{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"SC\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-2022-year-in-review/", "Senator Scott 2022 Year in Review", "2022-12-30", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released his 2022 year in review, highlighting the work his office did on behalf of the people of South Carolina and advancing his Opportunity Agenda across the country.\n\nThis year, Senator Scott introduced 18 bills, 7 resolutions, and 13 amendments. Twenty one pieces of his legislation were in part or fully enacted this year.\n\nWhile he voted against the Democrats\u2019 big spending increase in the omnibus bill, the senator was able to secure passage of many bills and provisions he led or supported in the accompanying legislative package. Among those wins were:\n\nPortions of Senator Scott\u2019s MADE in America Act that strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain;\n\nA 2-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities;\n\nA 2-year extension of the hospital at home program, based off of language in Senator Scott\u2019s Hospital Inpatient Modernization Act;\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s Advancing Auto Portability Act, which cuts red tape to help Americans who change jobs frequently to increase retirement savings; and\n\nKey provisions of Senator Scott\u2019s IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act.\n\nSouth Carolina\n\nSenator Scott continued his emphasis on communicating directly with constituents. To that end, he increased the number of letters sent annually by nearly 70%, amounting to more than 17,000 letters sent in 2022 alone.\n\nThe senator continued his efforts to aid the South Carolina Port Authority in its harbor deepening project, and joined with South Carolina leaders earlier this month to celebrate Charleston becoming home to the deepest port on the East Coast.\n\nAs a result of his efforts to strengthen the Minority Business Development Agency, South Carolina was issued a grant for $1.6 million.\n\nLaw Enforcement\n\nIn recognition of his work to support and increase funding for training for police departments across the country, Senator Scott was given numerous awards from law enforcement organizations. At the beginning of the month, the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation honored the senator with their National Service Award. In July, he received the Florida Sheriffs Association\u2019s National Legislative Champion Award, and in February he was given another legislative champion award from the Major County Sheriffs of America.\n\nThe Scott-sponsored Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act, a bill that equips law enforcement officers with the tools to effectively and safely respond to people in crisis, was passed and signed into law by President Biden. The new requirements for developing de-escalation training standards contained in the bill are the same requirements included in Senator Scott\u2019s JUSTICE Act, which was introduced in 2020.\n\nJustice & Fairness\n\nOne of the marquee achievements this year was the passage of Senator Scott\u2019s anti-lynching legislation, named in honor of Emmett Till. The senator first introduced the bipartisan legislation in 2018. This is a key component of his broader mission to combat hate crimes, which has included speaking out against bomb threats at HBCUs and forming the Senate Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations.\n\nSenator Scott successfully lobbied FEMA to change its disaster relief policies that discriminated against Black homeowners. Known as heirs property, more than a third of Black-owned land in the South is passed down informally, rather than through deeds and wills, which precluded those land owners from getting much-needed FEMA aid after natural disasters. Following this push and policy change, 42,000 homeowners and 53,000 renters nationwide\u2014who would have previously been denied\u2014received disaster assistance, totaling $350 million.\n\nEducation\n\nAs the co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, Senator Scott hosted the inaugural School Choice Caucus Breakfast with dozens of Congressional and education leaders to call attention to the growing nationwide support for school choice and fight against the Biden administration\u2019s attempts to limit education options for students. He also led the charge to get answers from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on his coordination with the National School Boards Association that led to concerned parents being labeled as domestic terrorists.\n\nAs the co-chair of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus, Senator Scott hosted the first ever HBCU Career Fair in conjunction with Benedict College. The event served as a forum to foster public-private partnerships and introduce students and alumni to career, fellowship, and internship opportunities with South Carolina\u2019s top employers.\n\nAs the co-chair of the Congressional Financial Literacy Caucus, Senator Scott co-led a resolution designating April as Financial Literacy Month and led a forum on the importance of youth financial literacy. He also spearheaded efforts to build consumers\u2019 financial capability and broader economic well-being.\n\nAging Committee\n\nAs the ranking member on the Aging Committee, Senator Scott led the charge to reopen Social Security field offices. After being closed for more than a year due to COVID, the senator\u2019s pressure campaign to reopen allowed seniors and people with disabilities to once again receive in-person services for the benefits they deserve.\n\nThroughout the year, the senator led a series of reports on issues that represent national imperatives for older Americans including senior nutrition programs, financial literacy, senior housing, retirement security, drug pricing, and home and community based services. He also led the effort to combat frauds and scams that target seniors through the publication of an annual Fraud Book, hearings investigating frauds, and a Fraud Hotline to support seniors.\n\nHealth Care\n\nSenator Scott led his colleagues in urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support and strengthen the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. Following their efforts, CMS announced lower than expected premiums for individuals utilizing the MA program, which covers one third of the Medicare enrollees across South Carolina.\n\nForeign Affairs & National Security\n\nSenator Scott continued his vocal support for Israel and fight against threats to peace and stability in the Middle East. To that end, he introduced the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Elimination Act, a bipartisan bill to withhold U.S. funding for the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for their targeted and biased investigation into Israel.\n\nHe also introduced the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act, which would make permanent sanctions against Iran\u2019s energy sector.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7765556E-4576-4022-897F-09B84AD24361", "Graham on Passing of Joe Taylor Jr. of Columbia", "2022-12-29", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today made this statement on the passing of Joe Taylor Jr. of Columbia.\n\n\u201cI was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of my good friend, Joe Taylor.\n\n\u201cJoe was a force in South Carolina business and politics, and a friend to so many. His time as South Carolina\u2019s Secretary of Commerce was one of unprecedented growth for our state. He was also a strong and challenging voice on the Columbia City Council - always looking out for the taxpayer.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CD470C38-AE55-4ACB-9A06-7A8D854662BD", "Graham, Whitehouse Russian Oligarch Asset Seizure Amendment Unanimously Passes Senate", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of consideration of their amendment calling for asset seizure for Ukraine reconstruction.\n\nThe Graham-Whitehouse amendment allows the sale and proceeds from assets - including seized mega-yachts, private jets, mansions, and expensive art - from sanctioned Russian oligarchs and entities supporting Putin to be used to the benefit of the Ukrainian people.\n\nUkrainian President Zelensky has called on nations to use seized assets to help pay for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The provisions outlined in the Graham-Whitehouse amendment would make Putin and his cronies pay for the infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and homes his military has destroyed without any cost to the American taxpayer. The amendment applies to sanctioned persons already designated for malign activity outlined in executive orders and for those who facilitate Putin\u2019s war efforts.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very pleased the Senate unanimously adopted my amendment with Senator Whitehouse to allow assets seized from sanctioned Russian oligarchs and entities supporting Putin to be used to the benefit of the Ukrainian people,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cThis change in U.S. law allows the proceeds of seized assets to support Ukrainian war efforts, which is a win-win for the people of Ukraine and the American taxpayer. I expect over time billions of dollars in seized assets will be sent to help Ukraine in their fight for freedom. Our amendment also takes pressure off the American taxpayer.\u201d\n\n\u201cPresident Zelenskyy\u2019s address last night was a reminder of what Senator Graham and I have believed from the earliest days \u2013 victory for Ukraine can be achieved with our continued support. My amendment with Senator Graham gives the Biden administration authority to transfer the proceeds from recovered Russian oligarch assets back to the victims in Ukraine. It unlocks billions of dollars for the Ukrainian people to rebuild their schools, hospitals, homes, and critical infrastructure that Putin\u2019s military has destroyed \u2013 all at no cost to the American taxpayer,\u201d said Senator Whitehouse. \u201cThank you also to Senators Blumenthal and Bennet and Representatives Malinowski and Wilson for helping us get this provision over the finish line.\u201d\n\nThe Department of Justice (DOJ) has a variety of tools to go after these assets, both criminal and civil. This amendment does not impact the tools DOJ has at its disposal to go after the assets of Russian oligarchs \u2013 it impacts what is done with those assets.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F3D64163-4140-4869-A324-1F503443DCDF", "Graham on End of Year Spending Bill", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement after voting in favor of the end of year spending bill.\n\n\u201cThis bill is a big win for the American military. It gives a much-needed boost to the Department of Defense and a well-deserved pay raise to our men and women in uniform. A ten percent increase in defense spending will add real dollars to our defense budget. The legislation also contains vital aid to Ukraine to deal a decisive defeat to Putin in his war of aggression. I\u2019m also pleased my amendment with Senator Whitehouse was adopted that allows the proceeds from confiscated property from Russian oligarchs to be sent to Ukraine to support their efforts to rebuild their country. This over time could be billions of dollars for Ukrainian war efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-votes-no-on-bloated-omnibus-bill/", "Senator Tim Scott Votes \u201cNo\u201d on Bloated Omnibus Bill", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on his vote against the bloated and rushed omnibus spending package.\n\n\u201cA rushed end-of-year vote on a $1.7 trillion spending package chock full of government waste is exactly the type of bad governance South Carolinians sent me to Washington to fight against,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cFor two years, Democrats\u2019 out-of-control spending has fueled record-high inflation that\u2019s squeezing the budgets of hard-working Americans and families growing up in poverty like I did. Instead of crafting a bill focused on bringing down prices, helping small business owners, securing our border, and increasing opportunity for all Americans, we are being asked to blindly pass legislation that will plunge our nation even further into debt in service of liberal priorities like more IRS funding and a radical climate agenda.\n\n\u201cWhile I was pleased to see legislation I authored included in the package, I could not in good conscience vote for yet another debt-increasing, taxpayer-dollar-wasting, big-government spending bill. I will continue to stand up against this type of mismanagement that puts the American Dream further and further out of reach for the next generation.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nBundled with the omnibus spending bill was a legislative package that contained a number of Scott-led bills or supported provisions, including:\n\nAn extension of the National Flood Insurance Program authorization and borrowing authority;\n\nPortions of Senator Scott\u2019s MADE in America Act that strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain;\n\nA 2-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities;\n\nA 2-year extension of the hospital at home program, based off of language in Senator Scott\u2019s Hospital Inpatient Modernization Act;\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s Advancing Auto Portability Act, which cuts red tape to help Americans who change jobs frequently to increase retirement savings; and\n\nKey provisions of Senator Scott\u2019s IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=77BFD05B-D57C-477B-B290-1798AF7F611F", "Graham Announces South Carolina Projects in Year End Spending Bill", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina projects that were included in the year-end spending bill set to be debated and voted on in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate this week.\n\nGraham made these funding requests to the Senate Appropriations Committee, a committee on which he serves.\n\nAmong the South Carolina funding included in the legislation:\n\nAiken (City): $4.5 million for water treatment system upgrades.\n\nAiken \u2013 Rural Health Services: $422,000 for facilities and equipment to improve health care access.\n\nAiken County: $413,000 to purchase updated firefighting equipment.\n\nAiken County: $5 million for wastewater treatment plant expansion.\n\nAnderson \u2013 Restoration Project Foundation: $650,000 to develop and implement curriculum.\n\nBeaufort (City): $800,000 for storm water management.\n\nBeaufort-Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry: $1.5 million for facility improvements.\n\nCalhoun County: $10.511 million for water infrastructure expansion.\n\nCayce: $858,000 to upgrade police equipment.\n\nCharleston (City): $200,000 to conduct a feasibility study to mitigate the effects of tidal and inland flooding in the Charleston area.\n\nCharleston (City): $13.325 million for preconstruction, engineering, and design to protect against severe storms and storm surge impacts at the Charleston Peninsula.\n\nCheraw: $423,000 for water plant improvements.\n\nClemson: $2.629 million for public infrastructure improvements.\n\nClemson University: $6 million to improve student health care delivery.\n\nColumbia International University: $915,000 for nursing education program and equipment.\n\nFolly Beach: $500,000 to mitigate extensive shoreline erosion due to severe storms.\n\nFrancis Marion University: $1.09 million for equipment for science, health care, and engineering.\n\nGreenville \u2013 MetroConnects: $4 million for sewer system upgrades.\n\nGreenville \u2013 REWA Renewable Water Resources: $6.3 million to construct wastewater infrastructure sewer and pumping station upgrades in Greenville County.\n\nGreenville Water: $5.4 million for transmission main line upgrades.\n\nHorry County: $22 million for an interchange extension.\n\nKershaw County Family YMCA: $1.1 million to develop a child care center and training facility.\n\nKingstree (Town): $4.6 million for park infrastructure.\n\nLimestone University: $700,000 campus safety equipment.\n\nLaurens County: $14.552 million for road safety improvements.\n\nLexington (Town): $2.275 million to acquire updated technology for the police department.\n\nMarine Corps Air Station Beaufort: $900,000 to plan and design a new fuel pier.\n\nMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island: $75.9 million for the replacement of recruit barracks.\n\nMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island: $4.8 million to plan and design a new dental clinic.\n\nMedical University of South Carolina: $6.25 million for facilities and equipment to improve cancer care.\n\nMount Pleasant: $10 million for reimbursement to the state of South Carolina for harbor deepening. The state pre-funded harbor deepening in an effort to accelerate the timeline and ensure the project was not delayed waiting on annual federal appropriations.\n\nMount Pleasant: $5.677 million for drainage resilience.\n\nMount Pleasant \u2013 Enough is Enough: $960,000 to conduct online exploitation prevention.\n\nNorth Charleston \u2013 Carolina Youth Development Center: $361,000 to enhance security.\n\nPendleton: $5.3 million for wastewater treatment plant expansion.\n\nPickens Regional Joint Water: $4 million for a water treatment plant.\n\nPiedmont Technical College: $256,000 to improve student outcomes and increase graduation rates.\n\nRoper St. Francis Hospital: $6.475 million for facilities and equipment to improve oncology care.\n\nRoper St. Francis Hospital: $3.775 million to increase access to health care.\n\nSumter (City): $510,000 to upgrade their ballistic evidence system.\n\nSouth Carolina Emergency Management: $7.5 million for facility upgrades and modernization.\n\nTri-County Technical College: $1.211 million for an automotive training center.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina Aiken: $830,000 for equipment for STEM program.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina Beaufort: $1 million for facilities and equipment improvements to nursing simulation center.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina Lancaster: $110,000 for facilities and equipment to improve health care education.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina School of Law: $950,000 for Rule of Law curriculum development.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina: $2.505 million for facilities and equipment to improve stroke research and care.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina: $4.5 million for facilities and equipment to create a shared biomedical research core.\n\nUniversity of South Carolina: $7.75 million for facilities and equipment to enhance clinical diagnosis and care for persons with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and related dementias.\n\nWalterboro \u2013 Genesis Health Care: $1 million to improve the delivery of health care.\n\nOther notable funding items related to South Carolina organizations and institutions included in the legislation:\n\n$1.2 Billion for Plutonium Pit Production at Savannah River Site: Allows for the continued construction on the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) project to achieve a production capability of at least 50 pits per year within South Carolina consistent with the NNSA\u2019s recommended alternative for pit production. This advances our nation\u2019s nuclear capability to counter threats like Russian and China.\n\n$71.764 Million for Surplus Plutonium Disposition at Savannah River Site: The Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) project will add additional glovebox capacity at the Savannah River Site (SRS) to accelerate plutonium dilution and aid in the removal of plutonium from South Carolina.\n\n$12.137 Million for Savannah River Site Community and Regulatory Support: The Atomic Energy Act authorizes payments to communities to help offset losses in property taxes due to the presence of non-taxable federal lands within their boundaries. This critical funding is used in a variety of ways in South Carolina, including supporting public schools.\n\n$10.5 Million for Procurement and Industrial Base Protection. This request supports the production of the M240 machine gun in Columbia. Without additional procurement funding, the M240 line would be at risk and restarting the line in the future creates an unacceptable risk to American warfighters.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=BF04436C-1269-481C-BCB8-992C0FD21F49", "Graham: Where is the Commander in Chief When it Comes to the Border Crisis?", "2022-12-21", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) joined Jesse Watters on Fox News Channel to discuss the crisis on the southern border, including the expiration of a Biden Administration policy, known as Title 42, to prevent illegal immigrants from being deported due to public health concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nGRAHAM:\u201c\u2026We went from the lowest illegal crossings when Trump was president to the highest of all time.\u201d https://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM?t=17\n\nGRAHAM:\u201cI am calling on President Biden tonight to reinstate Title 42 by executive action. That\u2019s one thing to do. Number two, I\u2019ll introduce a bill. You get behind it President Biden and we\u2019ll get 80 votes in the Senate to make it a statute.\u201d https://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM?t=39\n\nGRAHAM: \u201c[Biden] is choosing to allow Title 42 authority to go away. He is choosing to allow the number of illegal immigrants to come into our country to double. He is choosing that.\u201d https://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM?t=56\n\nGRAHAM:\u201cIf you want to look at a humanitarian nightmare, go to our border. I can\u2019t believe the President of the United States has not visited the border. He is the Commander in Chief. You\u2019ve got the Governor of California, a Democrat, who went to the border and said if we repeal Title 42, you\u2019ll destroy California. You have the mayor of New York City, a Democrat, suggesting that if Title 42 is changed, it will overwhelm New York City.\u201d https://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM?t=94\n\nGRAHAM:\u201cEl Paso has declared a state of emergency. Fourteen thousand pounds of fentanyl have come across this broken border. The border is not open, it\u2019s been obliterated by the policies of Biden. He has surrendered the border. Where is the Commander in Chief when it comes to this crisis?\u201d https://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM?t=121\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cTitle 42 authority allows the United States to deport people [in the country illegally] based on a COVID problem without a whole lot of delay. It is a tool that actually works. There are thousands of people waiting for it to expire. We are going to double the number of illegal immigrants literally in about 48 hours because people are waiting for Title 42 to go away. The President of the United States could by the stroke of a pen keep the policy in place or he could ask Congress to pass a law to reinstate Title 42. He is choosing not to do this. He is choosing to allow illegal immigration to double in 48 hours.\u201d https://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM?t=169\n\nWatch Full Interview Here\n\n#####\n\nClick play to view the video or follow this link\n\nhttps://youtu.be/mC8tjz6zXbM", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-fischer-duckworth-and-colleagues-press-the-biden-administration-on-mexicos-proposed-ban-on-us-corn/", "Scott, Fischer, Duckworth, and Colleagues Press the Biden Administration on Mexico\u2019s Proposed Ban on U.S. Corn", "2022-12-20", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) in authoring a bipartisan letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) expressing concern over Mexico\u2019s efforts to ban certain American-grown corn. Mexican President Andr\u00e9s Manuel L\u00f3pez Obrador\u2019s plans, which amount to unilaterally abandoning a long-held science-based regulatory system, would threaten the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).\n\n\u201cThese actions are unsupported by science and a breach of USMCA. It would be detrimental to food security in Mexico, hurt U.S. agricultural sustainability, and stifle future agricultural technology innovations that would benefit both nations. While we appreciate the efforts of USTR and USDA to resolve this issue by engaging with Mexican officials, we also encourage the administration to consider all options available in an effort to hold Mexico to their trade commitments including pursuing a dispute settlement process through USMCA,\u201d the senators wrote in their letter.\n\nJoining Senators Scott, Fischer, and Duckworth on the letter are Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Debbie Stabebow (D-Mich.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Rounds (R-S.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).\n\nThe full text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=567A1CC5-8DFA-4815-99F7-B1728FA0AD2A", "Graham Applauds South Carolina Projects Included In Defense Bill", "2022-12-16", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on South Carolina priorities included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very pleased that we were able to secure authorizations for a number of South Carolina priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. This makes 62 years in a row that the NDAA has passed. This bill authorizes pay increases for our military, upgrades our national defense, benefits a number of critical South Carolina projects, and eliminates the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which was hurting recruiting and retention. Overall, this legislation is good for our nation\u2019s men and women in uniform.\u201d\n\nSenator Graham worked with South Carolina congressional delegation colleagues to secure authorizations for the following projects:\n\nTotal FY23 South Carolina MILCON Authorizations: $91.6 million\n\n$38.3 million for the Marine Corps Depot Parris Island Recruit Barracks #2.\n\n$37.6 million for the Marine Corps Depot Parris Island Recruit Barracks #1.\n\n$10 million for the Shaw Air Force Base Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) Facility to provide safe and orderly air traffic control support and services for aircraft.\n\n$4.8 million for planning and design to replace the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Ambulatory Care Center (Dental).\n\n$900,000 for planning and design to replace the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Fuel Pier.\n\nTotal Savannah River Site (SRS) Authorizations: $3 billion, including:\n\n$1.258 billion for SRS Plutonium Modernization, including the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF).\n\n$460.3 million for SRS risk management operations.\n\n$12.137 million for SRS payments in lieu of taxes.\n\nOther South Carolina Priorities:\n\nAuthorizes millions in defense related research and development funding that can benefit academic institutions across the state.\n\nProvision allowing for the transfer a small portion of Joint Base Charleston land to the city of North Charleston.\n\nSouth Carolina Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Projects:\n\n$165 million authorization for the Lakes Marion and Moultrie regional water supply project.\n\n$74 million authorization for environmental infrastructure improvements within and around North Myrtle Beach.\n\n$31 million authorization for environmental infrastructure improvements within and around Myrtle Beach.\n\n$25 million authorization for wastewater and storm water infrastructure improvements in Charleston.\n\n$19 million authorization for environmental infrastructure improvements within and around Horry County.\n\n$7.8 million authorization for Mount Pleasant wastewater and storm water infrastructure improvements.\n\n$7.4 million authorization for storm water management infrastructure in Beaufort.\n\nProvision that calls for expedited reimbursement for the Port of Charleston.\n\n$1.2 billion authorization for the Charleston Peninsula, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.\n\nAuthorization for the Folly Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project.\n\nProvision included for Edisto Beach to receive in-kind credit for work completed on beach groins before its authorized beach project began.\n\nProvision included that would increase the cost share and cost cap of the existing New Savannah Lock and Dam project to enable more solutions to be considered.\n\nAuthorization for ecosystem restoration and flood risk management in Berkeley County.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-celebrates-passage-of-bipartisan-de-escalation-training-bill-urges-biden-to-sign/", "Scott Celebrates Passage of Bipartisan De-escalation Training Bill, Urges Biden to Sign", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), released statements celebrating House passage of the bipartisan Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act. The bill, which now heads to President Biden\u2019s desk for his signature, would equip law enforcement officers with the tools to effectively and safely respond to people in crisis.\n\n\u201cEquipping America\u2019s law enforcement officers with resources and training to respond to all types of emergencies is critical for the safety of both the officers and the communities they serve,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019ve been calling for more resources for de-escalation training, as a part of my years-long efforts to pass comprehensive police funding and reform legislation. I was pleased that my colleagues in the House joined in our bipartisan push for more and better training by passing our bipartisan Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act last night. I urge President Biden to sign it into law as soon as possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy giving law enforcement the tools they need to help those experiencing mental health emergencies and other crises, we can help make communities safer by building a stronger bridge between the criminal justice system and mental health care,\u201d said Sen. Cornyn \u201cI\u2019m grateful to my colleagues in the House for passing this critical legislation, and I urge the President to promptly sign this bill into law.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to see the House pass the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act and send it the President\u2019s desk,\u201d said Sen. Whitehouse. \u201cEvery day police officers are called on to respond to complex situations involving mental and behavioral health issues. I\u2019m grateful for Senator Cornyn\u2019s partnership on this bipartisan piece of legislation that will equip officers with the training and resources to handle those issues safely and appropriately. Many Rhode Island police departments have shown real leadership in this area and I\u2019m grateful to them for their advice and support.\u201d\n\nSenators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Mont.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) also cosponsored the bill, which would empower police and the mental health professionals working with them to link individuals to mental and behavioral health services in their community. Companion legislation in the House was led by Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), David Trone (D-Md.), and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio).\n\nBackground:\n\nIn June 2020, Senator Scott introduced the JUSTICE Act, legislation to improve policing in America by giving law enforcement officers the training and resources necessary needed to improve safety in our neighborhoods. In the year after the bill was blocked, homicides in U.S. cities reached near record highs. Among other things, the JUSTICE Act would have implemented the same requirements for developing de-escalation training standards that the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act addresses.\n\nStudies estimate that as many as six to ten percent of law enforcement encounters involve persons experiencing serious mental illnesses. People in crisis account for between 25-50% of fatalities during law enforcement encounters. Training in de-escalation tactics and other techniques can reduce excessive force complaints and fatalities during law enforcement encounters, and crisis intervention teams can improve outcomes.\n\nThe bill would build off the existing Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to create a dedicated stream of funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to train officers, and mental health professionals who work with them, in de-escalation tactics, alternatives to use of force, safely responding to mental, behavioral, and suicidal crises, and more.\n\nThe bipartisan Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act would:\n\nRequire the Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to develop curricula in the training topics, or identify existing curricula, in consultation with law enforcement, mental health organizations, family advocacy organizations, and civil rights and civil liberties groups, among other stakeholders;\n\nAuthorize $124 million in grant funding over four years for training, including scenario-based exercises and evaluative assessments; and\n\nRequire the National Institute of Justice and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the implementation of the program and the effect of the training, to ensure that the curricula have a tangible impact on law enforcement encounters with people in crisis, and identify possible changes that would further improve outcomes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-boozman-and-colleagues-to-protect-farmers-from-sec/", "Scott Joins Boozman and Colleagues to Protect Farmers From SEC", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "Washington\u2013 This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined six other senators in cosponsoring the Protect the Farmers from the SEC Act introduced by Senator John Boozman (R- Ark.). This legislation would protect family farmers and ranchers from burdensome greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting rules proposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).\n\n\u201cFarmers and ranchers are the people responsible for feeding America. The last thing they need is to be subjected to intrusive, unnecessary, and overwhelming requirements from the government,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cInstead of burdening these families with compliance paperwork, we should be looking for ways to support them and lighten an already heavy load.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe authors of this rule clearly lack an understanding of how agriculture works. The publicly traded corporations overseen by the SEC won\u2019t be the ones tasked with complying with these onerous \u2018value chain\u2019 rules. That responsibility would fall on America\u2019s family farmers and ranchers who would be forced to deal with unprecedented amounts of unnecessary paperwork. This is the last thing they need as they struggle in the face of record high input costs, supply chain bottlenecks, labor shortages, drought and other natural disasters,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nJoining Senators Scott and Boozman are Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R- Miss.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Cynthia Lummis (R- Wyo.).\n\nBackground\n\nIn March 2021, the SEC announced a climate disclosure proposal that would require all public companies to disclose GHG emissions from operations a company owns or controls; from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heat or cooling consumed by company operations; and, if material, indirect GHG emissions that occur in the upstream and downstream activities of a registrant\u2019s value chain.\n\nThe value chain reporting component of this proposal would place an undue burden on the farmers and ranchers who provide raw products to the value chain, inundating small, family-owned farms with costly compliance requirements.\n\nThe Protect Farmers from the SEC Act will exempt family farmers and ranchers from these reporting requirements, ensuring they are not required to track and disclose granular on-farm data regarding individual operations and day-to-day activities in order to stay compliant with the companies that purchase their products.\n\nThe Protect Farmers from the SEC Act is backed by a number of leading agriculture organizations including the American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen\u2019s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, USA Rice, National Cotton Council, American Sugar Alliance, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, U.S. Cattlemen\u2019s Association, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, United Egg Producers and Agriculture Retailers Association.\n\nA companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year by Congressman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.).