October 7, 2022

Friends,

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

Joe Biden's War on Energy Continues

You may recall that over the summer, Joe Biden visited the Middle East to beg the Saudis to increase oil production. There's a lot wrong with that sentence.

The United States has stricter environmental standards than the Saudis, so increasing production over there is less environmentally friendly than doing it in the United States. Increased production in Saudi Arabia would also lead to more jobs for Saudis, not American workers. Furthermore, increased foreign production makes us more dependent on other countries for our national security.

Now, the Saudis made a decision on Biden's request, and their answer was to cut production by 2 million barrels a day instead of increasing it like Biden had asked for. It gets worse. Biden's been draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) by nearly a million barrels a day in an attempt to blunt the impact of HIS administration's policies that are directly responsible for fuel prices spiking. His decision to do this has drained the SPR to a dangerous 40-year low, and essentially taken it off the table as a future option, weakening our national security in the process. You may also recall that when President Trump was in office, he proposed purchasing oil at record LOW prices to fill up the SPR which would have strengthened our national defense, but was blocked from doing so by Chuck Schumer. Now Biden is faced with the decision of buying back oil to refill the SPR at higher prices than what he sold it for. Economics lesson for Democrats: Buying High and Selling Low will make you broke very quickly.

There's also the question of why the Saudis and OPEC decided to cut production in the first place? Because they know we no longer have a government that is willing to do what it takes to counter them. During the Trump Administration, if OPEC had cut production, the United States could simply have increased supply. Because of Joe Biden, that's no longer the case. We can no longer counter OPEC's market manipulation, so they are back at their old game.

Americans are suffering enough. Record high inflation coupled with record high gas prices. Joe Biden is destroying this country. 

Fighting Against Non-Citizen Voting

Last week, DC City Council became the latest state/municipality to push to allow illegal immigrants and non-citizens to vote in their elections. The idea of non-citizens voting in our elections has been spreading like a cancer across the United States, and represents an existential threat to US sovereignty and a complete devaluing of the importance of citizenship. I've been tracking this issue for years, which is why I've filed legislation that would ban non-citizens and illegal immigrants from voting in any election in the United States. To read more about this, click HERE.

Fighting COVID Vaccine Mandates 

American heroes who put their lives on the line daily are still being kicked out of the military for choosing not to get the COVID shot due to the Biden Administration’s arbitrary vaccine mandates. I will keep fighting so Americans aren't forced to choose between the COVID shot and their livelihoods, and far too many Americans have had to make this choice already. I have repeatedly called out the Biden Administration on this issue, have taken action to bring the CMS vaccine mandate to the floor for a vote, and am continuing to work with House Republicans to ensure all Americans have medical freedom. We will not stop fighting. For more on this, click HERE. 

FBI Corruption at the Expense of Average Americans

Instead of investigating the Biden Crime Family, the FBI recently sent around 25 armed agents to raid the home of pro-life advocate Mark Houck recently, arresting him in front of his wife and 7 kids for a charge that had been dismissed. This is outrageous and the result of Biden's politically weaponized DOJ. This is political persecution and has no place in the United States. To read more about this, click HERE.

Creators Wanted Event on National Manufacturing Day 

For National Manufacturing Day, I had the opportunity to join Nephron Nitrile’s Creators Wanted event and was inspired by our next generation of innovators and manufacturers! As South Carolina faces a workforce crisis with 30,000 jobs open in the state, Creators Wanted is working to reduce the skills gap and increase enrollment in technical, vocational, and reskilling programs.

Meeting with Anderson Pastors

Our Founders ensured our right to worship and assemble through the First Amendment, and it is our job to protect and defend this Constitutional right for all Americans.

I am inspired by the faith and boldness of pastors across the Third District, and it was refreshing to meet with some of them this week at the Anderson Haven of Rest. God Bless the good work they do in our communities! 

Touring Greenwood's Teijin Carbon Fiber

I had the opportunity to tour Teijin Carbon Fiber in Greenwood this week to see how they are providing new jobs in the Greenwood area and economic development for the Palmetto State. Teijin Carbon Fiber is a global, technology-driven company that provides vital materials for the aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics, and sporting goods industries (just to name a few). Carbon Fiber is increasingly becoming vital in advanced manufacturing, which is why having one of the world’s leaders in this space call South Carolina home is great for attracting new business. We’ve worked with them over the past several years to help them expand their operations in Greenwood, and it was great to finally see their robust operation firsthand. Thanks for having me!

Visit with Wesley Commons in Greenwood

While in Greenwood, I had the opportunity to visit Wesley Commons, a continuing care retirement community offering care and service in the Lakelands community for over 50 years! Thanks to CEO David Buckshorn for showing me around and updating me on future plans.

Legislative Update

I cosponsored Rep. Robert Wittman's H.R. 9088 to stop the federal government from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands.

In the District  

Volunteers in Medical Missions, a faith-based ministry based in Seneca, has been providing medical and other helps around the world for nearly 40 years. The organization celebrated its 37th year last month and partners with volunteers from across the United States. VIMM has completed 366 medical mission trips in 43 different countries so far.

Columbus Day Weekend

This weekend, we commemorate the exploration and arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas in 1492, beginning the colonization of the New World. This voyage would later lead to the formation of the greatest country the world has ever seen, the United States of America, which would go on to save the world from oppressive dictators, pull hundreds of millions out of poverty, cure diseases, and land the first man on the moon.

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.