January 20, 2023

Friends, 

I hope you and your family are well! There is a lot to update you on from the past few weeks, and I wanted to provide you with an update regarding what’s going on in the 118th Congress –

Standing for Life

Sunday marks 50 years since Roe v. Wade, a decision that tragically led to the death of over 63 million babies in the womb since 1973. On June 24 of last year, the day that so many of us spent decades fighting and praying for arrived, and Roe v. Wade was overturned in the Dobbs v. Jackson decision that affirmed “the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion" and that Roe was "egregiously wrong from the start." Countless lives have already been saved as a result, and now that we live in a post-Roe America, the fight for life has only just begun. 

Last week, House Republicans passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act that ensures infants that survive botched abortions will receive the lifesaving medical care they need. This was a win for life, but there is so much work to be done to ensure unborn human lives are protected and treated with the dignity they deserve.

I will never waver in my stand for the sanctity of human life and will always fight for the rights of the most vulnerable. If we don't stand for the unborn, who will? 

Second Amendment Under Attack

Biden’s ATF does not let the Constitution get in the way of their gun-grabbing agenda. The ATF’s new rule regarding pistol stabilizing braces will subject millions of law-abiding American gun owners to felony charges without Congress even passing a law.

Make no mistake—this rule is not about public safety, nor is it about pistol-stabilizing braces. This rule is a test to see how severely the ATF can encroach on Congress’ authority to pass laws and the right of the individual to keep and bear arms.

This Congress, I have reintroduced the NFA SBS Act and supported numerous other bills that will dismantle the ATF’s unconstitutional authority over our Second Amendment rights, and I will continue to fight Biden’s ATF every step of the way. For more information on this, click HERE. 

The Cost of Canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline 

Joe Biden's cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline cost up to 59,000 jobs and up to $9.6 BILLION in economic impact, according to the Biden Administration’s Department of Energy. Americans have felt the weight of this move through skyrocketing energy costs, lost jobs, energy insecurity, and more. I will keep fighting to unleash domestic energy production and reverse Joe Biden’s disastrous move to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline. To read more about this, click HERE.

Biden's Classified Documents Found

At least three sets of classified documents from the Obama Administration have been found in Joe Biden’s possession at his garage in Wilmington, in his private office, and at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, DC. These documents have been improperly stored for at least six years. 

It’s no surprise to anyone that the media’s handling of the Trump and Biden classified document discoveries has been overwhelmingly different. It’s also worth noting that the Mar-a-Lago FBI raid was leaked the day of the incident (including staged pictures of classified documents), while Biden’s classified documents were first discovered on November 2, but the news was not released to the public until January (over two months later).
 
The Vice President does not have the authority to de-classify documents, while the President does have declassification power. Joe Biden says he has “no regrets” over the classified documents.  

We know the Biden crime family is up to their necks in corruption, with Hunter Biden’s illegal activities and lucrative dealings with foreign governments, including 10% held for the “big guy.” Information is still forthcoming, and I will keep following this closely.

The Justice Department has appointed a Special Counsel to handle the investigation. With a Republican Majority, oversight and investigations are coming, even though the White House refuses to say if it will cooperate with House oversight inquiries.

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability has already called on the White House to provide documents, release the residence visitor log of Biden's Wilmington home, and has asked why Biden aides continue to search the president's properties in the wake of a Special Counsel being appointed. Click HERE for more information on how House Republicans are beginning our oversight. 

118th Congress Legislative Portfolio

Last week, I introduced ten pieces of legislation in the 118th Congress with more legislation to come next week. Click HERE for detailed information on the ten bills I introduced last week. 

One of the bills I re-introduced was the Old Glory Only Act because the only flag representing our nation abroad should be the Stars and Stripes. When some U.S. embassies began flying divisive flags to represent our country outside of our embassies, I originally introduced this bill to ensure the American flag is the only flag representing the United States at our embassies worldwide. Click HERE for more information on this. 

Another bill I re-introduced last week was the Protecting Our Democracy by Preventing Foreign Citizens from Voting Act. Only American citizens should vote in our elections. This shouldn’t be controversial but unfortunately, cities nationwide are starting to allow noncitizens to vote in certain elections. I re-introduced this bill to combat this growing trend. This legislation blocks federal funding to state and local governments that allow noncitizen voting, so the voice of American citizens is not diluted by foreign nationals. I will keep fighting for election integrity and to uphold the rights of American citizens.

Legislative Action

It's been a busy few weeks of the new Congress. Here is a look into ten more pieces of legislation I am cosponsoring this Congress. 

I cosponsored H.R. 29, Rep. Chip Roy's Border Safety and Security Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of any non-citizens without valid entry documents and allows states to sue DHS for not enforcing this. 

I cosponsored H.R. 38, Rep. Richard Hudson's Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act to create a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of firearms across state lines. 

I cosponsored H.R. 53, Rep. Jack Bergman's FIND ACT (Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act) to prohibit the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses.

I cosponsored H.R. 73, Rep. Andy Biggs' No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act, to prohibit the federal funding of the Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force.

I cosponsored H.R. 128, Rep. Lauren Boebert's Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2023 to defund Planned Parenthood. 

I cosponsored H.R. 173, Rep. Morgan Griffith's Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2023, which would remove short-barreled rifles from the definition of "firearm."

I cosponsored Rep. Ronny Jackson's H.R. 174, the No Federal Funding for Teacher's Unions Act to remove federal funding from teacher's unions. 

I cosponsored Rep. Mike Kelly's H.R. 175, the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2023, which would prohibit abortion from the moment of the first heartbeat. 

I cosponsored Rep. Tom McClintock's H.R. 187, the Default Prevention Act, which would ensure the payment of interest and principal of the United States' debt.

I cosponsored Rep. Greg Steube's H.R. 214, the Veterans' True Choice Act of 2023, that provides veterans with service-connected disabilities the eligibility for TRICARE Select. 

In the District

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office announced its recent partnership with the organization Secure the Call to provide free emergency cell phones to individuals in need. The sheriff’s office will be accepting donations of unwanted phones in good condition that will be wiped and programmed to only be able to call 911 before they are distributed throughout Laurens County.

Former Clemson graduate and engineer, Ron Millender, was added to the Greenwood County Hall of Fame this week after years of service to others and his community. Millender influenced fields of medicine and engineering through his career at Capsugel and remained involved in his community through civic and non-profit boards and in helping establish the Greenwood Promise Scholarship. 

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.