\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-statement-on-passage-of-the-ndaa/", "Senator Tim Scott Statement on Passage of the NDAA", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on his vote to pass the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to have fought for a robust increase to military funding in this year\u2019s NDAA, including a pay raise for our troops for the fourth year in a row,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cAs the world\u2019s fiercest defender of democracy, we must take seriously our responsibility to modernize in order to compete and win against adversaries around the globe. Investing in a strong national defense means American families can sleep easier at night knowing our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to keep us safe.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe FY23 NDAA authorizes $847 billion to support U.S. national defense and includes a 4.6% pay increase for the troops and rescinds the onerous COVID vaccine mandate for service members.\n\nThe bill invests in advanced weapons systems, including the procurement of hypersonic missiles, to deter aggressors like Russia and China. It also includes a Scott-supported provision that bolsters missile defense integration between the U.S., Israel, and Arab partners to further the goal of stability in the Middle East.\n\nMany of the priorities Senator Scott advocated made it into the final NDAA, including a requirement for each military department to increase transparency in the process used to score the quality of life on military bases, in order to help South Carolina remain one the most military friendly states in the country. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) included in the NDAA contained Scott-advocated funding authorizations for projects in Horry County, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach, as well as increased funding for Lake Marion Regional Water Agency. Additional South Carolina wins championed by Senator Scott include:\n\n$10 million, Shaw Air Force Base\u2019s RAPCON Facility\n\n$75.9 million, Parris Island\u2019s Recruit Barracks\n\n$4.8 million, Parris Island\u2019s Ambulatory Care Center Replacement\n\n$900,000, USMC Air Station Beaufort Fuel Pier Replacement Design\n\n$1.7 billion, Savannah River Site\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-sen-tim-scott-spoke-on-the-senate-floor-against-biden-admin-charter-school-rule/", "ICYMI: Sen. Tim Scott Spoke on the Senate Floor Against Biden Admin Charter School Rule", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spoke on the Senate floor about his fight against the Biden administration\u2019s attacks on public charter schools, which provide crucial opportunity for many American students. This afternoon, the Senate will vote on his Congressional Review Act (CRA) legislation to nullify new Department of Education rules that would stifle education options for parents and students.\n\nWatch Senator Scott\u2019s floor speech here\n\nOn the charter school resolution vote\u2026 \u201c\u2026tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to vote for students. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to vote for parents. Tomorrow, Mr. President, we will have the opportunity to vote for common sense in the United States Senate. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to vote for my resolution to stop the Biden Department of Education from destroying educational opportunities for millions of students and their parents during the pandemic.\u201d\n\nOn giving parents educational options for their children\u2026 \u201cParents, are the ones who know what\u2019s best for their kids. They need flexibility. They deserve choice. One of those options should always be high quality public charter schools. These charter schools continue to outkick their coverage. Charter schools only represent 12%, 12% of all public high schools, but they make up 22% of the top 100 public high schools.\u201d\n\nOn the Biden administrations attack on charter schools\u2026 \u201cDespite their proven track record of success for students, for parents, and, of course, for common sense, the Biden administration continues to attack charter schools. He campaigned against them. And then as soon as he got in office, he directed the bureaucrats at the DOE, the Department of Education, to put new restrictions on charter schools, [that are] desperately looking for funding. These restrictions are a slap in the face to parents who are turning to charter schools as a better alternative for their children.\u201d\n\nOn the need for bipartisan support\u2026 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine a world where my friends across the aisle, who stood with me to protect DC Opportunity Scholarships, would not stand with us today to protect more education options for kids. All across America, by voting for the administration\u2019s restrictions, my friends across the aisle are telling these hardworking parents that labor union bosses and bureaucrats know what\u2019s best for their kids better than the parents themselves. That\u2019s plain wrong.\u201d\n\nOn education leading to opportunity\u2026 \u201cThese are kids growing up in some of America\u2019s most devastated communities, some of America\u2019s poorest communities, some of America\u2019s most disadvantaged communities. And this is a game changer, not just for the students while they\u2019re in roles in these schools, but this is a game changer for the rest of their lives. This is a game changer for them economically. This is the fastest path to the American dream we all hope to achieve one day.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Scott has led the fight for Congress to nullify the Biden administration\u2019s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding. The rule, announced by the Department of Education earlier this year, would upend the 28-year-old, bipartisan Charter School Program (CSP). The changes would place federal, one-size-fits-all requirements on charter schools, making it difficult \u2014 if not impossible \u2014 for many of these high-quality public schools to receive funding.\n\nThe Senate is slated to vote on Senator Scott\u2019s CRA this afternoon.\n\nCLICK HERE to read more about the CRA and Senator Scott\u2019s fight for school choice.\n\nCLICK HERE to read more about the CRA in Fox News.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/remarks-ranking-member-scott-opening-remarks-at-hearing-on-expanding-entrepreneurship-and-investment-opportunities/", "REMARKS: Ranking Member Scott Opening Remarks at Hearing on Expanding Entrepreneurship and Investment Opportunities", "2022-12-14", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Securities, Insurance, and Investment subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, led a hearing on increasing opportunity for and diversity among entrepreneurs and investors through capital markets.\n\nRanking Member Scott and members of the subcommittee asked witnesses about structural challenges that rural, women, low- and moderate-income, military veteran, and minority business founders, investors, and workers face in accessing capital formation, investment, and employment opportunities. The hearing also highlighted a legislative framework aimed at spurring capital formation for underserved communities and expanding opportunities for retail investors.\n\nClick here to watch Ranking Member Scott\u2019s remarks\n\nOn providing pathways for Americans of all backgrounds to build their own version of the American Dream\u2026 \u201cIt does not matter whether you are Black or white, a man or woman, or living in rural South Carolina or downtown Chicago; these three tools \u2013 homeownership, entrepreneurship, and investing in markets \u2013 are the great equalizer.\u201d\n\nOn improved capital access for America\u2019s job creators\u2026 \u201cI believe that there is more opportunity today in the United States than at any time in our history. Founders and entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds\u2026 were once almost completely unable to access the same early stage and growth funding opportunities as their peers. Today, these groups are now receiving a growing share of investment capital to start and scale their businesses.\u201d\n\nOn improved market participation for Main Street investors\u2026 \u201cIn 1989, less than one-third of American families owned any stocks or bonds. Now, over half of U.S. families are accessing the U.S. capital markets \u2013 one of the most powerful and transformative drivers of economic growth, job creation, and wealth accumulation in the world.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-booker-sickle-cell-awareness-resolution-passes-the-senate/", "Scott, Booker Sickle Cell Awareness Resolution Passes the Senate", "2022-12-09", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R- S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month unanimously passed the U.S. Senate.\n\nJoining Scott and Booker, the resolution was cosponsored by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease continues to be a prevalent blood disorder affecting many in the Black community today,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThis resolution exhibits a commitment to raising awareness and supporting the eradication of this terrible disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are disproportionally affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThe passage of this resolution reaffirms our commitment to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.\u201d\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s signature sickle cell legislation, the Sickle Cell and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment Act, was signed into law in 2018. The Senator continues the work of raising awareness and advocating for the sickle cell community today.\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2541D61B-03E9-4C9B-A867-AE476CD8F7BE", "Graham, Menendez Applaud Iran Nuclear Monitoring Language in NDAA", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded the inclusion of provisions from their Iran Nuclear Weapons Capability Monitoring Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation they introduced this summer to establish a State Department led joint task force to monitor and regularly provide reports to Congress regarding Iran\u2019s nuclear weapons and missile capabilities, in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\nIn addition to the original provisions establishing a task force led by the Department of State, new language included in the NDAA expands the task force\u2019s purview and requires it to coordinate and synthesize U.S. government efforts concerning Iran and its proxies\u2019 regional and global terrorism activities. Working in conjunction with the intelligence community, the task force will report to the appropriate congressional committees on all the above activities in order to provide Congress a more complete picture of the nefarious activities Iran is engaging in domestically and globally.\n\n\u201cIt is imperative the United States government stays focused on monitoring Iranian nuclear ambitions,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cThe National Defense Authorization Act includes language that I authored with Senator Menendez requiring the intelligence community and other federal agencies to report to Congress on the status of Iran\u2019s nuclear ambitions in a number of areas critical to developing a nuclear weapons capability. This extra monitoring will make it harder for Iran to break out in a nuclear fashion. I\u2019m pleased we\u2019ve increased scrutiny of the Iranian Nuclear Program in a bipartisan fashion at a very critical time.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe inclusion of our legislation to better track Iran\u2019s nuclear efforts in the NDAA is an important step forward as the United States continues to look for creative ways to fully address Iran\u2019s illicit nuclear program in 2023,\u201d Chairman Menendez said. \u201cIn establishing a managed process for enhanced Congressional review and oversight over Tehran\u2019s nuclear weapons and missile capabilities, we are ensuring Congress is more informed when shaping our nation\u2019s Iran policy. I thank Senator Graham for his partnership and determination to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons state and potentially igniting a nuclear arms race in the most dangerous tinderbox in the world.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, the senators\u2019 NDAA provision requires the Secretary of State to submit to Congress an annual diplomatic strategy for engaging with U.S. partners and allies regarding Iran\u2019s nuclear and terrorism activities to include:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-booker-warnock-pass-resolution-celebrating-senate-black-legislative-staff-caucus-45th-anniversary/", "Sens. Scott, Booker, Warnock Pass Resolution Celebrating Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus\u2019 45th Anniversary", "2022-12-08", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, the Senate unanimously passed Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Raphael Warnock\u2019s (D-Ga.) resolution celebrating the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus\u2019 45th Anniversary.\n\n\u201cCongratulations for reaching this incredible milestone. The mission of the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus is rooted in diversifying Capitol Hill\u2014bringing people from all walks of life to help our nation\u2019s leaders better understand who we are serving.\u201d said Senator Scott\n\n\u201cFor decades, the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus has served as an important community and support system among Black Senate staffers and I am proud to help commemorate the 45th anniversary of this incredible group. Those who represent us in government should reflect the rich diversity of our nation. Increasing diversity within the Senate is a goal we all should strive for,\u201d said Senator Booker.\n\n\u201cFor 45 years, the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus has provided crucial resources and support to recruit and develop Black congressional staff,\u201d said Senator Reverend Warnock. \u201cI\u2019m proud to congratulate the SBLSC \u2014a pillar in the effort to ensure that the staff who shape our laws be as diverse as the country itself.\u201d\n\nRead our resolution here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus is a professional and social network for Black legislative staff in the United States Senate. Established in 1977 as a non-partisan, official staff organization, SBLSC is the oldest congressional staff caucus on the Hill. SBLSC\u2019s goal is to build a sense of community and support among minority Senate staffers by increasing diversity and access to resources in the Senate. SBLSC also provides professional resources and programming to ensure that staffers are successful.\n\nThis resolution honors and celebrates the vision, foresight, and legacy of Jackie Parker and Ralph Everett which sought to cultivate a Senate culture that reflects America.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-senator-tim-scott-receives-federal-law-enforcement-foundations-national-service-award/", "ICYMI: Senator Tim Scott Receives Federal Law Enforcement Foundation\u2019s National Service Award", "2022-12-07", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Last week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott attended the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation\u2019s 34th Annual Luncheon and Awards Ceremony as the keynote speaker and recipient of the organization\u2019s National Service Award. He discussed his positive experiences with our nation\u2019s law enforcement community, the current crime epidemic, and his partnership with law enforcement leaders on police funding and reform efforts.\n\nOn personal experience with law enforcement\u2026 \u201cI had a tough start. Sometimes you have to thank God for a miserable beginning. In part, one of the reasons why I became a fan of law enforcement so early in life was because of some of the challenges that I\u2019ve seen in my lifetime\u2026 For the last 42 years, I have been a raving fan of law enforcement. And it\u2019s that perspective I had as a young man in the midst of a really bad situation, that I understood very quickly that those who are running into danger\u2014those who are showing up at the scenes\u2014are those people called to the mission of public safety. And I\u2019m a fan of every single man and every single woman who wears a badge, who supports public safety.\u201d\n\nOn increased violence and crime rates\u2026\u201c\u2026At no time has resources been more important than the times in which we live\u2014in my lifetime. When we\u2019ve seen a 70% increase in violence against police officers. We\u2019ve seen over 380 officers shot in the line of duty. Seventy officers ambushed; just trying to do their jobs and go home to their families. I think about two of those officers, Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera. I think about the comments of Mrs. Rivera during that painful scene, suggesting and saying very clearly that the system has failed us. Too often we see too many violent criminals back on the streets as soon as they are arrested because too many weak prosecutors continue to put the lives of the officers in jeopardy and the lives of the community in jeopardy by putting those violent criminals back on the streets of this country. That is wrong and we should do something about it.\u201d\n\nOn bridging the gap between law enforcement and their communities\u2026 \u201c\u2026I get a little passionate about this because we live in a world where people want there to be a simple binary choice that does not exist. People want you to believe that you either are for law enforcement officers or you are for communities of color. That is a false binary choice. If you are for communities of color, you must be for law enforcement officers. If you are for law enforcement officers, you\u2019ve got to be for communities of color. You\u2019ve got to be for the communities where they serve and for the officers who serve in those communities. That\u2019s the truth. That\u2019s one of the reasons why 81% of African-Americans across this country say we want the same level of policing or more.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Scott has led several efforts in support of law enforcement officers and building bridges to the communities they serve. This year, Sen. Scott:\n\nReceived the FSA National Legislative Champion Award from the Florida Sheriffs Association, which recognizes legislators who have made significant contributions to public safety that impact our entire nation;\n\nWas awarded the Major County Sheriffs of America Legislative Champion Award;\n\nIntroduced with colleagues the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act, which seeks to resolve discrepancies brought on by conflicting court decisions and clarifies congressional intent regarding crimes of violence and respective penalties;\n\nIntroduced with colleagues the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act of 2022 which aims to help law enforcement respond more effectively to people suffering with mental or behavioral health crises.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-cassidy-colleagues-sound-alarm-demand-transparency-from-biden-administration-on-far-left-organizations-involved-in-parent-education-council/", "Scott, Cassidy, Colleagues Sound Alarm, Demand Transparency from Biden Administration on Far-Left Organizations Involved in Parent Education Council", "2022-12-05", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) in penning a letter demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona regarding the National Parents and Families Engagement Council. The senators outlined their concerns with the hyper-partisan makeup of the council, as its members are representatives of organizations that have little to no interaction at the local level and support anti-school choice policies.\n\n\u201cIt is troubling that you seem to have forgotten to include any actual families or local level officials in it. Instead, the Department has filled the Council with organizations that have limited, if any, engagement at the local level. Most, if not all, of these organizations are liberal advocacy groups that seek to nationalize our education systems into a one-size-fits-all system while eliminating parental choice and leaving the individual needs of our students behind,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\n\u201c\u2026a recent lawsuit against the Council alleges that the highest-ranking executives for eleven of the fourteen represented organizations donated to President Biden, Democratic lawmakers, Democratic fundraisers, or other entities affiliated with Democrats. Additionally, the former director of one of the organizations was appointed to serve in the Department, and one even hosted President Biden at its annual convention. The uniformly partisan members of the Council demonstrate this administration\u2019s commitment to putting the interest of unions, teachers, non-education associations, and the radical left above students and parents,\u201d continued the senators.\n\nRead the full letter here or below:\n\nDear Secretary Cardona:\n\nI write to convey my disappointment with the seemingly prejudiced National Parents and Families Engagement Council (Council) recently announced by the Department of Education (Department). If this Council continues to exist, I seek to ensure you will establish objectivity and nominate members who serve its stated purpose of \u201cidentify[ing] constructive ways to help families engage at the local level.\u201d During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became evident that facilitating the relationship between schools and parents is most successfully chartered at the local level. Therefore, I welcome the stated purpose of this Council; however, it is troubling that you seem to have forgotten to include any actual families or local level officials in it.\n\nInstead, the Department has filled the Council with organizations that have limited, if any, engagement at the local level. Most, if not all, of these organizations are liberal advocacy groups that seek to nationalize our education systems into a one-size-fits-all system while eliminating parental choice and leaving the individual needs of our students behind. For example, a recent lawsuit against the Council alleges that the highest-ranking executives for eleven of the fourteen represented organizations donated to President Biden, Democratic lawmakers, Democratic fundraisers, or other entities affiliated with Democrats. Additionally, the former director of one of the organizations was appointed to serve in the Department, and one even hosted President Biden at its annual convention. The uniformly partisan members of the Council demonstrate this administration\u2019s commitment to putting the interest of unions, teachers, non-education associations, and the radical left above students and parents.\n\nThe biased nature of the Council also appears to violate federal law, as it disregards the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which explicitly requires \u201cmembership of [an] advisory committee to be fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented\u201d. The Department\u2019s failure to include anyone with a diverse set of parental, or even political, perspectives makes the Council void of any balance. While the Department once again ignores the laws passed by Congress, the families it claims to want to engage are left out of the room.\n\nFor the sake of parents, teachers, and students across the nation, if this overtly partisan Council continues, it is not too late for the Department to invite parents and families to the discussion. To learn about the steps the Department will take to engage parents and families, or disband the Council altogether, I request the following information and documents by January 3, 2023. When responding, please respond under each question rather than in narrative format.\n\nPlease provide a list of named representatives for each organization on the Council, along with their credentials for being said representative.\n\nPlease provide all documents and communications that have been created by the Council or by any of its members in the Council\u2019s course of business.\n\nWhat instructions, goals, or guidance has the Department given to the Council?\n\nWhat criteria governed the selection of the fourteen organizations invited to participate in the National Parents and Families Engagement Council?\n\nThis may seem like a question with an obvious answer, but to be sure, was there a requirement that any of the representatives have human children?\n\nDid any organization have the opportunity to apply to join the Council?\n\nWas there any outreach done by the Department to specific organizations with regard to the formation? If so, please list all organizations the Department conducted any outreach to with regards to the formation of this Council, regardless of whether potential membership in the Council was discussed.\n\nHow were organizations invited to participate in the Council? For example, were there formal invitations sent out or were invitations part of informal communications between the Department and outside organizations? Please provide all documents and communications that discuss or reflects an invitation to any organization to be a part of this Council.\n\nBefore assembling the Council, did anyone at the Department have communication with any of the fourteen represented organizations regarding mask or vaccine mandates, critical race theory, and gender identity training in schools, transgender issues, educational equity, or school boards? What was the nature and substance of such communication(s)?\n\nWhat efforts were and are being taken to meet FACA requirements governing viewpoint diversity, open and transparent public meetings and activities, Federal Register notice, and public oversight in the formation of federal advisory committees?\n\nGiven the apparent partisan bias and close ties between the fourteen organizations and the Biden Administration, is the Department taking any steps to ensure that all parents and families, not just those that voted President Biden, are represented on the Council?\n\nSeveral of the organizations represented on the Council have espoused policy positions radically unpopular with American parents. For example: The National Parents Union has supported \u201cCritical Race Theory\u201d instruction and its director has defended the September 29, 2021, letter written by the National School Board Association calling certain parents \u201cdomestic terrorists.\u201d The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) sued to maintain mask mandates in Virginia schools.\n\nDoes the Department endorse these views and envision the Council also endorsing these views?\n\nWhy are there no groups that have opposed school mask mandates or critical race theory instruction represented on the Council?\n\nHow would you respond to concerns that these groups are overly partisan and do not represent perspectives held by all parents around the nation?\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-announces-senate-banking-committee-republican-staff-director/", "Senator Tim Scott Announces Senate Banking Committee Republican Staff Director", "2022-12-05", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is set to serve as the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, announced today his intention to appoint Lila Nieves-Lee as the Committee\u2019s Republican staff director in the 118th Congress.\n\n\u201cLila Nieves-Lee\u2019s career has been defined by her passion to expand economic opportunity for all Americans,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cShe will be instrumental in shaping a committee agenda that makes the right tools and opportunities available for Americans to achieve financial security, provide for their families, gain an education, start a business, buy a house, and engage in the modern economy \u2013 without unnecessary red tape and regulations. Having been such an important part of our achievements in the Banking Committee last Congress, I cannot imagine taking on the role of ranking member of the Committee without her by my side.\u201d\n\nNieves-Lee, who is currently the senior director for U.S. Government Engagement at Visa, previously worked on the senator\u2019s policy staff and served as his staff director of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protections under Scott\u2019s leadership.\n\n\u201cI want to thank Senator Scott for the opportunity to expand on the work we did together to protect American consumers and put hardworking families first,\u201d said Nieves-Lee. \u201cThe Senate Banking Committee is uniquely positioned to pursue an Opportunity Agenda centered around a fundamental belief that every American has the right to succeed. I look forward to carrying out that vision.\u201d\n\nIn addition to her roles at Visa and in the Senate, Nieves-Lee served as vice president of Autos Drive America, a trade association representing the U.S. operations of international automakers. She also served as a political appointee in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative as director of Congressional Relations and helped usher Members of Congress and staff through the NAFTA/USMCA and KORUS renegotiation processes.\n\nA native of California, Lila started her career with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and later joined the House Ways and Means Committee. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-to-direct-offshore-energy-funds-back-to-the-states-help-strengthen-coastal-communities/", "Scott Joins Colleagues to Direct Offshore Energy Funds Back to the States, Help Strengthen Coastal Communities", "2022-12-01", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senator Scott joined Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and 20 of their Senate colleagues as a cosponsor of the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act. The legislation would direct money generated from offshore wind projects back to the states nearest to those projects.\n\nCurrent law requires that all revenues generated from offshore wind leases and production beyond six nautical miles from states be sent to the U.S. Treasury. The RISEE Act would allow South Carolina to generate revenue from these leases, giving the state and local governments more resources to better protect the Carolina coastline.\n\n\u201cCoastal states like South Carolina are actively pursuing an all of the above energy approach, especially now that failed leadership in Washington has crippled our domestic energy production and endangered our national security,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI would rather see revenue from these newer projects get into the capable hands of South Carolinians instead of it all going to the U.S. Treasury. Leaders in the state know the needs of our coast better than any of the bureaucrats in Washington.\u201d\n\nState funds from offshore wind revenue could be used for the following:\n\nCoastal restoration, hurricane protection, or resiliency infrastructure;\n\nMitigating damage to natural resources; or\n\nImplementing a marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.\n\nAdditionally, 37.5 percent of offshore wind revenues would serve as a further dedicated funding source for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund (NOCSF). This fund provides competitive grants to coastal communities to respond to coastal erosion and sea level rise, restore coastal habitat, and make improvements to coastal infrastructure.\n\nThe RISEE Act would also amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) to create a new stream of funding by equalizing mineral rights revenues for offshore leases and devoting that money to coastal resiliency and flood mitigation projects.\n\nThe bill amends GOMESA by:\n\nEliminating the state revenue sharing cap, currently at $375 million;\n\nLifting the Land & Water Conservation Fund\u2019s state side funding cap of $125 million;\n\nAdding the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund (NOCSF) as a fourth GOMESA equity (12.5%);\n\nMaking oil and gas leases from 2000-2006 eligible for future GOMESA payments to Gulf Coast states and the NOCSF. Currently, only leases from 2007 to present are eligible for GOMESA payments. EIA reports 11 new oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico that will contribute to the overall growth in U.S. production are GOMESA eligible under current law, and another eight would qualify under this proposed change; and\n\nProtecting GOMESA revenues from sequestration.\n\nThis bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-bipartisan-group-urging-usda-to-give-farmers-more-time-to-comment-on-new-rule-with-major-impact-for-chicken-industry/", "Scott Joins Bipartisan Group Urging USDA to Give Farmers More Time to Comment on New Rule With Major Impact for Chicken Industry", "2022-11-22", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), co-chairs of the Senate Chicken Caucus, and 16 of their Senate colleagues urging the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend the time farmers have to comment on a proposed rule that would have a major impact on the poultry industry. Granting a 180-day extension, as the letter requests, would allow farmers and constituents to consider more carefully the new rule created through the Packers and Stockyards Act and provide the most substantive comments possible of the effects of the rule on the poultry, cattle, and hog industries.\n\n\u201cThe proposed rule entitled \u2018Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act\u2019 introduces novel regulatory concepts, which would have wide-ranging impacts on the contracting of poultry, cattle, and hogs. \u2026 It is appropriate that additional time is allotted to stakeholders and our constituents so that they may provide the most substantive comments possible,\u201d wrote the Senators.\n\n\u201cWe respectfully request that USDA extend the comment period of the proposed rule for 180 days. This would allow stakeholders and constituents to study the impact that the Department\u2019s full competition agenda would have on industry efficiency and compliance costs, food availability and hunger, and inflationary pressures on consumers. As you know, the chicken industry is essential to our domestic and global food security because of our significant exports. We therefore urge you to let stakeholders comment on all proposed rules together and to take steps to mitigate any interruptions to the poultry supply chain,\u201d wrote the Senators.\n\nA bipartisan group of 16 senators joined Senators Scott, Coons, and Wicker in signing the letter, including Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and Richard Burr (R-N.C.).\n\nA copy of the letter is available here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Vilsack:\n\nAs representatives of states with substantial chicken operations, we respectfully request the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grant a 180-day extension of the comment period for the above-referenced proposed rule. We believe an extension is needed for stakeholders to consider and properly analyze the proposal.\n\nThe proposed rule entitled \u201cInclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act\u201d introduces novel regulatory concepts, which would have wide-ranging impacts on the contracting of poultry, cattle, and hogs. It would also establish broad recordkeeping obligations on each of these sectors. Additionally, the preamble to the proposed rule poses 44 detailed, technical questions regarding definitions of terms that require careful consideration and feedback. It is appropriate that additional time is allotted to stakeholders and our constituents so that they may provide the most substantive comments possible.\n\nThe proposed rule is the second installment in a three-part rulemaking intended to effect changes to the meat and poultry supply chains. On June 8, USDA published a proposed rule entitled, \u201cTransparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments,\u201d and an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking entitled, \u201cPoultry Growing Tournament Systems: Fairness and Related Concerns.\u201d USDA has also stated its intent to promulgate another proposed rule entitled, \u201cClarification of Scope of the Packers and Stockyards Act.\u201d Each of these rules are inexorably connected, and USDA has described them as a \u201csuite of major actions under the Biden administration to create fairer marketplaces for poultry, livestock, and hog producers.\u201d Therefore, to understand fully the economic, legal, and operational impacts of the proposed rule and to provide meaningful comments, stakeholders and our constituents must have the opportunity to consider USDA\u2019s competition agenda in its entirety.\n\nWe respectfully request that USDA extend the comment period of the proposed rule for 180 days. This would allow stakeholders and constituents to study the impact that the Department\u2019s full competition agenda would have on industry efficiency and compliance costs, food availability and hunger, and inflationary pressures on consumers. As you know, the chicken industry is essential to our domestic and global food security because of our significant exports. We therefore urge you to let stakeholders comment on all proposed rules together and to take steps to mitigate any interruptions to the poultry supply chain.