5 Things We Did This Week

1. Supporting Veterans Through Healing and Skills
We met with Sew and Heal, a Columbia-based nonprofit helping veterans and the community develop coping skills through sewing. The founder, a veteran herself, started the program after overcoming personal hardship. Our office provided guidance on private grants and other resources to help expand their mission.

2. Connecting Veterans to Resources
We connected with Towns for Troops, a new veteran nonprofit in Summerville, to share funding and resource opportunities. Their team has already made progress thanks to our office’s assistance, securing support to help more veterans in our community.

3. Tackling Flooding with AmeriCorps in James Island

We visited James Island City Hall with Mayor Lyon and the AmeriCorps service team, who worked on drainage projects to prevent flooding in seven homes. Our office supported the grant that made this initiative possible, and we saw firsthand how young service members are making a real impact. See more here.

4. Strengthening Security with Diversified Protection Corp
We met with Diversified Protection Corporation on Daniel Island, a security firm licensed in 45 states with over 2.3 million hours of annual service. Their work protecting federal and commercial clients keeps our communities and nation safe.

5. Met with The Lowcountry Hospitality Association

We met with the Lowcountry Hospitality Association to discuss the needs of our great local restaurants and hotels. Like many of our small businesses, the hospitality association helps fuel our tourism from Charleston down to Hilton Head, and back up to Summerville. We got to learn about some of the challenges facing them and hear their initiatives to keep growing our local economy.

Bills We Introduced:

We Introduced the No Funds for Fascists Act to Stop Sending U.S. Aid to Governments Censoring Free Speech

This week, we reintroduced the No Funds for Fascists Act to ensure not a single taxpayer dollar goes to foreign governments that crush free speech. The UK and Germany are arresting citizens over social media posts, and Brazil’s Supreme Court is silencing political critics. American tax dollars should never bankroll regimes who silence dissent. If these governments want to play speech police, they can do it on their own dime. Read our full press release here.

Alien Removal Not Resort Stays Act: Ending FEMA’s Luxury Stays for Illegal Aliens

We introduced the Alien Removal Not Resort Stays Act to shut down FEMA’s illegal alien shelter program and redirect those funds to ICE for enforcement, detention, and deportation. The Biden administration has spent billions housing illegal aliens in hotels while American communities deal with rising crime and overwhelmed resources. This bill shuts off the gravy train—no more taxpayer-funded resort stays for those who break our laws. You can read our full press release on this bill here.

Oversight Hearing: The Government Accountability Office’s 2025 High Risk List

During an Oversight hearing, we exposed the shocking reality—our government is relying on 50-year-old legacy technology, wasting millions of taxpayer dollars to keep outdated systems running. The GAO’s high-risk list highlights the urgent need for modernization, yet bureaucrats keep kicking the can down the road. It’s time to bring our government into the 21st century. Sounds like a job for DOGE. Watch our full line of questioning here or by clicking above. Our Official YouTube channel is a great way to watch our full hearings so be sure to connect with us there!

In The News

Legislating for the Lowcountry

H.R. 825 – Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act, YES
Prevents anyone convicted of defrauding COVID-19 relief programs from receiving future SBA financial assistance, ensuring taxpayer dollars go to legitimate small businesses—not fraudsters.

H.R. 832 – Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025, YES
Requires the SBA’s Office of Advocacy to represent small businesses in global trade and regulatory discussions, strengthening their voice in the international economy.

H.R. 818 – SPUR Act, YES
Improves small business participation in federal contracting by ensuring new businesses get opportunities, not just repeat contractors.

H.R. 788 – DOE and SBA Research Act, YES
Requires the Department of Energy and SBA to collaborate on research that benefits small businesses, without increasing federal spending.

H.R. 804 – Rural Small Business Resilience Act, YES
Ensures SBA disaster assistance reaches rural communities effectively, critical for areas like the Lowcountry.

H. Con. Res. 14 – Congressional Budget Resolution for FY 2025, YES
Sets spending and revenue levels for the next decade, including $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, tax reductions, and increased funding for border security and defense.

H.J. Res. 20 – Blocking Biden’s Water Heater Rule, YES
Stops the Biden administration from forcing Americans to switch to costlier, less efficient water heaters by repealing this burdensome regulation.

Yours in service,