Dear fellow South Carolinians, Thank you for subscribing to my weekly e-newsletter, and please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Combatting Coronavirus: Last week, I voted for more than $8 billion in emergency funding to combat COVID-19. It is critical that our public health system has the resources it needs, and I am glad the Senate swiftly passed this bill, which President Trump signed on Friday. This truly comprehensive package will provide funding to the FDA, the CDC, and BARDA for vaccines, new technologies, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. It will also include state reimbursements and loan subsidies for small businesses impacted by the outbreak. This new support will allow our federal, state, and local agencies to continue with the amazing work they are doing. You can read more about the bill and my vote here. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands for 20-seconds, this is the easiest way to avoid catching the virus. Expanding Americans’ Credit Access: On Wednesday, Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) and I introduced the bi-partisan Expanding Access to Lending Options Act, which allows credit unions more flexibility in the type of loans they may offer. This act will help students, farmers, and hard-working families across the country by providing them with more options and better payment plans. You can read more about the act here. Supporting Women Entrepreneurs: Ahead of National Women’s Day last weekend, I introduced yet another piece of bipartisan legislation along with Senators Collins (R-ME), Duckworth (D-IL), and Cardin (D-MD) that will support female entrepreneurs. The Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise Act of 2020 would revive a federal committee that focuses on supporting women-owned businesses. This agency would help coordinate federal resources to encourage the formation, growth, and success of women-owned businesses. It would also identify barriers to women in the workplace and establish solutions. Today women are seeing near 50-year low unemployment numbers and rising wages, and I look forward to seeing continued progress in the coming years. You can read more about the act here. Sincerely,
Tim |