\n\nThank you for your attention to this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like more information or have any questions.\n\nSincerely,\n\nChristopher A. Coons United States Senator\n\nRoger Wicker United States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:38:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-thune-grassley-and-senate-republican-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-hold-the-irs-more-accountable/", "Scott, Thune, Grassley & Senate Republican Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Hold the IRS More Accountable", "2022-11-22", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a current member of the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight, recently led their Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee in introducing the IRS Funding Accountability Act. The legislation responds to the Democrats\u2019 use of the so-called \u201cInflation Reduction Act\u201d (IRA) to infuse the IRS with $80 billion of new funding without any oversight measures to prevent waste, protect taxpayer rights, or measure improvements of service. The IRS Funding Accountability Act would give Congress a direct say in how this new funding could be spent, hold the IRS more accountable, and provide more transparency for the American people.\n\n\u201cDC Democrats poured tens of billions of dollars into the IRS, an agency with a well-documented history of political bias and abuse of power. Yet, the Biden administration has not released a plan to conduct oversight to ensure taxpayers know how their hard-earned money is being spent. Our bill would implement appropriate accountability measures to give the American people full transparency.\u201d said Scott.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats\u2019 attempt to supersize the IRS without holding the agency accountable to Congress and American taxpayers is dangerous and irresponsible,\u201d said Thune. \u201cThis legislation would provide much-needed oversight of the unprecedented $80 billion in new funding to the agency, more than half of which Democrats have directed toward enforcement-related measures, including audits. If our bill becomes law, the Biden administration\u2019s IRS would have to answer to the American people, not Washington bureaucrats.\u201d\n\n\u201cGovernment, especially when it comes to the treatment of taxpayers, needs to be accountable and transparent to the American people,\u201d said Grassley. \u201cWhen Democrats\u2019 partisan spending bill gave the IRS an extra 80 billion dollars, their legislation included no oversight mechanisms whatsoever. Our bill will ensure that the IRS is answerable to the American people in how it uses this money, and will force it to forfeit funds every day it\u2019s not in compliance.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe $80 billion in IRS funding included in the so-called Inflation Reduction Act came with almost no guardrails for an agency that has fallen chronically short on core elements of their mission in recent years,\u201d said Pete Sepp, president of the National Taxpayers Union. \u201cNational Taxpayers Union (NTU) is proud to support the IRS Funding Accountability Act, which would require the IRS to provide Congress with a genuine and realistic plan for spending the most significant influx of funds the agency has ever received. The bill would also require the IRS to regularly update Congress on their spending, ensuring ongoing accountability of the agency over the next 10 years. On behalf of the nation\u2019s taxpayers, NTU gratefully applauds Senators Thune and Grassley for their leadership on IRS oversight.\u201d\n\n\u201cJoe Biden promised taxpayers that no one earning less than $400,000 would see a penny more in taxes. Biden lied his way into office,\u201d said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. \u201cDemocrats raised taxes on American families and unleashed 87,000 new IRS agents to shakedown small business owners and ramp up audits on taxpayers. Congressional oversight of Biden\u2019s IRS is essential. This legislation will help rein in Biden\u2019s IRS and address the agency\u2019s broken culture of unaccountability.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Inflation Reduction Act directed 80 billion taxpayer dollars to the IRS, with the majority earmarked to increase the agency\u2019s enforcement activities,\u201d said Brent Gardner, chief government affairs officer for Americans For Prosperity. \u201cWith little to no information about how the agency plans to use those taxpayer dollars or hold itself accountable, the IRS Funding Accountability Act would implement commonsense measures to increase oversight and transparency on behalf of the American taxpayer. Americans for Prosperity thanks Senators Thune and Grassley for introducing this legislation.\u201d\n\nThe senators\u2019 legislation would, among other things, require the IRS to provide Congress with an annual plan for how the agency intends to use the new IRA funds, which would be subject to a new joint resolution of disapproval. The bill would also require quarterly updates from the IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury to enable consistent and transparent evaluation of the plans, provide accountability for any misuse of funds, and guard against violations of taxpayer rights. Failure to submit timely and thorough plans or reports would result in financial penalties, including IRA funds being rescinded on a daily basis until the IRS complies with the reporting requirements.\n\nThe legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nAdditional background information on the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:38:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-and-coons-resolution-celebrating-national-college-application-month-passes-in-the-senate/", "Scott and Coons\u2019 Resolution Celebrating National College Application Month Passes in the Senate", "2022-11-18", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, the Senate unanimously passed Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Chris Coons\u2019 (D-Del.) resolution designating November as National College Application Month. The bipartisan resolution encourages students to focus on their options for pursuing higher education and commends the parents, educators and mentors who partner in guiding them through the process.\n\nThe resolution, also cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Angus King (I-Maine), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Tom Carper (D-DE), highlights findings from the Pew Economic Mobility Project that shows those who earn a college degree are more likely to achieve upward mobility.\n\n\u201cA college education continues to increase opportunities for students of all backgrounds,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI encourage families, educators, and mentors to continue to work together to provide awareness and assistance to students pursuing educational excellence.\u201d\n\n\u201cHigher education provides an important path of students to expand their skillset, worldview, and career opportunities. National College Application Month is an opportunity to make sure students are aware of their options and encourages them to explore resources as they take the next steps in their education,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cI\u2019m glad to bring my colleagues together in recognition of this exciting moment in so many people\u2019s lives, and proud to see this measure move forward unanimously in the Senate.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe appreciate that members of the U.S. Senate recognize the importance of ensuring that every student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. ACT\u2019s American College Application Campaign works each year to support all high school seniors, especially those who are systemically underserved, in applying to at least one college. Students from low-income families and those who are the first in their families to attend college are often faced with many obstacles to completing an application, from confusion about how to apply, to financial concerns.\u201d \u2013 Janet Godwin, ACT CEO\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.\n\nBackground:\n\nAs a part of Sen. Scott\u2019s ongoing efforts to improve college access and affordability, he introduced provisions to simplify student loan applications. As a result, the following improvements were made to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):\n\nThe total number questions on the FAFSA were reduced from 108 questions to a maximum of 36 questions, building on the previous year\u2019s FUTURE Act.\n\nReduced the Department of Education\u2019s lengthy financial data verification process by instead using data from the Internal Revenue Service.\n\nCreated simpler Pell Grant eligibility guidelines for maximum and minimum awards, so many applicants will know if they will get a maximum or minimum grant to go to college.\n\nEnabled an additional 555,000 students to qualify for Pell grants each year, and enabled an additional 1.7 million students to qualify to receive the maximum Pell grant award each year.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:38:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-and-rosen-introduce-israeli-american-heritage-resolution-recognizing-israeli-american-contributions/", "Scott and Rosen Introduce Israeli-American Heritage Resolution Recognizing Israeli-American Contributions", "2022-11-18", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced a resolution recognizing Israeli-American contributions and condemning antisemitism. The bipartisan resolution introduced by the co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations condemns discrimination and violence faced by Israeli-Americans while recognizing their important cultural contributions to America.\n\n\u201cIsraeli-American and Jewish Americans have been incredible contributors to the success of the United States and have made valuable improvements to our society. Furthermore, in America, where everyone is free to pursue the American dream regardless of their race, religion, or ethnic background, discrimination of any kind has no place,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI stand with my Jewish brothers and sisters against antisemitic hate.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the third Jewish woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate, I\u2019m proud to help introduce this resolution to honor the culture, heritage, and legacy of Israeli-Americans,\u201d said Senator Rosen. \u201cAt a time of rising antisemitism that impacts Israeli-Americans, this resolution recognizes their contributions to the United States and condemns all forms of hate and discrimination.\u201d\n\nThe Israeli-American Coalition voiced its support for the resolution noting the importance of vigilance against antisemitism in America.\n\n\u201cWe are proud that our community and institutions have matured to the point that the Israeli-American story and our contributions to America are worthy of such acknowledgement,\u201d said the IAC.\n\nBackground:\n\nAs a founding member of the Senate Black-Jewish Relations Caucus, Senator Tim Scott has worked to combat antisemitism in America and on the world stage. Recently, Sens. Scott and Rosen worked together to introduce a bill to introduce halting the United Nation Human Rights Council\u2019s (UNHRC) biased inquiry into Israel. He also sponsored the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:38:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-daines-colleagues-demand-nonpartisan-assessment-of-democrats-reckless-and-inflationary-spending/", "Scott, Daines, Colleagues Demand Nonpartisan Assessment of Democrats\u2019 Reckless and Inflationary Spending", "2022-10-27", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), members of the Senate Committees on Finance and Banking, along with a group of their colleagues, sent a letter to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) demanding a swift and thorough assessment of the short- and long-term effects of the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending and inflationary policies on the nation\u2019s fiscal future.\n\n\u201cWe write to obtain CBO\u2019s assessment of the effects of rapid acceleration of interest rates on net interest costs of servicing the $31-trillion-plus, and growing, federal debt, and effects of the runaway 40-year high consumer price inflation that has been hammering American families and eroding workers\u2019 paychecks,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\n\u201cGiven the upcoming two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee on November 1st and 2nd, at which it is widely expected that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by at least 75 basis points, please reply as soon as possible after November 2nd so that lawmakers and the public can be equipped with the most accurate data possible when making policy decisions,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nSenators Scott and Daines were joined by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and James Lankford (R-Okla).\n\nRead the senators\u2019 full letter sent to the Congressional Budget Office here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E6E67CC5-FB4A-4741-B4F6-8E9BB84A7F76", "Graham On The Passing Of Secretary Carter", "2022-10-25", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the passing of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very sad to hear of the passing of former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.\n\n\u201cHe was a good friend and worked hard for the men and women in uniform on his watch.\n\n\u201cHe will be missed by his many friends and his loving family.\n\n\u201cRest in Peace, my friend.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-applauds-fhfa-efforts-to-responsibly-expand-homeownership-to-more-americans/", "Scott Applauds FHFA Efforts to Responsibly Expand Homeownership to More Americans", "2022-10-25", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released a statement on this week\u2019s announcement by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson that the Agency validated and approved both FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 for use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) and will eventually require lenders to deliver both credit scores with each loan sold to the GSEs.\n\n\u201cA lot has changed about the world in the two decades since the GSEs\u2019 accepted scoring model was last updated \u2013 including tremendous technical advancements in credit modeling technology and significant changes to consumer consumption trends \u2013 and this announcement marks an important step in helping make our country\u2019s housing system more fair for everyone without lowering the bar for qualification,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cHomeownership is a central part of the American Dream, and I am optimistic that the changes outlined by FHFA today will responsibly assist millions of hardworking, qualified, and creditworthy people across the country to accomplish that goal.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 2017, Sen. Scott partnered with Senator Mark Warner (R-Va.) to introduce the Credit Score Competition Act, which directed the FHFA to create a process by which credit scoring models can be validated and approved for use by the GSEs when they purchase mortgages.\n\nThe bill was ultimately part of the bipartisan financial regulatory tailoring package, S. 2155 \u2014 the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law in May 2018. FHFA began efforts to implement Sen. Scott\u2019s legislation shortly afterward.\n\nRead more about Senator Scott\u2019s work to level the homeownership playing field for creditworthy Americans here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-graham-colleagues-raise-concerns-over-proposed-noaa-rule/", "Scott, Graham, Colleagues Raise Concerns Over Proposed NOAA Rule", "2022-10-24", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in sending a letter to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regarding a recently proposed change to the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) Vessel Strike Reduction Rule. In their letter, the senators argue the rule change would slow operations at the port, hurt sport fishers and boat manufacturers, and threaten the lives of harbor pilots.\n\nThe senators wrote, \u201cAfter briefings from our harbor pilots and ports experts, the proposed changes as we understand them would challenge navigation safety, endanger mariners, and threaten the viability of South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida ports, as well as the boating and fishing industries and communities in our states. \u2026\n\n\u201cAgain, while we support NOAA\u2019s efforts to protect the NARW, these efforts should not put mariners in danger, or unnecessarily disrupt the maritime supply chain that is so important to our country\u2019s economy and national security. We urge NOAA to work in good faith with key stakeholders, including ports, pilots, shipping, and labor organizations, to modify its proposal so that the NARW is protected, but the unintended consequences discussed above can be eliminated,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nRead their letter in full here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-finance-committee-republicans-irs-requires-unbiased-oversight-of-unprecedented-funding-boost/", "Scott, Finance Committee Republicans: IRS Requires Unbiased Oversight of Unprecedented Funding Boost", "2022-10-21", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Finance Committee Republicans in sending a letter to Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting an update on outstanding issues that GAO has previously advised the IRS to remedy. The senators note the IRS lacks substantive attention to oversight, transparency and accountability, raising the need for increased oversight by Congress and others. With roughly $80 billion in unbridled new funding, the IRS has no excuse for not addressing existing problems at the agency, including lack of taxpayer privacy protections in light of IRS data leaks.\n\nThe letter:\n\nRequests information on what high-risk IRS issues previously identified by GAO remain outstanding;\n\nRequests details of the \u201csignificant deficiencies in internal controls\u201d identified in GAO\u2019s recent audit of IRS\u2019s FY 2021 and FY 2020 financial statements;\n\nRequests details of the \u201cunresolved information system security control deficiencies\u201d identified in that audit;\n\nAsks for confirmation that IRS, prior to the IRA, already received more than $3 billion of supplemental funding for FY 2020 and FY 2021; and\n\nAsks for a list of outstanding GAO recommendations to the IRS for agency improvements and adherence to the law.\n\nThe senators wrote, \u201cAmong the many unfortunate characteristics of what P.L. 117-169 labels \u2018enhancement\u2019 of IRS resources is absence of any substantive enhancement to how the supersized funding will be managed and overseen. This works against accountability, transparency and protections against abuse, and improved internal funding controls. \u2026\n\n\u201cConcerns over lack of additional oversight resources proportionate to the vast increase in IRS funding derived from partisan legislation are especially warranted given recent IRS abuses of taxpayers, including violations of civil rights, inappropriate and systematic targeting of non-profit applicants and groups based on political beliefs and inappropriate IRS mixing of politics with religious beliefs. \u2026\n\n\u201cCongress and the American people rely on inspectors general, oversight boards where operational and functional, and, importantly, the Government Accountability Office to help provide accountability, transparency, and bipartisan inclusion in agencies uses of hard-earned taxpayer resources. \u2026 We ask that GAO provide initial guidance to Congress on its plans to help provide all of the American people eyes into what will transpire with the massive new IRS funding.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-tillis-and-colleagues-send-letter-seeking-answers-on-changed-paypal-policy-to-financially-punish-customers-over-misinformation/", "Scott, Tillis, and Colleagues Send Letter Seeking Answers on Changed PayPal Policy to Financially Punish Customers Over \u2018Misinformation\u2019", "2022-10-20", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and five of their Senate Republican colleagues in penning a letter to PayPal seeking answers over PayPal\u2019s recent announcement of a policy intended to financially punish its own customers for expressing views which PayPal arbitrarily classifies as \u201cmisinformation.\u201d Though PayPal ultimately rescinded the policy before it could go into effect, the senators \u201cremain concerned about the processes and values in place at PayPal that allowed a policy such as this to move forward in the first place.\u201d\n\nThe senators wrote, \u201cAs widely reported, PayPal issued an update to the terms and conditions of its AUP, which is scheduled to take effect on November 3, 2022. This update included language that would have allowed PayPal to fine any one of its 429 million users up to $2,500 per offense for spreading \u2018misinformation.\u2019 Disturbingly, the drafting of the policy gave PayPal \u2018sole discretion\u2019 regarding what constitutes \u2018misinformation.\u2019 In effect, PayPal sought the ability to define, then punish its users\u2019 public thoughts.\u201d\n\nThe senators continued, \u201cAdditionally, PayPal attempted to downplay the dramatic shift in policy this provision envisioned by arguing that its user agreement \u2018has long-stated that PayPal can take funds of up to $2,500 or local equivalent from an account for each violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.\u2019 Yet a review of PayPal\u2019s current Prohibited Activities list shows the vast majority of violations arise from breaches of public law or transactions for specific disfavored items or business practices. The addition of a vague prohibition on spreading \u2018misinformation\u2019 not only would have concerningly expanded the scope of punishable actions, but also would have decreased clarity and increased subjectivity within the Prohibited Activities list. PayPal users deserve clear rules of the road for using the platform, not punishments for open-ended, subjective offenses.\u201d\n\n\u201cGreater encroachment by large technology and financial companies into public speech will only exacerbate Americans\u2019 increasing mistrust of such institutions. Moreover, countless major news events over the past several years have taught us that public information continually evolves, often causing individuals, groups, and organizations to reassess what once appeared to be settled fact. Given this reality, policies that empower companies to punish individuals\u2019 beliefs by acting as arbiters of fact in our ever-changing news and public debate environment represent poor business decisions. Instead, large technology and financial institutions should focus on serving the needs of their customers without bias,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nSenators Scott and Tillis were joined by U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nBackground\n\nSen. Scott has been leading the fight against discrimination in financial services. Last week, he sent a letter to PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman expressing his concerns regarding reported updates to the company\u2019s Acceptable Use Policy. The letter cautioned the firm against attempting to usurp the democratic process by using its market power as a financial institution to pick political winners and losers.\n\nRead Senator Scott\u2019s letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-cotton-colleagues-call-for-answers-on-possible-double-dipping-student-loan-refunds-for-federal-employees/", "Scott, Cotton, Colleagues Call for Answers on Possible Double-Dipping Student Loan \u201cRefunds\u201d for Federal Employees", "2022-10-14", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), along with Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), sent a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona seeking answers about federal employees potentially receiving refunds for student loan payments that the federal government made on their behalf.\n\nThe senators wrote, \u201cYour current guidance raises the troubling possibility that over 12,000 federal employees who benefit from these taxpayers funded repayment programs could receive direct checks to \u2018reimburse\u2019 them for loan repayments already made by taxpayers. Your Department explicitly tells borrowers that payments can only be \u2018refunded to you, even if someone else made a payment on your loan.\u2019 This could allow federal employees to receive thousands of dollars in refunds for student loans payments that they never actually made themselves.\u201d\n\nRead full text of the letter here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Cardona,\n\nYour agency recently released a guidance document stating that federal student loan borrowers who made repayments since March 13, 2020 will receive an automatic refund for their payments because both the requirement to make payments and the accrual of interest were paused since this time period. As you know, the federal government already offers generous repayment programs to its employees, which continued during the pandemic. Reports suggest roughly 2,000 Capitol Hill staffers and 10,400 executive branch employees benefit from these generous repayment plans.\n\nYour current guidance raises the troubling possibility that over 12,000 federal employees who benefit from these taxpayers funded repayment programs could receive direct checks to \u201creimburse\u201d them for loan repayments already made by taxpayers. Your Department explicitly tells borrowers that payments can only be \u201crefunded to you, even if someone else made a payment on your loan.\u201d This could allow federal employees to receive thousands of dollars in refunds for student loans payments that they never actually made themselves. Please respond to the following questions no later than October 14, 2022:\n\n1. Do you plan to give a \u201crefund\u201d to any federal employees who had repayments made on their behalf by the federal government since March 13th, 2020?\n\n2. If a federal employee with a $20,000 federal student loan balance in March of 2020 stopped making payments at that time but continued to receive taxpayer benefits that paid their balance down to zero over the course of the pause on repayment, could that borrower apply to have $20,000 \u201crefunded\u201d to them?\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-accepting-applications-for-spring-2023-internships/", "Senator Scott Accepting Applications for Spring 2023 Internships", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is now accepting applications for internships in his Washington, D.C., North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville offices for the spring of 2023. The internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to work with public service professionals and gain practical experience in constituent services, government policy, and more.\n\nWashington, D.C. Office: In Washington, interns will research legislation, attend Congressional hearings and briefings, assist with press tasks, and help manage correspondence on various issues. Responsibilities also include answering phones and other administrative tasks. Interns in this office will gain a stronger understanding of the lawmaking process, while also improving their communications skills.\n\nSouth Carolina Offices (North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville): In the state offices, interns will take an active role in the community, working on state-based projects while also answering phones, completing research, and being an integral part of day-to-day office operations. Interns in these offices are able to assist with issues that affect South Carolinians each day.\n\nInternship hours are flexible to accommodate students\u2019 course schedules but generally run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students may also gain course credit for completing the internship program. Interested students can apply through our website at https://www.scott.senate.gov/constituent-services/internships. For additional questions, contact the internship coordinator at internships@scott.senate.gov or (202) 224-6121.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/tim-scott-letter-to-paypal-financial-institutions-are-not-engineers-of-social-policy/", "Tim Scott Letter to PayPal: Financial Institutions Are Not Engineers of Social Policy", "2022-10-12", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) wrote a letter to PayPal President and CEO Dan Schulman, following the company\u2019s announcement that their policy fining users $2,500 for spreading \u201cmisinformation\u201d was published by mistake. In the letter, Sen. Scott urges PayPal to disavow discrimination in the financial services industry and requests more information related to the development and publication of the erroneous policy.\n\nSen. Scott wrote,\u201cI was gravely concerned by the recently reported updates to PayPal, Inc.\u2019s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that would provide the firm carte blanche authority to levy financial penalties against users it determines have violated poorly-defined anti-\u201cmisinformation\u201d policies. \u2026\n\n\u201cFinancial institutions provide financial services; they are not engineers of social policy. They should not punish legal industries like firearms dealers or media companies because they disagree politically, nor should they promote credit to politically favored industries. Increasingly, companies seek to benefit from US regulatory backstops and stability, while blatantly ignoring or subverting long-standing US protections for free speech and political diversity. Going forward, I strongly urge PayPal to clarify how it will make its business decisions based on consistent, quantifiable risk-based analysis of customers, rather than internal policy decisions about what legal products and services should be available to consumers and markets.\u201d\n\nRead full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-graham-colleagues-introduce-religious-education-week-resolution/", "Scott, Graham, Colleagues Introduce Religious Education Week Resolution", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in introducing a resolution designating October 2 through October 8, 2022, as \u201cReligious Education Week\u201d to celebrate religious educational institutions and the options they provide to families seeking the best education for their children.\n\n\u201cEach year, millions of families across the nation choose to enroll their children in religious education,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cWith this resolution, we affirm that decision and commit to ensuring religious schools can thrive alongside their secular counterparts. Families should be able to educate their children in the way they see fit, and religious schools play a large role in making that possible.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nOrganizations in support of the resolution include the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, Coalition for Jewish Values, Foundation for American Christian Education, School Time Bible Ministries, Association of Christian Schools International, Agudath Israel of America, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Christian Coalition, Alliance Defending Freedom, Christian Legal Society, Catholic Education Partners, Family Research Council, National Committee for Religious Freedom, and Catholics Count.\n\nThe full text of the resolution is attached.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-sens-scott-and-brown-op-ed-urges-support-for-bipartisan-legislation-to-create-a-more-secure-financial-future/", "ICYMI: Sens. Scott & Brown Op-Ed Urges Support for Bipartisan Legislation to Create a More Secure Financial Future", "2022-10-06", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014 This week, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) penned an op-ed in The Hill explaining the importance of advancing their auto portability legislation, which will help all Americans establish a more secure financial future.\n\nCreating a more secure financial future for American workers\n\nThe Hill\n\nBy Sens. Tim Scott and Sherrod Brown\n\nOctober 5, 2022\n\n\u201cAmericans shouldn\u2019t have to jump through hoops and do cumbersome paperwork just to keep their hard-earned retirement savings. When you change jobs your retirement savings should go with you. Period.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s why we teamed up to introduce the Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022, to save workers both time and money.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cToday, if workers have less than $5,000 in their retirement accounts, those savings are shifted out of retirement savings and are often cashed out. When that happens, workers may have to pay taxes and fees on the money they\u2019ve saved.? They also lose the important benefit of compounding retirement growth.\n\n\u201cIn 2015, the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) estimated that Americans lost $92.4 billion due to \u2018leakages\u2019 from their retirement cash-outs.? This means Americans are losing retirement savings simply because they changed jobs.?This represents a serious problem that undermines the ability of 401(k) plans to support Americans in their retirements.\n\n\u201cAccording to EBRI, more than 5 million Americans with retirement plan account balances of less than $5,000 leave jobs each year. More than half of those workers have their money leak out of the qualified system within a year, and a close look at the data reveals that money is disproportionately lost by Black and Latino workers, and those in the lowest income brackets.\n\n\u201cThe Advancing Auto Portability Act of 2022 \u2014 which we introduced this summer\u2014 would solve this problem by allowing workers to automatically roll over savings from their previous employer to a new employer. Creating continuity will help workers keep more of what they\u2019ve earned for retirement and alleviate some of the stress that already accompanies major life events like changing jobs.\n\n\u201cIn the modern economy, Americans are changing jobs more frequently than ever before. The average American will have nearly 10 jobs over their working careers, meaning an estimated 14.8 million workers changing their retirement plans each year. Allowing these workers to seamlessly take their full retirement savings with them to their next job would have a life-changing impact on working Americans and would make a significant impact on the U.S. economy.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cWe encourage our colleagues to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation that will create a more secure financial future for American workers, and save people precious time and money.\u201d\n\nClick here to read the op-ed in full at The Hill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hagerty-colleagues-lambaste-amalgamated-bank-for-weaponizing-financial-system-to-infringe-on-americans-second-amendment-rights/", "Scott, Hagerty, Colleagues Lambaste Amalgamated Bank for Weaponizing Financial System to Infringe on Americans\u2019 Second Amendment Rights", "2022-10-05", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 United States Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and 23 colleagues in sending a letter to Amalgamated Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Priscilla Sims Brown, criticizing the bank\u2019s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases\u2014an indefensible attempt to target law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms and to enact far-left political goals.\n\n\u201cYour bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nThe Senators pointed to Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website, where its anti-firearm agenda is made alarmingly clear.\n\n\u201cIt is clear from Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What\u2019s worse, these actions weren\u2019t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system,\u201d the senators continued.\n\nPrior to the International Standards Organization (ISO)\u2019s recent creation of a merchant category code (MCC) that will target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers earlier this month, Amalgamated Bank submitted three applications for its anti-firearm policies\u2014each of which were rejected.