{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"Senate\", state = \"SC\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-2024-year-in-review/", "Senator Scott 2024 Year in Review", "2024-12-31", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released his 2024 year in review, highlighting his work on behalf of the people of South Carolina and efforts to advance his Opportunity Agenda across the country.\n\n\u201cI am incredibly proud of the work we\u2019ve accomplished this year on behalf of South Carolinians, and I look forward to tackling all the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead next year. My mission is to positively affect the lives of a billion people with a message of hope and opportunity. Every American deserves the chance to achieve their version of the American Dream, and I will continue fighting each day to make that opportunity a reality,\u201d said Senator Scott.\n\nThis year, Senator Scott introduced 42 bills, 9 resolutions, and 16 amendments.\n\nSouth Carolina\n\nThe Senator and his team assisted more than 6,000 South Carolinians with casework requests.\n\nStrengthening a direct line of communication with constituents remained a priority for the Senator and allowed him to send over 26,000 letters to South Carolinians in 2024.\n\nThousands of communities across South Carolina and neighboring southeastern states have worked hard to recover from Hurricane Helene and Milton. Senator Scott pushed for Congress to demonstrate leadership and help ease the pain of those who have lost everything. That\u2019s why he championed a bill to replenish the SBA Disaster Loan Program, providing essential assistance to families and small businesses as they continue their recovery. Additionally, Senator Scott led legislation to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s FEMA Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which works to assist individuals, households, states, and non-federal government entities with recovery following a natural disaster. As part of an end-of-year government funding package, Senator Scott helped secure $29 billion for the DRF and $2.25 billion for the SBA Disaster Loan Program.\n\nAmerican Energy and Infrastructure\n\nIn an effort to restore American energy dominance and independence, Senator Scott introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024 in January to eliminate the requirement for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to authorize the export of of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) and give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sole authority over the approval process. In February, the House version of this bill, led by Representative August Pfluger, was passed 224 \u2014 200.\n\nSenator Scott recognizes the importance of pursuing local solutions for local problems that will promote targeted developments to improve infrastructure in both urban and rural communities. To that end, the Senator teamed up with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Representative Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) in a letter to Secretary Buttigieg at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) expressing support for a grant for the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to replace a critical bridge over Lake Marion.\n\nAdditionally, the Senator sent a letter to DOT in July, asking for the prompt review of the SCDOT proposal for the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant for Long Point Road and I-526.\n\nCommittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs\n\nAs the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Senator Scott led his Republican colleagues on the committee to advance pro-growth policies to support communities across the country.\n\nSenator Scott introduced the ROAD to Housing Act to pave the way for more affordable housing opportunities and ensure our federal housing regulators are accountable to the taxpayers they serve. Senator Scott also put forward capital markets legislation, the Empowering Main Street in America Act, that will increase access to capital for entrepreneurs in every corner of our nation and allow more Americans to invest in their local communities. And as the scourge of fentanyl plagues too many communities, Congress successfully passed\u2014and the president signed into law\u2014Senator Scott\u2019s FEND Off Fentanyl Act to target the illicit fentanyl trade and the illegal money laundering operations supporting this devastating criminal enterprise.\n\nSenator Scott also used his position as the top Republican on the committee to conduct rigorous oversight over the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s progressive agenda and rulemaking. From the Federal Reserve\u2019s Basel III Endgame proposal, to the Securities and Exchange Commission\u2019s climate disclosure rule, to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\u2019s mislabeling of legitimate payment incentives, Senator Scott pushed back on rules and regulations that would stifle economic opportunity.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s longstanding efforts to hold the Biden-Harris administration accountable for its appeasement of Iran resulted in a critical reporting requirement from his Revoke Iranian Funding Act being signed into law, ensuring Congress has the information on Iran sanctions it needs to provide oversight of the Biden-Harris administration and take action against the Iranian regime.\n\nTo see a full list of Senator Scott\u2019s accomplishments during his second year as the Republican leader of the Senate Banking Committee, click here.\n\nEducation\n\nThroughout his time in public service, Senator Scott has worked to broaden quality educational opportunities for all, regardless of race, zip code, or background.\n\nThe Senator recognizes the positive strides charter schools have made to shape education in South Carolina and around the nation, and help the next generation achieve their American Dream. To recognize their positive impact, Senator Scott introduced a resolution congratulating the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of charter schools across the country during the 25th Annual National Charter Schools Week. In May, the Senate agreed to this resolution, celebrating the work of charter schools in helping students succeed in the classroom and beyond.\n\nIf students are fearing for their safety on campus, they cannot focus on receiving a quality education. Through his Antisemitism Awareness Act, a bill that changes the definition of antisemitism the U.S. Department of Education uses when investigating antisemitic acts on college campuses, Senator Scott is focused on protecting the rights of Jewish students on college campuses across America.\n\nHealthcare\n\nEveryone in the Palmetto State\u2014regardless of race, background, or zip-code\u2014deserves access to high-quality healthcare. Throughout the year, Senator Scott championed legislation designed to make American healthcare more accessible, patient-centered, and affordable.\n\nSickle cell disease continues to affect thousands of Americans, oftentimes those without access to specialized care. His Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023, which reauthorizes the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program until Fiscal Year 2028, makes strides in ensuring those affected have access to the treatment they need to manage their healthcare. This legislation passed in the House of Representatives.\n\nSenator Scott also led four resolutions\u2014National Poison Prevention Week, National Minority Health Month, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month\u2014all of which unanimously passed. The passage of these resolutions reaffirms Senator Scott\u2019s commitment to seeking out legislation that will help create a healthier, stronger nation.\n\nSenator Scott recognizes the impact of the Medicare Advantage program and the health coverage it provides to over 32 million seniors and individuals with disabilities. When Washington bureaucrats threatened American seniors\u2019 coverage access and choices, Senator Scott led a bipartisan letter to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encouraging the agency to continue to support and strengthen the Medicare Advantage program. Sixty-one senators signed onto the letter, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).\n\nRestoring Law and Order\n\nSenator Scott has consistently worked to foster growth, investment, and economic opportunity both domestically and globally, which begins by restoring law and order.\n\nAs part of this effort, the Senator introduced the COACHES Act, Laken Riley Act, Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, Protect Our Presidents Act, and Build the Wall Act of 2024, and supported the SAVE Act and Protect and Serve Act of 2024.\n\nNational Security and Foreign Affairs\n\nThroughout his time as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Senator has championed policies to strengthen U.S. national security, support our allies, and push back on our adversaries.\n\nIt\u2019s been more than a year since Iranian-proxy Hamas\u2019 October 7 attack on Israel, and Senator Scott continues to stand by our greatest ally in the Middle East, introducing a resolution that reiterates Israel\u2019s right to self-defense and condemning recent statements from U.S. lawmakers, which interfere in Israel\u2019s sovereign electoral process.\n\nFollowing reports indicating that the Palestinian Authority (PA) would attempt to downgrade Israel\u2019s status at the United Nations (UN), Senator Scott joined Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in introducing the Stand with Israel Act, a bill to cut off U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. Additionally, the Senator introduced the Maintaining Our Ironclad Commitment to Israel\u2019s Security Act, which provides congressional oversight of proposed changes to arms sales to Israel. Senator Scott is vocal about his unequivocal support for Israel and its right to self-defense, as demonstrated in his letter to the editor in The Wall Street Journal and letter to the Biden-Harris administration.\n\nWe cannot say we support our allies while we fail to protect them against their enemies. Senator Scott sponsored and introduced the Preventing Terrorism at the U.N. Act of 2024, which would prohibit the United States from voluntarily contributing to the United Nations. More specifically, this legislation cuts off all funding to the UN until the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is permanently shuttered and the Secretary of State can certify that no UN employees in UNRWA\u2019s current jurisdiction support terrorism. Additionally, the Senator introduced the No Bystanders at the United Nations Human Rights Council Act of 2024 to withhold certain UN funding until the United Nations Human Rights Council mandates a body to investigate human rights abuses in the People\u2019s Republic of China.\n\nTo further these efforts, Senator Scott introduced the Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act of 2024, which strengthens the role of the United States military in the Indian Ocean region.\n\nSenator Scott is taking proactive steps to prevent our national securities agencies from doing business with companies that are linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People\u2019s Liberation Army. He introduced the Blocking Bad Batteries Act, prohibiting the US. Department of State from procuring batteries produced by certain Chinese government-linked companies.\n\nThrough the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, Senator Scott secured the passage of several important initiatives for South Carolina, such as:\n\n$33 million for an Aeromedical Evacuation Facility at Joint Base Charleston (USAF Reserve)\n\n$72.05 million for new Ambulatory Care Clinic (Dental) at Parris Island (Navy/USMC)\n\n$31.5 million for a new Fuel Pier at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (Navy/USMC)\n\n$75.33 million for Plutonium Pit Production at the Savannah River Site (SRS) (DOE/NNSA)\n\n$1.2 billion for the SRS Plutonium Process Facility (DOE/NNSA)\n\n$400.54 million for the SRS Risk Management Operations (DOE/NNSA)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B9BD204C-4E97-48B9-9929-98376DECEEA2", "Senator Graham on the Passing of President Carter", "2024-12-29", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the passing of 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.\n\n\u201cPresident Carter lived a full, incredible and consequential life. He will be remembered for his decency and his humanitarian efforts as much as any legislative accomplishment.\n\n\u201cHe achieved major Middle East reconciliation during his presidency and proved once again that coming from humble roots in one of the most rural areas of America is no barrier to becoming president and living out big dreams.\n\n\u201cAs a committed Christian, he has now rejoined the love of his life, Rosalynn. May he rest in peace.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-statement-on-president-carters-passing/", "Sen. Scott Statement on President Carter\u2019s Passing", "2024-12-29", "2024", "2024-12", "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", "NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter:\n\n\u201cPresident Carter\u2019s public witness of his faith was a blessing to his family, the church, and our country. His legacy as a Sunday school teacher, faithful husband to his bride, and a man of deep Christian conviction in private and in public service will inspire Americans for generations to come. May his memory be a blessing to his family and our nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=445D5226-04C7-4C4B-BD70-E3A61230B88B", "Graham Applauds Passage of Hurricane Helene Relief", "2024-12-21", "2024", "2024-12", "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 this statement after the Senate passed legislation to fund the government, which included $110 billion in disaster relief for communities affected by droughts and Hurricanes Helene and Milton.\n\nOn Thursday, Graham joined U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) and Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) to urge Congress to pass disaster relief before the end of the year.\n\n\u201cI am extremely pleased that the Senate overwhelmingly supported disaster relief for hard-hit South Carolinians and many others. My top priority was to ensure the much-needed disaster relief package was not delayed any further.\n\n\u201cWhile this package ultimately did not include a debt limit deal, I was supportive of the effort and would have voted for it.\n\n\u201cThis bill funds the government, provides urgently needed disaster aid, helps our farmers, and will give some hope and relief to those who have lost so much.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B6C71777-4888-4C57-87D7-10D9B7DB717A", "Graham and Van Hollen Introduce Bipartisan Sanctions Against Turkey", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) introduced bipartisan sanctions legislation following concerns about military action by Turkey or Turkish-backed groups in northern Syria. The Senators released the following statement upon introduction:\n\n\u201cToday, we introduced the Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024 while stressing that the United States should work with Turkey \u2013 through diplomatic means \u2013 to facilitate a sustained ceasefire and demilitarized zone along the border between Turkey and Syria, particularly the city of Kobani. These sanctions seek to prevent further Turkish or Turkish-backed attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which risk the reemergence of ISIS, threatening the national security of the U.S. and the rest of the globe.\n\n\u201cWe remain hopeful that there will be a peaceful resolution to the problems that plague Syria.\u201d\n\nEarlier this week, Graham and Van Hollen spoke to SDF General Mazloum Abdi and reiterated their intention to introduce bipartisan sanctions if Turkey refused to extend the ceasefire.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E00F7197-9BB2-4521-AA90-597AF82780AE", "Graham Elected Senate Budget Committee Chairman", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "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 this statement after he was elected Senate Budget Committee Chairman by the Republican conference for the 119th Congress.\n\n\u201cI am honored to have been elected Senate Budget Committee Chairman by the Republican conference. The Senate Budget Committee \u2013 through the reconciliation process \u2013 will aggressively push the most transformational border security bill in American history and revitalize our military.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re going to give President Trump and his team the resources they need to finish the wall, put technology on the border to obtain operational control, hire more ICE agents to deport gang members and criminals, and create more detention space so we don\u2019t have to release illegal immigrants into the country.\n\n\u201cWe will make the Navy bigger and more lethal.\n\n\u201cWe are going to do all of this in weeks, not months.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2DD41661-4EA2-4FA4-9775-5F66EC873E72", "Graham Applauds South Carolina Projects, Commonsense Proposals in Defense Authorization Bill", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "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 this statement after the Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation passed the House of Representatives earlier this week. It is now headed to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cI am very pleased that the Senate has passed the NDAA for the 64th year in a row,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cThis bill is a win for our men and women in uniform, giving them pay raises and better equipment. It also eliminates many of the woke programs that have been plaguing the military. From a South Carolina perspective, this bill has millions for military construction and is a big win for the Savannah River Site to sustain our nation\u2019s nuclear arsenal.\u201d\n\nHighlights of Provisions Included in the Final FY25 NDAA:\n\nAdvocates for South Carolina.\n\nAuthorizes billions for the Savannah River Site to sustain our nation\u2019s nuclear arsenal as well as to treat and remove radioactive liquid waste.\n\nAuthorizes millions for military construction projects in South Carolina for both the active and reserve components.\n\nGives troops a much-deserved pay raise.\n\nAuthorizes a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers as well as a 4.5 percent pay raise for other servicemembers.\n\nAdvances \u201cwarfighting, not wokeness\u201d agenda.\n\nPrevents the Department of Defense (DOD) from paying for puberty blockers and other drugs for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization of minor dependents of servicemembers.\n\nPlaces a one-year hiring freeze on all individuals working on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the DOD.\n\nProhibits personnel from promoting divisive critical race theory (CRT) concepts within the DOD.\n\nRequires all newly commissioned military officers to receive comprehensive training on the U.S. Constitution.\n\nShifts over $50 million for DOD programming that promotes DEI concepts and directs it towards support for countering the flow of narcotics.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-meets-with-sba-nominee-kelly-loeffler/", "Scott Meets with SBA Nominee Kelly Loeffler", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Small Business Committee, released the following statement after meeting with Kelly Loeffler, President-elect Trump\u2019s nominee to lead the U.S. Small Business Administration:\n\n\u201cIt was great sitting down with my friend and former colleague, Kelly Loeffler. Kelly grew up on her family\u2019s farm in Illinois and worked her way up to achieve barrier breaking success in the business world. Her life experience gives her a unique understanding of our economy and the environment we need to create to promote entrepreneurship and opportunity.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-ndaa-vote/", "Scott Statement on NDAA Vote", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\n\u201cSouth Carolina is pivotal to our nation\u2019s military training and readiness. In an effort to bolster our armed services, I successfully fought to raise pay for our servicemembers, revitalize defense infrastructure, and rid our military of woke policies,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI am proud to support this year\u2019s NDAA. As chaos unravels on the global stage, it is vital that we equip our servicemembers and military with the necessary resources to deter threats at home and abroad, while we continue to support our allies in the face of aggression.\u201d\n\nThe FY25 NDAA authorizes $182.7 billion to support our servicemembers, which is $865.1 million more than requested. The funding includes a 4.5 percent pay increase for military personnel and a 14.5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers.\n\nThe bill prohibits funding for Critical Race Theory (CRT)-related teaching, training, and promotion, including at service academies and Department of Defense schools. It also freezes hiring at the Department of Defense for one year and defunds more than $50 million in Department of Defense DEI programming \u2014 instead directing those funds toward counter-narcotics.\n\nThe bill also invests in a new Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South Command and Control Facility to detect and interdict illegal migrants and narcotics. Its investments support the deployment of the National Guard to increase Border Patrol activities at the southwestern border.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s key wins secured in the passage of the FY25 NDAA:\n\nSenator Scott successfully secured passage of HBCU-Africa Partnership Act through final passage of the FY25 NDAA, which highlights HBCUs\u2019 key role of strengthening ties with Sub-Saharan Africa in democracy, education, trade, and resource management. It encourages partnerships and exchanges with HBCUs to build expertise in critical sectors and directs agencies to help HBCUs secure federal grants. The FY25 NDAA also authorizes over $100 million for HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).\n\nSenator Scott also secured passage of U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act and F-16 Simulator Payment Plan (for McEntire JNG) through the FY25 NDAA.\n\nThe below provisions, championed by Senator Scott, strengthen national security and address local priorities:\n\n$33.0 million for an Aeromedical Evacuation Facility at Joint Base Charleston (USAF Reserve)\n\n$72.05 million for new Ambulatory Care Clinic (Dental) at Parris Island (Navy/USMC)\n\n$31.5 million for a new Fuel Pier at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort (Navy/USMC)\n\n$75.33 million for Plutonium Pit Production at the Savannah River Site (SRS) (DOE/NNSA)\n\n$1.20 billion for the SRS Plutonium Process Facility (DOE/NNSA)\n\n$400.54 million for the SRS Risk Management Operations (DOE/NNSA)\n\nSouth Carolina specific provisions included in the FY25 NDAA can be found below:\n\n$88.0 million for Reception Complex, Ph2, at Fort Jackson \u2014 extension of 2020 authorization.\n\n$122.6 million for Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort \u2014 extension of 2022 authorization.\n\n$15.0 million for National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Charleston \u2014 extension of 2021 authorization.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-meets-with-pete-hegseth/", "Sen. Scott Meets with\u00a0Pete\u00a0Hegseth", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) met with President-elect Trump\u2019s nominee, Pete Hegseth, to serve as United States Secretary of Defense. Senator Scott issued the following statement after the meeting:\n\n\u201cPete and I share similar concerns about our nation\u2019s security and the direction our military is headed. In order to overcome the challenges and threats our country faces, we need a Department of Defense that embraces innovation and modernization. It was great to sit down to hear more about his dedication to our country, our men and women in uniform, and what is needed for America to once again be a global leader and stand with our allies.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-meets-with-kash-patel/", "Sen. Scott Meets with Kash Patel", "2024-12-17", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) met with Kash Patel, President-elect Trump\u2019s nominee to serve as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Senator Scott issued the following statement after the meeting:\n\n\u201cI enjoyed meeting Kash Patel and learning more about his vision to lead the FBI into a new era and rebuild broad public trust. We share the belief that the FBI needs a leadership shakeup that will once again empower agents to enforce the law and focus on protecting the American people from enemies foreign and domestic.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-meets-trump-hhs-nominee/", "Sen. Scott Meets Trump HHS Nominee", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement after meeting with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President-elect Trump\u2019s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:\n\n\u201cI had a productive discussion with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. this evening about the future of our nation\u2019s healthcare system, preventing taxpayer funded abortion, and Americans\u2019 long-term wellbeing. President Trump won a sweeping victory and should have the latitude to choose the Cabinet he feels will best serve the American people. I look forward to learning more and further considering his nomination during his upcoming confirmation hearing.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=80BA7090-71AD-4F43-83CF-237D4C3BF734", "ICYMI: Senator Graham: We are playing Russian roulette with national security if our broken border isn\u2019t job one", "2024-12-13", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "We are playing Russian roulette with national security if our broken border isn\u2019t job one\n\nBy Senator Lindsey Graham\n\nFox News\n\nDecember 13, 2024\n\nhttps://www.foxnews.com/opinion/lindsey-graham-playing-russian-roulette-national-security-broken-border-isnt-job-one\n\nThere are old threats, new threats and growing threats to America that need to be addressed as soon as possible. We are playing Russian roulette with our national security if we delay securing our broken border.\n\nMore than 200 Americans die every day due to fentanyl overdoses. That is the equivalent of another September 11 attack nearly every two weeks because of the illicit drugs that are coming across our border. Every week we delay is a death sentence for thousands of Americans.\n\nThe shameful withdrawal from Afghanistan energized terrorist organizations around the globe. Now with the turmoil in Syria, the jihadist groups threatening America are growing in capability and numbers. While the recent collapse of the Assad regime in Syria was a big loss for Russia and Iran, the chaos it brings to the region can present a direct threat to the United States.\n\nFirst, the radical group that toppled the Assad regime has been associated with Al Qaeda in the past and its leader is a former detainee who was captured on the battlefield in Iraq and was also associated with Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, the founder of ISIS.\n\nSecond, Turkey views the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a primarily Kurdish force that is guarding more than 50,000 ISIS prisoners, as a terrorist entity. These Kurdish forces helped the United States destroy the ISIS Caliphate and if they are compromised, there could be an ISIS prisoner jailbreak.\n\nThat would be a nightmare for America and the rest of the world.\n\nIn case anyone forgot, ISIS is responsible for and inspired some of the worst terrorist attacks the world has ever seen. On November 13, 2015, Paris, France was attacked in multiple locations, including the Bataclan Theater, resulting in the death of 130 people. In 2016, 49 Americans were killed at a nightclub in Florida in an ISIS-inspired shooting. The next year, 22 people were killed in Manchester, UK, at a concert arena.\n\nNow imagine a perfect storm.\n\nThe cartels are in the business of bringing people to America, and they will take anyone\u2019s money \u2013 including terrorists. The terrorist groups that are taking over Syria \u2013 most of whom wish to eliminate the United States \u2013 are now in a new position of power. If any one of these terrorists, ISIS or otherwise, want to infiltrate our country, it would simply require paying a money-hungry cartel.\n\nOver the past four years, there have been 1.7 million encounters on the southern border with illegal immigrants from \"special interest countries\" \u2013 countries that DHS has determined pose the greatest national security and counterintelligence threats to the U.S. \u2013 and 687 encounters with immigrants on the terror watch list. If our border crisis is allowed to remain, any number of terrorists could make their way into America and we would be none the wiser.\n\nIt is imperative that we ratchet up our national security. The way to do this is by securing our broken border, increasing the number of ICE agents to deport criminals and gang members, increasing the number of bed spaces in detention centers so we don\u2019t have to release illegal immigrants into the United States, finish building the wall, and employing technology that will give us 24/7 situational awareness at the border.\n\nPresident-elect Donald Trump ran on securing the border and making America safer and more prosperous. The centerpiece of his campaign was repairing the damage done by the Biden administration and doing it quickly.