May 10, 2024

Friends,   

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

Preparing for the Nuclear Renaissance

On Wednesday, I voted YES on S.870 which included text from my Atomic Energy Advancement Act.

This vote by the House sends the largest update in nuclear energy policy in decades back to the Senate for ratification before it goes to the President’s desk. This legislation brings us one step closer to energy independence and being prepared for our coming nuclear renaissance.

I’m proud to have tirelessly led Congress on this bipartisan and bicameral bill to restore America’s leadership in nuclear energy by increasing nuclear power generation with long overdue reforms.

I urge the Senate to quickly ratify this bill, and President Biden to urgently sign this bill to enact licensing modernizations and to streamline regulations on the production of nuclear energy.

With the President’s signature, this bill will reduce emissions; fortify our economic and strategic positioning globally; and provide reliable, affordable, and clean energy for all Americans.

Protecting Freedom & Liberty

On Monday, I testified at the Rules Committee in support of HR6192 to fight back against the Biden Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts to ban natural gas appliances through efficiency standards.

I will not let Biden take away your freedom to choose the energy source that’s best for your home.

These DOE appliance standards are Big Government on steroids!

Joe Biden wants to tell you what car to drive, how much water you can use in your shower, and how to cook your food.

The DOE's rogue appliance standards policies increase the costs on citizens already struggling under skyrocketing inflation caused by Biden’s failed economic policies and wasteful Washington spending.

Watch some of my testimony here.

Confronting Antisemitism in America

This week, I became an original co-sponsor of two bills introduced by Congressman Andy Ogles.

First, the Antisemitism Community Service Act anyone convicted of committing a crime on a college or university beginning on October 7, 2023 to be required to fulfill at least 6 months of community service in Gaza.

Terrorist sympathizers have taken over college campuses and run the risk of creating home-grown terrorist cells.

If these radical terrorist sympathizers break the law while protesting on college campuses in support of Hamas & Palestine, then their punishment should be community service hours in Gaza.

Let these wannabe terrorists see what living in a terrorist regime state looks like. I guarantee they will all return to America begging for the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, not the Hamas authoritarian regime that rapes and murders innocent Israelis.

Second, the Study Abroad Act invalidates the visa of any student visa holder who is arrested for rioting, unlawful protest, or participating in any encampment on an American university.

If you come to America on a student visa and support a terrorist organization like Hamas, then you are in violation of your visa. We do not need Hamas sympathizers on American soil breaking our laws and influencing our youth to hate America and freedom. You riot on behalf of a terrorist organization, then say goodbye to your visa.

Further, radical leftists control our educational institutions that promote gender transitioning kids, Marxism, DEI, and now coddling terrorist sympathizers.

It’s time for new leadership at Columbia University. Many of the Columbia class of 2024 missed high school graduation because of COVID lockdowns.

Now, they will miss the full college graduation experience because President Shafik at Columbia chose to allow pro-Hamas protestors to take over the school.

Columbia should say goodbye to Shafik, and bring in a President who is ready to educate the next generation instead of antisemitic terrorist wannabes.

Briefing with Trump's Secretary of State

This week, I introduced my friend and President Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a meeting of the Republican Study Committee which is known as the conservative conscience of the House.

Secretary Pompeo gave an update on the clear and present threat of China and Iran, as well as shared how vital American energy production is for leverage in international negotiations.

Fighting Back Against Putin

This week, I had the honor of joining Speaker Johnson, Energy & Commerce Committee Chair Rodgers, and Senator Barrasso for an Enrollment Ceremony for H.R. 1042 which means the bill is heading to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.

H.R. 1042 bans the import of Russian low-enriched uranium.

This bill not only ensures America is not beholden to Russia for our fuel supply, but also sends the industry a signal to invest and build out infrastructure for American-made uranium.

Motion to Vacate

On Wednesday, the House tabled a motion to Vacate the Chair which would remove Mike Johnson as Speaker.

I voted to table the motion and not throw out the Speaker. Just as you don’t fire the coach in the middle of the game in football or basketball, we shouldn’t fire the Speaker in the middle of a session where we need to pass vital legislation for Americans.

President Trump and countless Republicans agree that we should not oust Speaker Johnson.

Let me be clear, Speaker Johnson was nominated by the Republican Conference for this role, and I have always stood with any nominee from the Conference.

While I do have differences in policy, strategy, and tactics with the Speaker, I will note he was given possibly the worst poker hand ever dealt to a Speaker.

Now that this vote is behind us, I urge Speaker Johnson to prioritize the biggest issues facing America.

First, build the wall and secure our border.

Second, drastically cut America’s out-of-control spending.

Third, unleash an all-the-above energy policy that gives Americans reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R. 8322, Rep. Andy Ogles’ bill that would revoke the visas of non-citizens for participating in riots and illegal activities on college campuses.

I cosponsored H.R. 8321, Rep. Andy Ogles’ bill that would require people convicted of rioting or supporting encampments on college campuses since October 7th, 2023 to provide their community service in Gaza.

I cosponsored H.R. 8304, Rep. Russell Fry’s bill that would protect universities and student athletes from Name-Image-Likeness (NIL) litigation so that universities and the NCAA can enforce their current rules and properly compensate student-athletes.

I cosponsored H.J. Res. 138, Rep. August Pfluger’s resolution that would prevent taxpayer money from being used on healthcare benefits for illegal aliens.

I cosponsored H.Res. 1211, Rep. Dan Bishop’s resolution that condemns the anti-American, anti-Israel, and antisemitic protests occurring on college campuses in our nation.

I cosponsored H.R. 8284, Rep. Greg Steube’s bill that prevents Medicare funds from being given to health care providers that knowingly provides chemical abortion drugs to patients through telehealth visits.

I cosponsored H.R. 8211, Rep. Debbie Lesko’s bill that would prevent former federal employees from making money off of drugs and medical devices that they oversaw the funding and approval of during their time in federal service.

In the District

Mother's Day is this Sunday! Don't forget to celebrate your mom. I wish I could tell my sweet Mom Happy Mother's Day one more time!

Congratulations to Newberry College on its new partnership with the South Carolina Army National Guard. The partnership includes scholarship opportunities, tuition assistance, and an on-campus liaison for Guardsmen.

Great work by the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office to get methamphetamine and deadly fentanyl of the streets. Their recent drug bust ensured 800 grams of meth and 13 grams of fentanyl were taken away from drug traffickers. Thank you to our law enforcement for standing guard and keeping our communities safe!

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.