\n\n\u201cLet us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable\u2026 You should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO\u2019s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nAdditional signers include United States Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), along with Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Boozman (R-AR), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Ms. Brown,\n\nWe write to you about your bank\u2019s manipulation of an international rules organization to force U.S. financial services firms to categorize gun purchases. Your bank is attempting to restrict the Second Amendment rights of Americans by going around the democratic process. You should expect Congressional oversight of your actions.\n\nAs you are undoubtedly aware, earlier this month, the International Standards Organization (ISO) based in Switzerland created a merchant category code (MCC) specifically to target, surveil and discourage gun and ammunition sellers. Your actions were a major step toward targeting law-abiding Americans exercising their right to purchase firearms, a right that is protected by the Constitution.\n\nIt is clear from Amalgamated Bank\u2019s website that it has fully embraced an anti-firearm agenda. Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans. If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What\u2019s worse, these actions weren\u2019t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system.\n\nThere was good reason that the ISO rejected your previous three applications for this policy, as such a move is purely political, not to mention the immense regulatory and compliance burden it will ultimately place on retailers.\n\nLet us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable. The fundamental rights of Americans should be legislated on and debated by the elected officials who are sent to Washington, D.C. on their constituents\u2019 behalf, and not by progressive activist CEOs or un-elected bureaucrats in Geneva.\n\nYou should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO\u2019s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hbcu-caucus-co-chairs-urge-fbi-and-doj-to-help-protect-hbcus-from-recent-bomb-threats/", "Scott, HBCU Caucus Co-Chairs Urge FBI and DOJ to Help Protect HBCUs from Recent Bomb Threats", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Representative French Hill (R-Ark.), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-N.C.) \u2014 co-chairs of the Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus \u2014 sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray. In their letter, the members urge the FBI and DOJ to provide additional information about the ongoing bomb threats against HBCUs, along with guidance outlining resources available for HBCUs to protect against these threats.\n\nThe members wrote, \u201cAs you know, at least 57 bomb threats have been made to HBCUs across the country. Notably, Howard University has received eight bomb threats, including two recently within the same week. Bomb threats should not be a normal part of the campus experience. \u2026 As the co-chairs of the Congressional HBCU Caucus, we are concerned that the ongoing nature of these threats may and embolden others who wish to do these schools, and their students, harm. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure institutions receive timely and relevant communications to ensure school leaders and law-enforcement officials have all they need to keep safe as you work expeditiously to identify those responsible.\u201d\n\nBackground: At least 57 bomb threats have been made to HBCUs in 2022, including to Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.\n\nSen. Scott has been working to get to the bottom of these incidents and ensure students feel safe as they continue their education. To that end, the senator:\n\nSent a letter to the Biden administration, alongside the other HBCU caucus chairs, requesting information about the bomb threats;\n\nIntroduced a Senate resolution condemning these bomb threats and reaffirming the Senate\u2019s commitment to combating violence against HBCU students, staff, and faculty; and\n\nTestified at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing title \u201cCombating the Rise in Hate Crimes\u201d where he denounced the bomb threats and called upon the Biden administration to take these threats seriously.\n\nRead full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B6522484-9A68-4504-B8DE-3D2A898B152A", "Graham, Blumenthal Oppose Russia Annexation", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today introduced legislation and a resolution that makes clear the United States views the annexation of any Ukrainian territory by the Russian Federation as illegal and unworthy of recognition by the international community.\n\n\u201cThis is one of the greatest shams since World War II,\u201d said Graham. \u201cIt reeks of Putin\u2019s desperation and violates every tenet of international law and human decency. We must stand strong and reject this illegal and immoral annexation. Territorial integrity is one of the bedrocks of the international order, and any nation which recognizes this illegal act should lose all military and economic assistance from the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur legislation would, very simply, immediately require cutting off economic and military aid to any country that recognizes Vladimir Putin\u2019s illegal annexation of four regions of Ukraine,\u201d said Blumenthal. \u201cVladimir Putin is pushing the countries that have backed Ukraine to somehow moderate what they\u2019re doing, and it won\u2019t work. Any nation that aids and abets Vladimir Putin in this absolutely illegal action ought to be held responsible for its complicity. No economic aid, no military aid to any country that recognizes this annexation. It\u2019s a land grab, it\u2019s a steal, and it\u2019s another craven, brazen tactic by Vladimir Putin to test the west\u2019s support for Ukraine. We will continue this effort to hold accountable nations that fail to side with international law, with the fight for freedom, and independence on the part of Ukraine.\u201d\n\nGraham and Blumenthal noted that pro-Russian authorities conducted the sham referenda in four regions in Eastern Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia) between September 23 -27, 2022 with the ultimate goal of annexing these regions into the Russian Federation.\n\nThere were multiple reports of Russian officials visiting schools, hospitals, and workplaces and forcing Ukrainians to vote in favor of annexation. According to published reports, a number of Ukrainians were forced to cast their vote at gunpoint while others were visited by Russian-installed officials who carried ballot boxes from house to house with armed soldiers. There is even concern that Ukrainians in the annexed territories will now be conscripted and forced to fight on behalf of Putin.\n\nThe legislation, Ensuring Ukrainian Sovereignty Act:\n\nRequires the President to immediately cut off all economic and military assistance to nations that recognize any annexation sponsored by the Russian Federation; and\n\nSubmit a report to Congress regarding the nations that have been cut off and the aid that is being restricted\n\nThe report would go to the Senate/House Appropriations Committee, Senate/House Foreign Relations/Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Senate/House Armed Services Committee\n\nThe resolution, which is a statement of support from the United States Senate:\n\nAffirms that the Senate refuses to recognize any claim of sovereignty by the Russian Federation over any portion of Ukraine;\n\nAffirms the Senate views the recent sham referenda beginning on September 23, 2022, directed by the Government of the Russian Federation, as a violation of international law; and\n\nCalls upon the President of the United States to restrict all economic and military aid and assistance to any nation that recognizes Russian sovereignty over any portion of Ukraine\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be found here. The full text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-toomey-meijer-introduce-legislation-to-bolster-americans-retirement-savings/", "Scott, Toomey, Meijer Introduce Legislation to Bolster Americans\u2019 Retirement Savings", "2022-09-29", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (Mich.-03) today introduced the Retirement Savings Modernization Act to bolster Americans\u2019 retirement savings by allowing workers to diversify assets included in defined contribution plans, such as 401(k) plans. This legislation will amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to clarify that private sector retirement plan sponsors may offer plans, including both pensions and 401(k)s, that are prudently diversified across the full range of asset classes.\n\nSince 1982, pension plans have incorporated exposure to asset classes outside of the public markets, such as private equity and real estate. Even though they are covered by the same law, 401(k) plans almost never incorporate exposure to alternative assets due to fiduciaries\u2019 anticipated litigation risk.\n\n\u201cInflation has eroded and devalued the savings many Americans spent their lives accumulating,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cThis bill would modernize retirement plans to ensure they can provide diverse investments with higher returns. American workers and their families deserve to go about their lives with peace of mind, knowing their hard-earned money will be secure when they choose to retire.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith inflation at record highs, a stock market downturn, and a potential recession on the horizon, many Americans are rightfully concerned about their financial future,\u201d said Sen. Toomey. \u201cOur legislation will provide the millions of American savers invested in defined contribution plans with the option to enhance their retirement savings through access to the same wide range of alternative assets currently available to savers with defined benefit pension plans. This reform will open the door to higher returns and a more secure retirement for millions of Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve flexibility with their retirement options, especially in times of fiscal uncertainty,\u201d said Rep. Meijer. \u201cIt is past due for retirement plans to reflect the demands of the modern workforce, and the Retirement Savings Modernization Act takes a necessary step towards that. With this bill, Americans can better prepare for retirement, and I am proud to join my colleagues in the both the House and Senate in introducing this meaningful legislation.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nUntil the 1970s, most Americans working in the private sector relied on pension plans for retirement. Today, the vast majority of private sector workers rely on 401(k) plans. However, pension plans have consistently outperformed 401(k) plans because they diversify across the full range of asset classes, putting one of every five dollars in alternative asset classes like private equity. A recent Georgetown study estimated that 401(k) plans diversified with a modest allocation to alternative asset classes\u2014private equity, hedge funds, and real estate\u2014would increase American workers\u2019 retirement savings by 17% per year and reduce losses in a downturn.\n\nThe Retirement Savings Modernization Act will:\n\nClarify that plan fiduciaries may select investment options that include a range of asset classes, including private equity. Nothing in ERISA currently limits the asset classes that may be included in a plan; this amendment makes clear that Congress intends to let investment professionals determine the appropriate range of asset classes.\n\nProtect ERISA\u2019s fiduciary standard. A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed that ERISA\u2019s fiduciary duties are \u201cthe highest known to the law.\u201d Fiduciaries must still select investments through a prudent process, and the bill explicitly does not create a safe harbor from a fiduciary\u2019s legal duties.\n\nPromote the prudent diversification of retirement savings plans. The bill does not require that plan participants have access to specific asset classes, but it provides fiduciaries with the tools to better ensure diversification.\n\nRead more about the bill from Roll Call.\n\nFor full text of the bill, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-talks-economy-education-and-inflation-on-fox-news-america-reports/", "ICYMI: Scott Talks Economy, Education, and Inflation on Fox News\u2019 \u201cAmerica Reports\u201d", "2022-09-28", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Sandra Smith and John Roberts on Fox News\u2019 \u201cAmerica Reports\u201d to discuss the state of the economy, the latest report from the Federal Reserve, and parental rights in education.\n\nClick to watch\n\nOn the nation\u2019s skyrocketing inflation \u2026 \u201cLet me tell you this. One of the things that the American people are focused on is the fact that for six consecutive months, inflation has been over 8%. For 17 consecutive months, inflation has outpaced wage growth. So, when you talk to the average voter across the country, as I am, in person\u2014 the one thing they talk about is inflation.\u201d\n\nOn the state of the economy \u2026 \u201cThe truth is, 75 basis points is the best they could have done. We\u2019re already in a recession; more than half this country has less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. The truth is, Sandra, as a kid who grew up in a single parent household\u2014 I will tell you, when my mom pulled up to the gas pump and gas is 50 or 60% higher, that was a crisis in our lives.\u201d\n\nOn his PROTECT Kids Act \u2026 \u201cThe fact of the matter is that your child is your most precious possession and your greatest asset, and is your wonderful hope for your future. And to literally separate the child from the parent at nine, ten, eleven, and twelve years old. I just can\u2019t imagine\u2014it\u2019s unimaginable. All what\u2019s happening in schools, big labor unions and bureaucrats are stopping parents from knowing what\u2019s happening to their kids.\u201d\n\n\u201cParents should be talking to their teachers, not having to file a Freedom of Information Act to see if their kid is learning about CRT or some gender issue. In the fourth grade? That\u2019s unconscionable. Literally unconscionable. We should stop seeing schools indoctrinate kids and get back to educating that child.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-blumenthal-lead-effort-to-improve-mental-health-on-college-campuses/", "Scott, Blumenthal Lead Effort to Improve Mental Health on College Campuses", "2022-09-28", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) led a bipartisan group of six senators in introducing legislation to encourage higher education institutions to develop and implement comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans.\n\n\u201cMental health issues have skyrocketed on college campuses, where students struggle with depression and anxiety at an alarming rate,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cSadly many students \u2014 particularly those at smaller universities with fewer resources \u2014 lack the help they need. This bill will help address those gaps and enable students to focus on what matters: their friends, their activities, and most importantly, their education.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan measure will provide students with the mental health support they need to succeed,\u201d said Sen. Blumenthal. \u201cOur country is in the midst of a youth mental health crisis with serious cases of anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide growing among college students. Our bill aims to ensure colleges are prepared with the best evidence-based plans to promote positive mental health on campus and to support students when they need help the most.\u201d\n\nThe Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act would amend the Higher Education Act to provide for increased coordination between the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and encourage higher education institutions to create proactive plans for preventing suicide and promoting positive mental health among students to address the mental health crisis. These plans would align with strategies recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\u2019s (SAMHSA) Suicide Prevention Resource Center, specifically its nine-part Comprehensive Approach to Suicide Prevention.\n\nIn the Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). In the House, the bill was led by U.S. Representatives Susan Wild (D-Pa.) and Fred Keller (R-Pa.) and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in June.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-manchin-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-designate-september-2022-as-national-childhood-cancer-awareness-month/", "Scott, Manchin Lead Bipartisan Effort to Designate September 2022 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month", "2022-09-27", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) led a bipartisan resolution to designate September 2022 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This resolution recognizes the impact of cancer on the lives of children, urges stakeholders at every level of government to increase public awareness about the risks of cancer and reminds Americans of the bravery of children who are diagnosed with and recover from cancer.\n\n\u201cI am proud to co-lead a resolution designating September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cChildhood should be filled with vibrant memories of family gatherings, sports, school, and holiday parties. Children who battle cancer have these memories overshadowed. That\u2019s why my Senate colleagues and I will continue to support these little heroes and their families who endure cancer battles every day.\u201d\n\n\u201cFar too many children in West Virginia and across the country are bravely fighting a cancer diagnosis or have lost loved ones to this devastating disease, and childhood cancer is especially heartbreaking,\u201d said Senator Manchin. \u201cI am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to ensure September is dedicated to raising awareness for the terrible battle that many of our children face every day. Gayle and I will continue to keep all cancer patients and their families across West Virginia and the country in our prayers.\u201d\n\n\u201cEach year in the U.S. an estimated 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, and unfortunately, cancer remains the most common cause of death by disease for children in America. The Alliance for Childhood Cancer thanks Senator Manchin for introducing a resolution to designate September, 2022 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This resolution will raise awareness and encourage research into cures for pediatric cancers,\u201d the Alliance for Childhood Cancer said in a statement.\n\nSenators Scott and Manchin were joined by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).\n\nThe full text of the resolution is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-finance-committee-republicans-demand-answers-on-irs-use-of-massive-funding-boost/", "Scott, Finance Committee Republicans Demand Answers on IRS Use of Massive Funding Boost", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Finance Committee Republicans in sending a letter to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig, requesting detailed plans for how the agency will spend the massive $80 billion injection of funds provided through the Democrats\u2019 latest spending bill, including whether it will fix existing problems and satisfy the critical need for improved customer service, transparency, and accountability.\n\nRather than vague plans outlined by the Treasury Department to date, the senators request detailed information on how the IRS will:\n\nPrioritize taxpayer services;\n\nGuard against partisan targeting;\n\nProtect taxpayer privacy;\n\nModernize technology; and\n\nTrack and publish timely and reliable reports to establish comprehensive transparency and accountability, allowing for meaningful independent oversight.\n\nFrom the letter:\n\nOn Prioritizing Taxpayer Services:\n\n\u201c\u2026In 2021, taxpayers waited at length for their refunds and approximately 250 million calls to the IRS went unanswered. Millions of taxpayers should not wait well over a year for their refund or spend days trying to connect with the IRS. The situation is particularly dire for millions faced with 40-year high inflation and in need of their tax refund to support their families. . . . The IRS should use its additional funding to prioritize clearing the backlog of returns and correspondence, and expediently pay taxpayers who are owed a refund.\u201d\n\nOn Guarding Taxpayers Against Partisan Targeting:\n\n\u201cAmericans should be able to trust that the government will enforce the law without regard to political beliefs, religion, or party affiliation. Compared to other government agencies, the IRS has a broad and powerful reach into Americans\u2019 daily lives. The American people have a right to expect the IRS will exercise its power in a fair, neutral, and impartial manner. There should be no hint of religious or political bias or partisanship; the IRS must take this responsibility seriously.\u201d\n\nOn Protecting Taxpayer\u2019s Privacy:\n\n\u201cThe IRS must hold taxpayer information securely in order to preserve its confidentiality. The law protecting taxpayer information rests on sound principles that evolved from adverse experiences with the misuse of tax information.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cRegarding the ProPublica leak, the American people remain in the dark about who was responsible and how it was allowed to happen. Although we understand TIGTA is investigating the leak to ProPublica, the IRS is not a bystander in this \u2018very damaging\u2019 event.\u201d\n\nOn Modernizing Technology:\n\n\u201cModernizing the IRS\u2019s technology infrastructure must be a top priority. With an additional $4.75 billion of the supersized IRS funding allocated to technological improvements, and with the IRS\u2019s Integrated Modernization Business Plan providing loose sketches of what the IRS wants to do and how it plans on doing it, there is room for realizing productivity gains and accompanying improved taxpayer service.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cRefinement and clear articulation of metrics and milestones that independent overseers can objectively use for monitoring any IRS IT and/or business plan modernization are required.\u201d\n\nOn Transparency and Accountability:\n\n\u201cThe IRS needs to report to Congress and the American people clear, reliable metrics for monitoring productivity improvements and related customer service improvements facilitated by its supersized budget.\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cWith an infusion of $80 billion of new funding, the IRS must be accountable, and accountability requires transparency and timely communication with its authorizing Committees.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hosts-inaugural-school-choice-caucus-breakfast-feat-secretary-devos-releases-video/", "Scott Hosts Inaugural School Choice Caucus Breakfast Feat. Secretary DeVos, Releases Video", "2022-09-23", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) \u2014 co-chair of the bicameral School Choice Caucus \u2014 hosted his inaugural School Choice Caucus Breakfast, featuring former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and caucus co-chair, Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.). Caucus members discussed ways to expand families\u2019 access to education options that work best for their children.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s unacceptable that, in America today, thousands of kids still lack access to quality education simply because of their zip code,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cTheir futures \u2014 and the future of our nation \u2014 depend on us taking action. That\u2019s why I founded the School Choice Caucus, to put the focus back on children and their unique education needs. I\u2019m thankful for Secretary DeVos\u2019 leadership on this issue and look forward to our continued efforts to advance education freedom for all kids.\u201d\n\nSen. Scott released the following video recapping the event.\n\nClick to watch\n\nBackground:\n\nWith education at the top of mind for parents and families across the nation, Sen. Scott has led several efforts to give them greater autonomy over their children\u2019s education. This year, Sen. Scott:\n\nIntroduced thePROTECT Kids Act to protect parental rights and combat indoctrination in schools;\n\nLedCongressional Review Act (CRA) legislation to nullify the Biden administration\u2019s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding;\n\nIntroduced theRECOVER Act to allow states and school districts to use unspent COVID funds to issue Child Opportunity Scholarships directly to parents;\n\nPenned aWall Street Journal op-ed on the RECOVER Act;\n\nPenned aWashington Examiner op-ed on families\u2019 desire for school choice;\n\nIntroduced aresolution celebrating National Charter Schools Week;\n\nUrged the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider proposed rules redefining the Charter School Program, stripping parents of their ability to choose the best school for their child;\n\nPenned a Washington Examiner op-ed with Congressman Burgess Owens about the merits of school choice;\n\nIntroduced the Kids in Classes Act to allow families with children in Title I schools to put unused federal education funds toward in-person education, should their school close to COVID-19 or a teachers union goes on strike;\n\nHeld a parental involvement panel to discuss the need for greater transparency within schools; and\n\nHosted a policy panel featuring former Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Congressman Burgess Owens to discuss how to expand education opportunity to all children.\n\nRead more about the breakfast from the Washington Free Beacon.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1DEEA7EC-BE6B-4B41-801E-3BA374A1FFC2", "Graham to Harris: Tell the Truth", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after Vice President Harris\u2019s misleading comments in South Carolina on the recently introduced Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m glad the Vice President visited South Carolina and she is always welcome, but when she comes to our state, she should tell the truth \u2013 not mislead.\n\n\u201cVice President Harris and Democrats in Washington must be held accountable for their extreme position on abortion.\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration has the country on the wrong track when it comes to border security, immigration policy, crime, national security \u2013 and now they want to put us on the Chinese and North Korean track of abortion on demand up until the moment of birth.\n\n\u201cI reject their position. It is not good for America. It is cruel, inhumane, and out of line with the civilized world \u2013 and their idea must be soundly rejected.\n\n\u201cThey want a national law that allows abortion on demand \u2013 anywhere, anytime, up until the moment of birth. They even want to use taxpayer dollars to pay for it. The Biden-Harris-Schumer proposal puts America in line with communist China and North Korea, where abortion is available until the moment of birth.\n\n\u201cWhat I\u2019m trying to do at the national level is create a national minimum standard of banning abortion at 15 weeks, when a baby can feel pain, with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life and physical health of the mother. States that have more protections for the unborn in place will not be affected. My proposal puts us in line with 47 out of 50 European countries that have abortion bans at 12 to 14 weeks. It is common-sense protection of the unborn.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-introduces-bill-to-protect-parental-rights-combat-indoctrination-in-schools/", "Scott Introduces Bill to Protect Parental Rights, Combat Indoctrination in Schools", "2022-09-20", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act, to protect parental rights by preventing schools from concealing information about students\u2019 gender from their parents.\n\n\u201cSchools exist to educate children \u2014 not indoctrinate them. And a quality education requires input from those who know children best: their parents,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cSadly, radical and secretive gender policies have shut parents out of the conversation and broken their trust. My bill will safeguard parental rights, improve the crucial relationship between parents and schools, and ensure that children can learn in an environment free from activist ideology.\u201d\n\nThe PROTECT Kids Act would restrict federal funding for any elementary or middle school that allows students to change their pronouns, gender markers, or sex-based accommodations (including locker rooms and bathrooms) without the consent of their parents. The bill is supported by Parents Defending Education Action and Independent Women\u2019s Voice.\n\nRead more about the bill from the Washington Examiner.\n\nRead full text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5075B4EE-CB3F-4B4C-B91D-4ED657446D51", "Graham, Senate Republicans Call for Hunter Biden Prosecutor to be Given Special Counsel Authority", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and more than 30 other colleagues today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding that U.S. Attorney David Weiss be extended special counsel protections and authorities to conduct the investigation into Hunter Biden:\n\n\u201cThere is no way of knowing the entire scope of the investigation, but evidence seems to be mounting that Hunter Biden committed numerous federal crimes, including, but not limited to, tax fraud, money laundering, and foreign-lobbying violations,\u201d the Senators wrote Attorney General Garland.\n\n\u201cGiven that the investigation involves the President\u2019s son, we believe it is important to provide U.S. Attorney Weiss with special counsel authorities and protections to allow him to investigate an appropriate scope of potentially criminal conduct, avoid the appearance of impropriety, and provide additional assurances to the American people that the Hunter Biden investigation is free from political influence.\u201d\n\n\u201cGiven the politicization of the DOJ under your watch and the importance of avoiding any appearance of impropriety, the undersigned request that you provide U.S. Attorney Weiss the full protections and authorities of a special counsel. This is one important action that you can take that will go a long way in restoring faith in our governmental institutions.\u201d\n\nFull text of the senators\u2019 letter is here. It was signed by Senators Graham, John Cornyn (R-TX), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Charles Grassley (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Inhofe (R-OK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Ben Sasse (R-NE).\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-cornyn-31-senate-republicans-call-for-hunter-biden-prosecutor-to-be-given-special-counsel-authority/", "Scott, Cornyn, 31 Senate Republicans Call for Hunter Biden Prosecutor to be Given Special Counsel Authority", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), along with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and 30 other colleagues, today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding that U.S. Attorney David Weiss be extended special counsel protections and authorities to conduct the investigation into Hunter Biden.\n\n\u201cThere is no way of knowing the entire scope of the investigation, but evidence seems to be mounting that Hunter Biden committed numerous federal crimes, including, but not limited to, tax fraud, money laundering, and foreign-lobbying violations,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\n\u201cGiven that the investigation involves the President\u2019s son, we believe it is important to provide U.S. Attorney Weiss with special counsel authorities and protections to allow him to investigate an appropriate scope of potentially criminal conduct, avoid the appearance of impropriety, and provide additional assurances to the American people that the Hunter Biden investigation is free from political influence.\u201d\n\n\u201cGiven the politicization of the DOJ under your watch and the importance of avoiding any appearance of impropriety, the undersigned request that you provide U.S. Attorney Weiss the full protections and authorities of a special counsel. This is one important action that you can take that will go a long way in restoring faith in our governmental institutions.\u201d\n\nFull text of the senators\u2019 letter is here. It was signed by Senators Scott, Cornyn, McConnell, Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Shelley Moore-Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-finance-committee-republicans-demand-accountability-for-continued-late-release-of-medicare-social-security-trustees-reports/", "Scott, Finance Committee Republicans Demand Accountability for Continued Late Release of Medicare, Social Security Trustees Reports", "2022-09-19", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Finance Committee Republicans in a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), requesting the agency monitor the managing trustee\u2019s flagrant disregard for statutory deadlines. Required by law, the Medicare and Social Security Trustees reports are to be issued no later than April 1, yet the 2021 and 2022 reports were issued August 31 and June 2, respectively.\n\nThe Biden administration has repeatedly ignored congressional inquiries as to why the trustees reports have not been submitted in a timely manner. Neither Treasury Secretary Yellen nor the Board of Trustees have signaled any intent to modify internal procedure regulating management of the report schedule, nor have they adopted previous GAO recommendations to improve communication with Congress. It is the responsibility of the treasury secretary to provide these reports to Congress in a timely manner, as required by law, or provide Congress and the American people with explanations for late work.\n\nFrom theletter:\n\n\u201cWith respect to reporting on the financial conditions of trust funds, once again this year the reports were issued well beyond the statutory deadline, and there was no process followed by the Managing Trustee for informing the public or members of Congress about the delay or reasons for the delay. \u2026\n\n\u201cLate reporting on financial conditions of important trust funds that support multi-trillion-dollar Social Security and Medicare programs does not seem important to the administration, even in light of the striking decision by the President to politicize the Social Security Administration.\u201d\n\nRead the full letterhere.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A3635053-6D21-4BA6-96F3-AD8FE21F5DFE", "Graham Praises Texas, Florida Governors' Actions in Support of Securing the Border", "2022-09-16", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on efforts by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to force the Biden Administration to protect our southern border.\n\n\u201cGovernor Abbott and Governor DeSantis: Keep it up!\n\n\u201cMake this problem real for the Liberal elite. You are welcoming them to the reality facing our border communities who do not get a break from illegal immigration.\n\n\u201cLiberals should be trying to fix the problem and securing the border, not complaining about where the migrants go.\n\n\u201cAccording to some on the left, sending illegal immigrants to Martha\u2019s Vineyard is inhumane. What\u2019s inhumane is the Biden immigration policy that entices people to make a dangerous journey to the United States. What makes no sense is to continue these open border policies where our country is flooded with drugs and illegal immigrants, including people on the terrorist watch list.\n\n\u201cMy message to President Biden: Go to the border. Visit border communities. Talk to the Border Patrol officials on the ground. It\u2019s past time you understand the chaos you have created.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-introduce-permitting-reform-legislation/", "Scott, Colleagues Introduce Permitting Reform Legislation", "2022-09-16", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "Washington \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and 44 of their colleagues in introducing the Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency (START) Act. This legislation would implement comprehensive federal regulatory permitting and project review reform.