\n\nI will be the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee in the new Congress. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and I have been working closely with Trump\u2019s team to hit the ground running to make sure we have a transformational border security bill passed through the budget reconciliation process and on Trump\u2019s desk as soon as possible in the new year.\n\nI strongly believe that we should not let the Trump tax cuts expire. We should also find ways to accomplish regulatory reform and spending cuts to address the deficit. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and other stakeholders will be valuable resources for the committee when it comes time to reduce spending and lock in the tax cuts.\n\nBut the top priority for the Senate Budget Committee \u2013 and the Trump administration \u2013 is to secure our southern border and help the Department of Defense combat growing threats before it\u2019s too late. I urge every member of the House and the Senate to receive an intelligence briefing about the threats coming our way.\n\nWe are living on borrowed time given the threats that are growing throughout the world. If we fail to secure our broken borders at this time of great peril, the United States will likely be victim to a national security catastrophe.\n\nRepublican Lindsey Graham represents South Carolina in the United States Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-presses-cfpb-director-on-resignation-calls-out-midnight-rulemaking/", "Scott Presses CFPB Director on Resignation, Calls Out Midnight Rulemaking", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "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", "Senator Scott also slammed the committee\u2019s dysfunction and lack of transparency after Chairman Brown\u2019s last-minute postponement of a markup vote on President Biden\u2019s partisan nominees.\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 After Chairman Brown\u2019s last-minute postponement of today\u2019s U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs markup vote on President Biden\u2019s partisan nominees, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the committee\u2019s top Republican, slammed the committee\u2019s dysfunction and lack of transparency.\n\nIn his opening statement, Senator Scott also called out Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra for ignoring his demands to pause rulemaking and pressing forward with an aggressive agenda \u2013 even after prudential regulators agreed to shelve proposals and final rules before President Trump\u2019s inauguration. After calling for Director Chopra to resign, Senator Scott noted he looked forward to working with a new CFPB Director to increase accountability at the Bureau \u2013 while focusing on efforts to protect consumers and remove politics from our federal regulators.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s opening remarks as delivered:\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman.\n\nThank you for your service on this committee since 2007 and the last several years as the Chairman of the committee. I\u2019ll say the cancelation of today\u2019s markup really is disappointing and frankly sours the tone. It is another example of the dysfunction and lack of transparency that is a last gasp of a lame-duck administration.\n\nBut now, we turn our attention to the Director of the CFPB, who also doesn\u2019t seem to accept the results of the November election.\n\nAs I mentioned earlier, after the November election \u2013 a historic win for Republicans and President Trump which delivered a mandate for this committee and for this Congress. I sent a letter to each and every federal agency under this committee\u2019s jurisdiction calling on them to cease all rulemaking activities.\n\nIt is paramount that President Trump can begin his administration on January 20th with a fresh slate to implement the economic agenda that the American people resoundingly voted for.\n\nAnd this is not unreasonable. Last month the prudential regulators \u2013 the OCC, FDIC, NCUA, and Federal Reserve \u2013 agreed with me and committed to pausing rulemaking before the inauguration.\n\nYet, as we have seen time and time again with Director Chopra, he has ignored these calls and pressed forward with a unilateral partisan agenda.\n\nMany of you have heard my Republican colleagues and I argue that the changes at the CFPB are absolutely necessary, that the agency is unaccountable to Congress.\n\nAnd Director Chopra seems intent on proving this to be true.\n\nDespite voter\u2019s clear message on election day, Director Chopra has advanced his agenda at a break-neck speed.\n\nHe has issued a final rule expanding the CFPB\u2019s own jurisdiction, issued a proposal seeking to upend the fraud prevention industry, has published multiple \u201cstudies\u201d and \u201creports\u201d to further his political agenda, and just this week published another rulemaking effort.\n\nThe Director has spent years at the CFPB pushing the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s partisan messaging on \u201cjunk fees,\u201d and seeking a boogeyman around every corner for the failed economic policies of the Biden administration.\n\nLet me be clear: protecting consumers and building an economy that serves all Americans are principles that guide my work in the Senate, but we can do both without weaponizing our federal regulators.\n\nSpeaking of regulators abusing their authority, the longstanding issue of debanking and Operation Chokepoint have recently resurfaced.\n\nI have focused on this issue for years and the patent inequality it represents for our legal businesses.\n\nI have consistently called out our banking agencies for weaponizing their power, and private institutions for bending to the powerful here in Washington.\n\nNo legal business should ever be debanked.\n\nThis message is something that Director Chopra has latched onto since the election, including direct references to debanking in his last two rulemakings.\n\nBut make no mistake, the Director is not our ally in this fight, and the career bureaucrats at the CFPB are not either.\n\nThe Director\u2019s recent actions are little more than an attempt to expand the CFPB\u2019s jurisdiction and grant the agency more authority to pick winners and losers in the financial services system.\n\nUnelected bureaucrats in Washington D.C. should not be deciding which businesses survive or fail based on their political agendas. All legal businesses should have the opportunity to succeed in America, just like every single American.\n\nWashington should be focused on promoting the two greatest tools which can arm all Americans \u2013 choice and opportunity.\n\nThese were the tools that allowed me as a poor kid in South Carolina to grow up and own my own business, and now, lead the Republican side of the Senate Banking Committee.\n\nAmerica must continue to be the bedrock of opportunity, and our regulators must work to ensure this every single day. Regulation should provide guardrails, not roadblocks.\n\nI look forward to working with the next Director of the CFPB to increase accountability at the Bureau.\n\nAnd Director Chopra, I look forward to hearing that you will be resigning effective January 20th.\n\nIt is unacceptable to have an agency with a budget of almost a billion dollars outside of the appropriations process and we must find a way to address this issue.\n\nI will end with this \u2013 a message of hope. I am hopeful that next Congress will allow this committee to return to regular order and pass legislation to increase opportunity for American families and small businesses across the country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-meets-with-scott-bessent/", "Sen. Scott Meets with Scott Bessent", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 Following a meeting with President Trump\u2019s nominee to serve as U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Finance Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, issued the following statement:\n\n\u201cIt was great catching up with my fellow South Carolinian Scott Bessent. Scott\u2019s experience and success as an entrepreneur make him the perfect fit to work hand-in-hand with President Trump and our Republican majorities to restore access to opportunity and the American Dream for all. Senate Republicans stand ready to hit the ground running with the Trump administration to expand Opportunity Zones, extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, bolster our economic national security, and deliver pro-growth solutions for the American people.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=37BFA67D-2C82-4BFE-A0B8-C6AB883E9D6C", "Graham Meets with FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) met with Kash Patel, President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).\n\n\u201cI had an outstanding meeting with Kash Patel, President Trump\u2019s nominee to be the new FBI Director. We discussed how the FBI can deal with the national security threats that America faces at home and abroad. He indicated that one of his top priorities is to go after those groups on the internet who are grooming America\u2019s children for sexual exploitation.\n\n\u201cKash promised to get the FBI back to its original mission of protecting America, and that the days of the FBI leadership having their thumb on the scale politically will be over.\n\n\u201cI look forward to his confirmation hearing. President Trump did a great job in nominating Kash Patel.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6D7D2C44-5D85-4080-A444-A1F1038F27BE", "Graham Meets With DNI Nominee Tulsi Gabbard", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) met with former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be the next Director of National Intelligence.\n\n\u201cI very much enjoyed my meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, who I have known for years. We served together briefly in a Capitol Hill reserve unit, and I believe she is a very bright person.\n\n\u201cWe talked about the threats America faces and I look forward to continuing to engage with her on how to best defend our country.\n\n\u201cAs I have said previously, I have a lot of deference for presidential cabinet nominations because I believe every president deserves their team.\n\n\u201cI look forward to hearing in more detail about Tulsi\u2019s views on the threats America faces through the confirmation process.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ACDA666A-5A75-490C-AA42-0EDCA62CDC4B", "Graham Statement On Meeting With Secretary Of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after meeting with President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be the next Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.\n\n\u201cI had a very positive, thorough and candid meeting with Pete Hegseth about his nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense. I appreciated how forthright and forthcoming he was.\n\n\u201cI have known Pete for many years, and I am familiar with his service in Afghanistan, as I was doing my reserve duty at the same time. Everyone in his unit in Afghanistan \u2013 including our Afghan partners \u2013 had nothing but great things to say about Pete. He is smart, passionate, and loves our men and women in uniform and our country.\n\n\u201cThe accusations being made regarding financial management of veterans service organizations and personal misconduct should only be considered by the committee if they are supported by testimony before Congress \u2013 not anonymous sources.\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to supporting presidential cabinet nominees, I have a record of being supportive regardless of party because I think every president deserves the right to pick their team.\n\n\u201cThe confirmation process for all nominees does and should allow for challenging questions, and I expect that to be the case here. However, I told Pete that he will be given the opportunity to defend himself and that his confirmation hearing should not be allowed to become a three-ring circus.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-banking-republicans-press-biden-administration-on-sanctions-enforcement-on-irans-oil-sector/", "Scott, Banking Republicans Press Biden Administration on Sanctions Enforcement on Iran\u2019s Oil Sector", "2024-12-06", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 As part of his ongoing efforts to hold the Biden-Harris administration accountable and stop the flow of funds to Iran and its terror proxies, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led Senate Banking Republicans in raising concerns with the delayed implementation and enforcement of sanctions on Iran\u2019s oil sector. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Senator Scott and his colleagues urged the Treasury Department to deploy all available sanctions enforcement tools to monitor and sanction illicit oil transactions involving Iran and to provide detailed information regarding the administration\u2019s efforts to do so.\n\nSenator Scott was joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).\n\nIn the letter, the senators wrote, \u201cCongress has consistently identified Iran\u2019s oil sector as a critical area for sanctions due to its significant role in financing destabilizing regional terrorism and nuclear development. Unfortunately, delays in fully implementing the SHIP Act remain a concern, as does the need for increased sanctions enforcement.\u201d\n\nThe letter continued, \u201cThe recent determination on October 11th to expand Executive Order 13902 to persons supporting Iran\u2019s petroleum or petrochemical sectors and the subsequent action on December 3rd are encouraging steps, but now your Department must continue to follow through with rigorous enforcement action. Lax sanctions enforcement has enabled certain nations, particularly in Southeast Asia, to openly disregard U.S. sanctions and sell Iranian crude to China. For example, trade data show that Malaysia is exporting oil to China in excess of its own production capacity, a clear indication of involvement in Iranian oil trade. To address these deficiencies, it is critical that Treasury deploys all available enforcement tools and fully engages in monitoring and sanctioning illicit oil transactions involving Iran.\u201d\n\nIn closing, the letter demands the following information from the Treasury Department no later than December 20, 2024:\n\nAn assessment of all vessels listed by UANI in its Tanker Tracker and its Ghost Armada to determine whether they meet the criteria for sanctions under E.O. 13902 as entities operating in Iran\u2019s petroleum and petrochemical sectors.\n\nA comprehensive assessment of all foreign financial institutions facilitating Iranian oil exports.\n\nA briefing on Treasury\u2019s engagements with foreign governments to improve sanctions enforcement on Iranian oil exports.\n\nA classified briefing on Treasury\u2019s utilization of intelligence community resources to effectively monitor Iranian oil exports and the associated financial networks.\n\nAn updated Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) advisory to financial institutions alerting them of recent tactics and emerging trends in sanctions evasion by Iran and its oil buyers.\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSenator Scott has conducted rigorous oversight over the flow of funds to Iran and its terror proxies, particularly following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas. Senator Scott has taken the following actions with regards to Iran:\n\nImmediately following the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s August 2023 decision to release $6 billion to Iran, Senator Scott led his colleagues in demanding answers from the administration.\n\nAfter the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, Senator Scott called for Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to testify on the release of the $6 billion and for the Senate to investigate the matter.\n\nFollowing the attacks, Senator Scott introduced the Revoke Iranian Funding Act (RIFA), a bipartisan bill to permanently freeze $6 billion released by the Biden administration to Iran and direct the Treasury Secretary to provide Congress with the information it needs to prevent Iran from accessing and using sanctioned funds. He also led the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act to permanently extend key sanctions targeted to stop Iran\u2019s malign activity, including the pursuit of nuclear weapons.\n\nThe reporting requirement in RIFA was signed into law as part of the national security supplemental in April 2024.\n\nLast November 2023, following a wave of attacks on U.S. forces and the Biden administration\u2019s decision to extend an Iran sanctions waiver to allow Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, Senator Scott led a group of 24 senators criticizing the administration\u2019s lack of a cohesive Iran strategy.\n\nIn April 2024, in response to the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s decision to release yet another Iran sanctions waiver potentially worth billions of dollars, Senator Scott led 13 Republican senators in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken raising concerns that the waiver makes sanctioned Iranian funds, which could be used to fund terrorism, more accessible to the Iranian regime and disregards congressional intent calling for severe restrictions on payments to Iran.\n\nAfter Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo admitted in testimony before the Senate Banking Committee that any dollar Iran has access to funds terrorism, Senator Scott sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen requesting an accounting of all international high-value Iranian assets around the world that are currently blocked by U.S. sanctions and to provide additional steps Treasury will take to actively account for current funds that have already been released to Iran.\n\nFollowing reports that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (NY Fed) failed to implement basic anti-money laundering controls on account relationships with the Central Bank of Iraq, resulting in potentially billions of dollars flowing to Iran and its terror proxies, Senator Scott demanded answers from the NY Fed and Federal Reserve System.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=318174E5-462F-437F-ABE9-EB43B97899B0", "Graham Meets With UN Ambassador Nominee Elise Stefanik", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today released the following statement after meeting with President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-New York-21).\n\nGraham is currently the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs which has jurisdiction over funding for the UN.\n\n\u201cI had a very good meeting with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik regarding her nomination to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. She is well qualified and shares my view that American taxpayer dollars going to the UN cannot be used to undermine our country and our allies.\n\n\u201cAs to the anti-Israel bias at the UN, that practice in the future will not be rewarded.\n\n\u201cIt is long past time to take an in-depth look at U.S. support of the UN from top to bottom.\n\n\u201cElise Stefanik will be a great partner and advocate in that endeavor. Business as usual regarding the U.S. and UN is about to change. Elise will be a strong supporter of President Trump\u2019s agenda to bring about change.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=43325904-D045-4FBD-87DF-E03399045A23", "Graham Meets With Secretary of State Nominee Marco Rubio", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE AND HERE FOR PHOTOS\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement after his meeting yesterday with President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be the next Secretary of State of the United States, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida).\n\nGraham is currently the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs which has jurisdiction over the budget for the U.S. Department of State.\n\n\u201cI had a great meeting with Senator Marco Rubio, President Trump\u2019s nominee to be our next Secretary of State. Marco is the best man for the job, and he will work with President Trump to restore order and balance to the world.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-risch-and-warner-commemorate-world-nuclear-energy-day/", "Scott, Risch, and Warner Commemorate World Nuclear Energy Day", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "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 \u2014 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), co-chairs of the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus, on a resolution designating December 2, 2024, as World Nuclear Energy Day. The resolution celebrates the peaceful development of nuclear energy technology and underscores the vital role of nuclear power in strengthening the U.S. economy and supporting a reliable energy grid worldwide.\n\n\u201cBecause of innovation and energy ingenuity, over 50 percent of South Carolina is powered by nuclear energy! Our advancements in the energy sector have created a pathway to securing energy independence and leading on the world stage. I am glad to join my colleagues to commemorate World Nuclear Energy Day,\u201d said Senator Scott.\n\n\u201cEnthusiasm for nuclear energy is at an all-time high, and we must keep this momentum going,\u201d said Senator Risch. \u201cI\u2019m proud to celebrate World Nuclear Energy Day with Senator Warner and acknowledge the incredible advancements the United States, and particularly the Idaho National Lab, have made to maintain our global leadership in nuclear energy.\u201d\n\n\u201cNuclear energy is critical to meeting U.S. and global energy demands,\u201d Senator Warner said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to celebrate World Nuclear Energy Day with my co-chair Sen. Risch to celebrate the advancement of the U.S. nuclear energy industry and highlight the importance of building on the progress we have made.\u201d\n\nSenators Scott, Risch, and Warner were joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) in introducing the resolution.\n\nBackground:\n\nDecember 2 marks two significant turning points in the advancement of nuclear energy:\n\nDecember 2, 1942 \u2013 the world\u2019s first self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction was demonstrated.\n\nDecember 2, 1957 \u2013 the world\u2019s first commercial nuclear power plant began operations in the United States.\n\nThe Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus amplifies the critical role nuclear energy plays in the United States, explores emerging nuclear technologies, and promotes the goals and priorities of the U.S. nuclear industry.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=52397516-D860-4607-9789-D130D4AEA62D", "Graham Meets With Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi", "2024-12-02", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE AND HERE FOR PHOTOS\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after meeting with President Donald Trump\u2019s nominee to be the next Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi.\n\n\u201cGreat meeting with Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi. She is an old friend, an exceptional nominee, and in my view the right person at the right time to take on the task of being the next Attorney General of the United States. I look forward to the confirmation hearing. Well done, Mr. President.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ACC27DAD-94F3-4809-ABA0-85ED53E1E5F3", "Graham Statement on Ambassador Herzog", "2024-11-08", "2024", "2024-11", "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 Israel\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, announced he would step down from the position.\n\n\u201cThroughout my time in Congress, I have tried to be a good friend and ally to Israel because I believe our fates are intertwined. I make frequent trips to Israel to understand the situation on the ground, their needs, and what the United States can do to promote a strong and secure Israel. Michael Herzog, Israel\u2019s ambassador to the United States, has been one of the most effective voices for the state of Israel I\u2019ve ever known. Michael enjoyed the trust and support of both sides of the aisle, and his word was his bond. He has been instrumental in meeting Israel\u2019s needs during this traumatic time in the history of the Jewish State.\n\n\u201cAs a retired military officer, he understands duty, honor and sacrifice. He has established himself as one of the most trusted representatives from the region and is admired across the board. He has worked very hard to advance normalization efforts between Saudi Arabia and Israel, building on the successes of the Abraham Accords.\n\n\u201cAmbassador Herzog and his wife, Shirin, have a deep understanding and appreciation for the United States. They have worked tirelessly to promote and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, and over the past three years, both have become my dear friends. They should be proud of what they accomplished representing Israel in Washington.\n\n\u201cMichael and Shirin will be missed, but I am certain they will both continue to contribute to fostering the ties between the United States and Israel.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:02:12Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-on-trump-gop-victories-lets-get-to-work/", "Sen. Scott on Trump, GOP Victories: \u201cLet\u2019s get to work!\u201d", "2024-11-08", "2024", "2024-11", "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", "NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement on President-elect Trump\u2019s election and Republicans securing a 53-seat majority in the United States Senate:\n\n\u201cPresident-elect Trump\u2019s and Republicans\u2019 resounding victories across the country are good news for the American people and our nation\u2019s future. I\u2019m thrilled to be a part of a Republican majority in the Senate that will work with President-elect Trump to bring back secure borders, a peace through strength foreign policy, and an economy of low unemployment, low inflation, and greater opportunity for hardworking Americans who have been left behind by the Biden-Harris administration. Let\u2019s get to work!\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:02:12Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=55447971-A06B-4A8B-AB5E-A17340A25328", "In Case You Missed It: Editorial: Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates", "2024-11-04", "2024", "2024-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "In Case You Missed It\n\nEditorial: Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates\n\nA bipartisan group of Senators put The Hague on notice for its lawless campaign against Israel.\n\nInvestigate the ICC Before It Escalates\n\nBy The Editorial Board\n\nThe Wall Street Journal\n\nNovember 1, 2024\n\nhttps://www.wsj.com/opinion/senators-letter-international-criminal-court-karim-ahmad-khan-israel-gaza-26990e35\n\nThe International Criminal Court has been warned. In a letter on Friday, six U.S. Senators\u2014three Republicans and three Democrats\u2014implored the ICC\u2019s overseer \u201cto investigate the highly irregular and potentially illegal actions by the Prosecutor\u201d in targeting Israel\u2019s leaders.\n\nSens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), Ben Cardin (D., Md.), John Thune (R., S.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.), Joni Ernst (R., Iowa) and John Fetterman (D., Pa.) wrote to the Assembly of States Parties with \u201ctwo grave concerns.\u201d\n\nFirst, prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan didn\u2019t comply with the law in applying for arrest warrants. The Senators relate how Mr. Khan misled them that he would \u201cmeaningfully engage with the State of Israel,\u201d as required by the court\u2019s Rome Statute, \u201cbefore any action was taken.\u201d Instead he stiffed the Israelis and announced his application for arrest warrants on CNN.\n\nSecond, \u201cthere is a cloud hanging over the Prosecutor and his office\u201d from sexual-harassment allegations, suppressed shortly before Mr. Khan requested the arrest warrants and thereafter. We\u2019ve reported on those allegations, which have since gained steam from an Associated Press investigation.\n\nMr. Khan has implied in response that this is all an Israeli conspiracy, which doesn\u2019t put to rest questions of bias. The ICC staff union doesn\u2019t trust the court\u2019s internal watchdog to investigate and has called for \u201ca prompt, independent and thorough investigation led by an external panel.\u201d\n\nThe Senators write, \u201cAny action by the Court regarding arrest warrants for Israeli officials without the benefit of a completed investigation into the serious allegations hanging over Prosecutor Khan would cast doubt on the Court\u2019s actions, and jeopardize the credibility of the ICC more broadly.\u201d That\u2019s sensible, but the ICC faces pressure from anti-Israel groups and states to tar Israel with the arrest warrants, probably soon after the U.S. election.\n\nAll of this is a danger to America. Today the court is after Israel, which doesn\u2019t belong to the ICC, for actions in Gaza, which isn\u2019t a state, in a defensive war against terrorists. Tomorrow the ICC could do the same to the U.S., another nonmember. The ICC still hasn\u2019t closed its investigation of the Afghanistan war, and Hamas isn\u2019t the only group to violate all laws of war and seek to win via international pressure.