Happy Friday!
We have had an incredibly busy week working hard for you both in the Lowcountry and up in Washington.
On Monday, I joined Governor McMaster and other state officials to discuss how federal funds will be used to help remove hazardous chemicals from the USS Yorktown and prevent contamination of Charleston Harbor. Getting this hazardous waste out of the ship will help ensure our beautiful coastal environment is protected, and secure our important shipping and tourism industries for the future.
On Tuesday, Travel + Leisure once again named Charleston the #1 city in the US. It’s been 10 years in a row! The Palmetto City brings in millions of visitors each year due to the rich, storied history of our historical city, its unique aesthetic and its unparalleled southern hospitality, which when combined, make Charleston the greatest city in our country, if not on this planet. I know many people, including myself, enjoy a stroll down the historic Charleston Battery, where you can soak in views of the Ravenel Bridge, Rainbow Row, and maybe catch a dolphin or two playing in the harbor. Thank you all for making Charleston the best city in the United States year after year. Kiawah Island was also named second for the best islands in the United States. If you have time this weekend, get outside and enjoy the beautiful beaches on Kiawah and the other islands of the Lowcountry.
Tuesday, the House also passed H.R. 7535, the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, a bipartisan bill I co-sponsored to increase security on quantum computers. This is the 7th bill I have sponsored that has made it out of the house floor and is on its way to become law. My bill instructs the Federal government to take the necessary steps to protect our nation’s sensitive information from those who wish to do us harm using this emerging technology.
On Wednesday, the Active Shooter Alert Act (H.R. 6538), a bill which I cosponsored, passed the House. This system will be opt-in only, and will alert users in an AMBER alert type message of active shooter situations near them. This is a big step forward and will help save many lives.
Thursday, my SC-01 office joined the Mount Pleasant Town Council in recognizing the Mount Pleasant Special Olympics team. Congratulations to everyone who was a part of this group. On Thursday, I also introduced my new legislation, the Standing with Moms Act. The Standing with Moms act directs HHS to create and maintain a family planning website called life.gov to give pregnant women in every state access to the most comprehensive network of family planning resources possible at all levels of government and private sector. We must work to ensure pregnant women have the resources they need to be successful mothers.
Thursday night, the National Defense Authorization Act passed out of the House of Representatives. This important bill funds the military through the next year. South Carolina’s first congressional district contains approximately one third of our state's entire veteran population and is also home to numerous military installations and VA facilities. Eight of the 12 amendments which I proposed were implemented in this vital legislation which will directly impact veterans and active duty service members in the Lowcountry.
Do not forget: if you need us, call us. Whether you need help with a passport, issues with receiving your tax refund or the Veterans Administration, please reach out to our office if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to be heard on any issue at any time. It’s an immense honor to serve each and every one of you.
Sincerely,
