| Dear Friend,
Welcome back to my Week in Review newsletter. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!
Receiving the Christian Statesman Award
This week, I was honored to receive the 27th Annual Distinguished Christian Statesman Award. Given annually by the D. James Kennedy Center for Christian Statesmanship since 1996, this award seeks to honor individuals who combine excellence in public service with character and faith in God.
I’m grateful to live in an America where any kid from any zip code can rise beyond their circumstances and achieve their version of the American Dream. That’s possible because our founding fathers crafted a country based on core Christian values.
Read more about the Christian Statesman Award here.
Fixing the Chaos at the Border
This week, our nation watched another chapter of the border crisis unfold as thousands of illegal immigrants undertook a mass crossing into Eagle Pass, Texas. With 10,000 illegal crossings in just 24 hours, this is further evidence that the Biden administration’s open border crisis is not going away.
I joined my Senate colleagues in introducing the Secure the Border Act, the most comprehensive border security legislation in decades. This legislation increases the number of Border Patrol Agents, resumes construction on the border wall, tightens asylum standards, criminalizes visa overstays and prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using its app to assist illegal immigrants. From fentanyl trafficking to human trafficking to known terrorists infiltrating our country, the Biden administration’s open border policy is anything but humane. It’s time we recognize that border security is national security and secure our country.
Learn more about the Secure the Border Act here.
Championing Adoption
With more than half of U.S. states seeing a decline in licensed foster homes between 2021 and 2022, our nation is facing a severe foster care shortage. Unfortunately, South Carolina has seen a 61% decline—the largest of any state.
I joined my Senate colleagues in helping address this crisis by reintroducing the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act, which encourages adoption by restoring the refundable portion of the Adoption Tax Credit. Incentivizing adoption in our tax code is a step toward encouraging families to adopt, taking the burden off our foster care system and giving thousands of children parents who empower them to build a brighter future.
Read more about the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act here.
Combating the Chinese Communist Party’s Aggression
The U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA) underpins collaborative civilian research projects between the United States and China. Given the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCPs) longstanding policy that blurs the line between civilian and military research, I’ve repeatedly warned that the STA poses a threat to our national security. Just a few months ago, when a Chinese surveillance balloon violated our sovereignty using American technology, we witnessed how the STA could be exploited to further the CCP’s malign agenda.
That’s why I joined Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and others in introducing the Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act to keep China from exploiting civilian research partnerships for the development of technologies that could be used against us. We must maintain proper oversight of our international STAs and push back on the Chinese Communist Party’s malign activities.
Learn more about the Science and Technology Agreement Enhanced Congressional Notification Act here. Spilling the #SCSweetTea on League Academy South Carolina’s League Academy, a nationally recognized magnet middle school in Greenville, is committed to ensuring students receive a well-rounded, liberal arts education. With the largest middle school arts program in its district, the League Academy offers something for everyone, from dance courses to language lessons, going above and beyond to propel its students to success. I’m thankful for League Academy’s pursuit of excellence, which empowers kids receive a quality education.
Watch our video about League Academy here!
Sincerely, | 