\n\nThe question is why President Biden rescinded President Trump\u2019s sanctions on the ICC in 2021, and why he and Sen. Chuck Schumer are currently blocking new, bipartisan sanctions from getting a vote on the Senate floor. Mr. Schumer, who loves telling Jewish audiences he\u2019s their shomer, or guardian, is protecting enemies who would put Israel and America in the dock.\n\nAppeared in the November 2, 2024, print edition as 'Investigate the ICC Before It Escalates'.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:02:12Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=462C461E-DE62-47D9-91B5-3A64B66971C7", "U.S. Senators Call for Review of ICC Prosecutor's Decision to Apply for Arrest Warrants for Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Timing of Misconduct Allegations", "2024-11-01", "2024", "2024-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) sent a letter to the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the governing body of the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling for an investigation into misconduct allegations against Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan that seem to implicate his decision to apply for arrest warrants for Israel\u2019s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.\n\nFirst, in a potential violation of international law, Prosecutor Khan failed to properly engage with the State of Israel during his investigation and abruptly canceled a meeting between the Prosecutor\u2019s office and Israeli representatives and then announced the application for arrest warrants. Second, several media reports, including an October 25, 2024 Associated Press story, found the warrant applications were announced around the same time that Prosecutor Khan was accused of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct. This raises the possibility that the Prosecutor was influenced by extraneous factors. If the allegations against Prosecutor Khan are true, the Senators have asked the ASP to hold a vote to remove him from his position.\n\nThe Senators wrote, \u201cFirst, Prosecutor Khan did not comply with the law when he applied for arrest warrants against Israeli government officials\u2026 we received notification that members of Prosecutor Khan\u2019s team were scheduled to meet with legal representatives for the State of Israel on May 20 in Israel. To our astonishment, however, members of the Prosecutor\u2019s office never boarded the plane to Israel and the meeting was abruptly canceled just a few hours before it was to take place... Prosecutor Khan\u2019s abrupt cancelation and his announcement of an application for arrest warrants on that same day have always been perplexing, and stand in stark contrast to the assurances we received from his office that there would be meaningful consultations with Israel, as required by the letter and spirit of the Rome Statute.\u201d\n\nThey continued,\u201cSecond, in addition to these legal concerns regarding Prosecutor Khan\u2019s application for warrants against Israeli officials, there is a cloud hanging over the Prosecutor and his office. It has come to light recently through numerous media reports\u2014particularly an Associated Press (AP) story dated October 25, 2024\u2014that allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against Prosecutor Khan emerged earlier this year, around the time he decided not to send his team to meet with Israeli legal representatives and announced a warrant application instead\u2026 If the allegations are substantiated, we urge the Assembly to take all necessary steps available under its authority\u2014up to and including holding a vote for his removal\u2014and to consider the implications on the investigations led by Prosecutor Khan. Transparency is of utmost importance regarding the allegations against Prosecutor Khan. We urge the body to take this seriously.\u201d\n\nThey concluded, \u201cAny action by the Court regarding arrest warrants for Israeli officials without the benefit of a completed investigation into the serious allegations hanging over Prosecutor Khan would cast doubt on the Court\u2019s actions, and jeopardize the credibility of the ICC more broadly. We urge you to consider seriously the concerns we have raised.\u201d\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:02:12Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-risch-colleagues-press-biden-harris-admin-on-destruction-of-u-s-immigration-policies/", "Scott, Risch, Colleagues Press Biden-Harris Admin on Destruction of U.S. Immigration Policies", "2024-10-31", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and nine of their Republican colleagues in sending a letter calling out President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for fueling a national security crisis at the southern border through a series of destructive executive orders.\n\n\u201cInstead of addressing the flow of illegal immigration and illicit drugs across our borders, your administration has turned its back on those who wish to immigrate here legally and welcomed illegal aliens with open arms. Instead of directing resources to securing our borders and processing legal immigrant applications, your administration has crippled our immigration enforcement capabilities and prioritized amnesty applications,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cThe administration has one job\u2014to enforce the law of the land. Instead of detaining and deporting illegal aliens, your administration has shown a blatant disregard for the rule of law and national security.\u201d\n\nSenators Scott and Risch were joined by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) in demanding the Biden-Harris administration answer for their direct role in eroding the U.S. immigration system and compromising the safety of American families.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-to-lead-legislation-to-replenish-the-sba-disaster-loan-program-following-hurricanes-helene-and-milton/", "Scott, Colleagues to Lead Legislation to Replenish the SBA Disaster Loan Program Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton", "2024-10-29", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in announcing plans to introduce legislation that would replenish the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program. The senators plan to seek passage of the legislation when Congress returns to session. On October 15th, the SBA announced the Disaster Loan Fund had run out of money.\n\n\u201cHurricane Helene brought a level of devastation to South Carolina we haven\u2019t seen since Hugo. With a natural disaster of this magnitude, Congress should take the opportunity to show leadership and help ease the pain of those who have lost everything,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cCommunities back home and in surrounding states have come together to recover, but it will take every possible effort to get us back to where we were.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe SBA Disaster Loan Program running out of funds risks delays in processing the loans of those affected by Helene and Milton and their ability to get their lives back on track,\u201d said Senator Tillis. \u201cThat is why I am leading legislation to replenish this fund when Congress returns to Washington, and I look forward to working across the aisle to pass a long-term disaster aid package that will provide additional resources to help make the victims of these hurricanes whole again.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe citizens of Western North Carolina are some of the toughest and most resilient people in this country,\u201d said Senator Budd. \u201cAs they recover and rebuild their communities, they must be able to access disaster loans from SBA. This recovery will take many years, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to cut through the delays and provide WNC with the resources they need as quickly as possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cHurricanes Francine, Helene, and Milton hit us hard, but Louisianans and Americans are resilient,\u201d said Dr. Cassidy. \u201cThis funding is essential to help small businesses recover from these storms and support our local economies.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe cannot allow frontline federal agencies, like the SBA, to run out of disaster relief funds. This is especially important in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton which devastated Florida, North Carolina and communities across the Southeast U.S.,\u201d said Senator Rick Scott. \u201cI continue to call on Leader Schumer to immediately reconvene the Senate so we can fund disaster relief functions at FEMA, the SBA, USDA and other agencies to get folks what they need and deserve. I won\u2019t stop fighting to get this done and am proud to join my colleagues to introduce a bill that funds SBA disaster loans and makes sure the federal government is a reliable partner as families continue their recovery.\u201d\n\nThe Restoring an Economic Lifeline with Immediate Emergency Funding (Relief) Act would appropriate $550 million to fund the SBA Disaster Loan Program Account, which would provide $2.475B in lending capacity projected to last until the end of 2024.\n\nRead text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-urges-fda-to-address-gene-therapy-priority-voucher-discrepancy/", "Sen. Scott Urges FDA to Address Gene Therapy Priority Voucher Discrepancy", "2024-10-25", "2024", "2024-10", "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 In order to help increase treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) penned a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf raising concerns over how the FDA interprets \u201cactive ingredient\u201d for awarding priority review vouchers, which could negatively impact drug development for rare diseases like sickle cell disease. Senator Scott was joined on the letter by Representative Danny Davis (D-Ill.).\n\n\u201cWe write regarding the administration of the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA\u2019s) Rare Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PRV) program, particularly as it applies to innovative treatments like gene therapies,\u201d Senator Scott and Representative Davis wrote.\n\nThey continued, \u201cHowever, we are concerned that FDA\u2019s recent administration of the program may not be fulfilling the program\u2019s promise, original vision, and intent. Specifically, we understand that FDA has made an initial decision to narrowly interpret the definition of \u201cactive ingredient\u201d in the PRV statute, resulting in the unexpected denial of at least one pediatric PRV.\u201d\n\n\u201cHowever, the decision whether to narrowly or broadly interpret the definition of \u201cactive ingredient\u201d for purposes of awarding a PRV is not so much a question of science as it is one of policy. Congress has not provided guidance as to how FDA should determine if two active ingredients in an ex-vivo gene therapy are the same or different, but the text of the statute and the legislative history make clear that Congress wanted to create an incentive to treat patient populations that might not warrant investment if left simply to ordinary market forces. By interpreting this statutory requirement in a narrower way than the statute requires \u2013 and one that flies directly against Congressional intent \u2013 we risk disrupting this delicate ecosystem, jeopardizing not only the availability of SCD treatments today, but also investments in complex and life-saving innovation for the future,\u201d stated Scott and Davis.\n\n\u201cWe understand that FDA may be in the process of reconsidering its interpretation. This decision is critical for the future of rare disease drug development and rare disease patients, and we are grateful for the FDA\u2019s close attention to this matter. We hope that you will keep these additional considerations in mind as you conduct your review,\u201d they concluded.\n\nRead the full letter here!\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hosts-financial-services-career-development-event-for-students-at-hbcus/", "Scott Hosts Financial Services Career Development Event for Students at HBCUs", "2024-10-24", "2024", "2024-10", "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", "Students had the opportunity to hear from federal regulators, industry leaders\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) hosted a virtual career development event for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina and across the country. During the event, students had the opportunity to join federal regulators and leaders from local and international financial services firms for a discussion on the importance of financial literacy and career pathways in the financial services industry.\n\nParticipants included:\n\nMichelle Bowman, Board Member, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System\n\nTravis Hill, Vice Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Board of Directors\n\nLindsey Torrico, Senior Vice President of Bank Community Engagement at the American Bankers Association and Executive Director of the ABA Foundation\n\nCal Hurst, President, Southern First Bank\n\nJames Bennett, Executive Director of External Affairs, First Citizens Bank\n\nDewey Norwood, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo\n\nDwayne Logan, Vice President of Social Impact/Strategy & Planning, Fidelity\n\nAdama Iwu, Vice President for Political Strategy & External Partnerships, Visa\n\nLisa Plaggemier, Executive Director, National Cybersecurity Alliance\n\nPatrick Means, Vice President and Branch Manager, Charles Schwab\n\n\u201cThank you to each HBCU for attending and the students that are with us today. Thank God you\u2019re here \u2013 it\u2019s really all about you anyway. We want to make sure that we continue to make progress in an area where we have low participation from the African American community and a desperate need for more participation. I\u2019ll simply say this, as a kid who grew up in poverty in a single parent household, one of the things that I\u2019ve learned along the way is that financial literacy is such a critical component to the success that you will achieve later in life. Frankly, I know without a doubt, that if you apply yourselves, you will achieve outstanding, remarkable, amazing success. One of the most important rungs of the ladder is in fact, financial literacy, and being a participant in the financial industry. It\u2019s one of the things that we hope to cover today, from the regulators to the business partners who are here with us today, giving you an opportunity to see the cross section of industry and why it\u2019s in your best interest to be a part of that industry,\u201d said Senator Scott in his remarks.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nAs the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, and as co-chair of both the Senate Financial Literacy Caucus and the Congressional HBCU Caucus, Senator Tim Scott has prioritized financial literacy and financial education to ensure all Americans have the tools to climb the ladder of success.\n\nEnsuring Americans have awareness of and access to financial literacy tools is a keystone of two pieces of legislation championed by Senator Tim Scott. His comprehensive housing legislation, the ROAD to Housing Act, increases access to high quality housing counseling and financial literacy programs for families looking to buy a home or struggling to stay in one. In addition, the Senator\u2019s capital markets package, the Empowering Main Street in America Act, will enhance financial education programs to increase market understanding and participation, which will ultimately help more Americans achieve financial security.\n\nSenator Scott led a resolution to declare April 2024 as Financial Literacy Month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D147FF04-8144-43C6-9B8A-60851F6E20D3", "ICYMI: US Navy: Projecting Strength and Building the Fleet of Tomorrow", "2024-10-23", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "US Navy: Projecting Strength and Building the Fleet of Tomorrow\n\nBy Senator Lindsey Graham and Morgan Ortagus\n\nFox News\n\nOctober 23, 2024\n\nhttps://www.foxnews.com/opinion/us-navy-projecting-strength-and-building-fleet-tomorrow\n\nIt\u2019s time for all Americans to grasp a hard truth: in a world that may be on the brink of World War III, our military budgets are inconsistent with the threats we face. This is especially the case with the budget of the Department of the Navy.\n\nThe bad news: the current Navy budget will not make a stronger military or a larger U.S. fleet a reality. The good news: through American innovation and more agile products, we can build a bigger and more efficient Navy.\n\nHowever, President Biden\u2019s proposed FY2025 budget of $257.6 billion for the Department of the Navy is well below inflation and does not provide for a more lethal Navy.\n\nAs both President Biden and President Trump certified, the most direct challenge facing the U.S. Navy today is from the People\u2019s Republic of China. Therefore, strong investments must be made now to ensure the Navy, and most importantly the United States, can meet this threat head-on.\n\nIt comes as no shock to the reader that America and its allies and partners are facing an unprecedented deluge of maritime threats by the People\u2019s Republic of China. The Chinese Navy alone has provoked a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait with dangerous maneuvers, harassed Taiwan with aggressive military exercises, entered America\u2019s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Bering Sea, developed a jam-resistant submarine torpedo, and injured several Filipino sailors at and around Second Thomas Shoal.\n\nThese developments incrementally set the conditions for a direct conflict on the open seas. Meanwhile, Washington has been lulled into complacency by decades of maritime supremacy. Most concerning, the United States lacks the political resolve to shed the Navy\u2019s Soviet-era mentality and adapt to the new era of great power competition.\n\nTo meet the moment\u2019s maritime threats, America must choose between tough and tougher: make significant investments in our fleet or face the costs of inaction.\n\nSection One: Expanding U.S. Shipbuilding Capacity and Cooperation with Allies\n\nOur shipbuilding industrial base is grappling with significant delays and challenges, affecting major programs like the Columbia-class submarines, Constellation-class frigates, and Ford-class carriers. These delays are not only impacting the procurement of new ships, they are also impacting the ability to maintain the current fleet.\n\nA great first step to combating the maritime threats our nation faces is to expand the physical footprint of the U.S. shipbuilding industry.\n\nThe U.S. shipbuilding industry is first in its class and the men and women that come to work every day in our nation\u2019s shipyards build the world's most lethal and capable warships. In states like South Carolina, there are a wealth of maritime industry suppliers and shipbuilders diligently producing the necessary components to construct our nation\u2019s ships.\n\nBut that alone is not enough. China\u2019s Bohai Shipyard boasts an annual capacity exceeding the total number of ships our Navy has launched since 2014.\n\nIn addition, China is rapidly expanding its existing shipyards and according to experts \"has been investing so much in shipbuilding over the past 18 years that it can now build more ships in a month than the United States can in a year.\"\n\nBy comparison, America only has four public shipyards and these yards focus on maintenance of submarines and aircraft carriers and not the construction of new vessels.\n\nThe Department of the Navy should look at states like South Carolina to build new shipyards to maximize the U.S. shipbuilding capacity and our maritime industry.\n\nIn addition, the Navy must expand maintenance capacity here in the states as well as in the Pacific. The U.S. Navy has already decided to augment its capacity by placing a submarine maintenance facility in Guam. This should be replicated for other vessels elsewhere.\n\nIt is clear that the need for more shipbuilding capacity is great and immediate. Investing here at home will certainly help address the need. At the same time, our nation should also not discount opportunities to work with others when the opportunity presents itself.\n\nThe U.S. Navy cannot afford to leave any stone unturned when thinking of innovative ways to grow the fleet as quickly as possible.\n\nSection Two: Fleet Requirements and Capabilities\n\nA fundamental step toward a 21st-century U.S. Navy is improving both the size and modernity of our existing fleet. The fleet currently consists of carriers, surface combatants, submarines, amphibious warships, combat logistics ships, fleet support vessels and mine warfare assets.\n\nYet this fleet is hardly agile or scalable enough to meet a Chinese maritime threat that includes drones, hypersonic missiles and other high-tech tools of warcraft.\n\nPersistent gaps also remain in amphibious warfare and in contested logistics. Amphibious combat vehicles, landing vessels, and light warships are all needed in higher quantities for rapid and effective landings.\n\nUnmanned and underwater systems are especially relevant to modern naval operations. Often at a fraction of the cost of manned vessels, these vessels \u2013 both large and small \u2013 perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance missions, logistics and strike operations.\n\nThey also relieve pressure on our high-demand, low-density assets while augmenting the fleet. The proof is in their success in Ukraine, where naval drones have successfully countered Russia\u2019s Black Sea Fleet, forcing them into safe harbors and destroying dozens of Russian vessels.\n\nIn addition to their combat roles, unmanned systems are revolutionizing naval logistics. Unmanned logistics platforms can autonomously deliver supplies, ammunition, and fuel to forward-deployed forces, significantly extending the operational reach of our fleet.\n\nThese systems reduce the need for manned resupply missions, which are often vulnerable to enemy attacks, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of our operations. By integrating unmanned logistics into our naval strategy, we can maintain sustained operations in contested environments, ensuring our forces remain equipped and ready for extended engagements.\n\nA possible way to advance the construction of these unmanned vessels is through an international partnership. Such a partnership could be modeled after the trilateral security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia (AUKUS) for submarine production in Australia. An AUKUS-like agreement for unmanned systems could create a new pathway for faster construction of these unmanned platforms and increase the integration between partners.\n\nChina\u2019s naval power is growing at an alarming rate, with close to 400 ships currently in service and projections of 435 by 2030. The impact of this expansion is worsened by our diminishing technology gap, as China advances its naval technology while the U.S. Navy struggles to build ships.\n\nMeanwhile, the U.S. Navy\u2019s latest shipbuilding assessment calls for 381 battle force ships (carriers, destroyers, amphibious ships, submarines, etc.) and 134 unmanned vehicles, totaling 515 vessels.\n\nWhile it is great to have a roadmap, the U.S. Navy\u2019s own shipbuilding plan projects that we would not reach 381 battle force ships until 2043 under the best scenario. This delay poses an unacceptable risk to our national security and could force our sailors into a fight they are underequipped to win.\n\nTo avoid that scenario and reduce the exposure of manned ships to enemy attacks, we must expedite shipbuilding with a focus on unmanned surface and subsurface systems that are affordable and quick to produce. America does not have to win a shipbuilding foot race, but we must strategically invest in both the capabilities and capacities to counter China\u2019s growing maritime capabilities and protect our interests.\n\nSection Three: Funding the Department of the Navy\n\nThe U.S. military budget is woefully underfunded for the threats our nation faces today. The U.S. is on target to spend only 3.1% of total GDP on defense in Fiscal Year 2025 and that percentage is projected to fall to a paltry 2.4% in 2034 under the Biden-Harris budget plan.\n\nBudgetary \"business as usual\" will only widen the gap between U.S. and Chinese naval capabilities. With China\u2019s defense budget growing in both size and sophistication, it is imperative the United States make greater, and smarter, investments of our own.\n\nIncreasing funding for the Navy\u2019s ship procurement, known as the Shipbuilding and Conversion account, alone will not be enough. In order to address the shipbuilding problem, Congress should consider a comprehensive approach that includes strong and consistent funding across procurement, operations and maintenance, research and development, personnel and military construction accounts.\n\nIn order to do this, Congress will need to think outside the box as the current budgetary restraints limit the needed investments. Congress should form a \"Fleet Investment Fund\" \u2013 codifying the Navy\u2019s entire budget growth at least 5% above inflation and more than the department\u2019s topline request \u2013 covering all aspects of naval development and readiness.\n\nMost importantly, this account should not be subject to any caps or restrictions within the president\u2019s budget request to Congress each fiscal year. The formation of this account must be seen as a national imperative.\n\nConclusion\n\nThere is no doubt that the costs of these investments are great and will require tradeoffs and significant political capital, but the costs of inaction will be far greater. History demonstrates that adversaries are emboldened by America\u2019s hesitation and deterred by its resolve. History proves that the U.S. Navy can adapt to evolving defense needs.\n\nSince 1945, America has served as the global guarantor of open seas and freedom of navigation in contested waterways and critical trade routes. President Theodore Roosevelt stated before Congress in 1902 that \"a good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace.\"\n\nMorgan Ortagus is the founder of Polaris National Security and formerly served as the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department under President Trump.\n\nRepublican Lindsey Graham represents South Carolina in the United States Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F7D74C42-A84D-4EA5-B61A-A8B5ADE98CD7", "Graham: ICC Prosecutor Misconduct Allegations, Timeline Cast Moral Cloud Over Israeli Arrest Warrant Applications", "2024-10-23", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Following media reports that International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan is facing allegations of misconduct, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) is calling for the immediate release of records pertaining to these allegations. Senator Graham points out that the harassment allegations surfaced in early May, just a few days prior to Prosecutor Khan canceling his scheduled trip to meet with Israeli officials, and instead abruptly announcing he applied for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.\n\nGraham wrote,\u201cIn the weeks before Prosecutor Khan applied for warrants, I worked with a bipartisan group of United States Senators to urge Prosecutor Khan to adhere to the Rome Statute in conducting his investigation. Specifically, on a May 1, 2024 phone call, this bipartisan group urged Prosecutor Khan to respect the principle of complementarity and to engage in good faith with Israeli officials before making any decision as to how to move forward against the State of Israel.\u201d\n\nHe concluded, \u201cIt has now come to my attention through media reports that Prosecutor Khan was facing allegations of misconduct around the same time, and the resolution of this matter remains a mystery. The abrupt decision to cancel this visit to Israel, along with these contemporaneous allegations needs to be explained, and I request full transparency on the matter to ensure there is no conflict of interest. These media reports are disturbing, and I call for a release of the records pertaining to these allegations, including any decision not to open an investigation, and for an update on where this matter stands. Until such transparency is satisfactorily achieved, another cloud\u2014a moral one\u2014hangs over Prosecutor Khan\u2019s abrupt decision to abandon engagement with Israel and seek arrest warrants.\u201d\n\nTo read the full letter, click here.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1F1CB0B4-6A2E-4ADF-A91B-5D8949964E67", "Graham Celebrates SCDOT Receiving $195 Million in Federal Funding to Improve Operations at the Port of Charleston", "2024-10-21", "2024", "2024-10", "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 celebrated the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) receiving $195 million in federal funding for the Long Point Road Interchange Project.\n\nAccording to SCDOT, the project will improve operations of the I-526/Long Point Road interchange and I-526 mainline and reduce operational conflicts between port-related and local traffic with new collector-distributor ramps off the mainline directly to the port, improvements to existing ramps, the addition of a 10-foot multiuse path, and construction of noise barriers.\n\n\u201cI am very pleased with the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s decision to award South Carolina $195 million to complete the Long Point Road interchange project. This project is a game-changer for Charleston County and the Port, and it is critical to ensuring safe travel and continued growth in the region. I am proud to have worked with Governor McMaster, the SCDOT, Representative Nancy Mace, and Congressman Clyburn, a true champion of this project, to make it a reality. This is excellent news for our state,\u201d said Senator Graham.