June 17, 2022

Friends,

I hope you and your family are well! I wanted to provide you with a few updates –

American Energy Independence from Russia Act

This week, 215 House Democrats BLOCKED legislation (for the SEVENTH time) to unleash domestic energy production and relieve pain at the pump for Americans facing a $5/gallon+ national average from coming to the House floor for a vote. We are facing the nation's worst energy crisis since 1973 that is entirely self-imposed and the result of the Democrats' war on American energy. It is time to stop pandering to the Left's radical agenda and UNLEASH American energy production through the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, which would immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline, unleash U.S. LNG exports to boost natural gas production, restart oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, and protect energy and mineral development from attacks by the Biden administration. To see my full remarks, click HERE.

House Democrats Pass Bill Hurting Farmers

Yesterday, the House Democrats passed legislation that will make it more difficult for rural America to meet the global food demand by increasing regulatory hurdles farmers have to scale to meet the needs for meat and food production. Before Vladimir Putin ever invaded Ukraine, American farmers were already struggling with fractured supply chains, skyrocketing input costs, and historic levels of inflation due to the Biden Administration’s inflationary spending and America-last policies. Instead of addressing these very real and pressing problems, the Democrat Majority passed legislation that would create a duplicative, unfunded office within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headed by a “special investigator” with “independent litigation authority” and a mandate to investigate meat packers and live poultry dealers, think “cops for cows.”

Rebranded with the misleading name, the “Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act,” H.R. 7606 shifts inflationary and supply chain blame from the Biden Administration to small businesses and farmers and does nothing to lower the costs of food or fuel. This is another example of Democrats blaming private industry instead of addressing the real needs of the global food shortage and rural America. This bill (and its amendments) throws money at the problem, including $700 million in supplemental authorizations for the Biden Administration without offsets, while doing nothing to solve the problem.

I am proud to represent South Carolina’s Third District that has a strong agriculture industry, and I often hear from the farmers about the problems they encounter daily just to do their job in Joe Biden’s America – from rising costs of fertilizer and fuel to supply chain backlog. Instead of overregulation and choking out the agricultural industry with federal overreach, we should advocate for loosened restrictions, restrain the reckless spending trajectory that drives inflation, and unleash domestic energy production to decrease fuel costs. American farmers are the lifeblood of our country who keep food on our tables and our economy running – why would we work to further stifle this essential industry with Big Government overreach?

What's Behind Bidenflation?

Reckless federal spending caused this historic price hike that has increased steadily during Biden's presidency and will cost Americans an estimated $5,000+ this year. Joe Biden blames everything else, but we know who is to blame for Bidenflation and these record-high prices. And as Milton Friedman said, "Inflation is taxation without representation.” 

Flip the Switch on American Energy Instead of Bowing to OPEC

Feeling the political pressure, President Biden backtracks on his “Pariah-State” declaration to BEG Saudi Arabia/OPEC to increase oil supplies to hopefully bring down prices by importing foreign oil. In addition, Biden has threatened American oil producers to increase production. With oil at historic highs of price per barrel, one would believe that American producers would already be producing every barrel possible to sell at the high price.

This is a total deflection by the Biden Administration when it is their own failed policies that crippled the American energy (oil and gas) sector. And this is by design! Joe Biden, as candidate for President, told us he planned to kill the industry and now, Americans are paying the price.

The Department of Energy was set up in the late 1970s to lessen/end our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and they have failed. But let me remind America that, during the Trump Presidency, America became a net exporter of oil, not to mention our huge export opportunity for natural gas! Americans remember this, and due to the amazing production of American oil and gas resources prior to January 20, 2021, prices at the pump were around $2.00/gallon.

Yes, global events (Ukraine and uncertainty in Asia) have affected the oil and gas markets. Remember that Russia and their proxy Venezuela participate in OPEC. Futures markets trade on this uncertainty and oil reflects this uncertainty.

But let me be clear: taking American production off-line, killing the Keystone XL pipeline that would provide the oil from Canada (which our American refineries need to produce the petroleum products and increase supply), and canceling onshore and offshore leases have directly affected both supply and the markets.

Instead of flying thousands of miles to bow down to the Saudis, President Biden can simply stay home, save gasoline and reduce carbon emissions, and “flip the switch” on American energy production. It’s pretty simple – we witnessed the results directly during the American Energy Renaissance under President Trump. Americans know this.

And how hypocritical is it for the Biden Administration to kill American energy (oil and gas production) under the guise of “climate change,” but beg oil and gas producing foreign nations to increase production because of the political realities that nationwide gas prices are bringing to bear?

Biden Considering Limiting Ammo Availability to Threaten 2nd Amendment 

There are reports that Joe Biden is looking to bar the civilian sale of .223/5.56 ammo produced in Winchester’s Lake City factory that makes up over 30% of the commercial market of the caliber. This puts hundreds of American jobs at risk and will inevitably limit the availability of ammo for gun owners. This is an intentional move to disarm and control Americans through restricting the availability of ammo to discourage the free exercise of the 2nd Amendment. I assure you this, I will always stand for the 2nd Amendment and will continue fighting tooth and nail for our right to keep and bear arms. 

Honoring the Stars and Stripes 

This week, we celebrated Flag Day. The American flag symbolizes freedom and is a tribute to those who fought to defend it. This is why I wrote the Old Glory Only Act to prohibit the flying of any flag other than our Stars and Stripes over our diplomatic and consular posts worldwide. To read more about this, click HERE.

Clemson Tigers Come to Washington

I was honored to welcome Clemson University to Washington this week, fill them in on what I’m working on in Congress, and receive updates on the university. I love representing Clemson and being known as the “Clemson guy” on the Hill as the only Clemson alum currently in Congress. I’m proud to be a Clemson Tiger and look forward to visiting my alma mater soon to see the innovative ways they’re continuing to thrive. Go Tigers!

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army!

Celebrating 247 years of the U.S. Army, our oldest branch of the military that was formed in 1775 before America declared independence. Thank you to the U.S. Army and our brave soldiers who fight for our freedom and security. “This we’ll defend.”

Legislative Action

This week, I joined over 120 of my colleagues in demanding the Department of Justice investigate the recent attacks against pro-life pregnancy centers as domestic terrorism despite the Biden Administration's hesitancy to condemn these acts of violence. 

I joined nearly 130 Members of Congress to call on the Securities and Exchange Commission to rescind its far-left social agenda and proposed climate rules that pressure investors.

In the District

South Carolina Boys State was held at Anderson University this week for the 11th consecutive year. South Carolina is the second-largest Boys State in the U.S., giving students the opportunity to participate in a mock governmental process. Girls State is held each year at Presbyterian College. 

Clemson University welcomed more than two dozen Vietnam POWs this month for a tour of Memorial Park and other parts of campus by members of the Clemson Corps.  Head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the group, and the POWs enjoyed lunch in the West End Zone of Memorial Stadium.

The SC Festival of Flowers celebrated 55 years in Greenwood and is also celebrating its 15th anniversary of its beautiful topiaries. Click HERE for a schedule of the remaining events. 

Renewing Your Passport

Whether you plan to travel out of the country in the near future or not, I encourage you to update your passport if it is soon to expire. U.S. passports must be renewed every nine and a half years, and it is a good idea to be proactive about updating your passport, as some countries will not let you travel within six months of your passport's expiration. Passport agencies are extremely overwhelmed at this time, and the turnaround time to expedite your passport is around five to seven weeks. In-person emergency appointments are also extremely limited in Atlanta. For more information on renewing your passport or applying for the first time, click HERE. If you have any further questions regarding passports, please reach out to my Anderson office.

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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.