\n\n\u201cThe failure of Democrat leadership has made the link between energy and national security more apparent than ever before,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cRepublicans are focused on efficient solutions like the START Act to provide the necessary framework for states to promptly address the challenges to undertaking necessary energy and infrastructure projects across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince our calls for action and offers to see legislative text from the permitting \u2018deal\u2019 remain unheeded, Republicans are introducing this legislation today to deliver solutions to the roadblocks, delays, and postponements of key infrastructure projects across the country,\u201d said Senator Capito. \u201cThe START Act would provide regulatory certainty to states, expedite permitting and review processes, codify substantive environmental regulatory reforms, and expedite permitting of the critically important Mountain Valley Pipeline. Republicans are unified in working to deliver needed permitting reform, and this legislation is a blueprint for how we can help communities benefit from being able to finally get critical projects across the finish line.\u201d\n\nThis bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E1E4AC04-AD2B-4D60-9DA0-A59D1646CAA5", "Graham Applauds Clemson, SC State University Funding Announcement", "2022-09-15", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award Clemson University and South Carolina State University up to $70 million under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant program.\n\nThe grant will strengthen South Carolina\u2019s agricultural economy, promote climate-smart production strategies, and enhance the conservation of natural resources. Clemson University and South Carolina State University, South Carolina\u2019s land-grant institutions, have established strategic partnerships with 27 regional entities to establish a pilot project to provide incentives to peanut, vegetable, beef cattle, and forest product growers and landowners to implement climate-smart production practices. The statewide project will enroll hundreds of South Carolina farmers to ensure meaningful involvement of small and underserved producers.\n\n\u201cI very much appreciate Secretary Vilsack awarding this grant to strengthen South Carolina\u2019s agriculture economy,\u201d said Graham. \u201cThe world is experiencing a food crisis, and Clemson University, South Carolina State University, and South Carolina farmers are on the forefront of increasing crop yields and helping poverty-stricken regions through cutting-edge research. Investing in research and development \u2013 particularly as it pertains to agriculture \u2013 is a no-brainer. I was proud to be a partner in the efforts to get this done.\u201d\n\nGraham wrote to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack this summer encouraging USDA to make this important investment.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=FE52B63F-C004-47BF-B036-F122EB7864C3", "Graham, Blumenthal Introduce Russian State Sponsor of Terrorism Bill", "2022-09-14", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today introduced the Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act, legislation that would designate the Russian Federation a State Sponsor of Terrorism.\n\nThe Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act would designate the Russian Federation a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST). This designation would:\n\nDrastically curtail defense and technology exports to Russia,\n\nSignificantly reduce foreign assistance and impose additional financial restrictions on Russia, and\n\nEliminate Russia\u2019s sovereign immunity in the eyes of U.S. courts, opening Russia\u2019s government to lawsuits and other civil claims from the families of victims of its state-sponsored terrorism.\n\n\u201cPutin has crossed every line of civilized norms during the war in Ukraine and years before,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cHe has engaged in state-sponsored assassinations, the Wagner group supported by Russia terrorizes the world, and the war crimes being committed in Ukraine on a daily basis shock the conscious. If Putin\u2019s regime is not a State Sponsor of Terrorism after all this, then the designation is meaningless. We believe that it is long past due to designate Putin\u2019s Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and suffer the consequences thereof because he is a terrorist. Ukrainians have been asking for this designation, and we are listening. This will be a game changer in how we deal with terrorists worldwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe events of these past days and weeks have shown more than ever that Russia should be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism,\u201d said Senator Blumenthal. \u201cWhat has been revealed in Ukraine\u2019s success on the battlefield is not only its military prowess and Russia\u2019s weakness, but also Putin\u2019s reliance on brutal atrocities, genocide, and war crimes against the people of Ukraine. Russia has more than earned the right to be among the club of pariah nations.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8F99177C-2BD3-44CA-9D7F-E86AA1A25BF9", "Graham Introduces Legislation to Protect Unborn Children, Bring U.S. Abortion Policy in Line with Other Developed Nations", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act in the United States Senate. The legislation would set a federal minimum protection for unborn children that is in line with European limits and ban abortion after 15 weeks gestation when unborn children can feel pain.\n\nGraham noted that the current standard of medical care calls for unborn babies to receive pain medication during fetal surgery at 15 weeks gestation. Life-saving surgeries performed in utero, using pain medication, include treatment for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and spina bifida.\n\n\u201cWorking closely with the preeminent pro-life groups in the country, we are today introducing legislation to ban abortion at a time when unborn children can feel pain,\u201d said Graham. \u201cOur legislation, which bans abortion after 15 weeks gestation, will put the United States abortion policy in line with other developed nations such as France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, and other European nations.\u201d\n\nThe Graham legislation:\n\nProhibits doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks gestation \u2013 when an unborn child can feel pain \u2013 except in situations involving rape, incest, or risks to the life and physical health of the mother.\n\nLeaves in place state laws that are more protective of unborn life.\n\nPuts the United States in line with other modern societies \u2013 47 out of 50 European nations limit elective abortion prior to 15 weeks gestation.\n\n\u201cAfter Roe v. Wade was overturned, Democrats in Congress have rallied behind pro-choice legislation which allows abortion right up until the moment of birth. I view the Democrat proposal as radical and one that Americans will ultimately reject. Our legislation is a responsible alternative as we provide exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and life and physical health of the mother,\u201d concluded Graham.\n\nGraham noted that over 55,000 abortions at 15 weeks gestation or later occur each year in the United States, and the most recent state-level data shows that the majority of late-term abortions are performed for elective reasons. A majority of Americans \u2013 72 percent \u2013 are in favor of limiting abortions after 15 weeks.\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E6F52D7A-4FBF-4F7A-834F-83B1E809456D", "Graham: We Cannot Abandon The Unborn", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement in response to Andrew McCarthy\u2019s \u201cConfession of Error on My Abortion Post\u201d analysis of the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve known Andy McCarthy for years. He\u2019s a strong conservative voice on many issues, including national security matters. While we\u2019ve had our disagreements, I\u2019ve always respected his point of view. I have never respected Andy more than I do now.\n\n\u201cAndy took time to actually read the legislation and better understand what we\u2019re trying to accomplish, and I hope others follow suit.\n\n\u201cThe legislation we introduced today, with the support of America\u2019s leading pro-life groups, is designed to create a minimum standard in America when it comes to the unborn.\n\n\u201cI agree that abortion is now in the hands of the states, but it does not mean that Washington is closed for business when it comes to protecting the unborn. While I\u2019m a strong believer in the Tenth Amendment, many abuses have been justified under the guise of states\u2019 rights. I do not believe completely abandoning the unborn under the guise of states\u2019 rights serves the conservative cause or makes us a better nation.\n\n\u201cThe radical Left recently pushed legislation in Washington \u2013 supported by nearly every Democrat \u2013 that will allow abortion up until the point of birth. Their legislation is well outside the mainstream of the world, and I have been working with pro-life groups to produce an alternative.\n\n\u201cThe Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act is a rational, scientifically sound answer to this emotional issue.\n\n\u201cThe legislation I introduced is in the mainstream of the developed world. 47 out of 50 European nations have abortion restrictions more protective than 15 weeks. France, Denmark, and Norway are at 12 weeks. Germany, Spain, and Belgium are 14 weeks. There are only 7 nations that allow abortion on demand up until the point of birth \u2013 North Korea and China among them.\n\n\u201cI believe the Republican party should be the party of respecting the Tenth Amendment \u2013 but we\u2019re also a nation greater than the sum of its parts. A great nation should not allow procedures \u2013 in any state \u2013 that will result in the dismemberment of a 15 week developed child unless there were extraordinary circumstances.\n\n\u201cMy bill explicitly says it will not preempt states that have more restrictive proposals on abortion.\n\n\u201cWe know from medical science that babies feel pain because their nerve endings are developed by 15 weeks. That is why health care professionals administer anesthesia when operating on a baby at 15 weeks.\n\n\u201cIt seems to me that prohibiting the dismemberment of a child at this point in time is the right answer for a great nation and places us in the mainstream of developed nations.\n\n\u201cFinally, I appreciate Andy\u2019s second look at the bill and look forward to working with him and others as we address the proper role of not only government but society when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us \u2013 the unborn.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-finance-committee-republicans-introduce-bill-to-protect-middle-class-small-businesses-from-supersized-irs/", "Scott, Finance Committee Republicans Introduce Bill to Protect Middle Class, Small Businesses from Supersized IRS", "2022-09-13", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and all other committee Republicans in introducing a bill to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from using the Democrats\u2019 massive, $80 billion infusion of taxpayer dollars to squeeze more revenue out of Americans earning less than $400,000 per year.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats\u2019 plan to supersize the IRS flies in the face of President Biden\u2019s promise not to increase taxes on middle-class and low-income Americans. The truth is: The majority of taxes gained from IRS audits come from individuals making less than $200,000 a year,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cThe American people are tired of this administration\u2019s vague, misleading messages. This bill would hold President Biden to his word and ensure hard-working Americans are not forced to pay for yet another broken promise.\u201d\n\n\u201cDemocrats cannot achieve their desired tax revenue goals without targeting the middle class, small businesses and taxpayers earning under $400,000 per year\u2013taxpayers who cannot afford teams of lawyers and legal fees\u2013which is why they rejected my original amendment,\u201d said Sen. Crapo. \u201cWhile advocates promise they do not intend to increase audits on people making less than $400,000, the best way to protect those taxpayers is to turn that promise into law.\u201d\n\nThe legislation would prevent the IRS from using any of the $80 billion of funding for audits on hard-working American taxpayers \u2014 including individuals and small businesses \u2014 with taxable incomes below $400,000.\n\nFor bill text, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-leads-effort-to-protect-charter-schools-from-biden-admins-attacks/", "Scott Leads Effort to Protect Charter Schools from Biden Admin\u2019s Attacks", "2022-09-09", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) led 21 colleagues in introducing Congressional Review Act (CRA) legislation to nullify the Biden administration\u2019s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding.\n\n\u201cTime and time again, this administration has bowed to big-labor unions and liberal extremists at the expense of children\u2019s futures. Now they are outdoing themselves with rules that will undermine charter schools \u2014 tuition-free, top-notch public education options that serve primarily disadvantaged students,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cSupport for these schools has never been a partisan issue. It\u2019s time the administration put politics aside and joined parents in the fight for quality education.\u201d\n\nCo-signing the resolution are Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).\n\nBackground:\n\nEarlier this year, the Department of Education announced new rules overhauling the 28-year-old, bipartisan Charter School Program (CSP). The changes would place federal, one-size-fits-all requirements on charter schools, making it difficult \u2014 if not impossible \u2014 for many of these high-quality public schools to receive funding.\n\nDespite substantial bipartisan backlash, the administration is moving ahead with its plans, which will strip families of education choice and give more power to big labor unions and bureaucrats in D.C.\n\nFor months, Sen. Scott has been leading the charge to protect charter schools from this brazen attack. He wrote to Secretary Cardona on several occasions:\n\nIn April, Sen. Scott and several Republicans expressed deep concern over the proposed CSP rules.\n\nIn April, Sen. Scott and HELP Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.) requested an extension of the public comment period.\n\nIn May, Sen. Scott and a bipartisan group of senators urged the Department to revise the new rules.\n\nClick here to read about the CRA in Fox News.\n\nClick here for full text of the CRA.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-passing-of-queen-elizabeth-ii/", "Scott Statement on Passing of Queen Elizabeth II", "2022-09-08", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.\n\n\u201cI am saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and my prayers go out to the Windsor family and all the people of the United Kingdom who are mourning her death. As the longest serving British monarch, her seven decades of steadfast leadership and commitment to building strong relationships with American leaders will be pillars of her larger than life legacy.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:29:59Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2504979E-6F5A-4F88-9C62-EDEB7A4DB539", "Graham on Fallout of Afghanistan Withdrawal, Mar-A-Lago Raid", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today joined Fox & Friends to discuss where we are one year after the Biden Administration\u2019s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan and the latest on the actions of the Department of Justice in regards to the raid of Mar-A-Lago.\n\nOn Afghanistan:\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThis was the withdrawal heard around the world\u2026this withdrawal was heard in Moscow. It was heard in every terrorist camp throughout the world. The terrorists are on steroids, and all of our allies have been shaken by this withdrawal.\u201d https://youtu.be/L3KWWWE9aCI?t=128\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThis has reset the War on Terror in all the worst ways. We had just about cleaned up the mess from the Iraq withdrawal that led to ISIS and the rise of terrorism and thousands of people getting killed all over the world. So apparently Biden learned nothing from Iraq, and this decision to withdraw all of our forces and turn Afghanistan back over the Taliban is setting up another 9/11. This is a very big deal. We're not prepared for the consequences of this withdrawal. You'll never convince me this didn't affect Putin\u2019s decision to invade Ukraine.\u201d https://youtu.be/L3KWWWE9aCI?t=150\n\nOn the Department of Justice:\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI want somebody outside of DOJ to look through these documents...I want the affidavit released to the American public. We\u2019re 80 days before a midterm election and we're going to be reading every few days in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and other liberal media outlets about what's in these documents and what Trump knew and what he did. If you release the affidavit, all of us can judge what was there or not there. So this idea of drip, drip, drip 80 days before an election needs to stop. We need to see the affidavit.\u201d https://youtu.be/L3KWWWE9aCI?t=29\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI read about the Mueller investigation every week in the New York Times and Washington Post. Nobody told me that [Department officials] altered information to the FISA court. Nobody told me that they had information that the entire basis for the Carter Page warrant was a bunch of hearsay and bar talk. So no, I don't trust these people. What I want to do is see the affidavit. This is a raid on the former president of the United States\u2019 personal home 80 days before an election, and I'm supposed to trust the New York Times and The Washington Post? Hell no!\u201d https://youtu.be/L3KWWWE9aCI?t=76\n\nWatch Full Interview Here\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=FD5BBB89-E73D-47CD-89E1-AB237375F6C9", "Graham, Blumenthal Statement on Six-Month Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today made the following statement on the six-month anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.\n\n\u201cIt has been six months since Putin invaded Ukraine \u2013 a sovereign nation and American democratic partner.\n\n\u201cWe were told by intelligence and military officials that this war would last a matter of days. But where are we six months later?\n\n\u201cIn our recent visit to Ukraine, we witnessed with our own eyes the brutality of the Russian invaders and the determination of the Ukrainian people and their leaders to fight back against Putin\u2019s unprovoked invasion.\n\n\u201cWith the support of the American people, our Allies and other partners throughout the world, Ukraine has taken the weapons provided and fought like tigers. This has been a disaster for Putin.\n\n\u201cSix months after the invasion, NATO is on the verge of expanding to 32 countries, the Russian economy has been crippled, and the Russian military is breaking.\n\n\u201cThanks to the help of the United States and other western allies, Ukraine is attacking Russian forces throughout their country with weapons and assistance.\n\n\u201cSix months later, Ukraine has been bloodied but unbowed and remains a vibrant, sovereign democratic nation. Putin is more isolated than ever, and the International Criminal Court is pressing on all fronts to hold Putin and his cronies accountable for their war crimes.\n\n\u201cWe remain in awe of the determination of the Ukrainian people and leadership to fight against Putin in Ukraine. On this Ukrainian Independence Day, we recognize and celebrate the freedom which Ukraine is fighting so fervently to defend and we recommit ourselves to military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to ensure Ukraine remains free.\n\n\u201cIt is now time to deliver a decisive blow to the Putin regime by designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. This would be a decisive blow to Putin\u2019s economy and make it more difficult for others to come to his aid.\n\n\u201cThe Senate unanimously adopted our resolution to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. We are hopeful that the Biden Administration and Secretary Blinken will act soon. The sooner, the better.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-statement-on-bidens-300-billion-student-loan-plan/", "Senator Tim Scott Statement on Biden\u2019s $300 Billion Student Loan Plan", "2022-08-24", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement on President Biden\u2019s plan to force Americans who didn\u2019t attend college to pay for student loan forgiveness.\n\n\u201cOnly one third of Americans have a college degree, and the majority of higher education debt is held by the wealthiest among us. President Biden\u2019s plan to cancel student debt will amount to a $300 billion tax burden that will be paid for by low and middle-class families in the midst of a recession,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cMy mom is one of millions of Americans who didn\u2019t go to college. She worked double shifts to keep the lights on and provide for my brother and me. Hardworking Americans like my mom and millions of others should not be responsible for this politically-motivated giveaway. It does nothing to solve the cost of higher education and will only pour more fuel on an overheated economy. Our country is in desperate need of better leadership that works for everyone.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B30539A3-0FC6-474F-95F4-275DA4090ADC", "Graham on One-Year Anniversary of Afghanistan Withdrawal", "2022-08-16", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today joined America\u2019s Newsroom to discuss the one-year anniversary of the Biden Administration\u2019s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe likelihood of another attack on American soil and on American allies emanating from Afghanistan because of what Biden did is through the roof. We haven't ended any war at all \u2013 we started a new one.\u201d https://youtu.be/v8ctg0MVUdE?t=39\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cAl-Qaeda training camps are emerging in Afghanistan as I speak\u2026We're repeating history and it was all avoidable.\u201d https://youtu.be/v8ctg0MVUdE?t=123\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cIt was Biden's decision to pull the plug on Afghanistan against sound military advice. There were conditions in place for our withdrawal. The Taliban were not meeting those conditions. This was a political decision by Biden.\u201d https://youtu.be/v8ctg0MVUdE?t=97\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cYou\u2019ve got ISIS fighting al-Qaeda, and al-Qaeda is aligned with the Taliban. What do these three groups have in common? They\u2019re radical Islamists. What have we learned in the last year? If you're a woman in a radical Islamic country, your life is miserable. We're teaching a new generation of young boys to disrespect women. They're starving to death because radical Islamists couldn't run a one car funeral. The conditions in Afghanistan are deplorable. Everything we worked for the last 20 years was wasted, and the training camps that existed before 9/11 are being re-established.\u201d https://youtu.be/v8ctg0MVUdE?t=200\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of time before terrorism in Afghanistan migrates to America and the likely path would be a broken southern border.\u201d https://youtu.be/v8ctg0MVUdE?t=234\n\nWatch Full Interview Here\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=805DCD02-1B4F-47CA-AC93-FFAC0E8CBA97", "Graham, McMaster Slam Democrat Spending Bill: \"Nightmare for South Carolina\"", "2022-08-11", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster today spoke in a press conference on the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and the FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago.\n\nOn Inflation Reduction Act:\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThis bill is a nightmare for South Carolina. It\u2019s a nightmare for the American economy\u2026The bottom line is that this bill raises taxes and creates new federal government programs at a time that we're in a recession. The best way to get out of a recession is limit federal government spending and incentivize growth in the private sector.\u201d\n\nMcMASTER: \u201cThis is dangerous. There's never a good time to raise taxes \u2013 we are taxed enough. What we need to do is spend the money on the right things. This is going in the wrong direction.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThis would harm South Carolina's economy. It would deepen the recession. It is a power grab in the name of climate change. It is a tax and spend bill at a time we can least afford it. And every Republican from Susan Collins to Ted Cruz to Lindsey Graham voted no. The reason that we voted no is that we understood in March 2021 when [Democrats proposed] the American Rescue Plan it would not work.\u201d\n\nMcMASTER: \u201cThe Biden Administration is saying, and the Democrats in the Senate are saying, \u2018well it is going to be paid for, it\u2019s going to cut inflation,\u2019 and all that. That is the same rhetoric that we've been hearing year after year from the people on the Left, and what has it gotten us? It has gotten us a $30.59 trillion national debt, which means it is not paid for. It does not cut inflation. It does not create business. It does not spur the economy. It does exactly the opposite.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe same people who are telling you this bill will lower inflation are the same people in March 2021 who passed a $1.9 trillion bill along party lines that has wrecked our economy. In March 2021, inflation was 2.6% in this country. It is now 9.1%. The massive spending and taxes in the American Rescue Plan led us to where we are today, and this new bill will make everything worse.\u201d\n\nOn FBI Raid of Mar-a-Lago:\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI know doing this 90 days before an election reeks of politics. I know this is a dangerous precedent to set. At the end of the day, there's a tremendous burden on the Department of Justice, in my view, to explain their actions, and I hope they will.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cCan you imagine if the roles were reversed here? If this happened in the Trump world against a prominent Democrat?\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cYou don't do things before an election unless you have to. I want to know what led to this. I think every Republican believes that the FBI and other organizations have lost their mind when it comes to Trump. The FBI protects us against child pornography, against terrorism, against crime. My problem is not with the FBI writ large, but I have lived through this. I have seen the Mueller investigation and their work product. What I saw was a system trying to get somebody no matter what the evidence told them.\u201d\n\nWatch Full Press Conference Here\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=AF4E5C3D-D4A2-4162-A781-26D38AB723CB", "Graham Statement on Attorney General Press Conference", "2022-08-11", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after Attorney General Merrick Garland\u2019s press conference in Washington.\n\n\u201cThe primary reason the Attorney General and FBI are being pushed to disclose why the search was necessary is because of the deep mistrust of the FBI and DOJ when it comes to all things Trump - such as the Crossfire Hurricane and Mueller investigations.\n\n\u201cWhat I am looking for is the predicate for the search. Was the information provided to the judge sufficient and necessary to authorize a raid on the former president\u2019s home within ninety days of the midterm election? I am urging, actually insisting, that the DOJ and the FBI lay their cards on the table as to why this course of action was necessary. Until that is done the suspicion will continue to mount.\n\n\u201cAfter Crossfire Hurricane and the Mueller investigation, where FISA Court rebuked the FBI and DOJ for failing to disclose exculpatory material, there is no benefit of the doubt when it comes to investigating President Trump.\n\n\u201cHalf the country believes that when it comes to President Trump there are no rules. They have lost faith in the system. The only way to address that problem is full disclosure of the facts and circumstances which led to this unprecedented action.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-solidify-us-sanctions-on-iran/", "Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Solidify U.S. Sanctions on Iran", "2022-08-10", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act (SISA) to make the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 permanent. With Iran continuing to pursue a nuclear weapon and carrying out malign activity in the Middle East, our sanctions regime is our best tool to restrain Iran\u2019s ability to fund operations that endanger Israel, Arab partners, and even U.S. military personal.\n\n\u201cThe United States, Israel, and our Arab partners remain concerned about the looming threat that a nuclear Iran poses to the stability of the region,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cU.S. sanctions are a necessary deterrent for this dangerous and unstable regime, which is why my bill will make the cornerstone of sanctions on Iran permanent.\u201d\n\n\u201cIran has repeatedly undertaken destabilizing activities in the Middle East. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that we continue U.S. sanctions on Iran, which are important for restraining Iran\u2019s ability to pursue weapons and technology that threaten our national security and the safety of Israel, our strongest partner in the region,\u201d said Senator Hassan.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to be an original co-sponsor of the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2022, a bill that will make permanent the Iran Sanctions Act, a cornerstone law in America\u2019s broader sanctions program against Iran\u2019s terror-sponsoring regime,\u201d said Senator Hagerty. \u201cAs Iran increases its nuclear and ballistic missile threats and its support for terrorism and militancy in the Middle East, the United States should not ease sanctions and make it easier for the regime to continue its malign behavior.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Iran Sanctions Act helped bring Iran to the negotiating table. For decades, Congress has extended this critical legislation on a bipartisan basis,\u201d said Senator Rosen. \u201cWith Iran closer than ever to a nuclear weapon, I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that ensures we maintain the full range of our economic and diplomatic tools to prevent Iran from ever acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.\u201d\n\nThe American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and FDD Action have expressed support for this legislation.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn 1996, Congress passed the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which allowed the president to impose secondary sanctions on Iran\u2019s energy sector. Throughout the years, ISA provisions were expanded to include other Iranian industries. ISA consists of \u201ctriggers\u201d that place sanctions on firms or entities that violate U.S. sanctions under this law. With looming uncertainty about Iran\u2019s development of a nuclear weapon, it is essential that the United States solidifies its pivotal sanctions to apply pressure towards a rogue regime.\n\nClick here to read the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-pushes-to-redirect-dems-irs-funding-to-parents-for-education-purposes/", "Scott Pushes to Redirect Dems\u2019 IRS Funding to Parents for Education Purposes", "2022-08-07", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) today offered a motion to amend the Democrats\u2019 latest spending spree. The Democrats\u2019 plan puts $45 billion toward enlarging the IRS and hiring thousands of new agents to shake down hardworking Americans. Sen. Scott\u2019s motion would have redirected that money to parents, empowering them to get their children back on track after months \u2014 and in some cases, years \u2014 of learning loss caused by school closures. All 50 Senate Democrats voted against the motion.\n\nClick to watch Sen. Scott\u2019s speech on the Senate floor.\n\nRemarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cMr. President, in this underlying bill, there is $87 billion for the IRS. Democrats want to make the IRS \u2014 the three letters you never want to see in your mailbox \u2014 bigger than the Pentagon, the State Department, the FBI, and the Border Patrol combined.\n\n\u201cInstead, Mr. President, what my motion does is it would take $45 billion from enforcement and give it to parents so that they can help their kids make up for the learning loss that occurred during the pandemic.\n\n\u201cAnd oh, by the way, when you think about the size of the IRS \u2014 when you think about the enforcement \u2014 realize that according to the CBO, 90% of the targeting would be on household incomes under $200,000.\n\n\u201cI urge my colleagues to support my motion.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-democrats-latest-spending-spree/", "Scott Statement on Democrats\u2019 Latest Spending Spree", "2022-08-07", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement after voting against the Democrats\u2019 latest big-government spending package.\n\n\u201cToday, Democrats once again tried to spend their way out of the inflation caused\u2014ironically\u2014by their reckless spending. With inflation raging and our economy heading into a recession, Democrats still chose to spend money we don\u2019t have on things Americans don\u2019t need\u2014and didn\u2019t ask for. Make no mistake: this bill will increase tax burdens on generations of Americans. That\u2019s why I voted \u2018no\u2019 and will continue fighting against Democrats\u2019 economic plans that put the American Dream further out of reach for families across our nation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-rubio-colleagues-introduce-lifting-local-communities-act/", "Scott, Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Lifting Local Communities Act", "2022-08-05", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and several of his colleagues in introducing the Lifting LocalCommunities Act. Faith-based organizations are some of our nation\u2019s best social service providers, but they often face unjust barriers and uncertainty when applying to administer federally funded services in theircommunities. This act will make it easier for faith-based organizations to apply for, and receive, government grants and other types of funding without fear of arbitrary religious limitations and vindictive litigation.\n\n\u201cFaith-based organizations are constantly responding to crises within ourcommunities, yet they often face difficulties seeking federal resources,\u201dsaid Senator Scott. \u201cThis bill will ensure they do not face federal discrimination for their deeply-held religious beliefs, enabling them to continue uplifting localcommunities across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cChurches and other faith-based organizations play a vital role inlifting up theircommunities. These organizations should not be discriminated against because of their faith or held back by bureaucratic red tape. This bill would ensure that faith-based organizations do not have to compromise their beliefs to provide critical social services to those in need,\u201dsaid Senator Rubio.\n\nSenators Scott and Rubio are joined by Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) as cosponsors of the bill.\n\nThe bill is also supported by several organizations including CatholicVote, Family Research Council, First Liberty Institute, Faith & Freedom Coalition, and Heritage Action.\n\n\u201cCatholic Charities is fighting in the courts, legislatures and public arena to preserve their adoption services against new legal pressures to close their doors because they abide by Catholic doctrine. Marco Rubio\u2019s legislation would protect those agencies, as well as similar relief agencies, from being shut down by an overwoke government. The welfare of children should always trump the audacity of political correctness.\u201d \u2013 Brian Burch, President of CatholicVote\n\n\u201cFaith-based social service providers provide valuable services to the most vulnerable in ourcommunities, from battered women to neglected children. This bill will ensure they can continue to serve freely, without fear of being penalized for their religious beliefs. We applaud Senator Rubio\u2019s excellent efforts to protect these service providers\u2019 religious freedom.\u201d \u2013 Kassie Dulin, Director of Government Affairs for First Liberty Institute\n\n\u201cFrom before the founding of our country until today, religious and faith-based groups have been indispensable in meeting the needs of Americans. Faith-based organizations are vital to strengthening families, combatting poverty, and revitalizing ourcommunities. Sen. Rubio\u2019sLIFTING LocalCommunities Act will ensure that faith-based organizations are treated equally by the federal government and recognize that they don\u2019t forfeit their religious beliefs and rights when they use federal funds to help serve the public good.