\n\n\"The Long Point Road Interchange Project is an investment in both our economy and the quality of life of our people that will reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance access to the Port. Thanks to the support of our congressional delegation, South Carolina continues to secure transformative investments in our infrastructure, ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive for years to come,\u201d said Governor Henry McMaster.\n\n\u201cSC Ports thanks the SC Department of Transportation and our Congressional delegation for working together to secure this grant for the Long Point Road Interchange Project, which will establish a direct connection between Interstate 526 and Wando Welch Terminal. The new port access road will support the more efficient movement of freight to and from one of the busiest container terminals on the U.S. East Coast, allowing cargo to move more safely and efficiently. Last-mile connectors such as this are critical to serving our customers and supporting our growth as the No. 8 U.S. container port. This new roadway will also separate cargo-carrying truck traffic from residential traffic, further benefiting surrounding communities. We greatly appreciate all the support from our partners on this crucial infrastructure project,\u201d said South Carolina Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin.\n\n\u201cI am a proud member of Team South Carolina and there is no doubt in my mind that when we work together, we get big things done for the people we serve. South Carolina is now the fastest growing state in the nation and the Port is on track for further expansion that will bring huge rewards for our economy. SCDOT is working hard to make sure our road and bridge network is ready, now and for years to come,\u201d said Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell.\n\n\u201cI applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for providing $195 million in federal funding for the Long Point Road Interchange Project. This latest investment will allow for significant improvements along the interchange and support commerce from the Port, helping us to create a safer, more prosperous South Carolina. Our years of hard work have finally materialized,\u201d said Congressman James E. Clyburn.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-accepting-applications-for-spring-2025-internships/", "Senator Scott Accepting Applications for Spring 2025 Internships", "2024-10-21", "2024", "2024-10", "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 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 2025. The internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to work with public service professionals and gain practical experience in constituent services, federal policy, and more. Students of all majors, particularly those studying governmental affairs, public policy, or communications, are welcome to apply.\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 communication and customer service 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 Senator Scott\u2019s 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", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-announces-efforts-to-bring-public-accountability-to-the-sbas-disaster-fund/", "Sen. Scott Announces\u00a0Efforts\u00a0to\u00a0Bring Public Accountability to the SBA\u2019s Disaster Fund", "2024-10-18", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) announced his intent to introduce the SBA Disaster Transparency Act. The legislation would bring the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster account into parity with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund, requiring public reports on the status of the SBA\u2019s fund.\n\n\u201cResidents in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are counting on us for urgent federal assistance,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cAs we work to provide much-needed support, we must also ensure that Congress and the American people are never caught off guard by funding shortfalls. My bill will mandate that the Small Business Administration publicly report on the status of the Disaster Loan Account, similar to FEMA\u2019s transparency with its Disaster Relief Fund. This will enhance accountability and enable Congress to provide timely assistance during disasters well before funds are depleted.\u201d\n\nEarlier this week, Senator Scott joined Senate Small Business Committee Ranking Member Ernst (R-Iowa) and his Senate colleagues in penning a letter to SBA Administrator Guzman raising serious concerns with the unacceptable failures by SBA that allowed this funding shortfall to occur. Joining Senators Scott and Ernst on the letter were Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and James Risch (R-Idaho).\n\n\u201cWe are committed to ensuring disaster victims across our nation, including those affected by recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, receive timely federal disaster assistance\u2026\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cWe are deeply concerned about the SBA\u2019s handling of its disaster loan account and the SBA\u2019s failures to provide its authorizing committees statutorily required information\u2026Unfortunately, the SBA failed to comply, or only partially complied, with several of these provisions, and is now, at the eleventh-hour, sounding alarm bells.\u201d\n\nRead their full letter here.\n\nAs of October 15th, the SBA stated that its Disaster Loan Account is exhausted, but they will continue to accept applications to be considered for loan dollars once Congress appropriates more disaster funds.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0F0413DD-A336-4B35-9550-3D542EAF0EA7", "Graham Statement on the Elimination of Sinwar", "2024-10-17", "2024", "2024-10", "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 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminating Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas.\n\n\u201cThe Israeli people \u2013 through their political leadership, the IDF and their intelligence services \u2013 have delivered a mighty blow to Hamas and Iran, and rendered some sense of justice with the elimination of Sinwar.\n\n\u201cThe ultimate revenge against Iran and their terrorist proxies is to replace terrorism and hate with sustainable security, peace and prosperity for the region.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-rubio-colleagues-announce-bill-to-replenish-disaster-relief-fund/", "Scott, Rubio, Colleagues Announce Bill to Replenish Disaster Relief Fund", "2024-10-17", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) announced legislation to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) following Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton\u2019s damage to South Carolina and neighboring southeastern states. The senators\u2019 legislation would appropriate $20 billion to the dwindling FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, which is intended to assist individuals, households, states, and non-federal government entities with recovery following a natural disaster.\n\n\u201cHurricane Helene brought a level of devastation we haven\u2019t seen since Hugo. In South Carolina alone, the storm claimed 49 lives and left over a million without power. When any state experiences a natural disaster of this magnitude, Congress has a responsibility to step up and do its job,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cCommunities back home and in surrounding states have come together to recover, but it will take every possible effort to get us back to where we were.\u201d\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, this is a hurricane season no one will soon forget. The Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is the front line for states, and our constituents, to receive support in the aftermath of natural disasters. While assessments of the full extent of these storms are underway, the DRF cannot be allowed to be depleted. I am proud to announce my colleagues and I will be introducing a bill to provide additional funding to support communities affected by the recent hurricanes,\u201d said Senator Marco Rubio.\n\n\u201cAmericans help Americans. FEMA needs resources to help those impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Francine. Related to this, I will continue working to make flood insurance affordable again,\u201d said Senator Bill Cassidy.\n\n\u201cIt is alarming that FEMA has spent almost half of its disaster fund, and there are still weeks left in hurricane season. Congress must take action to ensure critical agencies have sufficient resources to help those impacted by natural disasters recover while also maintaining long-term rebuilding projects,\u201d said Senator John Cornyn.\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve been on the ground in Florida surveying damage and talking to Floridians for weeks as our state prepared for and now responds to and recovers from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. What\u2019s clear is that Florida families and businesses need their federal government to show up where they are and help them get back on their feet. This bill, providing $20 billion for FEMA\u2019s Disaster Relief Fund, will ensure that the agency has what it needs to provide immediate aid to folks in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas and other states impacted by disasters while our local communities determine their needs from FEMA, SBA, USDA and other federal agencies. The federal government\u2019s response to hurricanes over the last two years has left too many Floridians, especially our farmers, hurting and with unmet needs. Unfortunately, I am already hearing from local officials and families in Florida that are frustrated by the fact that these disasters have stretched FEMA\u2019s current resources too thin. That is unacceptable. No state is immune from disasters and I hope that none of our colleagues in the Senate will object to the quick passage of this needed funding. Even with this bill, I continue to urge Majority Leader Schumer to bring back the Senate to fully fund other disaster relief functions at the SBA and USDA block grants, and I\u2019m glad that, in my conversations with President Biden, he has completely agreed with me on the need to get this done. While Floridians are incredibly resilient and will rebuild stronger than ever, it\u2019s going to be an all hands on deck effort at the local, state and federal level to come together and support these communities. I\u2019m going to keep fighting like hell to deliver the federal resources Floridians need to recover,\u201d said Senator Rick Scott.\n\nSenators Scott and Rubio were joined by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scotts-statement-on-the-death-of-yahya-sinwar/", "Sen. Scott\u2019s Statement on the Death of Yahya Sinwar", "2024-10-17", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement on the confirmed death of Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas:\n\n\u201cYahya Sinwar was a mass murderer, terrorist, antisemite, and one of the most evil people on earth. The world is a safer place without this monster in it.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-graham-colleagues-introduce-religious-education-week-resolution-2/", "Scott, Graham, Colleagues Introduce Religious Education Week Resolution", "2024-10-10", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in introducing a resolution designating October 6-12, 2024, as \u201cReligious Education Week\u201d to celebrate and emphasize the importance of religious education and the schools and organizations engaged in religious instruction.\n\n\u201cEach year, countless families across the country choose to enroll their children in religious education,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cThis resolution reaffirms that choice and emphasizes our commitment to ensuring religious schools can thrive alongside their secular counterparts. Families deserve the freedom to educate their children in the way they see fit, and religious schools are key in making that possible.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nThis resolution is also supported by 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, and Catholic Education Partners Inc.\n\nThe full text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-grassley-colleagues-push-doj-to-investigate-requirements-for-hamas-linked-campus-orgs-to-register-as-foreign-agents/", "Scott, Grassley, Colleagues Push DOJ to Investigate Requirements for Hamas-Linked Campus Orgs to Register as Foreign Agents", "2024-10-10", "2024", "2024-10", "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.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in penning a letter to the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI regarding Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) enforcement, raising concerns Hamas-linked entities are escaping FARA scrutiny as they seek to shape U.S. public opinion and policy outcomes through partnerships with campus organizations. Joining Senators Scott and Grassley on the effort are Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).\n\nThe senators\u2019 inquiry specifically hones in on the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) \u2013 which received backing from an organization whose associated entities the U.S. government has implicated for financing Hamas \u2013 and the hundreds of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters NSJP claims to support across the U.S.\n\n\u201cIt is incumbent upon all of us crack down on hidden foreign influence. [\u2026] The introduction of hostile foreign adversaries into domestic political discussion is especially of issue when it is fueling an alarming rise in antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. The public reporting appears to indicate that NSJP and related chapters may fit into the FARA definition of \u2018publicity agent,\u2019 at minimum, and its conduct, among other activity, may constitute a public relations effort designed to impact U.S. public opinion in favor of a foreign principal, which would meet FARA\u2019s definition of political activities,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nThe senators continued, \u201cTaken as a whole, these actions require further investigation from DOJ and the FBI to fully determine whether NSJP and SJP chapters should register as foreign agents under FARA and the extent of Hamas and Iran\u2019s potential involvement.\u201d\n\nScott, Grassley, and their colleagues cite numerous examples that signal NSJP and SJP chapters may have an obligation to register as agents under FARA. Several follow.\n\nFederal court filings from state Attorneys General assert NSJP\u2019s material support to Hamas.\n\nDozens of SJP chapters echoed NSJP\u2019s social media messages lauding Hamas\u2019 brutal October 7, 2023, attack on Israel; some \u201c[praised] the creativity\u201d of Hamas\u2019 surprise attacks on Israeli civilians.\n\nNSJP urged SJP chapters in the U.S. to publicly facilitate and join \u201carmed struggles, general strikes and popular demonstrations.\u201d\n\nNSJP launched a campaign against U.S. college administrators, pushing for divestments in Israel-connected assets.\n\nNSJP held a summer 2024 program for SJP participants to \u201cdeepen our understanding of our current political moment [\u2026] with the aim entrenching the frameworks necessary to sustain and grow the Student Intifada.\u201d\n\nNSJP has stated it \u201caim[s] to develop a student movement that is connected, disciplined, and equipped\u201d with tools toward fulfilling its mission.\n\nConsidering this evidence and more, the senators are asking DOJ and FBI pointed questions about the steps they have taken to assess NSJP and SJP\u2019s potential requirement to register as foreign agents.\n\nBackground:\n\nCongress passed FARA in 1938 to identify Nazi propaganda and other foreign efforts to sway U.S. policy and public opinion. The content-neutral law was designed not to prohibit activity, but rather, to ensure certain individuals who act as agents of a foreign government or enterprise register with DOJ.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=582B1C0C-8E41-40BA-906A-A71E2882CE8B", "Senator Graham, Governor McMaster, Lt. Governor Evette Announce Team South Carolina Days For Hurricane Helene Recovery Resources", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 In order to best serve South Carolinians who were impacted by Hurricane Helene, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) is joining Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in announcing a series of Team South Carolina Days. These will be one-stop-shops for South Carolinians who need access to federal, state and nonprofit resources as the state rebuilds after Hurricane Helene.\n\nClick here to watch Graham\u2019s video on Team South Carolina Days\n\nGraham said, \u201cI know it\u2019s been tough on our state. There has been so much devastation. I\u2019ll be working with Governor McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Evette to host Team South Carolina Days where we will get federal, state and local people together so you\u2019ll know where to go to get the services you need.\u201d\n\nGraham concluded, \u201cI know people are hurting out there. I believe this will help.\u201d\n\nTeam South Carolina Days will include representatives from South Carolina state agencies to assist with a variety of services including information for seniors, veterans, and children, and information concerning insurance and unemployment benefits. Officials from the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on hand to provide information on disaster loans for small businesses. The South Carolina Office of Resilience will be able to provide assistance with applying for disaster relief and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will attend to take applications for individual assistance. Several nonprofits are expected to be in attendance as well.\n\nPlease see below for information on the Team South Carolina Days that have been announced.\n\nServing Pickens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties:\n\nWednesday, October 9\n\n10:00 am \u2013 4:00 pm\n\nClemson Littlejohn Coliseum\n\n219 Perimeter Road\n\nClemson, SC 29634\n\nServing Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties:\n\nThursday, October 10\n\n10:00 am \u2013 4:00 pm\n\nUniversity of South Carolina Upstate\n\nHealth Education Complex\n\n300 N. Campus Blvd\n\nSpartanburg, SC, 29303\n\nServing Greenville County:\n\nFriday, October 11\n\n10:00 am \u2013 4:00 pm\n\nGreenville Technical College\n\nStudent Success Center\n\n506 South Pleasantburg Drive\n\nGreenville, SC 29607\n\nAdditional Team South Carolina Days will soon be announced for the weeks of October 14 and 21 for other impacted counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=608EB579-E716-4B5C-858F-962666472A12", "On One Year Anniversary of October 7, Graham, Senate Colleagues Stand With Israel, Condemn Hamas", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On the one year anniversary of the brutal October 7 attack on Israel, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and 47 of their colleagues are condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting Israel\u2019s right to exist and calling for the safe release of American hostages.\n\nThe entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas\u2019 use of rape as a weapon of war. They are also reiterating Israel\u2019s right to defend itself and emphasizing the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.\n\nClick here to view the full resolution.\n\n\u201cThe vicious and barbaric October 7 attack against innocent men, women and children by the terrorist organization, Hamas \u2013 backed by Iran \u2013 will be remembered forever by all decent human beings. The civilized world should be resolved in standing with and eradicating those who want to create a second Holocaust. This attack was not just a heinous crime against the Jewish people, it was a crime against civilization itself,\u201d said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).\n\n\u201cThis time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,\u201d said Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). \u201cI immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation\u2019s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its \u2018ironclad\u2019 commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States stands with Israel, on this solemn anniversary and every day, as it defends itself against terrorist entities that seek to undermine peace and stability in the region. We must be unwavering in our support for our great friend and ally,\u201d said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-South Dakota).\n\n\u201cThe world watched in horror a year ago as Hamas slaughtered innocent men, women and children in Israel. Our nation must provide unwavering support to Israel\u2019s mission to defend itself and defeat Hamas. We must unite and bring back peace through strength. Our resolution underscores how now more than ever, the American people need to stand with our ally Israel,\u201d said Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyoming).\n\n\u201cOne year ago today, Israel was brutally and indiscriminately attacked by Hamas terrorists in an act of sheer evil that resulted in more than one thousand innocent people viciously murdered by terrorists. I am particularly sickened by Hamas\u2019s use of sexual violence on this dark day, an inexcusable and disgusting war crime that must be universally condemned and never again used as a weapon of war. One year after these terrorist attacks and more recent attacks against the Israeli state, I unequivocally stand with the Jewish people, including our communities in West Virginia,\u201d said Vice Chair of the Republican Conference Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia).\n\n\u201cThe United States must stand with Israel. As we saw one year ago, Iran, the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism, helped Hamas fund and carry out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas murdered nearly 1,200 people, including Americans, and still holds many hostage. As we pause to remember the victims, the free world must stand in solidarity with Israel and support its fight against the evil Iranian regime,\u201d said Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana).\n\n\u201cToday, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. Unfortunately, a year later, Iran-backed groups continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon fire rockets and missiles towards Israel. The United States can and should continue to do all it can to support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its proxies accountable for their brutal attacks. This resolution is an important message to the people of Israel that we remain committed to defending them,\u201d said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho).\n\n\u201cHamas and its Iranian sponsors are intent on nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish state. On this anniversary, we remember the victims, demand freedom for the remaining hostages, and declare our strong and abiding support for our Israeli partners to ensure that these terrorist regimes are relegated to the dustbin of history,\u201d said Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).\n\n\u201cFor the past 12 months, the Israeli military has taken necessary actions to preserve its homeland and neutralize the threat of horrific Iran-backed Hamas terrorism. In the face of ongoing Iranian aggression and rising antisemitism, the United States remains unwavering in our resolve to stand with Israel \u2013 our strongest ally in the Middle East,\u201d said Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).\n\n\u201cOne year ago today, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and deceitful series of terrorist acts inside Israel. The level of barbarism that we saw was nothing short of evil. These crimes against humanity were also visited upon American citizens as well. More than 40 were murdered by Hamas, and dozens were taken hostage. One year later, seven American citizens remain held by terrorists. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel. We must provide them with everything they need to secure the safety of their nation, eliminate the threat of terrorism, and apply maximum pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages,\u201d said Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina).\n\n\u201cOctober 7 left an indelible mark on the Jewish State of Israel. In the last year, we have seen Hamas for the pure evil it is. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel, reinforce our efforts to bring all the remaining hostages, including American citizens, home, and pledge to always stand up to antisemitism,\u201d said Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana).\n\n\u201cOn October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered hundreds of Israeli people. This was truly Israel\u2019s 9/11. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of this terrible day, we reaffirm our support for Israel. America must continue to stand with our ally as they defend their nation,\u201d said Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota).\n\n\u201cThe United States continues to stand with our ally Israel a year after Hamas\u2019 brutal attacks. We will never forget the tragedy that occurred on October 7th and the subsequent attacks from Iranian-backed terrorist groups and the rise of antisemitism that has followed. As we recognize this anniversary, we also reaffirm Israel\u2019s right to self-defense,\u201d said Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma).\n\n\u201cOne year after the grievous terrorist attack on Israel, there are still hostages, including Americans, being held captive by Hamas. The United States must continue to support Israel\u2019s efforts to bring every hostage home and ensure its security against Hamas and all Iran-backed terrorist groups,\u201d said Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas).\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s no excusing, no equivocating, no explaining the actions of Hamas, who brutally raped, tortured, and beheaded innocent civilians and filmed it all for the world to see. Just as they did one year ago, Israel deserves America\u2019s full and unwavering support, and I stand with the people of Israel in solidarity,\u201d said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).\n\n\u201cOne year after Hamas' barbaric attack on Israel, we stand resolute in our unwavering support for the Jewish state and her right to defend herself. America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel \u2013 our great ally, friend, and partner \u2013 as she works to bring every single hostage home and permanently neutralize the threat of Hamas. Only through strength can we achieve peace \u2014 evil is powerless when the good are unafraid,\u201d said Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama).\n\n\u201cOne year ago, Hamas\u2019 senseless and unprovoked attacks on Israel killed thousands of innocent Israeli civilians and the bloodshed since the war began has been devastating. Now more than ever, we must do everything in our power to hold Hamas accountable for its continued acts of terror and reaffirm our commitment to Israel as they continue to protect themselves against Hamas\u2019 reign of terror,\u201d said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming).\n\n\u201cOn October 7th, the world witnessed a heinous terror attack as Hamas murdered innocent women, men and children. We must remain vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to bringing Hamas terrorists to justice. To the people of Israel, we stand with you, we mourn with you, and we will continue to support you until every hostage is brought home and Hamas surrenders,\u201d said Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska).\n\n\u201cOn the one year anniversary of the attacks on Israel, we remain committed to standing with Israel in its efforts to fully defeat Hamas and stand up to its terrorist adversaries throughout the region. Israel is our strongest partner in the Middle East and this resolution reaffirms our support for this important ally,\u201d said Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota).\n\n\u201cIsrael is America\u2019s closest ally in the Middle East and our partner for peace in the region. They have faced vicious attacks since their founding in 1948, but in the past year the attacks have reached a level never seen in the last half century of Israel. Terror attacks on the streets, rockets and missiles from all four directions and innocent hostages in Gaza have tested Israel\u2019s strength. But, Israel still stands. The United States should stand with Israel in their battle for peace and existence, just as Israel has always stood with us in our battle against terrorism,\u201d said Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma).\n\n\u201cJust as the sun began to rise one year ago, barbaric Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and launched a widescale attack on thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. Hamas kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered thousands of innocent people, plunging the Middle East into turmoil once again. I continue to press for the release of the remaining hostages and to stand unwaveringly with our strongest ally in the Middle East and its right to defend itself from ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists,\u201d said Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).\n\n\u201cOn this solemn anniversary, I stand firmly with Israel in condemning Hamas and their unspeakable acts of terror. