October 18, 2024

Friends,

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

Trump Was Right! Crime Up Under Biden/Harris

The FBI secretly updated its crime data to show instead of a 2.1% drop in violent crime in 2022, it was actually a 4.5% increase. 

The updated FBI data for 2022 shows that there were 80,029 more violent crimes than in 2021 – including an additional 1,699 murders, 7,780 rapes, 33,459 robberies, and 37,091 aggravated assaults.

Across the country, violent crime has surged due to Biden/Harris' soft-on-crime policies, failed bail reform, open borders, and defund the police movement.

I am committed to law and order.

A Victory for our Friends in Israel

This week, justice was served to the Yahya Sinwar, the “Face of Evil”, mastermind behind the barbaric October 7th attack which took the lives 1,200 innocent civilians and captured 250 hostages.

We stand with Israel then and now as they work to defend their sovereignty from Hamas terrorists.

Protecting our Kids

Governor McMaster, alongside nine other Republican state governors, filed an amicus brief in support of the Help Not Harm law from Tennessee. This law prohibits doctors from performing gender reassignment surgeries on minors. McMaster and other signees have prioritized protecting children from making irreversible, life-altering decisions.

Helene Disaster Relief and Recovery

FEMA Assistance: As we patiently work through FEMA assistance, we understand there have been denials and delays. Be sure to take advantage of in-person Disaster Recovery Centers located throughout the 3rd District:

Open this week in:

Greenwood County
Tuesday, October 22, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
For Greenwood, McCormick and Abbeville Counties
Piedmont Technical College – James Medford Family Event Center,
609 South Emerald Road, Greenwood, SC

Laurens County
Laurens County Public Library
1017 W. Main St.
Laurens, SC 29360
8 a.m.-7 p.m.
This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on October 19, 2024.

Anderson County
Anderson County Library
300 N. McDuffie St.
Anderson, SC 29621
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on October 27, 2024.

Greenville County
Freetown Community Center
200 Alice Ave.
Greenville, SC 29611
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on October 24, 2024.

Saluda County
County Administration Building
407 W. Butler Ave.
Saluda, SC 29138
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on October 19, 2024.

SBA Loans: The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that small businesses within all 11 counties in the 3rd District can apply for low-interest disaster loans. 

Loans for those eligible include:

• $500,000 for homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate.
• $100,000 for homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements to help protect property and occupants from future damage may include:

• a safe room or storm shelter,
• sump pump,
• French drain,
• or retaining wall

For a list of additional Resources by County, please visit my website.

In the District

This Tuesday, the City of Clinton named Captain Michael Addison their new police chief to head the Clinton Police Department. After having been the Captain of Training and Administration for CPD over the last 10 years, he will transition to his new role as Chief of Police and will be sworn in at the next City Council meeting.

More than 30 veterans and active military members were honored at the annual Laurens County appreciation event on Sunday. Event coordinators encourage friends and families of dedicated soldiers or former soldiers to nominate that person. At the ceremony this week, two World War II veterans were honored. Both men are nearly 100 years old.

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.