\u201d \u2013 Timothy Head, Executive Director, Faith & Freedom Coalition\n\n\u201cThe Left will stop at nothing to undermine the religious liberty of Americans, even if that means discriminating against religious organizations who provide valuable social services to society\u2019s most vulnerable. Currently, the Biden administration is currently considering rolling back regulations that ensure that faith-based organizations can apply for and administer federally funded social services on the same basis as secular organizations. Fortunately, Senator Rubio has introduced theLIFTING LocalCommunities Act to prevent the administration from changing these regulations by codifying them into law, which will guarantee that religious charities are able to continue serving theircommunities.\u201d \u2013 Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Heritage Action\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\nA summary of the legislation can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0380E79C-3753-4E11-B9A8-55BE3524C359", "Graham, Senators Send Letter to Secretary Mayorkas Expressing Concern about Afghanistan, Terrorist Infiltration at Southern Border", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), along with Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida), today sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas seeking information on how the department plans to secure the border against terrorist infiltration in light of the assassination of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan.\n\nIn the letter, the senators warn: \u201cWe have been sounding the alarm for several years about how our broken border is a ripe opportunity for terrorists to enter the homeland. With all due respect, Mr. Secretary, our border is not secure. We have lost complete operational control of the southern border, and it serves as a calling card for terrorists everywhere.\u201d\n\nThe senators noted:\n\nTerrorist groups that have already found a foothold in Central and South America, including in the Tri-Border area and elsewhere, now have an opportunity to enter the United States by way of Mexico.\n\nIn the past nine months, the Border Patrol has apprehended at least 56 individuals who were on the Terrorist Screening Database.\n\nGiven the unprecedented number of \u201cgot-aways\u201d \u2013 500,000 that we know about since last October \u2013 it is a near certainty that other individuals on the Terrorist Screening Database have entered the United States undetected, via our open southern border.\n\n\u201cThe most devastating event would be an organized terrorist attack, originating from Afghanistan, against our homeland via our southern border,\u201d they continued. \u201cWe are tremendously exposed, as the unrelenting surge of illegal immigration on our southern border is tying up resources, and taking our eye off the ball when it comes to terrorism, drugs, and crime. The Border Patrol union and others have raised concern regarding the diversion and misuse of resources at the border. We must not ignore their concerns.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter is below.\n\n#####\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nWe are sure you are well aware of the recent drone strike killing al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, Afghanistan. While we applaud the operation that brought this despicable terrorist to justice, we are unnerved by what it means for the current threat level in Afghanistan. To have the leader of al-Qaeda staying in the home of a top aide to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of one of the largest terrorist networks in Afghanistan, is beyond brazen. A recent United Nations report indicates several thousand foreign terrorist fighters are flocking to Afghanistan following our withdrawal, and it is clear from this recent strike that al-Qaeda is out in the open, and welcomed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.\n\nPrior to his death, Zawahiri was publicly calling for and encouraging attacks on the American homeland. We have been sounding the alarm for several years about how our broken border is a ripe opportunity for terrorists to enter the homeland. With all due respect, Mr. Secretary, our border is not secure. We have lost complete operational control of the southern border, and it serves as a calling card for terrorists everywhere.\n\nAccordingly, it is imperative that you report to us about your plan to secure the border against terrorist infiltration. The presence of Zawahiri in Kabul in such a brazen fashion should be a \u201cfive alarm fire\u201d for the Biden Administration. The refusal to fix our broken asylum system, the reimplementation of catch and release, the abandonment of Remain in Mexico, and other policy choices by the Biden Administration have acted as pull factors which directly led to a virtual invasion by illegal immigrants. It is only a matter of time until terrorists and other transnational criminal organizations take full advantage of these vulnerabilities.\n\nWhile this is dangerous for our country, the most devastating event would be an organized terrorist attack, originating from Afghanistan, against our homeland via our southern border. We are tremendously exposed, as the unrelenting surge of illegal immigration on our southern border is tying up resources, and taking our eye off the ball when it comes to terrorism, drugs, and crime. The Border Patrol union and others have raised concern regarding the diversion and misuse of resources at the border. We must not ignore their concerns.\n\nBecause of the ever-unfolding chaos at our southern border, terrorist groups that have already found a foothold in Central and South America, including in the Tri-Border area and elsewhere, now have an opportunity to enter the United States by way of Mexico. In the past nine months, the Border Patrol has apprehended at least 56 individuals who were on the Terrorist Screening Database. Given the unprecedented number of \u201cgot-aways\u201d \u2013 500,000 that we know about since last October \u2013 it is a near certainty that other individuals on the Terrorist Screening Database have entered the United States undetected, via our open southern border.\n\nMr. Secretary, you must reverse course on the policies that have caused a virtual invasion of our country via our southern border. If the administration continues to stand by idly, over time, the biggest beneficiary of this debacle will be international terrorist groups like al-Qaeda. Within a year of the collapse of Afghanistan and return to Taliban control, we see proof positive through Zawahiri\u2019s presence in Kabul that Afghanistan is once again a safe haven for terrorists. This view is not only reinforced by the presence of Zawahiri in Kabul, but the United Nations through numerous reports has shined a light upon this problem.\n\nThere are al-Qaeda training camps emerging all over Afghanistan. Unless something changes, it is just a matter of time until we are hit here. We are urging you and those within your agency to change the policy at our border before it is too late.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-op-ed-previews-bill-to-empower-parents-to-solve-the-learning-loss-crisis/", "ICYMI: Scott Op-Ed Previews Bill to Empower Parents to Solve the Learning Loss Crisis", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) penned an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, previewing his new bill\u2014the Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery (RECOVER) Act\u2014to empower parents to solve the crisis of learning loss facing today\u2019s students.\n\nSchool Districts Are Hoarding Federal Covid Funds\n\nMy new bill would make it possible to direct them directly to parents.\n\nThe Wall Street Journal\n\nU.S. Senator Tim Scott\n\nThe Biden administration marketed its American Rescue Plan as the solution to the academic setbacks students across the country experienced during the pandemic. But rather than solving the problem, this latest bailout exposed a fundamental reality: Government alone cannot solve the education crisis facing our nation\u2019s children.\n\nMy new bill\u2014the Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery Act, or Recover Act for short\u2014empowers parents to fix this crisis.\n\nThe Wall Street Journal reported that as of May, states and school districts had spent only 7% of the $122 billion set aside for education under the American Rescue Plan more than a year ago. The Los Angeles Unified School District was allocated over $2.5 billion and hasn\u2019t spent a penny.\n\nWhile states and school districts sit on billions, students are struggling.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nParents, fearful of the long-term consequences of lost learning, are desperate to help because they know the clock is ticking. The fourth-grader who is still unable to read can\u2019t wait. The junior in high school who won\u2019t be ready for college courses can\u2019t wait. The student with disabilities who hasn\u2019t received consistent services in two years can\u2019t wait.\n\nThe Recover Act would allow states and school districts to use their unspent dollars from the American Rescue Plan to issue Child Opportunity Scholarships directly to parents. The scholarships, targeted for low-income students, could be used for tutoring, school tuition, curriculum materials, educational therapies for children with disabilities, and other resources designed to get students the individualized help they need.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nIf given access to this funding, parents won\u2019t let 93% of it sit in a bank account while their children fall behind. They\u2019ll fight harder and better than the government ever could to get their kids on the right path. I know because I\u2019ve seen it happen in my own life.\n\nWhen I struggled in school, my mom, who already worked long days as a nurse\u2019s aide to keep food on the table, stayed up late doing homework with me, encouraged me, and at times disciplined me to get my grades back on track. An opportunity scholarship, like the kind I\u2019m proposing in this bill, would have been a game-changer for my family. My mom didn\u2019t have a government position or a college degree. But she knew what her kid needed, and she wasn\u2019t about to let him fail.\n\nMy story isn\u2019t unique. Each day, millions of parents across the country are fighting for their kids\u2019 success. It\u2019s what they do best.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nThough the government alone can\u2019t solve this crisis, our nation fortunately has a much more powerful tool to help kids: their parents. Congress must pass the Recover Act to give parents the resources they need to help their children thrive once again.\n\nClickhere to read the full op-ed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-introduces-bill-to-empower-parents-to-solve-the-learning-loss-crisis/", "Scott Introduces Bill to Empower Parents to Solve the Learning Loss Crisis", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery (RECOVER) Act to empower parents to solve the learning loss crisis facing today\u2019s students.\n\n\u201cStates and school districts have only spent a fraction of the education funds they received through the Democrats\u2019 American Rescue Plan \u2014 leaving kids helpless as they struggle to recover from academic setbacks,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cIt\u2019s clear that big-government bailouts won\u2019t solve our education crisis. That\u2019s why the RECOVER Act allows those funds to flow to a much better steward: parents. I urge all of my colleagues to join me on this bill that would empower parents to help their kids thrive once again.\u201d\n\nJoining Sen. Scott on the RECOVER Act are Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).\n\nCongressman Burgess Owens (R-Utah) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cAs pandemic learning loss continues to crush the academic progress of millions of students across the country, only 7% of the so-called solution \u2013 $122 billion in American Rescue Plan funding \u2013 has been spent,\u201d said Congressman Owens. \u201cNot only is our nation falling behind as a leader in education, but our one-size-fits-all system is leaving our most vulnerable kids behind and pushing parents out of the driver\u2019s seat. I am proud to introduce the RECOVER Act with Senator Scott to bring parents off the sidelines of their kid\u2019s education by allowing states to reallocate billions in unspent dollars so that low-income students can receive the targeted support they need to reach their God-given potential.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nAs of May, states and school districts had yet to spend 93% of the education funding allocated to them under the Democrats\u2019 American Rescue Plan Act. Sen. Scott\u2019s bill would allow states and school districts to use those unspent funds to issue Child Opportunity Scholarships directly to parents. These scholarships, targeted for low-income families, could be put towards educational opportunities, including:\n\nTutoring services;\n\nPrivate school tuition;\n\nBooks and other curriculum materials;\n\nTesting fees; and\n\nEducational therapies for children with disabilities.\n\nClick here to read Sen. Scott\u2019s op-ed on the RECOVER Act in the Wall Street Journal.\n\nClick here to read full text of the RECOVER Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-accepting-applications-for-fall-2022-internships/", "Senator Scott Accepting Applications for Fall 2022 Internships", "2022-08-03", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is now accepting applications for internships in his Washington, D.C., North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville offices for the fall of 2022. The internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to work with public service professionals and gain practical experience in constituent services, government policy, and more.\n\nWashington, D.C. Office: In Washington, interns will research legislation, attend Congressional hearings and briefings, assist with press tasks, and help manage correspondence on various issues. Responsibilities also include answering phones and other administrative tasks. Interns in this office will gain a stronger understanding of the lawmaking process, while also improving their communications skills.\n\nSouth Carolina Offices (North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville): In the state offices, interns will take an active role in the community, working on state-based projects while also answering phones, completing research, and being an integral part of day-to-day office operations. Interns in these offices are able to assist with issues that affect South Carolinians each day.\n\nInternship hours are flexible to accommodate students\u2019 course schedules but generally run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students may also gain course credit for completing the internship program. Interested students can apply through our website at https://www.scott.senate.gov/constituent-services/internships. For additional questions, contact the internship coordinator at internships@scott.senate.gov or (202) 224-6121.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-sullivan-and-senate-colleagues-support-visit-to-taiwan-by-speaker-pelosi/", "Scott, Sullivan, and Senate Colleagues Support Visit to Taiwan by Speaker Pelosi", "2022-08-02", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and 24 of their colleagues today issued the following joint statement in support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopping in Taiwan during her diplomatic trip to Asia.\n\n\u201cWe support Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi\u2019s trip to Taiwan. For decades, members of the United States Congress, including a previous Speaker of the House, have travelled to Taiwan. This travel is consistent with the United States\u2019 One China policy to which we are committed. We are also committed now, more than ever, to all elements of the Taiwan Relations Act.\u201d\n\nJoining Sens. Scott and Sullivan on the statement are Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.)\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:26:22Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9CD80923-FC0A-4A7B-ADCF-497C6E26F8BB", "Graham, Blumenthal Applaud Senate Passage of Russian State Sponsor of Terrorism Resolution", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today applauded the passage of a resolution they introduced affirming that the United States Senate views the actions of the government of the Russian Federation, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, as sponsoring acts of terrorism.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cTo the Biden Administration: You have the complete unanimous support of the United States Senate to label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Do it.\u201d\n\nBLUMENTHAL: \u201cThis designation is more than just symbolism \u2013 it has practical significance. I join in urging the Administration to heed this call\u2026on this point, Americans are united. We\u2019re backing Ukraine, we have your back. Your adversary is a state sponsor of terrorism. That\u2019s the message I hope will come from Congress, and I respectfully suggest to the Secretary of State that he should follow that lead and heed that call because this moment is one that uniquely calls for that kind of leadership.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe sanctions have been effective, but we need to do more\u2026there\u2019s one thing we haven\u2019t done in Washington that can really matter: designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. What does it mean? It means that doing business with Russia with that designation gets to be exceedingly hard \u2013 it has secondary effect sanctions, it would limit dual export items, and more importantly it would waive sovereign immunity when it came to suing Russia in U.S. courts. This designation would be a nightmare for Russia, it would be an encouraging event for the people of Ukraine, and more importantly, it would be a statement to the world that the United States, in a bipartisan fashion, when it comes to Russia, we are not forgiving and we are not forgetting.\u201d\n\nBLUMENTHAL: \u201cEvery time I think of this resolution, I have in my mind President Zelensky\u2019s face as we presented him with a framed copy of the resolution. It\u2019s difficult for me to overstate the sense of gratitude and even admiration as we presented him with this resolution which really marks a vote of support and confidence in the people of Ukraine as well as a condemnation of Vladimir Putin.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cAll 100 members of the United States Senate are urging the Biden Administration to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism\u2026I didn\u2019t think there was an issue under the sun that could get 100 Senate votes, but we found it: Russia is a state sponsor of terrorism.\u201d\n\nBLUMENTHAL: \u201cThe designation of state sponsorship of terrorism puts Russia in a very small club \u2013 it consists of nations like Syria, Iran, and Cuba that are outside the bounds of civilized countries. They are pariahs. And that is exactly the designation that Russia deserves for what it has done in Ukraine as well as in other countries.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cBy the end of 2022, I want Russia to be designated a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. I want to pass another aid package to Ukraine to help them militarily and economically\u2026this designation is a very big deal. There are countries wondering where we are going to be\u2026I\u2019m hoping that Speaker Pelosi will put this on the suspension calendar. Let\u2019s have a vote as soon as possible and then we go to Secretary Blinken and say we\u2019ve got your back.\u201d\n\nBLUMENTHAL: \u201cThe people of Russia, if they really knew what was happening in Ukraine, would be repulsed. Vladimir Putin is hiding the truth from them. Vladimir Putin is the reason for this invasion. Vladimir Putin is the one who can end the brutal, barbaric atrocities that are occurring in Ukraine right now.\u201d\n\nThe Graham-Blumenthal resolution, which passed unanimously, makes clear the Senate:\n\nViews the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, as sponsoring acts of terrorism.\n\nCalls on the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.\n\nThe State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) designation allows additional categories of sanctions to be placed on a country, including restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, ban on defense exports and sales, certain controls over exports of dual use items, and financial and other restrictions. If designated, Russia would join a small list of other countries who are designated as SSTs: Cuba, Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Iran, and Syria.\n\nBoth Ukrainian President Zelensky and the parliament of Ukraine have appealed to Congress to encourage the Department of State to recognize the Russian Federation as an SST.\n\nWatch Full Press Conference Here\n\n#####\n\nThe full text of the resolution:\n\n117TH CONGRESS\n\n2D SESSION\n\nCalendar No. 433\n\nS. RES. 623\n\nCalling on the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.\n\nIN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES\n\nMAY 9, 2022\n\nMr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, and Mr. PORTMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations\n\nJULY 11, 2022\n\nReported by Mr. MENENDEZ, with an amendment and an amendment to the preamble\n\nRESOLUTION\n\nCalling on the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.\n\nWhereas, pursuant to section 1754(c) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)), section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2779A), and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371), the authority to designate a country as a state sponsor of terrorism rests with the Secretary of State;\n\nWhereas Cuba, the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Iran, and Syria are designated as state sponsors of terrorism;\n\nWhereas, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, the Government of the Russian Federation has and continues to promote acts of international terrorism against political opponents and nation states;\n\nWhereas, under the orders of President Putin, the Government of the Russian Federation engaged in a campaign of terror, utilizing brutal force targeting civilians during the Second Chechen War;\n\nWhereas actions by the Government of the Russian Federation against civilian centers, such as Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, left countless innocent men, women, and children dead or wounded;\n\nWhereas, since 2014, the Government of the Russian Federation has supported so-called separatists engaging in acts of violence against Ukrainian civilians in the Donbas region;\n\nWhereas, since the entry of the Russian Federation into the Syrian Civil War in 2015, the Russian Federation has targeted innocent civilians in Syria with attacks on civilian markets, medical facilities, and schools;\n\nWhereas the Government of the Russian Federation provides material support to Syria, a nation currently designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, that has been used to target the Syrian people;\n\nWhereas the Russian Federation spreads terror throughout the world through private military networks of mercenaries, such as the Wagner Group, in an effort to project power cheaply and deniably;\n\nWhereas the Wagner Group relies on the support of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defense to advance the foreign policy objectives of the Russian Federation;\n\nWhereas the Department of the Treasury identifies the Wagner Group as \u2018\u2018a designated Russian Ministry of Defense proxy force\u2019\u2019 and states that \u2018\u2018Wagner\u2019s activities in other countries, including Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, and Libya, have generated insecurity and incited violence against innocent civilians\u2019\u2019;\n\nWhereas it was reported in February 2022 that more than 400 Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group were dis- patched to Kyiv with orders from the Kremlin to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelensky and members of the Government of Ukraine;\n\nWhereas, on March 14, 2022, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Zbigniew Rau stated that actions of the Government of the Russian Federation in Ukraine against innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure is \u2018\u2018state terrorism\u2019\u2019;\n\nWhereas, on March 17, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the world to acknowledge the Russian Federation as a terrorist state;\n\nWhereas the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has appealed to Congress to encourage the Department of State to recognize the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism noting that \u2018\u2018the Russian Federation has for years supported and financed terrorist regimes and terrorist organizations, including being the main supplier of weapons to the Assad regime in Syria and supporting terrorists in the Middle\n\nEast and Latin America, organizing acts of international terrorism, including the poisoning of the Skripal family in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ire- land, the downing of a civilian Malaysian airliner and other acts of terrorism\u2019\u2019;\n\nWhereas, at the direction of President Putin, the Russian Federation has directed and authorized the indiscriminate targeting of civilian centers within Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, and Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of countless innocent men, women, and children; and\n\nWhereas armed forces of the Russian Federation have com- mitted numerous summary executions against innocent civilians and have attempted to cover their atrocities with mass graves across Ukraine: Now, therefore, be it\n\nResolved,\n\nSECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.\n\nThe Senate\u2014\n\n(1) views the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, as sponsoring acts of terrorism; and\n\n(2) calls on the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.\n\nSEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-address-violent-crime/", "Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Address Violent Crime", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and 22 Republican colleagues in introducing a comprehensive package aimed at strengthening the violent crime laws related to homicide, bank robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and other offenses. The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act resolves discrepancies brought on by conflicting court decisions and clarifies congressional intent regarding crimes of violence and respective penalties.\n\n\u201cAs neighborhoods across America are experiencing a spike in violent crime, it is vital that we update our laws to hold perpetrators accountable and keep the public safe,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cThis bill addresses real world problems by helping to deter violent crimes before they take place.\u201d\n\nMany communities across the country continue to experience steadily increasing violent crime. Murder rates increased 30 percent in 2020 and continued climbing in 2021. Carjackings, particularly in urban areas are on the rise, with some cities recording up to 400 percent spikes. Overdose deaths surpassed 100,000 last year, with fentanyl appearing in a variety of substances, including candy-flavored drugs that are marketed to children. 2021 marked the deadliest year for law enforcement since the September 11 attacks in 2001.\n\nThe Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act addresses ambiguity and conflicting application of existing law by clarifying congressional intent without establishing sweeping new offense categories. Among other provisions, the bill:\n\nClarifies that attempted bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery are punishable under the current bank robbery statute;\n\nAbolishes an outdated rule that prohibits perpetrators of violent crime from being charged with murder if the victim succumbs to injuries sustained by that violent crime 366 days after the attack;\n\nRectifies conflicting circuit court decisions that have resulted in a higher burden to charge offenses like assaulting a police officer than Congress intended;\n\nIncreases the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking and removes a duplicative intent requirement needed to charge a carjacking offense;\n\nRectifies conflicting circuit court decisions by clarifying that an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offence involving physical force meets the legal definition of a crime of violence;\n\nOutlaws the marketing of candy-flavored drugs to minors; and\n\nEstablishes a new category of violent kidnapping offences, allowing for greater penalties for violent kidnapping.\n\n\u201cNDAA is excited to endorse the Combating Violence and Dangerous Crime Act, an important effort to fix criminal provisions in Title 18 of the Federal Code which ensures prosecutors have the tools needed to hold bad actors accountable. We look forward to working alongside the Senate Judiciary Committee to adopt these commonsense measures to improve public safety,\u201d said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director, National District Attorneys Association.\n\n\u201cThis legislation brings clarity to many areas in the law currently impacted by circuit splits. This clarity will enhance the rule of law by creating consistency in criminal enforcement. As violent crime continues to rise in major cities, this legislation will also increase successful prosecutions and deter offenses like bank robbery, carjackings, and kidnappings. This bill also addresses our nation\u2019s ongoing drug overdose epidemic and seeks to protect our nation\u2019s most vulnerable citizens: children. NAAUSA fully supports this legislation and appreciates Senator Grassley for leading on these issues,\u201d said Steve Wasserman, National President of the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA).\n\n\u201cAt this moment in history, when violent crime is exploding, the Sheriffs stand with Senator Grassley in supporting his Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act. It is critical that our federal partners have the tools they need to prosecute and incarcerate the most dangerous criminals in America,\u201d said Sheriff Jim Skinner, Chairman, Government Affairs Committee, National Sheriffs Association.\n\n\u201cThe Major County Sheriffs of America is pleased to support this bill which would clarify and strengthen federal law related to certain violent crimes including carjacking, help safeguard children from dangerous drugs, and protect federal law enforcement officers. We applaud Senator Grassley for this effort to ensure federal law provides tools to deter and punish violent crime,\u201d said the Major County Sheriffs of America.\n\n\u201cThe Major Cities Chiefs Association member agencies continue to respond to increased violent crime in their jurisdictions. The Combatting Violent and Dangerous Crime Act will provide law enforcement with additional tools to hold these violent offenders accountable by addressing circuit court splits, closing loopholes in the law, and updating outdated statutes. The MCCA thanks Sen. Grassley for introducing this legislation and his continued support for law enforcement,\u201d said the Major Cities Chiefs Association.\n\nSenators Scott and Grassley are joined by Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).\n\nFor the full text of the Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-cruz-and-lummis-introduce-resolution-affirming-historic-definition-of-a-recession/", "Scott, Cruz, and Lummis Introduce Resolution Affirming Historic Definition of a Recession", "2022-07-28", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) this week introduced a resolution to affirm the historic definition of an economic recession. Historically, an economic recession has been defined as two consecutive negative quarters of GDP growth.\n\n\u201cIn the midst of a 40-year high in inflation, the Biden administration is now attempting to redefine the term \u2018recession.\u2019 But twisting words does not change the reality: Americans are hurting because of Democrats\u2019 harmful economic policies,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThis administration can continue to push reckless spending proposals and insist the economy is moving in a positive direction, but Americans simply aren\u2019t taking the bait. I\u2019m proud to join Senators Cruz and Lummis on this resolution that puts words to the struggle families are facing across this nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden White House is undertaking an Orwellian effort that ignores history in order to try to redefine the actual definition of the term \u2018recession\u2019 in order to avoid bad headlines,\u201d said Senator Cruz. \u201cNo amount of double-speak can change the fact that President Biden\u2019s failed economic policies are fueling inflation, or have driven our country to the brink of a recession. The American people know this, which is why consumer sentiment has plummeted. Definitions matter, and the Biden White House simply cannot rewrite the facts in order to hide from the truth.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe definition of a recession is crystal clear, but President Biden is trying to rewrite history and change the definition of a recession to try to make it seem like the economy hasn\u2019t taken a total nosedive since his presidency began,\u201d said Senator Lummis. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to send a message, loud and clear, to President Biden, that he cannot change economic rules to defend the fact that there has been too much spending the last two years.\u201d\n\nRead full text of the resolution here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-call-for-ig-audit-of-bidens-10-billion-covid-19-vaccine-public-education-campaign/", "Scott Joins Call for IG Audit of Biden\u2019s $10 Billion COVID-19 Vaccine Public Education Campaign", "2022-07-26", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and several other Republican colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General Christi Grimm requesting an audit of the Biden administration\u2019s $10 billion COVID-19 vaccine public education campaign, which was launched in March 2021 to increase vaccine awareness and confidence.\n\nSenators Scott and Burr were joined by Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), as well as Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash).\n\nIn their letter, the members call for greater accountability from the Biden administration, following its continued attempt to disregard Congressional oversight requests on how COVID-19 emergency funding has been spent.\n\n\u201cSince the beginning of the pandemic, Congress has passed five bipartisan COVID-19 relief bills totaling $3.496 trillion,\u201d write the members. \u201cRecently, it has been reported that the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats are pursuing yet another partisan spending bill, despite record levels of inflation and billions of unspent dollars in COVID-19 relief funds. To date, the Biden administration\u2019s accounting of how it spent trillions of dollars in past COVID-19 relief funding has been inadequate.\u201d\n\nThe members continue, \u201cAs part of Congress\u2019s effort to understand exactly how the Biden administration spent COVID-19 relief money, we request an audit of a $10 billion COVID-19 vaccine public education campaign launched by the Biden administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).\u201d\n\nThe members also raise concerns over the involvement of highly partisan organizations in the public education campaign, potentially inappropriate direct or indirect funding to these politically-affiliated groups, and possible access these organizations may have to personally identifiable information of Americans.\n\n\u201cIt is incredible that HHS and the Biden administration would partner with partisan political organizations and Democrat-affiliated campaign consultants on a $10 billion taxpayer funded vaccine confidence public education campaign, ostensibly intended to appeal to all Americans. It is not clear from publicly available information exactly what these groups do and what benefits they may derive from being a \u2018founding member\u2019 of the COVID-19 Community Corps,\u201d the members write.\n\n\u201cFirst, we are concerned that some of these \u2018founding members\u2019 may inappropriately receive direct or indirect funding and support from HHS for partisan activities,\u201d the members continue. \u201cSecond, HHS\u2019s agencies contain or have access to vast amounts of personally identifiable information on hundreds of millions of Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe request that you initiate an audit and investigation of the HHS COVID-19 Communicators program and related public relations campaigns with a specific focus on the whether \u2018founding members\u2019 received government funding or access to Americans\u2019 personal information.