September 16, 2022

Friends,

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

White House Celebrates as Inflation Skyrockets, Stock Market Tanks 

This week, Joe Biden hosted a taxpayer-funded propaganda party on the South Lawn of the White House to “celebrate” the passage of the Democrats’ Inflation “Reduction” Act, which we know will actually increase inflation through more government spending. On the same day as his “victory speech,” it was announced that inflation came in higher than expected at 8.3% and the stock market had its worst day in years as a result. With Americans still struggling with soaring costs, could the Biden Administration be more out-of-touch with the American people?

Biden's Energy Crisis Continues 

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, our nation's oil reserves set aside for natural emergencies or natural disasters, is now at a 38-year-low, its lowest level since 1984, because the Biden Administration continues tapping it to artificially lower gas prices or sell it to foreign countries like China when they should instead unleash domestic energy production. We know that energy security is national security, and depleting our strategic oil reserves (set aside for natural emergencies or natural disasters) is weak, shortsighted, and puts American interests last.

Washington Office Meetings

I had the opportunity to meet with so many constituents and stakeholders in the Third District this week! Thanks to our friends at Bob Jones University for stopping by this week to discuss all the great things taking place at the University and the Academy. It was great to meet with Clemson University's new Athletics Director, Graham Neff, and talk about all the big things in store for the Clemson Tigers and the new Name, Image, and Likeness rule for athletes. I also was able to sit down with Home Depot employees to discuss challenges faced in their industry. 

Upstate Chamber Coalition 

I was honored to speak at the Upstate Chamber Coalition Breakfast this week while they were visiting Washington, D.C. and share what I am working on in Congress. It's always great to see South Carolinians in Washington and hear about the work they're doing in the Palmetto State!

Gun-sale Tracking and Holding Credit Card Companies Accountable 

Visa announced recently that it would start separately categorizing sales at gun shops to track gun sales due to regulations from the international organization that sets standards for credit card companies. This move is took a huge step in weaponizing the financial services industry against gunowners. We must hold credit card companies accountable to ensure our right to bear arms is not infringed. I will always stand for the 2nd Amendment. For more about this and what we're doing to combat it, click HERE. 

Vaccine Mandate a National Security Crisis for Our Military

We know that the Biden Administration forcing the COVID vaccine on anyone is wrong, but now, we see the implications of this authoritarian overreach on our national security as the military faces its worst recruiting year in our history, and around 100,000 service members face a vaccine-related discharge over the mandate. Our military deserves better, and we demand answers from the Secretary of Defense. For more about this, click HERE.

Defender of Small Business

As a former small business owner, I understand the hardships that come with building, sustaining, and growing a business. I will always fight to lower government regulations and make it easier for businesses to prosper. Thanks to the National Federation of Independent Business for presenting me with the Small Business Guardian Award for my pro-small business record this Congress.

POW/MIA Recognition Day

We honor our nation's veterans who were prisoners of war and the over 80,000 service members still captured or missing in action. I’ve been honored to attend memorial services of MIAs who finally returned home, and we have far too many from our communities who are yet to return. The heroic service of those still missing in action was not in vain, and we remember their families left behind as we remain committed to bringing them home.

The photo below is from the funeral of World War II Veteran Army Staff Sgt. William "Bud" Linder who was finally laid to rest in November 2021 in Anderson since being reported missing in action during the four-month Battle of the Hürtgen Forest in Germany in November 1944. After decades, Linder received a hero’s welcome to his home state of South Carolina for his final resting place, and a representative from my office was honored to present Linder’s niece with a U.S. flag.

Constitution Day

Tomorrow is Constitution Day! On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution to form a "more perfect union" and provide the framework for the greatest nation on earth. I carry a pocket Constitution with me through the halls of Congress and let it guide me in every vote. Our Constitution is the longest-surviving written charter of government, and I will continue to defend it.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored Rep. Andrew Clyde's H.R. 8835 to defund President Biden's pro-abortion executive orders. To read more about this, click HERE.

I cosponsored Rep. Buddy Carter's H.R. 8820 to protect conscience rights for pharmacists and not force them to fill prescriptions for elective abortions. To read more about this, click HERE.

In the District

Europastry, a baked goods producer based in Spain, will establish operations in Laurens County. Europastry's $23 million investment is projected to create 155 new jobs in the county. Operations are expected to begin by the end of November.

Thornwell, a nonprofit organization that has committed to helping children and families in need, celebrated the dedication of the new Read Right Center in Clinton last week at a dedication ceremony. The Read Right Center will help open doors for students through literacy intervention.  

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.