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, and we honor the resilience of her people. The United States must remain steadfast to stand with our ally in the fight against terrorism and the pursuit of lasting peace,\u201d said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi).\n\n\u201cHamas\u2019 brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,\u201d said Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas).\n\n\u201cOn October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a truly barbaric and deadly terrorist attack against the Jewish State of Israel. Hamas and other Islamist militants made it clear that their ultimate goal is the complete destruction of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. The U.S. has a moral duty to defend our national security interests and to stand with the people of Israel. We will not waiver,\u201d said Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida).\n\n\u201cIt has been one year since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdered families, raped innocent women, beheaded babies, and took so many hostage\u2014including Americans who we have still not seen to this day. It is a day that so many will never forget, and not a day goes by that their loved ones wouldn\u2019t do anything to see them again. We must stand with all of those impacted by the heinous attack, continue to stand with their families and support Israel in their fight. We cannot stop fighting until we bring them all home,\u201d saidSenator Rick Scott (R-Florida).\n\n\u201cAs hard as it is to believe, it was one year ago today that Hamas launched an attack with the sole purpose of eradicating Israel, kidnapping and slaughtering thousands of Israeli citizens and dozens of Americans in the process. Despite the reckless language of the left, we stand in support of Israel, unequivocally, our friend and our close ally. The United States must do everything we can to champion the continued existence and flourishing of Israel, and deny Hamas the opportunity to rebuild itself,\u201d said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota).\n\n\u201cToday, on October 7, it is important for us to pause and remember the barbaric attack that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people in Israel one year ago today. To this day, Hamas continues to hold innocent Israelis and Americans hostage, and the United States must unequivocally stand with our ally in its fight to rescue these individuals from captivity and defend itself against terrorism,\u201d said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee).\n\n\u201cOne year ago today, the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas murdered 1,200 innocent individuals, abducted 240 hostages ranging from 10 months to 85 years old, and viciously raped and mutilated Israeli women. These despicable acts of violence, which resulted in the largest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, sadly continue with the brutal murder of six hostages just a few weeks ago and Iran\u2019s recent missile attack. This resolution sends a strong message against all antisemitic acts and violence committed in support of such terrorist ideology. I urge my colleagues to join us as we stand with the Jewish community and with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East,\u201d said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).\n\n\u201cOne year ago, the world witnessed Hamas commit an unprovoked barbaric attack against Israeli civilians. As we reflect on the anniversary of this horrific event, we must resolve to stand toe-to-toe against global aggressors and vow our unwavering support to defend Israel in their time of need. Showing that we are loyal to our allies and lethal to our adversaries is the only way to deter another tragedy like this from happening. The United States will always stand with Israel,\u201dsaid Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina).\n\n\u201cOne year ago, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing innocent Israelis and American citizens and taking hostages in acts of horrific violence. We will never forget those lost in the evil attacks and continue to pray for the safe return of those still held captive by Hamas. We must stand united against the forces of terror that seek to undermine democracy and spread chaos in the region and beyond,\u201d said Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas).\n\n\u201cToday marks the one year anniversary of the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. As our resolution makes clear, we condemn Hamas for its brutal terrorist attack on Israel, reject the age-old sickness of antisemitism, and demand the safe release of remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip. The United States stands with Israel and supports its right to defend itself,\u201d said Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana).\n\n\u201cThe October 7th attack on Israel was a horrifying act of terror that claimed 1,200 innocent lives, including U.S. citizens. This resolution rightly condemns those atrocities and the ongoing torture and killing of hostages. Israel has a right to exist and the United States will continue to stand firmly behind them in their fight against evil,\u201d said Dr. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky).\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/on-oct-7-scott-ernst-senate-republicans-stand-with-israel-condemn-iran-backed-hamas/", "On Oct. 7, Scott, Ernst, Senate Republicans Stand with Israel, Condemn Iran-backed Hamas", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "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 One year since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and every Senate Republican fully condemned Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supported Israel\u2019s right to self-defense, and called for the safe release of the remaining American hostages.\n\nThe entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas\u2019 use of rape as a weapon of war. They also reiterate Israel\u2019s right to defend itself and emphasize the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.\n\nClick here to view the full resolution.\n\n\u201cOne year ago, the world witnessed Hamas commit an unprovoked barbaric attack against Israeli civilians. As we reflect on the anniversary of this horrific event, we must resolve to stand toe-to-toe against global aggressors and vow our unwavering support to defend Israel in their time of need. Showing that we are loyal to our allies and lethal to our adversaries is the only way to deter another tragedy like this from happening. The United States will always stand with Israel,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.).\n\n\u201cThis time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,\u201d said Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran. \u201cI immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation\u2019s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its \u2018ironclad\u2019 commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States stands with Israel, on this solemn anniversary and every day, as it defends itself against terrorist entities that seek to undermine peace and stability in the region. We must be unwavering in our support for our great friend and ally,\u201d said Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.).\n\n\u201cThe world watched in horror a year ago as Hamas slaughtered innocent men, women and children in Israel. Our nation must provide unwavering support to Israel\u2019s mission to defend itself and defeat Hamas. We must unite and bring back peace through strength. Our resolution underscores how now more than ever, the American people need to stand with our ally Israel,\u201d said Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).\n\n\u201cOne year ago today, Israel was brutally and indiscriminately attacked by Hamas terrorists in an act of sheer evil that resulted in more than one thousand innocent people viciously murdered by terrorists. I am particularly sickened by Hamas\u2019s use of sexual violence on this dark day, an inexcusable and disgusting war crime that must be universally condemned and never again used as a weapon of war. One year after these terrorist attacks and more recent attacks against the Israeli state, I unequivocally stand with the Jewish people, including our communities in West Virginia,\u201d said Vice Chair of the Republican Conference Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).\n\n\u201cThe United States must stand with Israel. As we saw one year ago, Iran, the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism, helped Hamas fund and carry out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Hamas murdered nearly 1,200 people, including Americans, and still holds many hostage. As we pause to remember the victims, the free world must stand in solidarity with Israel and support its fight against the evil Iranian regime,\u201d said Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.).\n\n\u201cToday, people across the world are remembering those lives lost and the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. Unfortunately, a year later, Iran-backed groups continue to threaten the safety and security of the Israeli people. Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages in Gaza, while the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon fire rockets and missiles towards Israel. The United States can and should continue to do all it can to support our ally Israel and hold Iran and its proxies accountable for their brutal attacks. This resolution is an important message to the people of Israel that we remain committed to defending them,\u201d said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho).\n\n\u201cHamas and its Iranian sponsors are intent on nothing less than the destruction of the Jewish state. On this anniversary, we remember the victims, demand freedom for the remaining hostages, and declare our strong and abiding support for our Israeli partners to ensure that these terrorist regimes are relegated to the dustbin of history,\u201d said Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).\n\n\u201cFor the past 12 months, the Israeli military has taken necessary actions to preserve its homeland and neutralize the threat of horrific Iran-backed Hamas terrorism. In the face of ongoing Iranian aggression and rising antisemitism, the United States remains unwavering in our resolve to stand with Israel \u2013 our strongest ally in the Middle East,\u201d said Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).\n\n\u201cOne year ago today, Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and deceitful series of terrorist acts inside Israel. The level of barbarism that we saw was nothing short of evil. These crimes against humanity were also visited upon American citizens as well. More than 40 were murdered by Hamas, and dozens were taken hostage. One year later, seven American citizens remain held by terrorists. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the State of Israel. We must provide them with everything they need to secure the safety of their nation, eliminate the threat of terrorism, and apply maximum pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages,\u201d said Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.).\n\n\u201cOctober 7 left an indelible mark on the Jewish State of Israel. In the last year, we have seen Hamas for the pure evil it is. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Israel, reinforce our efforts to bring all the remaining hostages, including American citizens, home, and pledge to always stand up to antisemitism,\u201d said Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).\n\n\u201cOn October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists murdered hundreds of Israeli people. This was truly Israel\u2019s 9/11. As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of this terrible day, we reaffirm our support for Israel. America must continue to stand with our ally as they defend their nation,\u201d said Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).\n\n\u201cThe United States continues to stand with our ally Israel a year after Hamas\u2019 brutal attacks. We will never forget the tragedy that occurred on October 7th and the subsequent attacks from Iranian-backed terrorist groups and the rise of antisemitism that has followed. As we recognize this anniversary, we also reaffirm Israel\u2019s right to self-defense,\u201d said Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).\n\n\u201cOne year after the grievous terrorist attack on Israel, there are still hostages, including Americans, being held captive by Hamas. The United States must continue to support Israel\u2019s efforts to bring every hostage home and ensure its security against Hamas and all Iran-backed terrorist groups,\u201d said Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s no excusing, no equivocating, no explaining the actions of Hamas, who brutally raped, tortured, and beheaded innocent civilians and filmed it all for the world to see. Just as they did one year ago, Israel deserves America\u2019s full and unwavering support, and I stand with the people of Israel in solidarity,\u201d said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).\n\n\u201cOne year after Hamas\u2019 barbaric attack on Israel, we stand resolute in our unwavering support for the Jewish state and her right to defend herself. America must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel \u2013 our great ally, friend, and partner \u2013 as she works to bring every single hostage home and permanently neutralize the threat of Hamas. Only through strength can we achieve peace \u2014 evil is powerless when the good are unafraid,\u201d said Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.).\n\n\u201cOne year ago, Hamas\u2019 senseless and unprovoked attacks on Israel killed thousands of innocent Israeli civilians and the bloodshed since the war began has been devastating. Now more than ever, we must do everything in our power to hold Hamas accountable for its continued acts of terror and reaffirm our commitment to Israel as they continue to protect themselves against Hamas\u2019 reign of terror,\u201d said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).\n\n\u201cOn October 7th, the world witnessed a heinous terror attack as Hamas murdered innocent women, men and children. We must remain vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to bringing Hamas terrorists to justice. To the people of Israel, we stand with you, we mourn with you, and we will continue to support you until every hostage is brought home and Hamas surrenders,\u201d said Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).\n\n\u201cOn the one year anniversary of the attacks on Israel, we remain committed to standing with Israel in its efforts to fully defeat Hamas and stand up to its terrorist adversaries throughout the region. Israel is our strongest partner in the Middle East and this resolution reaffirms our support for this important ally,\u201d said Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.).\n\n\u201cIsrael is America\u2019s closest ally in the Middle East and our partner for peace in the region. They have faced vicious attacks since their founding in 1948, but in the past year the attacks have reached a level never seen in the last half century of Israel. Terror attacks on the streets, rockets and missiles from all four directions and innocent hostages in Gaza have tested Israel\u2019s strength. But, Israel still stands. The United States should stand with Israel in their battle for peace and existence, just as Israel has always stood with us in our battle against terrorism,\u201d said Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.).\n\n\u201cJust as the sun began to rise one year ago, barbaric Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and launched a widescale attack on thousands of innocent Israeli citizens. Hamas kidnapped, tortured and brutally murdered thousands of innocent people, plunging the Middle East into turmoil once again. I continue to press for the release of the remaining hostages and to stand unwaveringly with our strongest ally in the Middle East and its right to defend itself from ongoing threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorists,\u201d said Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).\n\n\u201cOn this solemn anniversary, I stand firmly with Israel in condemning Hamas and their unspeakable acts of terror. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Israel\u2019s right to defend itself, and we honor the resilience of her people. The United States must remain steadfast to stand with our ally in the fight against terrorism and the pursuit of lasting peace,\u201d said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).\n\n\u201cHamas\u2019 brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,\u201d said Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.).\n\n\u201cOn October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a truly barbaric and deadly terrorist attack against the Jewish State of Israel. Hamas and other Islamist militants made it clear that their ultimate goal is the complete destruction of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East. The U.S. has a moral duty to defend our national security interests and to stand with the people of Israel. We will not waiver,\u201d said Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).\n\n\u201cIt has been one year since Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, murdered families, raped innocent women, beheaded babies, and took so many hostage\u2014including Americans who we have still not seen to this day. It is a day that so many will never forget, and not a day goes by that their loved ones wouldn\u2019t do anything to see them again. We must stand with all of those impacted by the heinous attack, continue to stand with their families and support Israel in their fight. We cannot stop fighting until we bring them all home,\u201d said Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.).\n\n\u201cAs hard as it is to believe, it was one year ago today that Hamas launched an attack with the sole purpose of eradicating Israel, kidnapping and slaughtering thousands of Israeli citizens and dozens of Americans in the process. Despite the reckless language of the left, we stand in support of Israel, unequivocally, our friend and our close ally. The United States must do everything we can to champion the continued existence and flourishing of Israel, and deny Hamas the opportunity to rebuild itself,\u201d said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).\n\n\u201cToday, on October 7, it is important for us to pause and remember the barbaric attack that claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people in Israel one year ago today. To this day, Hamas continues to hold innocent Israelis and Americans hostage, and the United States must unequivocally stand with our ally in its fight to rescue these individuals from captivity and defend itself against terrorism,\u201d said Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).\n\n\u201cThe vicious and barbaric October 7 attack against innocent men, women and children by the terrorist organization, Hamas \u2013 backed by Iran \u2013 will be remembered forever by all decent human beings. The civilized world should be resolved in standing with and eradicating those who want to create a second Holocaust. This attack was not just a heinous crime against the Jewish people, it was a crime against civilization itself,\u201d said Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).\n\n\u201cOne year ago today, the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas murdered 1,200 innocent individuals, abducted 240 hostages ranging from 10 months to 85 years old, and viciously raped and mutilated Israeli women. These despicable acts of violence, which resulted in the largest loss of Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, sadly continue with the brutal murder of six hostages just a few weeks ago and Iran\u2019s recent missile attack. This resolution sends a strong message against all antisemitic acts and violence committed in support of such terrorist ideology. I urge my colleagues to join us as we stand with the Jewish community and with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East,\u201d said Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine).\n\n\u201cOne year ago, Hamas terrorists launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing innocent Israelis and American citizens and taking hostages in acts of horrific violence. We will never forget those lost in the evil attacks and continue to pray for the safe return of those still held captive by Hamas. We must stand united against the forces of terror that seek to undermine democracy and spread chaos in the region and beyond,\u201d said Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).\n\n\u201cToday marks the one year anniversary of the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. As our resolution makes clear, we condemn Hamas for its brutal terrorist attack on Israel, reject the age-old sickness of antisemitism, and demand the safe release of remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip. The United States stands with Israel and supports its right to defend itself,\u201d said Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\n\u201cThe October 7th attack on Israel was a horrifying act of terror that claimed 1,200 innocent lives, including U.S. citizens. This resolution rightly condemns those atrocities and the ongoing torture and killing of hostages. Israel has a right to exist and the United States will continue to stand firmly behind them in their fight against evil,\u201d said Dr. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=63BFEC1F-BB94-40A4-8A44-2292C6485AB6", "Graham Statement on FEMA Coming to Aiken County, Savannah River Area", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "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) made this statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) committed to coming to Aiken County and the Savannah River area in South Carolina today.\n\nYesterday, Graham spoke with a FEMA representative and urged the agency to make contact with local officials and come to the area immediately because of the level of devastation. FEMA is touring Aiken County this afternoon with Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker and Silver Bluff Fire Chief Kerry Green.\n\n\u201cAiken County is appreciative of the support provided by Sen. Lindsey Graham and his staff. Within hours after his commitment to provide FEMA support, we had a point of contact lined up from the agency. I and Silver Bluff Fire Chief Kerry Green will be taking a FEMA representative on a tour of the impacted communities later this afternoon,\u201d said Council Chairman Bunker. \u201cThe critical issues in Aiken County are the clearing of the roads and the pickup of storm debris and the rebuilding of the power network. A power grid built up over decades was smashed in four hours during the storm last Friday morning.\u201d\n\n\u201cI really appreciate FEMA\u2019s prompt response to my request. I am also grateful for the leadership of Council Chairman Bunker and the entire Team Aiken,\u201d said Graham. \u201cAiken County has been hard hit and North Augusta has been particularly devastated, but the people living there are pushing through and rising to the occasion. The entire Savannah River region was severely impacted both sides of the river and I expect a surge of resources to the region very soon.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D232ECC9-E87B-4CEE-8257-D333C24AA4AE", "Graham Receives Update on Hurricane Recovery in Edgefield", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "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) met with Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham, South Carolina State Representative Bill Hixon (District 83), South Carolina National Guard General Van McCarty, Edgefield County Sheriff Jody Rowland and other local officials in Edgefield yesterday.\n\nGraham heard about the South Carolina National Guard and South Carolina State Guard\u2019s work to immediately respond to Hurricane Helene all across South Carolina. Graham also received an update on the county\u2019s recovery progress.\n\nCLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS\n\nMAYOR DURHAM: \u201cThe storm hit. Within hours, the Guard was at our fire station and they actually had to cut themselves out of where they were to come aid us. Every street in town was blocked by one too many trees. Nothing was passable. And as of today [October 3], every street is passable two ways in Edgefield, thanks to the Guard.\u201d https://youtu.be/t2fLUnnx6ls?si=bpEOKqYCWe6t_AYO&t=128\n\nGENERAL MCCARTY: \u201cWe\u2019ve been in it from the beginning and we\u2019ll be in it til the end. This is what we are, this is who we are because these are our communities and these are our families.\u201d https://youtu.be/t2fLUnnx6ls?si=-D0t-be7rOiS74_Q&t=304\n\nGRAHAM: \u201c\u2026there\u2019s too many to name, but when it comes time to talking about MVPs, people you couldn\u2019t do without [during recovery] from this disaster of biblical portions, it has been the South Carolina National Guard and it has been the State Guard \u2026 General McCarty is the right man at the right time.\u201d https://youtu.be/t2fLUnnx6ls?si=P6bUJfoou-GBy4t2&t=4\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cTo all of you, your soldiers and your airmen who have been hit just as hard as everybody else. Everybody who was out cutting those trees up, they were hurt too. So I just want to thank you on behalf of all of us in South Carolina.\u201d https://youtu.be/t2fLUnnx6ls?si=unwgbBav_zscol0t&t=46\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cSheriff, I want to thank you and all your deputies\u2026 all the cops out there. They\u2019ve been hit hard. You\u2019re out there protecting our homes while your home has been devastated, so thank you.\u201d https://youtu.be/t2fLUnnx6ls?si=4t67PIufY_vdk4tO&t=313\n\nClick Here To Watch Video of Graham\u2019s Discussion with Edgefield Officials\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-hagerty-colleagues-call-out-doj-for-refusing-to-provide-answers-on-prosecutions-of-illegal-aliens-registering-to-vote/", "Scott, Hagerty, Colleagues Call Out DOJ for Refusing to Provide Answers on Prosecutions of Illegal Aliens Registering to Vote", "2024-10-04", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Congressman Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) in calling out U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) failure to prevent illegal aliens from registering to vote in American elections or prosecute those who evidently have done so.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply concerned by reports of non-citizens registering to vote and voting in federal elections,\u201d the Members of Congress wrote. \u201cAs of today, there has been no response from you or your Department regarding the inquiry on July 12, 2024, seeking information on efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce laws prohibiting non-citizen voting. Given that the 2024 Presidential Election is in less than 34 days, your Department\u2019s inaction and refusal to provide any information regarding its efforts to promote public trust and confidence in our elections is especially alarming.\u201d\n\nState officials across the country have recently taken steps to prevent, deter, and investigate cases of illegal voter registration by non-citizens, including in South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and Tennessee. Since the Members of Congress sent their initial letter, cases have emerged in the states of Virginia and Texas.\n\n\u201cClearly, there is a non-negligible amount of voter participation by non-citizens in federal elections, which is not only a serious threat to the integrity of our elections and the democratic process they represent, but also has the potential to reduce Americans\u2019 trust and confidence in election results,\u201d the Members of Congress continued.\n\nThe members of Congress, once again, requested the following information by October 16, 2024:\n\n1. Please provide the number of aliens who have been charged, tried, or convicted under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 611 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.\n\n2. Please provide the number of aliens who been charged, tried, or convicted under 52 U.S.C. \u00a7 20511 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.\n\n3. Please provide the number of aliens who have been prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 911 since 2021, including the status of each case.\n\n4. Please provide the number of referrals received from other government officials or the public in reference to the statutes cited in questions 1 through 3.\n\n5. How does the Department of Justice investigate allegations received of non-citizen voting or voter registration?\n\n6. What affirmative steps have the Department of Justice taken to detect, prevent, and deter illegal aliens and other non-citizens from registering and voting in federal elections?\n\n7. What affirmative steps have the Department taken to obtain relevant information from the Department of Homeland Security on aliens who have registered or voted in elections?\n\n8. What steps have been taken by U.S. Attorneys and the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division, which is responsible for prosecuting election crimes and assisting U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting election crimes, to obtain jury-related information that indicates aliens have unlawfully registered to vote?\n\n9. As the 2024 election nears, what steps will the Department take to detect, investigate, and prosecute non-citizens who violate 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 911, 52 U.S.C. \u00a7 20511, or 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 611 by voting or registering to vote in the 2024 election?