\u201d\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=35821C4C-D2D9-40F2-A51F-C805DC7BACD0", "ICYMI: Graham Speaks in Greenville on Bill Tackling Pilot Shortage", "2022-07-25", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today spoke at a press conference on the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, legislation he introduced today to address airline flight cancellations caused by a shortage of pilots. Drew Jacoby Lemos from the Regional Airline Association joined Graham in the press conference.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cIn the next two years, [approximately] 5,000 pilots will be aged out. Not because they\u2019re unsafe, just simply because they reached 65. My legislation would allow pilots to continue to fly if they meet the qualifications. We\u2019re not dumbing down anything \u2013 they have to have a first-class medical certificate, they have to meet every qualification they do now.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cIn the next five years, [approximately] 14,000 pilots are going to be taken out of the cockpit because they turn 65. My legislation is trying to allow people to fly if they meet the medical qualifications until they\u2019re 67. Many countries do this \u2013 America does not. It is time for America to adjust its age when it comes to allowing qualified people to be in the cockpit.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI am urging the Biden Administration to embrace real-world solutions so we can make a difference, to drop the special interests politics, put the traveling public interest ahead of special interest groups, and let\u2019s come up with a change to the system that will allow qualified pilots to continue to sit behind the cockpit, to make air travel in America safe, efficient, and reliable. Without this change, it is only going to get worse.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cOver the next fifteen years, half the pilots in America will hit 65. We have a crisis when it comes to airline travel \u2013 we have a pilot shortage.\u201d\n\nLEMOS: \u201cRegional airlines, along with the communities we serve, especially small airports like Greenville-Spartanburg, are experiencing the negative impacts of the shortage the worst. For instance, despite passenger demand returning to 2019 levels, 71 percent of airports \u2013 there are 315 airports \u2013 have lost flights since 2019. This includes nine that have lost service completely. South Carolina, which has approximately 61 percent of its flights provided by regional airlines, is also feeling the impact. Regional Greenville-Spartanburg is down 17 [percent], Columbia 24 percent, and Florence is down 27 percent. 500 parked aircraft equate to a deficiency of approximately 5,000 pilots.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe transportation sector in this country is in a state of disarray, but nothing is worse in my view than the airline crisis we have today. It\u2019s not a safety issue; it\u2019s a capability issue.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe sky did not fall [in 2007] while adjusting the [mandatory pilot retirement age] from 60 to 65, and it won\u2019t fall by going to 67. What will happen is we\u2019ll give an opportunity to thousands of pilots if they choose to stay in the cockpit which makes it better for all of us depending on air travel.\u201d\n\nWatch Full Press Conference Here\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3DAF9D27-76C0-4370-B958-4FD90773169A", "Graham, Senators' Legislation Addresses Pilot Shortage", "2022-07-25", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) will today introduce the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act to address airline flights cancellations caused by a shortage of pilots.\n\nThe legislation:\n\nRaises the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age from 65 to 67.\n\nRequires that pilots over the age of 65 maintain a first-class medical certification, which must be renewed every six months.\n\nRequires air carriers to continue using pilot training and qualification programs approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).\n\nDoes not change or alter any other qualification \u2013 beyond age \u2013 to become a commercial airline pilot.\n\nWith baby boomers making up half of the airline pilot population, roughly 5,000 fully qualified pilots will be forced to retire within the next two years and the problem will grow even more acute in the following years. The wave of forced pilot retirements continues even as hundreds of flights are being canceled due to a shortage of available pilots and crews.\n\nIn 2007, the retirement age for pilots in the United States was raised from 60 to 65 after medical reports concluded age had an \u2018insignificant impact\u2019 on performance in the cockpit and there were safety precautions already in place to prevent accidents in case of incapacitation. Nothing in this legislation changes current safety and proficiency procedures for commercial pilots. Pilots will continue to be held to an incredibly high standard to ensure passenger safety.\n\n\u201cThere is a severe and growing pilot shortage in the United States. Every air traveler sees and feels the impact when they go to the airport,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cOne of the biggest causes of air delays is a lack of available crews. This summer, if your plane actually leaves on time, you feel like you won the lottery. My legislation extends the mandatory retirement age by two years and will make an immediate and appreciable difference in keeping highly-trained pilots on the job. The traveling public deserves better than what they are currently getting. Our bill moves the needle in the right direction to address the critical pilot shortage.\u201d\n\n\u201cLong delays and cancellations have become all too common in airports across the country, including in Iowa. Part of the reason is due to a shortage of pilots, which has unfortunately caused some airlines to cancel service to Iowa regional airports. By allowing healthy pilots to extend their careers if they choose, our proposal is one step we can take to ensure Iowans have better access to commercial air service, quickly alleviate airport congestion and get Americans to their destinations in a timely manner,\u201d Senator Grassley said.\n\n\u201cAmerica is facing a pilot shortage,\u201d said Senator Blackburn. \u201cCurrent rules block experienced pilots from the workforce based solely on their age. This legislation will raise the maximum age to 67, helping to reduce the worker shortage, lower the number of canceled flights, and increase travel into states like Tennessee.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s air travel system is struggling with a pilot shortage. The lack of available pilots causes flight cancellations and service reductions. This hurts Nebraska airports that rely on the Essential Air Service to stay connected. Raising the retirement age is a common-sense solution that will help to alleviate this crisis,\u201d said Senator Fischer.\n\n\u201cAirline staffing challenges continue to result in cancellations and delays across the aviation system,\u201d said Senator Thune. \u201cProviding an opportunity for highly qualified, experienced pilots to continue flying past age 65 is a sensible way to alleviate these challenges while training programs recover from the effects of the pandemic.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople in Wyoming rely on small rural airports, and I constantly hear from my constituents about cancellations and delays plaguing rural air service, in large part due to a lack of pilots,\u201d said Senator Lummis. \u201cRaising the mandatory retirement age to allow pilots to fly for an additional two years would mitigate some of these shortages and help restore rural air service, while ensuring we still have qualified and capable pilots manning our aircraft.\u201d\n\nWatch Graham\u2019s press conference on the legislation here.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-banking-republicans-criticize-gensler-for-stonewalling-congressional-inquiry-into-secs-proposed-climate-rule/", "Scott, Banking Republicans Criticize Gensler for Stonewalling Congressional Inquiry Into SEC\u2019s Proposed Climate Rule", "2022-07-22", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with fellow Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee, sent a letter to Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler, criticizing the SEC\u2019s lack of transparency and disregard for a congressional oversight request concerning the SEC\u2019s 500-page proposed climate disclosure rule\u2014a sweeping new regulation that will harm consumers, workers and the entire U.S. economy at a time when energy prices are skyrocketing.\n\nOn June 15th, Banking Republicans sent a letter asking the SEC to submit answers by June 29th to a number of questions. The Senators also requested that the SEC preserve and turn over a number of records related to the proposed rule by June 29th.\n\nOn July 12th\u2014nearly two weeks past the deadline\u2014Chairman Gensler responded to the senators\u2019 letter with a perfunctory one-page response that included none of the answers or records requested.\n\n\u201cYour response is wholly inadequate and unacceptable,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cIn our letter, we asked only a few simple and straightforward questions, including questions that should result in simple \u2018yes\u2019 or \u2018no\u2019 answers such as:\n\n\u2018Has the SEC considered the impact that the proposed climate disclosure rule would have on energy prices and any other costs associated with the rule?\u2019; and\n\n\u2018Has the SEC coordinated with any other Federal agencies on the policies contained in the proposed climate disclosure rule?\u2019\u201d\n\nAs the senators point out, Chairman Gensler\u2019s response completely ignored the request for records and did not indicate that the SEC is taking steps to preserve all records related to the proposed climate rule.\n\n\u201cA member of the public who submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request would be entitled to receive more records from the SEC than what the SEC has given members of the Senate committee overseeing the commission,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nBanking Republicans also pointed out the impact that the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, West Virginia v. EPA, could have on the SEC\u2019s proposed climate rule.\n\n\u201cSubsequent to our letter to you, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major decision that reinforces the importance of congressional oversight of the SEC\u2019s climate disclosure rule,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cIn West Virginia v. EPA, the Supreme Court ruled that the executive branch and its agencies, including financial regulators, cannot use creative, new interpretations of existing law to pretend they have legal authority to support sweeping policy changes that Congress never intended. Unfortunately, the SEC appears to be trying to act in precisely this way with its climate disclosure rule.\u201d\n\nTo read Banking Republicans\u2019 full letter to Chairman Gensler, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A09169C2-ABB5-456A-B3FE-5EFD3752590D", "ICYMI: 'Perfect Storm Brewing' For 'Reemergence of ISIS' in Syria, Graham Warns", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) recently traveled to northeastern Syria to investigate the state of the al-Hol refugee camp and facilities that hold captured ISIS prisoners.\n\nGRAHAM: \"The reemergence of ISIS as a threat to the American homeland is increasing by the day. There's a perfect storm brewing in northeastern Syria, where we have a refugee camp full of ISIS wives and children mixed in with other populations. That's going to be an ISIS factory. ... The radical elements of the camp are taking over.\"\n\nGRAHAM: \"Congress needs to understand that the American military presence in Syria and Iraq is vital to our homeland security. Congress needs to be pushing the State Department and Iraq, the government of Iraq, to reduce the number of refugees at al-Hol refugee camp. Congress needs to be working with the administration to find solutions to the 11,000 ISIS prisoners. Throwing them in jail and forgetting about them, that is not going to work.\"\n\nGRAHAM: \"The Syrian Democratic Forces, the commandos guarding the jail, told us that if Turkey goes back into northeastern Syria like they did in 2019, they will fight Turkey to protect their homeland and will not have the resources to guard the ISIS prisoners. The American military is very worried that we're gonna lose control of both the camp and the prison, and you could have a reemergence of ISIS just like in 2014.\"\n\n\u2018Perfect storm brewing\u2019 for \u2018reemergence of ISIS\u2019 in Syria, Graham warns\n\nBy Mike Brest\n\nJuly 21, 2022\n\nSen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is imploring his colleagues and the Biden administration to pay attention to northeast Syria, even as Russia's war in Ukraine and the threat of China loom large in defense circles.\n\nGraham recently returned from a trip to the al-Hol refugee camp and Hasakah prison, both in northeast Syria. The refugee camp has a population of roughly 55,000, consisting mainly of the wives and children of the Islamic State fighters who are in the prison, both of which are rampant with radicalization.\n\nA possible new generation of radicalized jihadis, in addition to those currently housed in Hasakah prison, presents a chilling risk to U.S. national security, according to Graham, who detailed his trip to the Washington Examiner in an interview on Wednesday.\n\n\"The reemergence of ISIS as a threat to the American homeland is increasing by the day,\" he stated. \"There's a perfect storm brewing in northeastern Syria, where we have a refugee camp full of ISIS wives and children mixed in with other populations. That's going to be an ISIS factory. ... The radical elements of the camp are taking over.\"\n\nGraham stressed the importance of improving the lives of the people in the camp, which he described as \"a tent city with very draconian living conditions,\" and it's an issue he plans to address on Capitol Hill. Defense officials have also stressed the repatriation of foreign nationals who reside in the refugee camp.\n\n\"Congress needs to understand that the American military presence in Syria and Iraq is vital to our homeland security. Congress needs to be pushing the State Department and Iraq, the government of Iraq, to reduce the number of refugees at al-Hol refugee camp. Congress needs to be working with the administration to find solutions to the 11,000 ISIS prisoners. Throwing them in jail and forgetting about them, that is not going to work. The international community does pretty well AWOL.\"\n\nGraham will lead an effort to push the State Department to appoint a special envoy to focus on \"improving the living conditions of the camp and trying to get the radical elements out\" and plans to introduce proposals to the appropriations bill.\n\nLast week, Dana Stroul, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, agreed with Graham's sentiment, saying, \"The most durable solution to the challenges of these detention centers and the displaced person camps is for countries of origin to repatriate, rehabilitate, reintegrate, and, where appropriate, prosecute their nationals residing in northeast Syria.\"\n\nIn late January, ISIS fighters launched a prison break on the Hasakah prison, and the fighting went on for days until the Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition Forces were able to end it.\n\nTimothy Betts, the U.S special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, said last week, \"The detention facility [was] full of hardened fighters ... and so there, they are definitely capable people. But I don't have with me who amongst them may have been the most senior. I am not aware of any significant ISIS figures that were amongst those that are no longer there.\"\n\nBetts also called the battle a \"wake-up\" because it \"demonstrated that the detention facilities were not as secure as we might have believed.\"\n\nGraham thinks the United States should increase its military footprint in the region by \"a couple hundred more\" in order to ensure the security of the prison, and he said he spoke with a U.S. military officer, one of the last to leave Iraq, who told him, \"If we don't get a handle on this, everything we've done to destroy the caliphate will unravel.\"\n\n\"We're not talking about thousands, but a couple of hundred more. I think our military footprint in Syria is vital to keep ISIS from reemerging because if they come back, the first target they want to hit is the United States.\"\n\nOne reason Graham thinks more troops are necessary is that the SDF, he said, would not be able to fight against a Turkish invasion and continue maintaining security at the prison, which is a concern considering the bad relations between Turkey and the YPG, a Kurdish militia in Syria that Turkey considers a close ally of the PKK, an organization it considers a terrorist group.\n\n\"The Syrian Democratic Forces, the commandos guarding the jail, told us that if Turkey goes back into northeastern Syria like they did in 2019, they will fight Turkey to protect their homeland and will not have the resources to guard the ISIS prisoners,\" he warned. \"The American military is very worried that we're gonna lose control of both the camp and the prison, and you could have a reemergence of ISIS just like in 2014.\"\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-tillis-and-other-senate-banking-republicans-raise-concerns-with-race-based-housing-subsidies/", "Scott, Tillis, and Other Senate Banking Republicans Raise Concerns with Race-Based Housing Subsidies", "2022-07-21", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and other Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee in a joint a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson raising significant concerns with the Equitable Housing Finance Plans that contemplate race-based housing subsidies.\n\nThe Equitable Housing Finance Plans announced on June 8, 2022 were developed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) at the direction of the FHFA. The GSEs\u2019 recently-released proposals would use Special Purpose Credit Programs to award race-based subsidies in the form of down payment assistance, lower rates, and reimbursements for appraisals.\n\n\u201cThe administration\u2019s proposal seems intent on repeating the mistakes of the recent past. It is worth recalling the GSEs\u2019 central role in the 2008 financial crisis,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cAgainst this backdrop, we urge FHFA to reconsider these affirmative action housing subsidy plans for the following reasons: First, the plans are manifestly unfair and should be unconstitutional. Discrimination on the basis of skin color is simply wrong. That remains true even when intended to benefit minorities.\n\n\u201cSecond, the plans risk setting up another generation of minority borrowers for failure. Black and other minority homeowners lost significant wealth as a direct result of lax underwriting by the GSEs before the crisis,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cThird, the plans raise significant legal concerns. By statute, FHFA\u2019s mandate as conservator is to conserve and preserve each GSE\u2019s assets and restore it to a sound and solvent condition. No law authorizes FHFA to use a GSE\u2019s assets to pursue affirmative action in housing.\u201d\n\n\u201cFourth, the plans are a return to GSE mission creep. The GSEs\u2019 charters limit them to supporting the secondary market. These plans, however, contemplate that the GSEs would push into the title insurance market (through bulk purchases and attorney opinion letters), the appraisal market (through new valuation options), and even the lending market (through GSE-funded down payment assistance and GSE-provided homebuyer education). Finally, the plans needlessly politicize the GSEs. The administration is conscripting the GSEs as instrumentalities of its progressive racial equity agenda to achieve outcomes it cannot achieve legislatively or even legally,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nThe letter was also signed by Ranking Member Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Senators Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hickenlooper-and-house-colleagues-urge-sba-to-help-entrepreneurs-by-allowing-fintech-firms-to-participate-in-small-business-lending-programs/", "Scott, Hickenlooper, and House Colleagues Urge SBA to Help Entrepreneurs by Allowing Fintech Firms to Participate in Small Business Lending Programs", "2022-07-20", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) was joined by Senator John Hickenlooper (R-Colo.) and Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) in sending a letter to urge Small Business Administrator Isablla Guzman to lift the SBA\u2019s moratorium on allowing financial technology firms (fintechs) to serve as Small Business Lending Companies (SBLC) and to broaden the criteria of the SBA\u2019s flagship 7(a) small business loan program to include fintechs.\n\nSen. Scott previously sponsored the Expanding Access to Credit for Small Business Act, which included a provision to allow more fintech companies to participate in the 7(a) program.\n\n\u201cAffordable access to capital is crucial for entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed in starting, and growing their businesses. However, many entrepreneurs and small firms, especially women, minorities, and those living in rural areas, struggle to access the traditional banking system,\u201d wrote Scott, Hickenlooper, Crow, and Donalds.\n\n\u201cModernizing the 7(a) program will allow fintech companies to continue to remove obstacles to access to credit for many small businesses who face difficulty participating in SBA lending programs. Lifting the moratorium on new SBLC licenses will allow additional innovative lenders to securely provide affordable credit to small businesses, especially those that have traditionally been underserved,\u201d they continued.\n\nFull text of the letter is available HERE and below.\n\nDear Administrator Guzman:\n\nAffordable access to capital is crucial for entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed in starting, and growing their businesses. However, many entrepreneurs and small firms, especially women, minorities, and those living in rural areas, struggle to access the traditional banking system. We write today to request that the Small Business Administration (SBA) lift its moratorium on allowing additional non-banks to serve as Small Business Lending Companies (SBLC) and allow qualifying non-banks to provide access to the SBA\u2019s 7(a) small business loan program as guaranteed lenders.\n\nThe digital tools financial technology firms (Fintechs) and other non-bank lenders provide allow small businesses to reach more customers, process payments more efficiently, and better use data. Fintechs also filled gaps in providing pandemic-era relief programs since traditional banks initially only served existing customers.\n\nAs a result, Congress authorized non-bank lenders to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). A New York Federal Reserve study from late May 2021 found that, while disbursing only a small share of total loan amounts, fintechs provided important support to minority business owners, who have in the past been underserved by the traditional banking industry. Approximately 1 in 4 black-owned companies applied to fintech lenders, more than twice the rate of firms whose owners were White, Asian, or Hispanic.\n\nModernizing the 7(a) program will allow fintech companies to continue to remove obstacles to access to credit for many small businesses who face difficulty participating in SBA lending programs. Lifting the moratorium on new SBLC licenses will allow additional innovative lenders to securely provide affordable credit to small businesses, especially those that have traditionally been underserved.\n\nForty years ago the SBA capped the number of new non-bank SBLC licenses at 14. Given the difficulty that so many small businesses are experiencing accessing affordable credit, it is imperative that the SBA lift its outdated moratorium and expand the number of licensed SBLCs. To that end, we have introduced legislation, the Expanding Access to Affordable Credit for Small Businesses Act, which calls for:\n\nThe removal of the moratorium on new SBLC licenses;\n\nThe re-appropriation of unused COVID funds from various stimulus bills to be used by the SBA to provide oversight of the new SBLCs in addition to the SBLC\u2019s primary regulator(s);\n\nThe inclusion of reporting requirements to gauge the success of the program; and\n\nRequirements that the administrator check for financial soundness and compliance when considering new applicants to the program.\n\nWhile we hope that Congress will enact our legislation as soon as possible, the SBA does not require any statutory changes to lift its non-bank SBLC moratorium or to allow fintechs to expand their provision of vital resources that many small businesses rely on.\n\nThe SBA has done an admirable job expanding access to capital over the last 68 years. We ask that it further this fundamental mission by removing the moratorium on new SBLC licenses and allowing a more diverse group of lenders into its flagship small business lending program \u2013 7(a). Thank you for your attention to this request. We eagerly await your response.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=3D7BDC7E-4377-4F69-9984-FC3B0E2D8E1F", "Graham on Confirmation of Judge Childs", "2022-07-19", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the Senate confirmation of J. Michelle Childs of South Carolina to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.\n\n\u201cI am very pleased that Judge Michelle Childs from South Carolina received a strong bipartisan vote to become a judge on the DC Circuit.\n\n\u201cJudge Childs is an extremely talented lawyer and has proven to be a fair-minded judge. She has wide and deep support from all corners of the South Carolina legal community. She will be a great addition to the DC Circuit Court. She has lived an exceptional life and is a true role model for young people looking to pursue a career in law.\n\n\u201cSenator Scott and I appreciate the bipartisan support from our Senate colleagues and wish Judge Childs well on this new chapter in her life.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9E32D293-103C-496C-995E-923D96A9DC06", "ICYMI: Graham Leads Fact-Finding Trip To Al-Hol", "2022-07-19", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) recently led a fact-finding mission to the Al-Hol refugee camp in northeastern Syria that holds the wives and children of dead or captured Islamic State fighters. American military leaders have expressed concern it could become a breeding ground for \u201cISIS 2.0.\u201d\n\nGraham also visited a detention facility in Hasaka where some of the adult men and teenage boys are housed. Earlier this year, ISIS staged a major attack and breakout attempt on the prison leading to a fierce two week battle with many fatalities.\n\n\u201cMost people think the war with ISIS is over. They don\u2019t think about how you repair the damage,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cWhat do you do with the prisoners? How do you give young people better options? That\u2019s why they give wars numbers \u2014 they just keep repeating.\"\n\nISIS Fighters\u2019 Children Are Growing Up in a Desert Camp. What Will They Become?\n\nBy Charlie Savage\n\nJuly 19, 2022\n\nAL HOL, Syria \u2014 Viewed from a helicopter, this enormous camp that holds the wives and children of dead or captured Islamic State fighters was a sea of white tents against the desolate landscape of drought-stricken northeastern Syria.\n\nFrom the ground, the human dimension of this tragedy came into focus. As a convoy of armored vehicles made its way up a dusty road, children emerged to stand at the fence amid garbage. Some waved. One boy, in a faded \u201cStar Wars\u201d shirt, stood with hands clasped behind his back. Another, in an oversize polo shirt, held aloft a star folded from paper.\n\nAl Hol is a detention camp for people displaced by the ISIS war \u2014 guards do not let residents walk out its gates. About 93 percent of the 55,000 people here are women and children, about half under 12 years old. While most have Iraqi or Syrian mothers, thousands come from about 51 other countries, including European nations that have been reluctant to repatriate them.\n\nThe world\u2019s attention has largely moved on since the Islamic State\u2019s last major enclave here crumbled in 2019. But left behind are tens of thousands of children growing up under brutal circumstances and intensely vulnerable to radicalization. They are surrounded by hard-line, militant women; as boys grow into teenagers, they are sometimes transferred to wartime prisons for fighters.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen the violence, and we also know that we have a huge population of kids that are growing older,\u201d said Daoud Ghaznawi, who oversees the administration of services in the camp by nongovernmental organizations alongside guards provided by a Kurdish-led militia that controls the region. \u201cIf this stays this way, nothing good can come out of it.\u201d\n\nRights groups and the military have been sounding the alarm about the dangers of leaving the detained children of ISIS members to languish in the desert: In addition to being cruel, the miserable conditions risk forging them into a network of extremists numbed to violence and angry at the world.\n\nThe camp for women and children is part of a constellation of facilities in northeastern Syria overseen by the Kurdish-led militia that also includes nearly two dozen prisons holding some 10,000 adult men \u2014 suspected ISIS fighters who have proved even more difficult to repatriate and pose the risk of breaking out.\n\nIn late 2018, Al Hol held about 10,000 refugees and others displaced by war. But early the next year, as the American-backed coalition laid siege to Baghuz, the remaining ISIS stronghold, women and children who fled or survived were separated from the men and sent to Al Hol. Its population ballooned sevenfold.\n\nFor years, the State Department has urged countries to repatriate their citizens, as the United States did. Doing so is politically unpopular given the prisoners\u2019 association with the Islamic State, and even their younger children are often stigmatized as dangerous. But trickles of women and children have left.\n\nIraq, which has the most, is going slowly: Many Iraqis are hostile to allowing ISIS families to return. At a Middle East Institute conference last week, Timothy Betts, the State Department\u2019s acting counterterrorism coordinator, said Iraq had repatriated about 600 ISIS fighters and 2,500 other people from Al Hol \u2014 about a tenth of its citizens here and at a smaller detention camp.\n\nThis month, France repatriated 16 women and 35 children, including some orphans. About 165 French children and 65 women are said to remain. Many European countries are especially unwilling to take back men, fearing that under their legal systems, their incarceration would last only a few years.\n\nIn the meantime, security is deteriorating inside Al Hol. There have been about 25 murders this year. While the available data is imprecise, the pace of the killings has increased since late spring, including a murder last week and a woman who was found beheaded last month. Hard-core ISIS women, self-appointed as religious police, are presumed responsible for many killings as retaliation for transgressions like talking to the camp authorities.\n\nA delegation on a fact-finding mission, led by Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, visited the facilities in recent weeks, inviting a New York Times reporter on a rare tour by a senior American official.\n\nThe situation here could soon get worse. Turkey considers the Kurdish-led militia that controls northeastern Syria to be intertwined with a separatist terrorist group. The militia, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, has been the United States\u2019 main on-the-ground ally fighting ISIS in Syria.\n\nTurkey, a NATO ally of the United States, attacked the S.D.F. in 2019, destabilizing the fragile region; it has signaled an intention to do so again soon.\n\nShould there be another Turkish incursion, American officials believe hundreds of thousands of people living in the border region could be displaced, adding to the turmoil. They also fear that S.D.F. prison guards and a related internal security force at Al Hol would redeploy personnel to the front \u2014 as happened in 2019 \u2014 and could lose control of ISIS detainees.\n\n\u201cIf a Turkish attack in fact comes down, we\u2019re going to potentially have ISIS 2.0,\u201d Brig. Gen. Claude K. Tudor Jr. of the Air Force, the commander of the Special Operations task force working to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria, said during a helicopter flight accompanying Mr. Graham into Syria.\n\nWarning that militants could try to regroup via mass prison breakouts, he added, \u201cWe think ISIS is looking to attack another prison or do something in Al Hol.\u201d\n\nThe S.D.F.\u2019s control is already tenuous. Standing in the sweltering sun on the rooftop of a prison administration building in nearby Hasaka, General Amuda, the head of an S.D.F. commando unit that is a designated partner force of the United States and who uses a pseudonym, described a notorious ISIS attack there in January.\n\nA two-week battle ensued, killing dozens of S.D.F. guards and hundreds of ISIS detainees and fighters. He relayed the assault in vivid detail, pointing to bullet-riddled buildings and a spot where he said militants had burned two guards alive.\n\nAfterward, as the American military sought to determine who had been killed or escaped, it became clear that the militia did not have comprehensive records about its detainees. The Hasaka inmates also included hundreds of teenage boys apparently culled from Al Hol as they grew up; other teens have been sent to rehabilitation centers said to lack sufficient capacity.\n\n\u201cThat the militia in control doesn\u2019t have a particularly accurate picture of what is going on tells you what you need to know,\u201d said Charles Lister, the director of the Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism programs at the Middle East Institute. \u201cWe are doing nothing to prevent the current generation of detainees from wanting to continue to fight if they get out, and creating a melting pot for the next generation.\u201d\n\nDr. Abdulkarim Omar, the regional administration\u2019s foreign relations head, said indoctrinated children who reached 12 to 14 years old must be separated because they could pose threats or produce babies for ISIS. He denied that teenagers who were sent to prisons because there was no room at rehabilitation centers were housed with battle-hardened adults.\n\nOf the roughly 10,000 adult male detainees accused of fighting for ISIS, about 5,000 are Syrian; 3,000 are Iraqi; and 2,000 come from some 60 other countries, officials said.\n\nThe majority of those 2,000 come from countries in the Middle East or North Africa, including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Saudi Arabia. About 300 are Russian, while more than 250 come from Western and European countries, officials said.\n\nAl Hol is similarly divided. The main camp holds about 47,000 Syrians and Iraqis. An annex holds 8,000 wives and children of ISIS fighters from other countries. About 66 babies were born each month last year, they said.\n\nIn 2022, the United States military is set to spend $155 million in Syria to train and equip the S.D.F., along with related work like bolstering ISIS prisons. The State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development plan to spend $852 million on humanitarian assistance in Syria and support to refugees in nearby countries.\n\nPentagon funds have helped pay for guards and infrastructure, including metal detectors at Al Hol, and internal fences are expected to be built this month to allow guards to close off areas in a riot or after raids to clear out smuggled weapons. The American military is also logging biometric data, like DNA, of the adult male prisoners.\n\nIn Hasaka, Maj. Gen. John W. Brennan Jr., the commander of the anti-ISIS task force in Iraq and Syria, said that nations unwilling to repatriate their ISIS citizens should at least pay the S.D.F. for housing them.\n\nMr. Graham also suggested that the United Nations could create an international tribunal to prosecute Syrian ISIS members; the breakaway region is not a recognized sovereign nation with a legal system. But he noted that people had floated the same ideas during a similar visit four years ago and compared the situation to false calm after World War I.