September 27, 2024

Friends,

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

Hurricane Impacts on the Upstate

Heavy rains and high winds from Hurricane Helene have caused widespread storm damage, power outages, flooding, downed trees, and blocked roads.

Please do not venture outdoors unless absolutely necessary.

I was saddened to hear this morning of the 2 storm-related deaths in the Anderson County, as reported by the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time.

We appreciate our first responders, utility workers, and emergency preparedness professionals working to keep South Carolinians safe during these weather-related emergencies.

• National Hurricane Center 
• South Carolina Department of Public Safety Hurricane Resources
• South Carolina Emergency Management Division Hurricane Guide 
• Duke Energy Storm Center Safety & Preparedness

Please stay safe and always be sure to heed the advice of local emergency officials.

House Passes H.R. 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act

Ten years ago last Saturday, Tucker Hipps, a senior counselor at Palmetto Boys State, and a political science major at my alma mater Clemson University, was found in the waters of Lake Hartwell, having fallen off of the bridge in an apparent and suspected incident of campus hazing.  Ten years later, the Hipps family is still searching for justice for Tucker, and I continue to pray that they find those answers.

I am proud that the South Carolina legislature named their campus hazing legislation after Tucker. On Wednesday, I was proud to bring bipartisan legislation to the House floor along with my friend and colleague Congresswoman McBath to honor Tucker’s memory and the memories of hundreds of other campus hazing victims by mandating greater transparency in fraternity hazing reporting.

No parent should have to endure what Gary and Cindy Hipps have had to go through- the senseless loss of a beloved son. The as yet fruitless search for answers or bringing those responsible to justice.

And yet, in Tucker’s loss, and the losses of so many others, we may learn lessons that inform the policy choice we made this week. We acted so that parents may know and make informed decisions about the colleges they send their children off to.

I want to thank all of the people involved in this legislation – from Cindy Hipps to the Clery Center, to the DeVercelly family. I want to thank Chair Foxx for her support, as well as Clemson University and the fraternal councils for realizing the need to move forward with these reforms. And I want to thank the sponsor of this bill for all of her tireless efforts to bring us to where we are today.

May God bless the memory of Tucker Hipps. 

H.R. 5646 will move on to the Senate for approval.

5 Key Failures of the Secret Service Protecting President Trump

Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee found 5 key failures of the Secret Service in protecting President Trump from assassination on July 13, 2024.

1. USSS failed to clearly define responsibilities for planning and security at the July 13 rally.
2. USSS failed to ensure the AGR Building was effectively covered.
3. USSS failed to effectively coordinate with state and local law enforcement.
4. USSS failed to provide resources for the July 13 rally that could have enhanced security.
5. USSS failed to communicate information about the suspicious person to key personnel and failed to take action to ensure the safety of former President Trump.

“[USSS] efforts have fallen far short of the [their] responsibility, and [Director Rowe’s] commitments, to fully comply with this Committee’s requests, in exercise of its constitutional authority to conduct oversight and acquire necessary information to identify any needed legislative reforms.”

This is unacceptable.

Congress will continue to seek action to keep elected leaders safe and our elections secure.

Cleaning Up SC Voter Rolls

On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr., an appointee of President Ronald Reagan, ruled Wednesday that South Carolina State Election Commission could not block the Public Interest Legal Foundation from reviewing South Carolina’s voter rolls for ineligible voting. This is a win for election integrity in South Carolina.

Fighting for Small Business

I still believe in the American dream, and I'm proud to receive the 2024 Small Business Guardian award from @NFIB. Protecting Main Street remains a top priority, and I will continue to fight for America’s small businesses.

District News

Vertiv, a worldwide resource for digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, is opening a large manufacturing facility in Pelzer to provide solutions and power systems in Anderson County. This facility will be more than 200,000 square feet in size and create 300 jobs. The announcement also entails upcoming job fairs and recruiting events that will give qualified candidates the opportunity to learn more about open positions. Open positions include but are not limited to electrical engineers, mechanics, and project managers.

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.