\n\n10. What steps have the Department taken to contact Virginia and Texas election officials to obtain information and the voter registration and voter history files on each of the aliens removed from the voter rolls who were unlawfully registered and voting in those states?\n\nA copy of the letter can be found here.\n\nIn addition to Senators Scott and Hagerty, co-signers of the letter include Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Kennedy (R-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).\n\nAdditional co-signers in the House include Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Bob Good (R-Va.), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Lance Gooden (R-Texas), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Greg Lopez (R-Colo.), Keith Self (R-Texas), Brian Babin (R-Texas), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F1D50FA6-2035-46CB-9BCB-22B17B5C9602", "Graham Statement After Aiken Briefing On Hurricane Helene", "2024-10-03", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) attended a briefing in Aiken with state and local officials at the Aiken County Emergency Management Center. Following the briefing, he spoke with a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a Dominion Energy representative for South Carolina.\n\n\u201cI just spoke to a FEMA representative. They assured me that FEMA representatives would be coming to Aiken County and the Savannah River area no later than tomorrow to ensure their needs are met. It is imperative that FEMA hear directly from Aiken County and Savannah River area officials what they need because the county was devastated.\n\n\u201cI also just spoke to a Dominion Energy representative for South Carolina, and he indicated that there will be a surge of linemen and power assistance coming to Aiken County and the Savannah River area beginning tomorrow.\n\n\u201cI stressed how terribly this part of the state has been hit and they agreed it was historic devastation. Crews from other parts of the state including the coast are on their way.\n\n\u201cI appreciate FEMA and Dominion responding to my requests and the needs of Aiken County and the Savannah River area.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=2E47437E-31D1-420F-862F-DB04BE1BEF15", "Graham Visits Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens", "2024-10-02", "2024", "2024-10", "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 met with leadership and employees at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens, South Carolina.\n\nBlue Ridge Electric Cooperative is a customer-owned electric utility company that has been operating in South Carolina since 1940. Graham is a customer of Blue Ridge.\n\nCLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS\n\nGraham gave an update with Blue Ridge President and CEO Jim Lovinggood during his visit.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe co-ops are great all over South Carolina. They are indispensable at times like this.\u201d https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=leOqkYeHlsi3q39_&t=223\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThese men and women have been working night and day.\u201d https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=YqwbDHS7OwXig4ft&t=51\n\nLOVINGGOOD: \u201cThis storm was historic in every way you choose to measure it. We had about 90 percent of our customers out of power Friday morning at 10:00 AM\u2026 So far we\u2019ve been able to get about 70 percent of those back on. So we\u2019re down now to about 30 percent of our customers without power.\u201d https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=MaDIT-YOP2UWp52C&t=69\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThis is Hurricane Hugo for the Upstate, if you\u2019re old enough to remember that\u2026We got flattened up here, folks. I wanted to come by and thank the co-ops and all the line crew out there and the people working out in the field. You know it\u2019s a team sport here.\u201d https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=5LSZOZI3CNz8NLEa&t=167\n\nLOVINGGOOD: \u201cWe are working around the clock. We\u2019ve set up in both of our campuses to house up to 700 outside workers. We have over 500 currently in the field and we\u2019re hoping to get more help as the days go by.\u201d https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=YdQY-t_gt1KbejXG&t=116\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cJust be patient. The people who are trying to restore your power lost their power. They haven\u2019t seen their families, they are out there working 16 to 18-hour days working under very dangerous conditions. So to the extent you can be patient, please do. I know it\u2019s frustrating, but the people trying to help you have suffered like you have.\u201d https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=f_7q90Lk6sX3VLer&t=193\n\nClick here to watch the entire video", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=BEAA0E8B-8862-477F-BCA3-AB06B2FE997B", "Graham Calls On Biden To End Labor Strike", "2024-10-02", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today called on President Joe Biden to end labor strikes at ports across the country.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI can\u2019t emphasize [this enough:] The strike needs to end sooner rather than later. I cannot tell you how seriously this will jeopardize our recovery [from Hurricane Helene] in South Carolina and North Carolina. This is going to jeopardize public health. It\u2019s going to jeopardize public safety\u2026\u201dhttps://youtu.be/cxWloIOBr6c?si=0zxrQaybOsNWlAMf&t=11\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThere\u2019s a federal law on the books that allows the president of the United States to stop and enjoin strikes like this that can affect the public good and the public welfare\u2026\u201d https://youtu.be/cxWloIOBr6c?si=5MKP5tU2JRdp1Z_N&t=31\n\nGRAHAM: \u201c[The Port of Charleston] is an essential outlet to the world for South Carolina\u2026 So President Biden\u2026 I am urging you, I am telling you, I am begging you [to] end this strike sooner rather than later because you\u2019re adding misery to pain.\u201d https://youtu.be/cxWloIOBr6c?si=Ew6wmaKgu8nUqom9&t=64\n\nClick here to watch Graham\u2019s remarks\n\n#####\n\nClick play to view the video or follow this link\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxWloIOBr6c", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1ED2C77A-1D7B-42DC-A3D0-EF934C5948C8", "Graham: Congress Must Reconvene to Pass Aid for Hurricane Helene Relief, Israel", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "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 urging Congress to reconvene in order to pass a supplemental aid package to fund Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and provide missile defense assistance to Israel in the wake of Iran\u2019s large-scale attack.\n\n\u201cIt is imperative that Congress reconvene to pass a supplemental aid package for the damage done to the Southeast by Hurricane Helene and also to provide missile defense assistance to Israel, which is under attack from the Iranian regime.\n\n\u201cWe need to help our people at home and stand with our allies abroad. I want the people affected by this terrible storm to see speedy federal relief, and I want Iran to see great resolve when it comes to Congress\u2019 willingness to assist Israel. I am reaching out to Republican and Democratic colleagues to put a package together as soon as possible.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=28397EB0-A73B-4D0E-8147-6823A7A9487A", "Graham: Iran's Missile Attack on Israel is a Moment of Choosing for the World", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "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 following Iran\u2019s large-scale missile attack on Israel.\n\n\u201cThis is a moment of choosing for the free world regarding Iran. The Ayatollah and Iranian regime are religious Nazis who want to destroy the state of Israel \u2013 their words, not mine.\n\n\u201cThey want to purify Islam and attack the United States \u2013 again, their words, not mine.\n\n\u201cThis missile attack against Israel should be the breaking point and I would urge the Biden Administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran\u2019s ability to refine oil.\n\n\u201cThese oil refineries need to be hit and hit hard because that is the source of cash for the regime to perpetrate their terror.\n\n\u201cMy prayers are with the people of Israel, and may God continue to bless Israel.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-tillis-colleagues-make-bipartisan-push-for-immediate-passage-of-disaster-relief-legislation/", "Sens. Scott, Tillis, Colleagues Make Bipartisan Push for Immediate Passage of Disaster Relief Legislation", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "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 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) penned a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support the millions of Americans affected by the storm.\n\n\u201cThe devastation from Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States is simply inconceivable\u2026Because of a lack of cell service, we anticipate even greater tragedy to unfold in the days and weeks ahead as communications and power are restored and we can understand the full scope of this disaster,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\n\u201cEven preliminary damage assessments indicate that, at a minimum, the total damage and economic loss will be in the tens of billions of dollars. This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear,\u201d the senators continued.\n\n\u201cAlthough the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents. This may even require Congress to come back in October to ensure we have enough time to enact legislation before the end of this calendar year. Tens of millions of Americans were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to working with you to provide relief to those impacted by this horrific storm,\u201d the senators concluded.\n\nSenators Scott and Tillis were joined by Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-booker-lead-resolution-to-raise-sickle-cell-awareness/", "Scott, Booker Lead Resolution to Raise Sickle Cell Awareness", "2024-09-30", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have introduced a resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month.\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black newborns,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. With this resolution, we commit to raising awareness and seeking out legislation that will help our medical community fight\u2014and, one day, cure\u2014this painful disease.\u201d\n\n\u201cSickle cell disease affects an estimated 100,000 individuals in the United States, and is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThis disease, which disproportionately affects Black Americans, is at the intersection of both health care justice and racial justice. I am proud to introduce this resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month alongside Senator Scott. We must remain committed to educating people about sickle cell and the urgent need to expand access to quality care and effective treatments for those suffering from this disease.\u201d\n\nThe text of the resolution can be found here.\n\nEarlier this month, Senators Scott and Booker the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, which would allow state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive care to SCD patients through a health home model.\n\nOn June 15, 2023, Senator Scott\u2019s Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023 was approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The legislation reauthorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration\u2019s (HRSA) Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program beyond fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2028. This bill helps to make sure that HRSA has the flexibility to provide technical assistance and educational materials more rapidly to grantees and communities in response to emerging subjects, such as gene therapies to treat individuals with sickle cell disease. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives last week.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-calls-on-port-workers-to-delay-strike-in-light-of-helene-aftermath/", "Sen. Scott Calls on Port Workers to Delay Strike in Light of Helene Aftermath", "2024-09-30", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement ahead of a work stoppage expected to begin tomorrow at ports on the East and Gulf Coasts:\n\n\u201cAt least 100 Americans have died, millions have been without power, and flooding continues to devastate homes and communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I urge the members of the International Longshoremen\u2019s Association to temporarily continue working under their current contract until the suffering from the storm has eased. As Americans, it is our duty to help those in need access shelter, food, water, and electricity. A strike would greatly disrupt our supply chain and economy, only worsening the pain of those who have already lost everything.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-rep-pfluger-blasts-biden-harris-admin-for-using-flawed-climate-study-to-shut-down-lng-exports/", "Sen. Scott, Rep. Pfluger Blasts Biden Harris Admin for Using Flawed Climate Study to Shut Down LNG Exports", "2024-09-30", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Congressman August Pfluger (R-Texas) penned a bicameral letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm blasting the Biden-Harris administration for using the flawed Howarth study that called liquefied natural gas (LNG) \u201cworse than coal\u201d as the basis for their decision to halt LNG exports.\n\n\u201cThe two words the Biden-Harris administration hates most are \u2018transparency\u2019 and \u2018accountability\u2019\u2014two things the American people deserve from their government. From the very beginning, it was clear that there was never any real basis for pausing LNG exports earlier this year; it was always about politics,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThe American people deserve better, and they need answers as to how much influence a flawed, biased study had on the administration\u2019s decision-making.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration has used every tool in their arsenal to attack American energy production, including relying on a flawed study to shut down LNG exports\u2014endangering energy security for the U.S. and our allies,\u201d said Congressman August Pfluger. \u201cPresident Biden and Vice President Harris must answer for their political targeting of the Permian Basin.\u201d\n\nIn the letter, the lawmakers write:\n\n\u201cWe write seeking information on how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) relied on the study titled \u201cThe Greenhouse Gas Footprint of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Exported from the United States\u201d published by Robert Howarth (\u201cHowarth study\u201d) in justifying its January 26, 2024, moratorium on approvals of LNG export projects. It was widely reported that the Howarth study, which claims that U.S. LNG is worse for the climate than coal, heavily influenced the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s decision. Perplexingly, Mr. Howarth published his study before it was peer reviewed \u2013 at the behest of climate activists \u2013 and has revised it multiple times in recent months.\n\n\u201cIn July 2024, the non-partisan Breakthrough Institute published a comprehensive review of the Howarth study titled \u201cA Major Paper on Liquified Natural Gas Emissions Is Riddled with Errors,\u201d which identified significant errors in the study\u2019s assumptions, methodology, and conclusions. Specifically, the review found that Mr. Howarth used incorrect data regarding the source of natural gas exported as LNG, leakage rates, and shipping distances, as well as an \u201cincontrovertibly flawed methodology\u201d to calculate the climate impact of U.S. LNG. The Breakthrough Institute also correctly points out that Howarth\u2019s findings are a major outlier compared to nearly all other lifecycle emissions analyses of U.S. LNG, including those incorporating the most up-to-date data.\u201d\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nSenator Scott and Congressman August Pfluger were joined on the letter by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Representatives Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), Judge Carter (R-Texas), Robert E. Latta (R-Ohio), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Harriet M. Hageman (R-Wyo.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Mike Rulli (R-Ohio), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), John Joyce, M.D. (R-Pa.), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), and Rudy Yakym III (R-Ind.).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-surveys-hurricane-helene-damage-in-the-upstate/", "Sen. Scott Surveys Hurricane Helene Damage in the Upstate", "2024-09-30", "2024", "2024-09", "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", "GREENVILLE, SC \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined members of the South Carolina National Guard to examine the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in South Carolina\u2019s Upstate.\n\n\u201cWe witnessed the devastation. Without question, our state needs our support, and we will recover,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cGod bless South Carolina. God bless every single state devastated by Helene. God bless our recovery. Thank you so much for doing your part.\u201d\n\nAfter surveying the damage and meeting with members of the National Guard, Senator Scott delivered a message to those affected by the storm, first responders, and all those helping in the recovery efforts, which can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1FDEA6DE-2DDA-4AAD-9A8D-FDE2A136A5F3", "Graham Statement on Netanyahu Speech", "2024-09-27", "2024", "2024-09", "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 on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s address to the United Nations General Assembly.\n\n\u201cMy takeaways from Prime Minister Netanyahu\u2019s compelling speech to the UN General Assembly:\n\n\u201cI agree that the body has become, at its core, hostile to the existence of the Jewish state.\n\n\u201cI agree that the real evil of the 21st century is not Israel, but the religious Nazi theocracy in Iran.\n\n\u201cI fully embrace the continued effort to achieve normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel as described by Prime Minister Netanyahu, and will continue to work with the Biden Administration to make this happen on his watch. Now is the time to act.\n\n\u201cI applaud Israel\u2019s vision of living in peaceful coexistence with the region where all boats rise. I completely support Israel\u2019s determination to defend itself and to make sure that all corners of Israel are inhabitable by the Israeli people and they will not suffer the curse of being refugees in their own land.\n\n\u201cFinally, Bibi\u2019s view of the United Nations is widely-shared, not only by American conservatives but by any fair-minded person, because the UN has given voice to the most hateful anti-Semites on the planet and represents an upside-down world where Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism, is welcomed.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D65C27D5-C775-42ED-9BC0-DD2E526EB557", "Graham Statement on Helene", "2024-09-27", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement.\n\n\"Tropical Storm Helene is having a devastating impact on South Carolina. I spoke with Duke Energy leadership yesterday.\n\n\"They seem well prepared to act and restore power promptly. The scope of damage from the storm has been wide and deep. People are not only without power, but there is heavy flooding, homes have been destroyed and lives have been lost and upended. South Carolina\u2019s entire congressional delegation will be working with Governor McMaster and his team to help with federal disaster relief efforts.\n\n\"Be smart and be safe.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=13C53184-3286-4F2B-B13A-B947A132BC4C", "Statement from Senator Lindsey Graham", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "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 following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington, D.C.\n\n\u201cI enjoyed meeting with President Zelensky today. The more pressure put on Putin, the sooner the war ends. If President Biden and Vice President Harris don\u2019t adjust their military strategy in Ukraine, it will be a dire outcome for Ukraine and the world.\n\n\u201cPresident Zelensky\u2019s number one request was to be able to more effectively use long range weapons to hit key Russian military targets to put pressure on Putin to come to the table. He emphasized that without a change in military strategy, the war gets more difficult.\n\n\u201cIf the Biden-Harris Administration continues the policy of holding Ukraine back because they are worried about escalation, the outcome of the war will be placed in jeopardy.\n\n\u201cIn order for Ukraine to prevail, President Zelensky must be allowed to execute his plan, which includes hitting legitimate military targets inside Russia that are being used to go after Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.\n\n\u201cIt is in America\u2019s interests to ensure Putin does not succeed in dismembering Ukraine because that will unleash China on Taiwan, and Putin will not stop in Ukraine.\n\n\u201cThis is a decisive week in the war. President Biden and Vice President Harris need to get it right.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5B033899-B789-4887-99F0-E52A8E799022", "Graham Introduces Religious Education Week Resolution", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "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) introduced a resolution designating October 6 - 12, 2024, as \u201cReligious Education Week\u201d to celebrate and emphasize the importance of religious education and the schools and organizations engaged in religious instruction.\n\n\u201cSouth Carolina\u2019s children are our greatest resource and future leaders,\u201d said Graham. \u201cI am proud to introduce this resolution to emphasize the importance of continued religious education and the organizations who provide it.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Boyd Britt (R-Alabama), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and Todd Young (R-Indiana).\n\nThis resolution is also supported by 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, and Catholic Education Partners Inc.\n\nThe full text of the resolution is HERE.\n\n#####\n\nSupport for Senator Graham\u2019s Religious Education Week resolution:\n\nGrayson Hartgrove, Director of School Time Bible Ministries in Columbia, SC:\n\n\u201cWe support and applaud the US Senate effort to pass a US Senate Resolution on Religious Education Week. Parents of public-school students want the option of providing faith-based programming during the public-school day. The legal practice, known as Released Time for Religious Education was started in 1914 by a school superintendent. He knew the importance of parents having options in directing the upbringing of their children. Currently over 13,000 public school students with parental permission in South Carolina leave campus every week for a faith-based class off campus at a church or non-school building. The number of students participating continues to grow as more parents learn of this option.\u201d\n\nRabbi Lerner, President Emeritus of the Coalition for Jewish Values:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A896793E-1574-49B6-B449-FC8F7E94D531", "Graham Earns \"A+\" Rating for Unwavering Support for the Second Amendment", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "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 received an \u201cA+\u201d rating from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Graham was one of only eight senators named to NSSF\u2019s inaugural Congressional Dean\u2019s List, which recognizes members of Congress who have gone above and beyond to protect and preserve the Second Amendment in the 118th Congress.\n\n\u201cI am honored to be recognized by NSSF today. It is now more important than ever that we stand up for our right to bear arms, promote responsible gun ownership, and protect America\u2019s licensed gun dealers. I will always fight to preserve the Second Amendment,\u201d said Senator Graham.\n\n\u201cThe 2024 NSSF Congressional Report Card is a comprehensive analysis of our elected representatives\u2019 positions on firearm and ammunition industry priorities in the 118th Congress. The Report Card\u2019s grades are based on key votes, co-sponsorships, committee activity, floor speeches, and other official actions by Senators and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of our industry are grateful to have so many strong allies in the Halls of Congress,\u201d said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs and General Counsel. \u201cNSSF is proud to especially recognize Senator Graham as a member of the new NSSF Congressional Dean\u2019s List for his exemplary leadership in supporting the firearm and ammunition industry and the nearly 400,000 hardworking Americans employed in the industry. Making the Dean\u2019s List is special recognition that Senator Graham has gone above and beyond to protect and preserve the Second Amendment rights of his constituents and the industry that makes the exercise of those rights possible. We applaud Senator Graham for his exemplary level of support.\u201d\n\nSenator Graham is the lead sponsor of the Respect for the Second Amendment Act, which seeks to make permanent Second Amendment rights afforded to law abiding Americans, and prevent a future Supreme Court from going back on this decision. Graham also led the introduction of legislation to combat \u201csmash and grab\u201d thefts of federally licensed gun dealers, known as the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2023.\n\nAdditional information on NSSF\u2019s rating is available HERE.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-rubio-take-action-against-prc-linked-battery-companies/", "Scott, Rubio Take Action Against PRC-Linked Battery Companies", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Blocking Bad Batteries Act, to prohibit the U.S. Department of State from procuring batteries produced by certain PRC-linked companies. This legislation is an attempt to proactively mitigate future concerns stemming from the precedent set by Huawei\u2019s deep integration into global telecommunications networks, particularly the 5G and smartphone sectors.\n\n\u201cTaking proactive steps to prevent our national security agencies from doing business with companies that are linked to the Chinese Communist Party and the People\u2019s Liberation Army is in our nation\u2019s best interest. Taxpayer dollars should never be used to further the goals of our adversaries,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI am proud to introduce this commonsense legislation with Senator Rubio to safeguard our supply chains and prevent China from exploiting our technological dependencies for strategic advantage over the U.S.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s crucial that our nation, and certainly our State Department, doesn\u2019t become dependent on Communist China for our battery supplies. This legislation is a vital tool to protect Americans, our national security interests and key supply chains,\u201d said Senator Rubio.\n\n\u201cChina\u2019s growing influence in critical supply chains, especially in the EV battery sector, poses a significant threat to U.S. national security. The Blocking Bad Batteries Act ensures that the U.S. Department of State can no longer use taxpayer dollars to procure batteries from entities linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that could potentially jeopardize sensitive infrastructure. This bill builds on successful steps Congress has already taken to impose similar prohibitions on the Department of Defense. By preventing procurement from CCP-affiliated companies like CATL and BYD, we are making a crucial move to secure America\u2019s infrastructure and supply chains,\u201d FDD Action said in a statement.\n\nBackground:\n\nIn the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congress moved to prohibit the U.S. Department of Defense from procuring batteries from certain PRC-linked companies, including CATL. This legislation takes a proactive approach to bar the use of such batteries at U.S. embassies around the world by applying the same restriction to the U.S. Department of State. Last December, Senator Scott joined Senator Rubio in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raising national security concerns about the use of CATL batteries at Camp Lejeune and other U.S. military installations.\n\nThe text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=62CAB549-AC07-4181-9F83-9F21B482BEBC", "Graham Introduces Bill To Restrict Birthright Citizenship", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "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 a bill that would restrict one of the biggest magnets for illegal immigration into the United States. Graham\u2019s Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024 stops the practice of granting citizenship to both the children of illegal immigrants and the children of non-immigrants in the U.S. on temporary visas.