March 10, 2023

Friends,   

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

H.R. 1: Lower Energy Costs Act 

The United States is facing an unprecedented energy crisis, and I am excited to see H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is aimed at unleashing American energy and lowering costs to ratepayers. From the gas pump to the grocery store, Americans are dealing with the repercussions of Joe Biden’s war on American energy, and H.R. 1 will take essential steps to combat the President’s self-imposed energy crisis. This legislation focuses on increasing domestic energy production and exports, reducing regulatory burdens that make it harder to unleash American energy and expand our economy, and includes my bill that blocks President Biden from halting American energy production.

The Democrats’ America-last energy policies have emboldened our adversaries and made us reliant on countries like China and Russia for energy. It’s time to reclaim our energy security and leadership through unleashing domestic production. Addressing the energy crisis is a top priority of House Republicans, and as Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair, I will continue fighting to establish American energy dominance.

H.R. 1 is the culmination of the bills passed through the Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees this Congress. It's great to see our hard work pay off, and I look forward to seeing H.R. 1 cross the finish line in the House!

Energy and Commerce Committee Markup

In this week's Energy and Commerce Committee Markup, the Committee adopted twenty pieces of legislation that now await action on the House floor. I authored two of the pieces of legislation that passed the Committee Markup.

My bill, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, was adopted in this week's Markup, and prohibits the President from imposing a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing unless authorized by Congress. I will keep working to unleash American energy dominance despite the Biden Administration’s attempts to undermine American energy production. Click HERE for my remarks on this legislation. 

My bipartisan bill, the TELL Act, also was adopted in the Markup and passed with bipartisan support. Americans should be informed if their data is being compromised by the Chinese Communist Party. This bill pushes back against this by requiring the FTC to inform Americans if their data is being stored in China. The Chinese spy balloon that traveled across the continental U.S. was a wake-up call to Americans, and this bill will be a wake-up call to corporate America. Americans deserve transparency. Click HERE for my remarks on this bill.

Testifying Before South Carolina General Assembly 

It was great to be back at the South Carolina General Assembly this week to testify before the House Economic Development and Utility Modernization Ad Hoc Committee on expanding affordable and reliable energy production in South Carolina. Reliable baseload power is essential for the Palmetto State's continued economic growth. I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this issue and welcome the discussion! Click HERE to see my remarks before Ad Hoc Committee. 

Meeting with Governor McMaster on Energy and Economic Growth

I had a great meeting with Governor Henry McMaster in Columbia this week to discuss energy, economic development, and the nexus between the two. Thank you, Governor, for the work you do to make our state strong!

Calling for the Declassification of COVID Origins Documents 

I am glad to see the COVID-19 Origin Act, which declassifies information on COVID-19 origins, passed the House with bipartisan support. The American people have been in the dark for too long and deserve to know the full truth about COVID origins. This bill now heads to the President's desk, and I urge him to sign it into law and give Americans the transparency we deserve.

Fauci lied to the American people about COVID origins and the lab leak theory. The CDC lied to the American people about vaccines, therapeutics, masking, etc. President Biden has repeatedly lied to the American people about COVID. Americans have repeatedly been gaslit by Big Tech, the media, and government bureaucrats about COVID. After years of being kept in the dark, we are calling on the Biden Administration to declassify ALL COVID-19 origins reports. We know the COVID “lab leak theory” is not a conspiracy, so why is the Biden Administration hiding this information from the American people? Click HERE for our full statement on this.  

Blocking Biden's WOTUS Rule 

This week, we voted to block Joe Biden's revised "Waters of the United States" rule to the Clean Water Act that would give the government an unprecedented amount of authority over U.S. waters, including everything from streams to small creeks and puddles. This burdensome overreach would impact almost every part of American life and would especially affect farmers and ranchers. We fought this rule under President Obama, celebrated when President Trump removed it, and will keep fighting this abuse of power under President Biden. Click HERE to see how this would affect American farmers. 

Protecting Parental Rights in Education

Parents are the primary stakeholders in their children’s education – not the government. Our Parents Bill of Rights legislation takes necessary steps to protect parental rights, affirm that Moms and Dads across the country are in charge of their children’s education, increase transparency in schools, and ensure parents aren’t left in the dark.

Washington Meetings 

It was great seeing South Carolinians in Washington this week for a series of meetings, including with David Wright, the Commissioner for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We had a great discussion on how to further develop nuclear energy technologies.

This week, I also had the opportunity to speak to pastors from across the country, and I met with SC BLOX to discuss their high-capacity fiber route from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach, which will be a pivotal asset for our state's digital infrastructure. 

On the Radio

Click HERE to check out my conversation this week with Charlie James on 106.3 WORD where we discuss COVID origins, Joe Biden's overreaching WOTUS rule, and more.

Legislative Action

I cosponsored H.R.935, Rep. Mary Miller’s Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act of 2023, which protects biological girls under Title IX within athletic and educational facilities such as bathrooms and locker rooms. 

I cosponsored H.R.921, Rep. Bob Good’s No Asylum for Criminals Act of 2023, which would prevent any non-U.S. Citizen who has been convicted of a crime from seeking asylum.

I cosponsored H.Res.115, Rep. Debbie Lesko’s resolution to create a Women’s Bill of Rights to reaffirm biological differences between a male and female and protect biological women under federal law. 

I cosponsored H.R.862, Rep. Debbie Lesko’s Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2023, which would ban abortions that dismember an unborn child. This would apply criminal penalties to any party affiliated with such an abortion.

I cosponsored H.J.Res.31, Rep. Michael Cloud’s resolution to disapprove of and nullify the Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to change a rule relating to “Reproductive Health Services” that enables abortions.

I cosponsored Rep. Andy Barr’s H.J.Res.30, to nullify the Department of Labor’s radical decision to change a rule concerning employee benefit plans to allow consideration of climate change and other factors when determining investment decisions.

I cosponsored Rep. Debbie Lesko’s H.Con.Res.14, to disapprove of Biden’s decision to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline, which has threatened American energy dominance.

I cosponsored Rep. Tom McClintock’s H.Res.100, to condemn the human rights violations and state-sponsored terrorism taking place by the Iranian Government and express support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic nation.

I cosponsored Rep. Steve Womack’s H.Con.Res.13, Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act, which would protect local radio stations from any new fees, taxes, royalties, or any other charges on the performance of their sound recordings.

I cosponsored Rep. Dan Newhouse’s H.R.809, Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act, which would prevent nonresidents, foreign businesses, and any other agents associated with the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing land within the United States.

In the District

The "Rollin Tigers" youth wheelchair basketball team competed in the Southeastern Junior Division Conference tournament in Alabama last month and returned home to Upstate South Carolina with the championship trophy! In 2016, Jeff Townsend and Lindsey Metz founded the basketball team for children in wheelchairs between the ages of five and thirteen. Townsend and Metz have been selected as Greenville News Community Heroes for their dedication and support of the team. 

The “Clemson 8” Challenge, which began in 2021, is this weekend. The challenge honors six Clemson alumni who were prisoners of war during World War II, including Ben Skardon, who received an honorary promotion to the rank of brigadier general days before his death in 2021. The challenge also honors those affiliated with Clemson who were captured in the Korean or Vietnam wars. Participants can take part in a variety of events, including an 800-meter stroll, 8K and 8-mile run. 

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.