alford’s bill to eliminate all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government.

I cosponsored H.R.2666, Representative Guthrie's bill to allow live-saving treatment for Americans with rare diseases.

In the District

Make plans to experience the music that inspired Johnny Cash and Pink Floyd as the Piedmont Blues & Roots Festival returns to Laurens, South Carolina on May 4 beginning at 2pm.

On Monday, the City of Anderson broke ground for the renovations to Linley Park. The new park will have an upgraded playground and facilities, as well as be more mobility friendly.

South Carolina law enforcement will begin issuing tickets to drivers whose vehicles have the infamous "Carolina Squat" on May 10. The new law aims to combat vision impairments for drivers and other motorists on South Carolina roads.

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.