\n\nThe exploitation of birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for our national security. The United States is one of only 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship. In 2018, Senator Graham supported President Trump\u2019s executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants on American soil.\n\n\u201cIt is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cOne example is birth tourism, where wealthy individuals from China and other nations come to the United States simply to have a child who will be an American citizen. When you look at the magnets that draw people to America, birthright citizenship is one of the largest. It is time for the United States to align itself with the rest of the world and restrict this practice once and for all.\u201d\n\nThe Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s catch-and-release policies let migrants come into the U.S. illegally and stay for years, while enjoying many of the benefits of living in America.\n\nIllegal immigration has skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris Administration.\n\nIn the last 3.5 years, there have been over 8.3 million encounters with illegal aliens at the southern border.\n\nOur adversaries are taking advantage of our laws.\n\nRecently, two individuals from California were found guilty in a \u201cbirth tourism\u201d scheme. Predominantly Chinese clients paid the operators of a \u201cmaternity hotel\u201d tens of thousands of dollars to come to the U.S. to give birth. Clients were coached on how to lie during the admissions process.\n\nA 2022 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee report found a birthing company catering to the wives of Russian oligarchs, celebrities, athletes, and public figures.\n\nThe Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024:\n\nSpecifies who can receive citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United States, including children born to at least one parent who is either:\n\nA citizen or national of the U.S.,\n\nA lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or\n\nAn alien performing active service in the armed forces.\n\nThis bill only applies to children born after the date of enactment.\n\nTo read the full bill text, click HERE.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-grassley-and-bicameral-colleagues-call-out-abuses-in-the-biden-harris-unaccompanied-migrant-children-program/", "Scott, Grassley, and Bicameral Colleagues Call Out Abuses in the Biden-Harris Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to work with Congress to root out abuses in their administration\u2019s unaccompanied migrant children program and stop the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)\u2019s cover-up of the crisis. HHS has failed to comply with two out of three Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subpoenas and other information requests issued amid its investigation into more than 100 suspicious sponsors.\n\n\u201cAs a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by Vice President Harris, who was tasked with \u201cstemming the migration\u201d at our border with Mexico, more than 500,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have crossed the southwest border without a parent or guardian to provide care since you took office, a massive increase when compared to previous administrations.1 These UACs often experience horrible sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on the journey and are victims of cartel trafficking and exploitation, a business that surged an estimated 2,500 percent from the Trump Administration to the middle of your term in 2022,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nThe senators said, \u201cEven as the trafficking business and the number of children entering the U.S. surged, HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) ORR (Office of Refugee Resettlement) cut back significantly on background checks and vetting procedures to speed up the process, despite knowing children were being trafficked through HHS ORR\u2019s UAC (unaccompanied alien children) program. Your Administration likewise continued Vice President Harris\u2019s longtime priority of cutting back on information sharing between HHS ORR and law enforcement related to unaccompanied children and sponsors.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is not a partisan issue. It can and should bring us together, as we try to protect Americans and UACs placed in HHS ORR custody alike. Your Administration must make changes to its policies and procedures for UACs to end this public safety crisis,\u201d continued the senators.\n\n\u201c[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people,\u201d the lawmakers concluded.\n\nRead the full letter HERE.\n\nProgram Abuse\n\nMore than 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children have crossed the southwest border under the Biden-Harris administration, while cartel trafficking activity surged an estimated 2,500 percent. Amid this crisis, the lawmakers note the Biden-Harris administration limited background checks for sponsors of unaccompanied children, cut back on familial DNA testing at the border and decreased information sharing with law enforcement.\n\nSeeking Solutions\n\nThe lawmakers are urging Biden and Harris to \u201cmake changes to [their] policies and procedures\u201d in order to \u201cend this public safety crisis.\u201d They are specifically calling on the Biden-Harris administration to enhance information sharing with law enforcement and Congress, fully cooperate with DHS\u2019s child exploitation investigation and thoroughly respond to all congressional oversight requests.\n\nJoining Senators Tim Scott and Grassley on the letter are Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), along with Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).\n\nAdditional co-signers in the House include Reps. Tom McLintock (R-Calif.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Ben Cline (R-Va.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Laurel Lee (R-Fla.), and Michael Rulli (R-Ohio).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-leads-effort-to-increase-access-to-capital-create-investment-opportunities/", "Senator Scott Leads Effort to Increase Access to Capital, Create Investment Opportunities", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, is leading legislation to revitalize the businesses within our communities and open up our capital markets to all Americans. Senator Scott\u2019s Empowering Main Street in America Act will boost avenues for capital formation that create jobs and generate economic growth.\n\nSenate Banking Committee members, including Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), joined Senator Scott on the legislation. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is also a co-sponsor of the bill.\n\n\u201cOur capital markets system is the envy of the world and has helped many Americans build wealth and save for their futures. But unfortunately for individuals in communities like the one I grew up in, investing in a local venture or raising capital to grow a business seems out of reach. We need to change that \u2013 and this comprehensive legislation will create economic opportunity and provide more Americans with the resources necessary to achieve financial security for their families and realize their version of the American Dream, while ensuring small business owners can access capital to grow and innovate,\u201d said Senator Scott.\n\nAt yesterday\u2019s Punchbowl News event, Senator Scott highlighted how the legislation will improve access to capital for entrepreneurs across the country, tailor regulations for small and newly public companies looking to grow and expand their operations, and create new avenues for hardworking Americans to invest in their community.\n\nClick here to watch the full discussion.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s legislation, in part, is the result of feedback from his from his February 2024 roundtable with Black investors and business founders discussing ways to improve minority communities\u2019 access to capital. Here\u2019s what the roundtable participants had to say on the bill:\n\n\u201cI thank Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) for his leadership in introducing the Empowering Main Street in America Act (EMSAA), which will significantly improve access to capital for all entrepreneurs and investors. I had the good fortune to participate in a roundtable that Senator Scott hosted in February with Black founders and investors, and I am very pleased to see many of the insights raised at that event reflected in the legislation. I launched RareBreed in response to the lack of access to capital for founders of color and founders outside the major investment hubs of Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston. Current rules price out many accredited investors, especially those of color, from participating in investment funds. This limits capital to drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation, and restricts capital invested in founders of color. We know this because research has shown that Black-led funds are four times as likely to invest in a Black-led company. The EMSAA will provide accredited investors of color more opportunities to participate in venture capital at lower minimums, helping to reduce risk, better diversify investments, and create wealth in communities of color. As someone who has spent my entire career in venture capital as an advocate for reducing barriers and expanding participation, I applaud this legislation and look forward to supporting its passage any way I can,\u201d said McKeever \u201cMac\u201d Conwell, Managing Partner, RareBreed Ventures.\n\n\u201cEntrepreneurs don\u2019t need to be in Silicon Valley or Wall Street to deserve access to capital. To truly foster innovation and growth, we must meet entrepreneurs where they are\u2014whether in rural communities, urban centers, or underserved areas. The Empowering Main Street in America Act will help ensure entrepreneurs, regardless of location, have the financial resources they need to launch and grow their business, driving local economies and building stronger communities nationwide,\u201d said Herbert Drayton III, Managing Partner, HI Mark Capital.\n\n\u201cThis legislative solution tears down barriers and fuels economic growth from the ground up. It\u2019s about ensuring that every American has the opportunity to build a business, invest, and achieve financial security. The message from our roundtable was clear: strengthen our capital markets, foster entrepreneurship, make financial literacy a priority, and create pathways to prosperity for all,\u201d said Ryan Frazier, Managing Partner and CEO, Frazier Global.\n\nFor a section-by-section on the bill, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-details-plan-for-the-future-of-small-businesses-and-the-american-economy-at-punchbowl-event/", "Senator Scott Details Plan for the Future of Small Businesses and the American Economy at Punchbowl Event", "2024-09-24", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Punchbowl\u2019s Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman for a fireside chat detailing his plans to restore the nation\u2019s economy and increase economic freedom. Their discussion covered how to strengthen and develop the workforce, the future of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the success of Senator Scott\u2019s Opportunity Zones initiative, and more.\n\nClick here to watch the full discussion.\n\nExcerpts from Senator Scott\u2019s remarks can be found below:\n\nOn strengthening and developing the workforce\u2026\n\n\u201cIf you just start with the net effect of having a job: your life is better; your community gets better; your family is better. And [when] you look at what the hurdles are for business owners you say, \u2018I\u2019m going to take a calculated chance, not a risk, but a calculated chance on hiring someone without the skills to do the job well.\u2019 If we can lower the hurdles, i.e., the cost of hiring that person, then the more the more likely the employer is to bring more people into the workforce.\u201d\n\n\u201cIf we\u2019re going to help people get better jobs, [we have] to focus on our K through 12 education system. The truth of the matter is, the closest thing to magic in America is a good education. And unfortunately, today, communities [that are] the poorest communities, whether it\u2019s the inner city, like Chicago or a rural part of Iowa; those kids today are less educated than they need to be to meet the needs of our very, very diverse workforce. And so, what we need to do is make sure that we\u2019re focusing our attention on K through 12 education and providing parents with a choice [so] that the kid has a better chance to succeed.\u201d\n\nOn extending the TCJA tax incentives\u2026\n\n\u201cWhether you look at this proposal or, at least, his comments around exempting tips from taxation or overtime from taxation or Social Security from taxation; all these issues really calibrate our focus on everyday working Americans and looking for ways to make sure that we\u2019re taking in the consideration the folks who are struggling paycheck to paycheck and looking for ways to meet the moment.\u201d\n\nOn Opportunity Zones\u2026\n\n\u201cBut specifically, you create more working class jobs. And without doing that, you\u2019re actually going to starve the bottom of the food chain economically. Where I grew up in that, that\u2019s a terrible concept, because some of the most talented people that I know lived in neighborhoods that I lived in, but never had access to opportunity. And so focusing on how to bring opportunities back to those neighborhoods as we did through my Opportunity Zone legislation, is incredibly important.\u201d\n\n\u201c[My Opportunity Zone legislation] brought over $84 billion into the poorest communities; majority minority communities that have seen 8% wage growth, 60% increase in the property values. And about 70% of the people believe it was owning their own property, which means only less than a 5% gentrification rate. So, we were able to make people\u2019s lives better, make communities stronger, and attract more jobs for folks who can\u2019t really afford the transportation to get to them.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-scott-manchin-bipartisan-resolution-dedicating-september-2024-as-childhood-cancer-awareness-month/", "Senate Passes Scott, Manchin Bipartisan Resolution Dedicating September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month", "2024-09-23", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) applauded the Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to designate September 2024 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children past infancy; each year, more than 14,500 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer.\n\n\u201cCancer is tragically the most common cause of death by disease among children in America,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI am proud to work with my colleagues to dedicate September to raising awareness and honoring the bravery of children and their families who are affected by this devastating disease. Let this occasion be a reminder that there is so much more work to be done to help every kid have the happy, healthy childhood they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery September, we honor the children taken from us too soon, recognize the strides we have made in treatment and recovery, and recommit ourselves to fighting this disease. Every child deserves to have a chance at a full and healthy life,\u201d said Senator Manchin. \u201cI am proud to help raise awareness around childhood cancer and the lives it affects 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\u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleagues again in recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Since my Childhood Cancer STAR Act became law and was reauthorized last year, we have secured better outcomes for children fighting this terrible disease and grown our research capabilities, especially with institutions in West Virginia. I will continue to support initiatives that improve our understanding of childhood cancer, provide high-quality care for childhood cancer patients, and create better outcomes for survivors until we enter a world where cancer is a disease of the past,\u201d Senator Capito said.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply grateful to Senators Manchin and Scott for their continued support in designating September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. While we celebrate the progress that has been made in improving the survival rate for children diagnosed with cancer, there is still so much work to be done. Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children, and too many young lives are lost. This resolution reminds us of the urgent need to fund research and find cures so that every child has the chance to grow up cancer-free,\u201d the Alliance for Childhood Cancer said in a statement.\n\nSenators Scott and Manchin were joined on the resolution by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). The resolution is supported by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. To view the resolution, click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-rounds-slam-biden-harris-administrations-botched-rollout-of-fafsa/", "Scott, Rounds Slam Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Botched Rollout of FAFSA", "2024-09-20", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced a resolution slamming the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s botched rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 school year. The resolution condemns the problematic rollout, calls for the Department of Education (ED) to identify and fix any issues for this year and asks leaders to testify before congressional committees regarding the rollout.\n\nFAFSA historically has opened applications on October 1 of the year prior to the start of the academic school year. For the academic year of 2024-2025, the applications opened three months later in December. ED subsequently did not start sending FAFSA data to universities until March. Because of this delay, many students did not receive their financial aid awards until after May 1, 2024, the date that many institutions require students to commit to attending for the fall semester.\n\nFor the academic year of 2025-2026, ED has already announced that the applications will again be delayed until December of this year.\n\n\u201cHigher education has been a key in many Americans\u2019 path to their American Dream. Unfortunately, the futures of thousands of Americans are being delayed under the Biden-Harris administration as a result of their extreme policies,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cThe Biden-Harris administration\u2019s student loan giveaway has pushed FAFSA out of focus and added yet another obstacle for lower-income and minority students to reach their dreams. Unlocking access to a better future tends to start with access to education. I am glad to be on the front lines fighting for the interest of American students and families and taking the necessary steps to right the wrongs of this administration for next year.\u201d\n\n\u201cStudents and parents must be able to make an informed decision about where they\u2019re attending college before the decision deadline,\u201dsaid Senator Rounds. \u201cA big piece of this decision is considering how much college will cost them and knowing how much aid they\u2019ll get to help. It\u2019s unacceptable that the Department of Education\u2019s botched FAFSA rollout has hurt America\u2019s students and institutions of higher education. My colleagues and I strongly condemn this massive failure and call on the Department of Education to take necessary steps to fix the FAFSA for this next school year.\u201d\n\nSenators Scott and Rounds were joined on this resolution by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-booker-spearhead-legislation-to-increase-access-to-comprehensive-care-for-sickle-cell-patients/", "Sens. Scott, Booker Spearhead Legislation to Increase Access to Comprehensive Care for Sickle Cell Patients", "2024-09-20", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. The legislation would allow State Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive care to sickle cell disease (SCD) patients through a health home model. Health homes have been used by state Medicaid programs to provide coordinated care through a provider team model to patients with chronic conditions. Health home services include care management, care coordination, and patient-family support services.\n\n\u201cNearly 100,000 Americans have sickle cell disease\u2014many of whom are left without access to consistent care,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI am glad to work on this bipartisan legislation to help treat this disease that affects thousands of Americans from minority communities. Creating access to high-quality comprehensive care to avoid costly emergency room visits continues to be a top priority of mine for folks facing diseases like SCD.\u201d\n\nAccording to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), around 50% of people with sickle cell disease are on Medicaid. Due to limited access to care, many SCD patients have difficulty managing their symptoms which ultimately results in costly emergency department visits and worsened health outcomes. The senators\u2019 legislation directs CMS to establish a SCD Health Home to improve access to high-quality, outpatient care for Medicaid beneficiaries with SCD in states that submit a state plan amendment (SPA).\n\nThe text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-tim-and-rick-scott-introduce-legislation-to-bolster-security-for-presidential-nominees-following-trump-assassination-attempts/", "Sens. Tim and Rick Scott Introduce Legislation to Bolster Security for Presidential Nominees Following Trump Assassination Attempts", "2024-09-20", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) led 11 of their senate colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Presidents Act, which will enhance the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protection for presidential nominees to the same level currently provided to a sitting U.S. president.\n\n\u201cOver the past three months, we\u2019ve seen two assassination attempts on a presidential candidate; it is clear action needs to be taken,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cI am glad to join the efforts to beef up protections for presidential candidates at a time when reckless, inflammatory rhetoric is inciting acts of violence. This commonsense legislation needs to be taken up immediately.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the course of just 65 days, two deranged individuals have tried to kill President Donald Trump, and one was able to shoot him in the head. It is unthinkable that this could happen in America today, and it demands the immediate action of Congress. Today, I am leading 12 of my Republican colleagues to introduce the Protect Our Presidents Act which mandates that the USSS provide the same level of protective services to presidential nominees that it affords to sitting presidents. President Trump has great officers and agents working around the clock to keep him safe, but it\u2019s clear that the vile rhetoric on the left toward President Trump has made him a target and more resources are required to ensure the safety of him and his family. I urge Senate Democrats to join Republicans to quickly pass this bill that will support the protection of President Trump and all future presidential nominees,\u201d said Senator Rick Scott.\n\n\u201cThe past two assassination attempts on President Trump have been alarming. It is clear safeguards are needed to ensure presidential nominees are safe from violence. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill to provide additional protection to presidential nominees,\u201d said Senator Rubio.\n\n\u201cThe two attempts on President Trump\u2019s life and the failures of the U.S. Secret Service have put the threat of assassination at the forefront of Americans\u2019 concerns. With the Protect Our Presidents Act, will ensure American Presidents and presidential candidates receive the highest level of security. We cannot let our guard down,\u201d said Senator Risch.\n\n\u201cAfter two assassination attempts and very real threats directed at President Trump, it is long past time that all nominees receive the highest level of presidential protection. If we cannot keep all candidates safe, our entire system of government will be in peril. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to join Senator Rick Scott\u2019s effort to protect candidates for the highest office in the land,\u201d said Senator Budd.\n\nSenator Barrasso wrote, \u201cOur nation has witnessed two horrifying assassination attempts on President Trump. We were merely inches away from a catastrophic event that would have changed the course of our history. This cannot happen again. The Protect Our Presidents Act will ensure all presidential nominees receive the same level of protection provided to the president. This will give law enforcement the resources they need to keep President Trump and all of the candidates safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cIdeas we do not align with and policies we do not agree with are not threats to democracy. Allowing would-be assassins the opportunity to shoot a former president in the ear or to get within firing range to attempt to do so again within the span of just a few short weeks is. President Trump should have the same level of protective service he had while President, and so should all future presidential nominees from any party. This should not be political,\u201d said Senator Crapo.\n\n\u201cIn two months, there have been two unprecedented assassination attempts on President Trump\u2019s life. Enough is enough, the current level of Secret Service protection around President Trump is insufficient. It is clear to every American that the threats to President Trump have reached a level that warrants additional security. That\u2019s why we are demanding that President Trump receive the same amount of security resources as the President and Vice President,\u201d said Senator Marshall.\n\n\u201cThe two confirmed assassination attempts against former President Trump have made it abundantly clear that we need to shore up protection details for presidential candidates. What President Trump and his family have gone through in the last 65 days is unimaginable. No presidential candidate should fear for their safety or the wellbeing of their family. I am partnering with Senator Rick Scott to ensure President Trump and all future presidential nominees have the protection they need so they can focus on promoting their respective platforms, not fearing for their safety,\u201d said Senator Lummis.\n\nSenators Tim Scott and Rick Scott are joined in introducing the legislation by Senators Roger Marshall, Jim Risch, James Lankford, Marco Rubio, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Mike Crapo, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Cruz, and Mike Braun.\n\nSpecifically, the Protect Our Presidents Act would:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-statement-on-state-department-mishandling-iran-envoys-clearance/", "Sen. Scott Statement on State Department Mishandling Iran Envoy\u2019s Clearance", "2024-09-19", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to the revelations that the Biden-Harris administration mismanaged the security clearance of former U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley:\n\n\u201cThis report proves what we already knew\u2014that the Biden-Harris State Department grossly mismanaged the suspension of Mr. Malley\u2019s security clearance. The fact that his clearance was suspended, and he was still able to participate in even one classified conversation on one of our greatest adversaries is an unbelievable breach in security. This report raises more questions than answers. Congress and the American people still deserve to know why Mr. Malley\u2019s clearance was suspended in the first place and why the administration refused to promptly notify the appropriate parties.\u201d\n\nLast year, Senator Scott partnered with Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) to introduce legislation requiring the Secretary of State to notify Congress when the security clearances of senior members of the Department of State are suspended or revoked. Similar language was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. The bill\u2019s intent is to prevent another security lapse like the one that occurred with the most-recent U.S. Special Envoy for Iran.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B9010983-1283-488D-AFEE-DF9F01FE8098", "Graham, Rubio, Senators Condemn Palestinian Effort Targeting Israel at UN", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "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), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and 28 of their Republican colleagues issued a joint statement in response to the Palestinian Mission to the United Nations (UN) submitting a disgraceful and flagrant resolution targeting the Jewish State of Israel and its rightful control over its historic homeland. This resolution was submitted ahead of the UN General Assembly.\n\nThe Senators wrote, \u201cThis proposal introduced by the Palestinian delegation, ahead of the United Nations\u2019 General Assembly, is an absolute disgrace that rewards terrorism. It is a clear insult to the Jewish people and anyone who understands history.