July 29, 2022

Friends,

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

All of the Above Energy Tour Recap

As I am sure you know, I led my colleagues to South Carolina for an "All of the Above" Energy Tour last week. Click HERE for a video recapping our tour and all that we saw in South Carolina's beautiful Third District. 

There is no question an all-of-the-above energy strategy is crucial for meeting our nation’s growing energy needs and keeping costs affordable. We provide reliable, affordable, and clean energy to South Carolinians through truly an all-of-the-above approach, and I was proud to show my colleagues some of those energy sources in my District. Energy security is national security, and we will continue to push for American energy dominance.

U.S. Enters a Recession Under Joe Biden's Presidency

The U.S. economy has declined for the second straight quarter and now meets the generally accepted standard for a recession.

The Biden Administration is in denial and attempting to deflect responsibility for both high gasoline prices and the recession. They can hire wordsmiths to attempt to hoodwink the American people about what a “recession” is, but the American people aren’t fooled: they are living it!

Americans have seen their savings being depleted, the store shelves show high prices and scarcity, and are paying much more to fill their tanks just to go to church, work, school, and take their kids to their little league games. No one else is to blame other than Joe Biden and his liberal activists in the Administration who can’t do simple math or understand grade school economics. The Biden Presidency is failing America on every front. Click HERE for my full statement. 

Fighting for America-First Energy Policy 

On top of his war on American energy, Joe Biden is sending our strategic oil reserves overseas. While we're struggling with surging gas prices and energy costs, the President is sending oil out of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. This is why I have cosponsored an amendment to prohibit the U.S. from sending our SPR to the Chinese Communist Party. To see my full remarks, click HERE. 

Opposing CHIPS Package 

The Senate’s monstrosity of a package, CHIPS-plus, spends hundreds of billions of dollars to fund Democrat pet projects, fan inflation, and worsen the recession, all while failing to achieve its stated purpose of making us more competitive with China. I would have preferred to see some effort to truly work across the aisle, but Democrats would rather cut backroom deals than negotiate in good faith. As a member of the conference committee tasked with improving the legislation, I saw firsthand the Democrats’ lack of commitment to combat China.

CHIPS-plus fails to achieve its stated goal of making the U.S. more competitive with China. Under this legislation, semiconductor manufacturing will continue taking place overseas because Democrats refuse to address the regulatory impediments to production here in the United States while failing to put guardrails on their subsidies. Inflation is at 9.1% and the United States has just entered a recession, yet the Democrat-controlled Congress is voting to spend hundreds of billions of dollars we don’t have on programs that we know won’t work. We must increase chip manufacturing here in the United States and the most effective way to do so is by supporting an environment that strengthens supply chains, provides affordable and reliable baseload power, eliminates overregulation, and encourages innovation and job creation here in the United States.

I voted NO on the CHIPS-plus Act because falls short of actually challenging China while lacking the financial safeguards that the American taxpayers deserve.

Encouraging SC Crisis Pregnancy Centers 

I was blessed to meet with and encourage the leaders of Crisis Pregnancy Centers across South Carolina who step in and provide life-affirming support for mothers and their children when they need it most. In the past months, crisis pregnancy centers have been under attack by the radical Left, and Senator Elizabeth Warren even said she wants them to shut down nationwide. I condemn these attacks and will continue to support crisis pregnancy centers and the good work they do. In a post-Roe America, the fight for life has just begun. We will continue to pray for crisis pregnancy centers and that God will bless all they do for mothers and the unborn as they stand for LIFE!

FFA in Washington

It's always great to see the FFA blue jackets up in Washington! I met with Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe students students today in the Capitol and am so proud of how these students excel in the field of agriculture and represent South Carolina.

Meeting with USC's New President

I may be a Clemson Tiger, but it was great to sit down with the new University of South Carolina President Dr. Michael Amiridis today and talk about the University of South Carolina's bright future.

Nuclear Energy Innovation Op-ed

We support effective & affordable policies to address emissions while keeping energy reliable, affordable, & secure — nuclear innovation is a key part of this solution. Check out my latest op-ed with Rep. Byron Donalds on the importance of nuclear energy. To read our op-ed, click HERE.

Legislative Action

I sponsored H.Res. 1265 to request Joe Biden provide certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to plans to exploit the energy crisis to pursue a radical climate agenda.

I cosponsored Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers' H.R. 8488 to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China. 

I cosponsored Rep. Bob Good's H.Res. 1297 to designate a week in November as "National Pregnancy Center Week" to recognize the vital role that community-supported pregnancy centers play in saving lives and serving women and men faced with difficult pregnancy decisions.

I cosponsored Rep. Lauren Boebert's H.Res. 1293 to honor Elisjsha Dicken for demonstrating courage when he defended his fellow citizens by taking out an armed shooter in an Indiana mall before more lives were taken by senseless violence. 

I cosponsored Rep. Richard Hudson's H.R. 8499 to prohibit agencies from considering, in taking any action, the social cost of greenhouse gasses unless compliant with the Office of Management and Budget.

In the District

Golfers now have new practice options at “The Range," a new driving range in Abbeville. Along with the traditional driving range, it also offers a putting green along with new technologies to give better feedback on a shot.

1972 Clinton high school state championship football team to be honored by the 2022 team. The Clinton booster club will do something special each Friday night of the football season to commemorate the state championship team. On August 26, the members of the team will gather at the field before the opening game of the season.

Seneca announced plans for a “Storybook Trail Park.” The project will incorporate elements of the arts and education. It is also the city’s first STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) project.

A new aqua park, the "Shores of Asbury” has opened in Anderson on Lake Hartwell and will feature beaches and a floating obstacle course. It is the first of its kind in the Upstate.

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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.