\n\n\u201cMost people think the war with ISIS is over,\u201d Mr. Graham said. \u201cThey don\u2019t think about how you repair the damage. What do you do with the prisoners? How do you give young people better options? That\u2019s why they give wars numbers \u2014 they just keep repeating.\u201d\n\nMost children at Al Hol do not attend school \u2014 there are not enough of them, and some women refuse to let their offspring go. Mr. Ghaznawi said two schools were recently forced to close; they had stopped hiring camp residents as support staff, he said, and were repeatedly attacked.\n\nKathryn Achilles, the advocacy, media and communications director for Syria for Save the Children, said it operates six \u201ctemporary learning spaces\u201d at Al Hol, including one it recently rebuilt after it was set on fire. They teach a basic curriculum of English, Arabic, math and science. But the growing violence, she said, is further traumatizing the children.\n\n\u201cThese kids didn\u2019t choose to go to Syria or to be born there, and they are trapped in this cycle of violence that is punishing them for the sins, or perceived sins, of their fathers,\u201d she said. \u201cThe S.D.F. has been left with the responsibility of holding these people. These children are caught in the system, but what they need is to be returned home.\u201d\n\nLinking improved camp security to quality of life, Mr. Ghaznawi downplayed incidents in which children at Al Hol threw stones at reporters as restless children acting out, but added that it could become worse.\n\n\u201cWe have a young population that is going to grow older and older,\u201d he said, \u201cand going to go from having violent acts to eventually having more and more ideological affiliations with ISIS.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F65F986C-FF5D-484B-B3B1-3E0366028488", "Graham, Menendez Introduce Bill To Track Iran Nuclear Efforts", "2022-07-19", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Iran Nuclear Weapons Capability Monitoring Act of 2022 to establish a task force to monitor the nuclear weapons and missile capabilities of Iran.\n\nThe legislation establishes a joint task force led by the Department of State to monitor and regularly report to the appropriate congressional committees on Iran\u2019s nuclear weapons and missile activities. The report will outline critical findings, including but not limited to, Iran\u2019s ballistic missile activities, weaponization activities, and clandestine nuclear research.\n\n\u201cIt is imperative the United States government stays focused on monitoring Iranian nuclear ambitions,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cThis legislation requires reports to Congress from relevant agencies on the status of the nuclear desires of the Iranian regime in several key areas. The best way for American leaders to make sound judgments about Iran is to have the most current and reliable information available. Our legislation also requires our government to collaborate with regional allies like Israel. No matter what happens with the Iran nuclear negotiations, we must monitor the Iranian nuclear program like a hawk. I appreciate working with Senator Menendez on this legislation as he is a reliable and steadfast defender of Israel and an opponent of the Iranian regime.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased to have worked with Senator Graham to introduce this bipartisan legislation in light of the dangerous advancements in Iran\u2019s nuclear program,\u201d said Chairman Menendez. \u201cWith Iran\u2019s unrelenting support of terrorism, its overmatching missile programs, and defiance in the face of international censure, there is no reason why the U.S. Congress should not receive the most up to date information about Iran\u2019s nuclear and ballistic missile activities or the Administration\u2019s diplomatic efforts to address the threats posed by them. That is exactly what this bill will do.\u201d\n\nAdditionally, the legislation requires that the Secretary of State submit an annual diplomatic strategy for engaging with partners and allies of the United States regarding the nuclear weapons and missile activities of Iran that will include:\n\nA description of efforts of the United States to counter efforts of Iran to project political and military influence.\n\nA description of a coordinated whole-of-government approach to use political, economic, and security-related tools to address such activities.\n\nA comprehensive plan for engaging with allies and regional partners in all relevant multilateral fora to address such activities.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-slams-democrats-economic-plans-on-newsmax/", "Senator Scott Slams Democrats\u2019 Economic Plans on Newsmax", "2022-07-18", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Newsmax with Greta Van Susteren, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) highlighted the disconnect between what the Democrats want and what Americans need.\n\nClick to watch\n\nOn President Biden\u2019s trip to the Middle East \u2026 \u201cWe have the resources we need to supply our folks with the energy that we all need. \u2026 When President Trump was in the White House, gas was $1.99 a gallon in December 2020. Now it\u2019s over $4 a gallon. And [President Biden] refuses to let our folks here at home domestically drill for the energy we need. That, to me, makes his entire trip, especially his meeting with MBS, a failure.\u201d\n\nOn why the White House doesn\u2019t support American energy \u2026 \u201cWhat I can tell you is \u2014 as a spokesperson for South Carolinians \u2014 we would love to see more domestically-created jobs around our energy future. We would love to see the Keystone XL pipeline starting and six or 700,000 barrels of oil coming to this country every single day.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats\u2019 revived tax and spending spree, or \u2018Build Back Better\u2019 \u2026 \u201cI prefer to call it \u2018Build Back Broker,\u2019 because the truth of the matter is they must not understand what causes inflation. When you think about adding more fuel to the fire or more money to the economy, you\u2019re literally talking about increasing inflation. When you increase taxes on our corporations, on our small businesses, you\u2019re reducing profit and you\u2019re reducing the number of jobs that are available. \u2026 We are far better off with the BBB being DOA: dead on arrival.\u201d\n\nOn President Biden\u2019s disconnect from the American people \u2026 \u201cSometimes the White House seems to suggest, \u2018Please believe what we are saying, not what you\u2019re seeing with your own eyes.\u2019\n\n\u201cThey said \u2018Afghanistan? It was a great withdrawal.\u2019 What we saw was the death of 13 American soldiers and thousands of Americans stranded in Afghanistan. They tell us that the border is closed, but what we see is almost two and a half million illegal immigrants crossing our border in 12 months. \u2026 They tell us, by the way, that inflation is good for the poor, for working class people, because their wages are going up. But the truth is that, even though the wages have gone up, inflation outpaces wage increases, which means that you\u2019ve had a loss of spending power.\n\n\u201cSo these are three very clear examples of why the American people are shaking their heads mystified by what this president does not understand about what they\u2019re experiencing.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1D02BF59-404E-49E6-A0DC-3393CE4A9F14", "Graham on Biden Iran Policies", "2022-07-14", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today made the following statement on President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid signing The Jerusalem U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration, a pledge to deny nuclear weapons access to Iran.\n\n\u201cToday, President Biden signed a joint pledge with Israel declaring that Iran shall never acquire nuclear weapons. Time will tell if the Biden Administration is truly committed to upholding this pledge. It is easy to sign an agreement making the claim but the question is, and has always been: do they have the will to enforce it?\n\n\u201cNo one should be surprised if the United States one day reenters a broken Iran nuclear deal. The Biden Administration seems obsessed with accepting any Iran deal, regardless of how bad it is.\n\n\u201cI hope, for the sake of Israel and the world, this agreement is better for Israel than the Budapest Memorandum was for Ukraine. I hope it is not another \u2018peace in our time\u2019 moment reminiscent of Neville Chamberlain.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-joins-bipartisan-bicameral-letter-urging-president-biden-to-strengthen-abraham-accords-during-middle-east-visit/", "Senator Scott Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging President Biden to Strengthen Abraham Accords During Middle East Visit", "2022-07-13", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 As President Biden begins his visit to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Representatives Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), co-chairs of the Senate and House Abraham Accords Caucuses, on a bipartisan and bicameral letter urging the president to deepen and expand the Abraham Accords, and to condemn Iraq\u2019s recent law criminalizing relations with Israel during his engagements with foreign leaders.\n\n\u201cAs members of the bicameral Abraham Accords Caucuses, we write to ask you to use your forthcoming trip to Israel and the Middle East to build on your Administration\u2019s support for the peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. In less than two years, the Abraham Accords have already transformed the region: enhancing Israel\u2019s security and acceptance, creating economic opportunities for Arab states, advancing American leadership in the Middle East, deepening security cooperation between the United States and CENTCOM partners, and promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue,\u201d wrote the members. \u201cWhile we celebrate these historic efforts, we also want to convey our disappointment and concern about the recently enacted Iraqi law that broadens the crime of normalizing relations with Israel.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs you embark on travel to the Middle East later this month, we respectfully encourage you to raise Iraq\u2019s anti-normalization law during your visits with foreign leaders and make clear the United States\u2019 resolute condemnation,\u201d the members\u2019 letter continued. \u201cWe also support your efforts during your trip to strengthen the existing Abraham Accords agreements and expand the agreements to additional countries. We appreciate your continued support of efforts that advance peace in the Middle East and hope you will place continued normalization of relations with Israel at the forefront of your agenda this month.\u201d\n\nThe letter was also signed by Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Representatives David Trone (D-Md.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), along with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Representatives Kathy Manning (D-N.C.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), and Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.).\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-boozman-urge-biden-nominee-for-agricultural-trade-negotiator-to-support-us-producers/", "Scott, Boozman Urge Biden Nominee for Agricultural Trade Negotiator to Support U.S. Producers", "2022-07-12", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.) led 19 of their Senate colleagues on a letter to Doug McKalip, President Biden\u2019s nominee to be the United States Trade Representative\u2019s (USTR) chief agricultural negotiator. The senators point out the Biden administration\u2019s disastrous trade policies that have weakened America\u2019s farmers and ranchers, and they urge McKalip, if confirmed, to seek trade agreements that support U.S. producers.\n\n\u201cIt is \u2026 disappointing that not only has the Biden administration chosen to forego the pursuit of trade agreements of any kind which can provide enhanced market access for U.S. exporters, but in the case of U.S. dairy, the administration has failed to fully enforce existing trade agreements. President Biden\u2019s decision to put the U.S. agricultural industry on the backburner of his trade agenda disadvantages American farmers and ranchers while jeopardizing America\u2019s strategic interests in the face of an emboldened and increasingly assertive China,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nThey continued, \u201cIn light of these concerns, if confirmed, we request your commitment to working to enforce, enhance and grow market access as part of trade negotiations in order to promote U.S. agricultural exports which will be critical to achieving much-needed economic recovery.\u201d\n\nJoining Senators Scott and Boozman on the letter are Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).\n\nBackground:\n\nAgribusiness is South Carolina\u2019s largest economic sector, contributing nearly $42 billion and more than 200,000 jobs to the state\u2019s economy. According to the USDA, agricultural exports in South Carolina totaled $812 million in 2020.\n\nWith South Carolina\u2019s producers at the top of mind, Sen. Scott recently:\n\nUrged the nation\u2019s top financial regulators to support farmers and ranchers in the face of soaring inflation;\n\nPushed back on a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposal that would place burdensome climate regulations on the agriculture industry; and\n\nRaised concerns about a separate Consumer Financial Protections Bureau (CFPB) proposal that would make farmers\u2019 jobs more difficult.\n\nRead full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=38A087C9-5981-4A63-8B26-28C1C22428A6", "Graham, Blumenthal Visit to Ukraine, Meet With President Zelenskyy", "2022-07-08", "2022", "2022-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after visiting Ukraine and meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:\n\n\u201cWe arrived in Kyiv believing our resolution calling on the Secretary of State to designate Putin\u2019s Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism was important but we come back to the United States believing the resolution is essential. We were honored to meet with President Zelenskyy and had a long, thorough and candid discussion about the way forward. Putin has made one of the most significant military blunders in modern Russian history and we cannot forgive or forget the atrocities the Russian armed forces, at his direction, have and are continuing to commit.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe were struck by the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of such unprovoked inhumanity. Kyiv is a thriving city whose people are returning. In the fall, their children will go back to school as fighting continues in the east and south. America must continue to stand with them by providing the advanced air defense, artillery, ammunition, anti-mine, and medical equipment they need. This material is a good investment, not only in Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty and freedom, but in the national security of all freedom-loving nations across the globe.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe must also continue to support and highlight the successful insurgency effort in the east. Walking the hallowed ground of Bucha, where there is still evidence of mass graves, it is clear as day that Putin will not stop with Ukraine but will seek to continue threatening western democracy and the free market world. We join with our European allies, and other democracies across the globe, and encourage further sanctions and economic embargoes to cut off Russia\u2019s ability to wage this war.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter our meeting with the Minister of Interior and the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, we are more committed than ever to supporting the International Criminal Court and the Ukrainian justice system to prosecute the high numbers of war crimes. The rule of law must prevail here.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe battlefield is just one element of the fight\u2014we must go after Putin and his oligarchs for the war crimes and genocide committed in Ukraine. Designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism labels them as the pariah nation that they are \u2013 recognizing Putin\u2019s inhumanity and giving sanctions real teeth.\n\n\u201cDemocrats and Republicans continue to stand with Ukraine and democracy.\u201d\n\nDuring their visit to Kyiv, Blumenthal and Graham presented President Zelenskyy with a copy of the resolution they have introduced to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. They also visited Bucha, the Kyiv suburb where Russian forces reportedly killed hundreds of innocent civilians.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:20:25Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D214DBC1-A447-4967-B454-367190A0F037", "Graham Opposes Biden Support for Eliminating the Senate Filibuster", "2022-06-30", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement in response to President Biden\u2019s declaration he supports eliminating the Senate filibuster rule to support abortion on demand.\n\nGraham said:\n\n\u201cIt is abundantly clear the Democratic Party is becoming more radical and will change every institution in the country that stands in the way of their desire to grab power. It is a very sad and very dangerous development.\n\n\u201cI remember when Republicans controlled the White House, the House and the Senate, and were being urged by President Trump to change the filibuster. Many people in our base supported changing Senate rules to pass our dream agenda. I also remember signing a letter with thirty-two Democrats pledging to keep the legislative filibuster in place to make sure the Senate stays the Senate. Those same Democrats, except for two, appear willing to blow up the Senate. President Biden, who for decades opposed abolishing the filibuster, is cheering them on.\n\n\u201cIt is my hope and belief Senators Manchin and Sinema will resist this effort to change the rules of the Senate. I am asking no more of them than I asked of myself and my colleagues when we were in a similar position.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-condemns-lefts-attacks-on-conservative-minorities/", "Scott Condemns Left\u2019s Attacks on Conservative Minorities", "2022-06-30", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 In an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) condemned the Left\u2019s attacks against Justice Clarence Thomas and conservative minorities.\n\nClick to watch\n\nOn why the Left attacks Black conservatives \u2026 \u201cI certainly think that the greatest threat to the liberal coalition are Black conservatives who stand up and think for ourselves. We represent the fact that the African American community is not a monolithic community. If you can ever break the stronghold that the Democrats have on the African American community, the entire coalition falls apart.\n\n\u201cAnd think about this, Jesse: President Biden\u2019s approval ratings have never been lower in the African American community and the Hispanic community. The last thing [the Left wants] to see are people like Clarence Thomas, Ben Carson, and myself standing up and making common sense popular everywhere in the nation. And oh, by the way, we happen to be Black. That is a great threat to the entire coalition on the Left. So they want to shut it down, cancel Clarence Thomas because he dares to think for himself.\u201d\n\nOn Justice Thomas\u2019 character \u2026 \u201cYou think about what Justice Sotomayor said about Justice Thomas. She said he was kind, affable, first to celebrate the victories in your life \u2014 whether it\u2019s your child\u2019s birthday \u2014 he is such a warm-hearted person. Those were her comments, but the Clarence Thomas I have met is consistent with what she said. This is a person who rose from abject poverty in rural Georgia to live the American Dream because in America, all things are possible. Clarence Thomas is a person who has affection for everyone, even those who disagree with him, because he understands that you can disagree without being disagreeable. Clarence Thomas is a class act.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/following-sens-scott-ossoff-successful-push-fema-distributes-350-million-in-disaster-relief-to-heirs-property-owners/", "Following Sens. Scott, Ossoff Successful Push, FEMA Distributes $350 Million in Disaster Relief to Heirs Property Owners", "2022-06-29", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.)\u2019s successful push to reform FEMA policies that discriminated against Black homeowners has helped tens of thousands of people get the help they need after natural disasters.\n\nLast fall, Senators Scott and Ossoff successfully lobbied FEMA to alter its disaster relief policies that discriminated against heirs property owners by requiring disaster victims to present clear title to property after The Washington Post reported that \u201cmore than a third of Black-owned land in the South is passed down informally, rather than through deeds and wills.\u201d\n\nIn a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Hearing last week, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified that after FEMA\u2019s policy change last year, 42,000 homeowners and 53,000 renters nationwide \u2014 who would have previously been denied \u2014 received disaster assistance, totaling $350 million.\n\n\u201cFor years I have worked to protect heirs property owners across South Carolina and the country,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThe disaster relief going to these families, many of which are Black southerners, wouldn\u2019t have happened if not for the FEMA policy change resulting from our commonsense, bipartisan effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor decades, many Black property owners in the South have been unfairly denied disaster assistance due to FEMA policies,\u201d said Senator Ossoff. \u201cOur bipartisan effort has ended those discriminatory practices and delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster relief to Black property owners who would have previously denied help.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe implemented these changes in our own policies in August of last year and since then, we were able to help over 42,000 homeowners and 53,000 renters and receive assistance we would have denied assistance under our old system. That amounts to somewhere close to $350 million that we would have made them come back to us through an appeal process before,\u201d FEMA Administrator Criswell said in the hearing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-scott-cruz-barrasso-introduce-legislation-to-protect-kids-double-number-of-school-resource-officers/", "Senators Scott, Cruz, Barrasso Introduce Legislation to Protect Kids, Double Number of School Resource Officers", "2022-06-27", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) in introducing the Safe Kids, Safe Schools, Safe Communities Act of 2022, legislation that would dedicate over $38 billion to make our schools and communities safer, including funding enhanced school security and doubling the number of school resource officers in America\u2019s schools, investing in school mental health professionals and reducing gun violence. The funds appropriated by their proposal would be fully paid for with unspent American Rescue Plan money.\n\n\u201cThere have been far too many school shootings in this country, and it is past time for Congress to do something to address this problem,\u201d said Senator Cruz. \u201cOur Safe Kids, Safe Schools, Safe Communities Act would focus on making schools safer by increasing the number of properly trained school resource officers on campus who can deter and, if necessary, stop school shooters before our kids are harmed, increasing the number of school mental health professionals who can identify at-risk children and ensure those kids get the help they need before they become violent, and providing funding to improve the physical security measures for schools. Our legislation also focuses on curbing gun violence by improving NICS and prioritizing law enforcement, criminal prosecutions of persons who illegally buy a gun and expanding Project Exile to more effectively prosecute those who commit violent crimes with a firearm. These are issues that the left and right should be able to agree on. Our legislation would not only help prevent school shootings, but do so while still protecting the constitutional rights of millions of law-abiding Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe all want to help prevent tragedies like what we saw in Uvalde. My focus has always been on mental health and increasing school safety,\u201d said Senator Barrasso. \u201cThis is exactly what Senator Cruz and I focus on with our Safe Kids, Safe Schools, Safe Communities Act. Our legislation will make a difference by securing schools and providing mental health professionals to identify and address the behavioral health needs of our students. This is an opportunity for Congress to take meaningful action to make our communities safer while always protecting the constitutional rights of Americans.\u201d\n\nSenators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) also sponsored the legislation.\n\nThe legislation would:\n\nAuthorize $200 million to improve the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), requiring an audit to make sure records that would disqualify someone from purchasing or owning a firearm are included in NICS.\n\nIncrease punishment for thefts from gun dealers.\n\nProhibit Fast and Furious style gun smuggling programs.\n\nAuthorize $150 million to hire additional federal prosecutors to prosecute firearm violations, $29 million for safe school task forces and combatting juvenile firearm violations, and $75 million to provide child-safety gun locks for every handgun in the U.S.\n\nTriple FEMA\u2019s Nonprofit Security Grant Program to secure schools.\n\nRequire the National Institutes of Justice and National Academy of Sciences to study the causes of mass shootings and report their findings to Congress.\n\nImprove research on school violence prevention and provide that information to schools and communities.\n\nReallocate $17.5 billion in unspent American Rescue Plan education funds to enhance school safety including by doubling the number of trained school resource officers nationwide, and $10 billion in grants to hire 15,000 school mental health professionals for K-12 schools.\n\nRead the full text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6621D6D2-3F6B-44E3-BE2E-39345B692831", "Graham on Supreme Court Dobbs Decision", "2022-06-24", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today made the following statement on the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s decision by the Supreme Court is a long overdue constitutional correction allowing for elected officials in the states to decide issues of life.\n\n\u201cRoe was Constitutionally unsound from its inception as the flawed legal theory behind the decision gives unlimited power to five unelected Supreme Court justices. I believe it was one of the largest power grabs in the history of the Supreme Court. Under the Roe theory, almost anything could be a constitutional right depending on the views of five justices on substantive due process.\n\n\u201cThe issue of life will now be decided by elected officials in the states, the same way the issue was handled until 1973. Simply stated, this decision represents a constitutional reset.\n\n\u201cFinally, all these decades of toiling in the vineyards fighting for conservative judges has paid off. I am glad to have done my part in this cause. I also appreciate President Trump\u2019s leadership in nominating conservative justices.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-tim-scott-statement-on-scotus-dobbs-decision/", "Sen. Tim Scott Statement on SCOTUS Dobbs Decision", "2022-06-24", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on the Supreme Court\u2019s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization.\n\n\u201cToday, the Supreme Court took an important step to protect the God-given right to life for millions of Americans by returning the power back to the people and the states, where it belongs,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cA nation in which abortion is the \u2018first and best\u2019 answer for moms in challenging circumstances is a nation that has sacrificed its moral clarity and courage. America\u2019s fundamental promises include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our support for babies and their mothers re-establishes those shared values that began to erode over the last several decades.\n\n\u201cFurthermore, I commend the Justices for their courage in the face of unprecedented threats and violence. Their commitment to the Constitution and refusal to bend to intimidation gives me hope for the future of our nation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F9E693B9-6C9B-4927-951E-4CB93A55946A", "Graham, Blumenthal Applaud Committee Passage of Russian State Sponsor of Terrorism Resolution", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) today made the following statement following the committee passage of the Senate resolution they introduced affirming that the United States Senate views the actions of the government of the Russian Federation, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, as sponsoring acts of terrorism, and calls on the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST).\n\n\u201cWe are extremely pleased that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Menendez and Ranking Member Risch, passed our resolution urging Putin\u2019s Russia to be designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.\n\n\u201cThe committee vote was unanimous. We hope and strongly urge that the resolution be brought to the Senate floor as soon as possible. It is imperative Congress show support for designating Putin\u2019s Russia as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, putting them in the same category as Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Syria. The sooner this designation is made, the better for the people of Ukraine and freedom-loving people throughout the world.\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan action by the United States Senate thus far has been well-received in Ukraine and hopefully will be a green light to other nations to move in this direction.\u201d\n\nThe resolution, once passed on the floor, will put the Senate on record and:\n\nViews the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, as sponsoring acts of terrorism.\n\nCalls on the Secretary of State to designate the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.\n\nThe SST designation allows four categories of sanctions to be placed on a country, including restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, a ban on defense exports and sales, certain controls over exports of dual use items, and financial and other restrictions. If designated, Russia would join a small list of other countries who are designated SSTs: Cuba, Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Iran, and Syria.\n\nBoth Ukrainian President Zelensky and the parliament of Ukraine have appealed to Congress to encourage the Department of State to recognize the Russian Federation as an SST.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-bicameral-group-call-on-biden-admin-to-reverse-its-plan-to-circumvent-us-law-by-creating-an-unofficial-us-consulate-to-the-palestinians-in-jerusalem/", "Scott, Bicameral Group Call on Biden Admin to Reverse its Plan to Circumvent U.S. Law by Creating an Unofficial U.S. Consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem", "2022-06-23", "2022", "2022-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) today joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Representative Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), and more than 80 members of Congress on a bicameral joint statement, calling on the Biden administration to reverse course on its plan to erode the full and faithful implementation of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 by moving the Palestinian Affairs Unit (PAU) out of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel\u2019s reporting chain of command and renaming the PAU the \u201cU.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs\u201d that would serve as an unofficial U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem.\n\n\u201cIt is alarming that the Biden Administration has opened what amounts to be a separate U.S. diplomatic office to the Palestinians in Israel\u2019s capital. This decision is wholly inconsistent with the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 that Congress passed into law and has repeatedly reaffirmed with overwhelming bipartisan support over the years. We strongly supported the Trump Administration\u2019s decision to fully and faithfully implement the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 by formally recognizing Jerusalem as the eternal and undivided capital of Israel, by moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and by closing the U.S. Consulate General for the Palestinians in Jerusalem and merging its functions into the U.S. Embassy\u2019s \u2018Palestinian Affairs Unit\u2019 within one diplomatic mission under the authority the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. The Biden Administration\u2019s disregard for that law, however, undermines our nation\u2019s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital and signals support for dividing Jerusalem.\n\n\u201cLet there be no misunderstanding: this unprecedented arrangement\u2014to turn the Palestinian Affairs Unit into a \u2018U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs\u2019 that will no longer report to the U.S. Ambassador to Israel but instead report directly to the State Department in Washington, D.C., and to appoint a Special Envoy to the Palestinians\u2014is an effort to open an unofficial and de facto U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem. In fact, the Biden Administration admits this decision is one step closer to opening an official U.S. consulate, a plan it refuses to stop pushing despite the Government of Israel\u2019s adamant opposition and Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon\u2019s admission to Congress in October 2021 that the United States, under international law, would \u2018need to get the consent of the host government to open any diplomatic facility.\u2019\n\n\u201cThe Biden Administration\u2019s decision is wrong and not how America should treat Israel, one of our closest allies in the world. As sponsors of the Upholding the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Law Act of 2021 to withhold funding for a U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in Israel\u2019s capital, we unequivocally oppose the Biden Administration\u2019s decision and will use every tool at our disposal to stop it in the 117th Congress and afterwards.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Sens. Scott and Hagerty, 32 senators signed the statement: Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Roger F. Wicker (R-Miss.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).\n\nIn addition to Rep. Zeldin, 54 House members signed the statement: David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Rick W. Allen (R-Ga.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), Bob Good (R-Va.), Garret Graves (R-La.), H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Young Kim (R-Calif.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Dan Webster (R-Fla.), and Steve Womack (R-Ark.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:13:54Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 267, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Senate", "p1": "SC", "p2": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 267, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC&year=2022&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 267, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "SC", "label": "SC", "count": 267, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 267, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2022-06-23,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Escott~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fscott-bicameral-group-call-on-biden-admin-to-reverse-its-plan-to-circumvent-us-law-by-creating-an-unofficial-us-consulate-to-the-palestinians-in-jerusalem~2F", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=Senate&state=SC&year=2022&_next=2022-06-23%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Escott~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fscott-bicameral-group-call-on-biden-admin-to-reverse-its-plan-to-circumvent-us-law-by-creating-an-unofficial-us-consulate-to-the-palestinians-in-jerusalem~2F&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 144.89458594471216, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}