\u201d\n\nThe Senators continued, \u201cAs we approach the one-year anniversary of the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas and affiliated Palestinian terrorist groups against innocent Israeli civilians, which involved murder, mutilation, and sexual violence, the international community must unequivocally unite against this evil, one-sided effort to delegitimize Israel. Instead of proposing biased and counter-productive initiatives, which will do nothing to advance a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the international community must focus its energy and resources on ensuring Hamas and other terrorist groups are completely destroyed. We must remain firm to ensure every single hostage held by these terrorists is safely returned to their loved ones.\u201d\n\nIn addition to Graham and Rubio, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Dan Sullivan (R-Arkansas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), John Kennedy (R- Louisiana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Kevin Cramer (R- North Dakota), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Katie Boyd Britt (R-Alabama).\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-receives-award-from-south-carolina-association-of-counties/", "Senator Tim Scott Receives Award From South Carolina Association of Counties", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "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", "CHARLESTON, SC \u2014 This week, at a special event held on Daniel Island, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) was presented with the 2024 David K. Summers Jr. President\u2019s Cup by South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC) Immediate Past President Roy Costner. The prestigious award ceremony highlighted Sen. Scott\u2019s remarkable contributions to public service and his relentless commitment to county government.\n\nU.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and SCAC Immediate Past President Roy Costner", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-cruz-and-colleagues-call-on-garland-mayorkas-to-eliminate-illegal-alien-parole-program-mired-in-fraud-and-abuse/", "Scott, Cruz, and Colleagues Call on Garland, Mayorkas to Eliminate Illegal Alien Parole Program Mired in Fraud and Abuse", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling on them to end a parole program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan aliens (\u201cCHNV\u201d), due to reports of widespread fraud and abuse, and because the program violates federal law.\n\nThe letter identifies that the Biden-Harris CHNV program clearly violates the law and lists other the catastrophic failures of the program, including incentivizing illegal immigration, importing gang members and other dangerous criminals into the country, and evidence that tens of thousands of aliens were admitted pursuant to fraudulent applications. The Senators called for immediate termination of the CHNV Parole Program, enhanced border security and immigration enforcement, a comprehensive investigation of the failures associated with the program, and restoration of congressional oversight.\n\nSenators Scott and Cruz were joined on the letter by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.).\n\nThe senators wrote, \u201cWe write to you with urgent and serious concerns regarding the Cuba-Haiti-Nicaragua-Venezuela (CHNV) Parole Program, recently administered by the Biden-Harris administration. Between January 2023 and July 2024, this program facilitated the entry of approximately 520,000 illegal aliens via commercial air travel. Eighty percent landed in Florida. Houston, Dallas, and Austin, Texas, were also among the top destinations for these aliens, accounting for 10,350 arrivals during the program\u2019s first eight months. This program was intended to provide a pathway, not authorized by Congress, for unauthorized individuals from these four nations to enter our country. However, a new internal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) report obtained by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) reveals severe and systemic flaws that jeopardize our national security and public safety.\u201c\n\n\u201cIn response to mounting evidence and growing criticism, the Biden administration decided to temporarily halt the CHNV Parole Program in mid-July \u201cout of an abundance of caution\u201d so it could undertake a review of supporter applications. After less than six weeks of pause, the Department of Homeland Security recently restarted the program, which now requires those who wish to sponsor illegal aliens to submit fingerprints for the vetting process. Officials announced plans to more closely review the financial and criminal records of would-be sponsors, and increase scrutiny of repeat sponsors,\u201d the senators continued.\n\n\u201cThese stop-gap marginal improvements and platitudes to improve the program do not solve the fundamental fraud, failure, and illegality of the CHNV program. This fundamentally-flawed program must be permanently dismantled, and steps must be taken to ensure that future immigration policies are both lawful and effective.\n\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s security and the safety of our citizens demand that we act decisively to address these critical issues. We must restore confidence in our immigration policies and ensure that our systems are both secure and effective,\u201d stated the senators. Read the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-introduces-comprehensive-housing-legislation/", "Scott Introduces Comprehensive Housing Legislation", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced the ROAD to Housing Act, comprehensive legislation to reverse decades of failed housing policies and make targeted reforms across all segments of the U.S. housing market. Senator Scott has made access to quality, affordable housing a top priority during his time in Congress. This legislation is the result of negotiations with stakeholders and follows feedback on the Senator\u2019s legislative framework, discussion draft, and multiple full committee hearings on legislative solutions to challenges in housing.\n\nRepublicans on the Senate Banking Committee, including Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), joined the Senator on the legislation.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m the son of a single mother \u2013 growing up, we lived with family until we were able to rent a small place of our own. I know firsthand the importance of access to quality, affordable housing. Unfortunately, Democrats\u2019 solution for years has been to spend trillions on programs that have yielded little results, especially for minorities as homeownership rates for African Americans have barely changed in over 50 years,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cCosts to buy a home and to rent continue to increase, and homelessness is at record levels. It\u2019s past time for Congress to take serious action to reverse decades of failed housing policies and put all Americans on the road to housing.\u201d\n\n\u201cHomes are the foundation for economic success, family stability and community cohesiveness. Unfortunately, lack of affordable housing is routinely the number one concern I hear from Idahoans in my meetings throughout the state. We must reform inefficient segments of U.S. housing availability across all markets to make the American dream of homeownership attainable for as many Americans as possible,\u201d said Senator Crapo.\n\n\u201cFinding housing that is affordable remains a challenge for homebuyers and renters across the country. In South Dakota, median home prices continue to rise and with the high interest rates needed to fight inflation, achieving the American dream of homeownership is extremely difficult. In order to bring prices down and get more Americans into homes, we must start to cut red tape, remove barriers to opportunity and prioritize accountability of Federal bureaucrats. The ROAD to Housing Act will help accomplish that,\u201d said Senator Rounds.\n\n\u201cUnder the Biden-Harris Administration, reckless spending and excessive regulations have driven housing affordability to its lowest in decades, devastating American families in the process,\u201d said Senator Hagerty. \u201cAs opposed to the Harris proposal to stimulate demand for housing, this legislation marks a first step toward curbing government overreach and expanding the housing supply.\u201d\n\n\u201cMany people in Wyoming struggle to find affordable housing, and it is past time for Congress to address the housing shortage in a fiscally responsible way,\u201d said Senator Lummis. \u201cThat includes eliminating red tape and holding agencies responsible while making room for innovation. I am joining my friend and colleague Senator Tim Scott in introducing the ROAD to Housing Act to cut red tape which will increase the housing supply.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere is no doubt our nation faces an affordable housing crisis, and for many hardworking individuals and families, the American Dream of home ownership is completely out of reach. The ROAD to Housing Act is a comprehensive solution that would take a targeted approach to remove unnecessary red tape to lower the cost of housing, while expanding access to important resources like housing counseling and financial literacy programs. I\u2019m pleased to join my Senate Banking colleagues in supporting Ranking Member Scott\u2019s legislation to empower more Americans and Alabamians with the opportunity to own a home,\u201d said Senator Britt.\n\n\u201cOver the last four years, housing has become unaffordable for families across North Dakota and the country, leaving many struggling to find a quality place to live,\u201d said Senator Cramer. \u201cIt\u2019s time to prioritize solutions over rhetoric to help communities throughout the nation, so I joined Senator Scott in introducing the ROAD to Housing Act to provide targeted solutions for renters, homeowners, and the homeless.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur ROAD to Housing Act will provide much-needed relief across the housing market at a time when Montanans are struggling under the Biden administration\u2019s record inflation and high interest rates. This is a step in the right direction to help Montana families find safe and affordable places to live, work and raise a family,\u201d said Senator Daines.\n\nKEY PILLARS OF THE ROAD TO HOUSING ACT:\n\nThe Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act takes a comprehensive view of federal housing policy, introducing long-needed reforms across all segments of the U.S. housing market, centering support around families and communities. For too long, scattershot approaches to assist renters, homeowners, and the homeless have failed to produce meaningful results. The ROAD to Housing Act will pave the way to increasing housing supply, improving quality of life for families, and importantly, providing economic opportunity in communities across the nation.\n\nSAFETY AND SOUNDNESS:\n\nThe American Dream isn\u2019t realized when a family purchases its first home \u2013 the American Dream is realized each day that a family grows in its home, helping to build stable economic foundations and communities. Families deserve reliable access to a responsibly regulated housing market. Our federal housing programs require greater oversight from Congress to ensure that they are operating in a safe and sound manner. The ROAD to Housing Act aims to ensure the households who utilize federal housing programs have greater access to tools which enhance financial literacy and improve economic opportunity.\n\nENCOURAGING COMPETITION AND INNOVATION:\n\nHousing policy is inherently local, and federal legislators should encourage local solutions to local problems. One-size-fits-all mandates on housing providers reduce consumer choice, increase costs, and restrict private market competition. The ROAD to Housing Act intends to encourage responsible innovation and allow for new approaches to ensure that communities, whether rural or urban, can meet the housing needs of their residents.\n\nPROVIDING HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND COMBATTING HOMELESSNESS:\n\nToo often, families struggling for help find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty. While HUD provides some assistance, federally subsidized properties have historically concentrated poverty and limited the economic mobility of residents. Homeless assistance programs have similarly failed to deliver the results we need, with the total number of homeless individuals at the highest levels ever recorded.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-kaine-rubio-coons-introduce-legislation-to-bolster-u-s-strategic-engagement-in-the-indian-ocean-region/", "Scott, Kaine, Rubio, Coons Introduce Legislation to Bolster U.S. Strategic Engagement in the Indian Ocean Region", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.), members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, introduced the Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act. This legislation aims to advance our diplomatic, economic, and security interests in the critically important Indian Ocean region by requiring a multi-year strategy and implementation plan for U.S. engagement with regional partners and allies.\n\n\u201cThe Indian Ocean region spans three continents and 35 countries, and is critical for global commerce and U.S. economic security,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cTo compete with an increasingly aggressive China and ensure freedom of navigation, we must have a comprehensive approach to this dynamic region. That\u2019s why I am proud to partner with my colleagues in introducing this forward-looking legislation to ensure that the complexities and significance of the Indian Ocean region are not overlooked within our broader Indo-Pacific strategy.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe People\u2019s Republic of China is moving aggressively to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean region, and the United States needs to respond smartly and strategically,\u201d said Senator Kaine. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m introducing bipartisan legislation to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen U.S. leadership and engagement, as well as cooperation among our partners, in the Indian Ocean region. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, I will continue to look for opportunities to counter China\u2019s growing global footprint by strengthening America\u2019s alliances and relationships in the Indo-Pacific.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s crucial for America to work alongside our allies and partners who are facing increasing threats from Beijing\u2019s aggression in the Indo-Pacific,\u201d said Senator Rubio. \u201cWe must ensure both our national security interests and our values, as well as those of our allies, are upheld and defended.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States has expanded our diplomatic presence and strengthened our alliances in the Indo-Pacific, and we should continue to build on this success,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cChina is acting in the region with unrestrained aggression towards its adversaries and neighbors. This region is vital to global trade and innovation, and the United States must work with our partners in the region to deter China\u2019s aggression towards its neighbors and ensure their actions do not endanger our shared security or prosperity. I am proud to help lead the Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act to advance our interests in the Indo-Pacific and demonstrate our commitment to the region.\u201d\n\nThe Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act would require coordination across the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure a cohesive approach to engagement in the Indian Ocean region. Specifically, the legislation states that it is U.S. policy to:\n\nStrengthen diplomatic relations with allies and partners through bilateral engagement and active participation in regional organizations.\n\nFoster greater security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region by building upon existing agreements with strategic partners, like India.\n\nEnhance economic connectivity and commercial exchange between the United States and Indian Ocean region countries.\n\nCooperate with partners and allies to maintain freedom of navigation within the international waters of the Indian Ocean region.\n\nEnhance the ability of regional governments and NGOs to respond, prepare, and mitigate environmental disasters.\n\nThe legislation would also provide a more comprehensive definition of the \u201cIndian Ocean region\u201d for the purposes of U.S. strategic planning, encompassing the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and the littoral areas surrounding the Indian Ocean, including the East Coast of Africa.\n\nThe full text of the Indian Ocean Region Strategic Review Act is available here.\n\nThe U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended the creation of a comprehensive strategy for U.S. engagement in the Indian Ocean region in their 2022 annual report. Congressmen Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-praises-law-enforcement-calls-for-innovation-education-to-protect-consumers-from-fraud-and-scams/", "Sen. Scott Praises Law Enforcement, Calls for Innovation, Education to Protect Consumers from Fraud and Scams", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 At today\u2019s U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing on consumer fraud and scams, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the committee\u2019s top Republican, praised law enforcement for their tireless efforts to combat financial crime and protect Americans in communities across the country. Senator Scott also acknowledged state financial regulators and financial institutions\u2019 work to educate consumers against different types of scams.\n\nSenator Scott thanked Carri Grube Lybarker, Administrator of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, for testifying and providing her expertise on how we can adapt and innovate to improve our technology, education, and other approaches to stopping these crimes.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s opening remarks as delivered:\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for being here today\u2013all the witnesses.\n\nFirst and foremost, I want to start today by thanking our law enforcement partners at the state and the federal level.\n\nEvery day, our law enforcement members work tirelessly to combat crime\u2014including financial crime \u2013 and to protect and defend victims in every community around the country.\n\nAnd that\u2019s exactly what the \u201cfrauds\u201d and \u201cscams\u201d are. They are crimes, and the criminals who commit these crimes should be punished accordingly.\n\nI also want to acknowledge our regulators, both at the state and the federal level, as well as our financial institutions and companies that work tirelessly to combat and prevent criminal actors from taking advantage of hardworking Americans.\n\nThis includes their critical work educating consumers on the warning signs of popular frauds and scams.\n\nThe first step to stopping fraud is ensuring people are equipped with the tools to recognize the very fraud that so many of us fall victim to.\n\nCriminals are inherently looking to benefit themselves without regard for the wellbeing of others\u2014and certainly without respect of the law.\n\nAnd, unfortunately, criminals often prey on our most vulnerable, which of course would be our seniors.\n\nUnfortunately, it seems almost daily that I hear a horrible story of a hardworking Americans who worked their entire lives forced to come out of retirement after having their savings wiped out by the scams.\n\nMy time as the Ranking Member of the Aging Committee allowed me to learn a great deal more about these types of crimes.\n\nIn particular, the severe detriment they have on our nation\u2019s seniors.\n\nThat is why I advocated to holding hearings directly focusing on these types of fraud and issued an annual \u201cFraud Book\u201d to bring about more awareness of these scams.\n\nToday, I look forward to hearing from the panel of witnesses in front of us today so that we can understand the new and emerging solutions to this epidemic.\n\nAnd it is my hope that this will not simply turn into a blame game of who\u2019s responsible\u2013 whether it\u2019s financial industries whether it\u2019s the scammers. We need all hands on deck to solve the problem that we face today and to help protect more Americans from the challenges that they have once their savings are gone.\n\nI believe, frankly, that part of the solution starts with education.\n\nAnd through my time in Congress, I\u2019ve continued to promote financial education and financial literacy, because those as my top priorities allows us to address the very challenges that so many Americans face.\n\nIf we can help more Americans access financial education, we can help them have the tools to both protect themselves, as well as achieve financial freedom.\n\nThis is why I am so pleased to have Carri Grube Lybarker with us today. She\u2019s the Administrator of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs before us today and she will share her perspective and some of the things you\u2019ve been doing to help combat these challenges.\n\nI love this \u201cditch the pitch.\u201d Sometimes the fewer words you use the more you actually say \u2013 the more effective you are at communicating. And I will say in a world that is unfortunately moving at a faster pace, the longer we have to listen sometimes the less we actually absorb. And so, \u201cditch the pitch\u201d gives us at home in South Carolina an opportunity to learn ways to reduce the impact of scams and frankly, to detect them quickly, and perhaps avoid them all together.\n\nOur nation\u2019s seniors are not the only ones affected by these crimes, and these criminals are looking for new targets every single day.\n\nCriminals are unfortunately smart and agile.\n\nJust like we are working to use new technologies to drive efficiencies and choice\u2014criminals are using new technologies to pad their own pockets at someone else\u2019s expense.\n\nThat\u2019s why we must adapt and continually work to innovate. We must also work to educate and combat criminals using these same technologies for ill gain.\n\nAnd let\u2019s not forget what we heard in February when this committee examined check fraud, old technologies are also being used to exploit in an increasing frequent manner.\n\nI\u2019ll close like I started.\n\nI am grateful for the work our law enforcement, our regulators, and our financial institutions \u2013 what they\u2019re doing together to combat and prevent financial crime.\n\nAnd I am really proud of a lot of the good work being done to better educate people of all ages on the frauds and scams they face.\n\nToday, I hope we hear other ideas on how we can improve our technology, education, and other approaches to stopping these crimes\u2014all the while making sure we are not incentivizing new, or additional, criminal acts.\n\nThank you.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=484DA444-08F9-4B16-BB7A-5266845B492F", "Graham, Blumenthal Introduce Stand With Ukraine Act", "2024-09-11", "2024", "2024-09", "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) were joined by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania-01), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio-09), Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina-02) and Mike Quigley (D-Illinois-05) in introducing a bill to endorse the ten-year bilateral security agreement between the United States and Ukraine and affirm the United States\u2019 commitment to the freedom and security of Ukraine, called the Stand With Ukraine Act.\n\n\u201cThis legislation supports Ukraine in a variety of ways, sending a clear signal to brave Ukrainian fighters that we stand with them. It also states plainly that we will not give in to Russian aggression,\u201d said Graham. \u201cI was glad to work with Senator Blumenthal on this legislation and I appreciate my colleagues Representatives Fitzpatrick, Kaptur, Wilson and Quigley for leading this effort in the House.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re sending a message to the world that the United States will stand with Ukraine\u2014that their fight is our fight, and both their freedom and ours are at stake. After my sixth visit to Kyiv and Ukraine\u2019s Kursk invasion, I\u2019m convinced more than ever that we must solidify a strategic partnership with Ukraine and provide Congressional approval of the bilateral security agreement,\u201d said Blumenthal. \u201cBipartisan support for Ukraine is critical to building on its military successes and maintaining momentum in the fight against Putin\u2019s murderous invasion. The Stand With Ukraine Act gives Ukraine access to the weapons needed to defend itself against Russian atrocities and savagery and solidifies a strategic partnership that will have tremendous economic benefits to the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe policy of the United States toward Ukraine must be clear and firm: we will always stand with our friend and ally as they fight against Putin\u2019s unprovoked assault on Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty and liberty,\u201d said Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Ukraine Caucus. \u201cThe bipartisan Stand with Ukraine Act will further bolster the security, diplomatic, and economic partnerships the United States already has with Ukraine. Equally important, this legislation lays out a bold path for peace, stability, and reconstruction in Ukraine. I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support, and I strongly encourage every Member of Congress to join us in advancing this critical national security mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy invading Ukraine, the tyrant Vladimir Putin intended to steal Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty and the Liberty of the Ukrainian people. Through the bravery of the Ukrainian people and American leadership, Russia\u2019s illegal war has had the opposite effect,\u201d said Kaptur. \u201cUkraine has stood strong and NATO has never been more united. The Stand with Ukraine Act ensures that America\u2019s commitment to our bilateral security partnership with the democratic state of Ukraine is iron clad. Through our collaboration with the Ukrainian people we ensure that our two nations send a clear message to Putin that we will remain unrelenting in our defense of Liberty and the freedom of the Ukrainian and her people.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nBlumenthal and Graham recently returned from their sixth visit to Ukraine, where they met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other national and military leaders.\n\nThe Stand with Ukraine Act treats Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally, providing expanded defense article transfers and security cooperation without any new security commitments.\n\nThe legislation also creates a framework to provide consistent support for Ukraine\u2019s security capabilities, including prioritizing excess defense article transfers to Ukraine and reauthorizing the Ukraine Democracy Lend-Lease Program.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-rubio-durbin-and-colleagues-reaffirm-call-for-the-immediate-release-of-dr-gulshan-abbas/", "Scott, Rubio, Durbin, and Colleagues Reaffirm Call for the Immediate Release of Dr. Gulshan Abbas", "2024-09-10", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, joined Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and colleagues in issuing the following joint statement ahead of the six-year anniversary of Dr. Gulshan Abbas\u2019 unjust imprisonment:\n\n\u201cDr. Gulshan Abbas has suffered more than six years of cruel and unjust imprisonment at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party solely because of the tireless political advocacy led by her sister, who is a U.S. citizen. Leaders and human rights organizations worldwide have repeatedly called for her release. No human being should be jailed by a foreign government for the perceived crimes of a family member. We reaffirm the call for the immediate release of Dr. Abbas.\u201d\n\nSenators Scott, Rubio, and Durbin were joined by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Congressmen Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-statement-on-death-of-hersh-goldberg-polin/", "Sen. Scott Statement on Death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin", "2024-09-01", "2024", "2024-09", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to the killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin by Hamas terrorists:\n\n\u201cMy heart breaks for Hersh and his family, who never gave up hope and worked tirelessly to bring him home safely. May God bless their family and may his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved Hersh.\n\n\u201cThis should be yet another reminder to the entire world of the extraordinary evil Hamas terrorists commit on a routine basis.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-calls-for-support-of-israel-amid-iran-backed-terrorism/", "Sen. Scott Calls for Support of Israel Amid Iran-backed Terrorism", "2024-08-25", "2024", "2024-08", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on Iran-backed terrorism:\n\n\u201cIran has made it clear: they intend to wipe Israel off of the map. We have to take them at their word. Now more than ever, we need to restore deterrence and stand side-by-side with Israel.\n\n\u201cIsrael has a right to defend herself and we should not stand in the way. Iran, their proxies, and other global aggressors will continue on a path of destruction unless we stand strong with our global partners.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8D5D6150-CFBC-49A3-9031-DA1C05E74545", "Graham on Visit to Norway", "2024-08-16", "2024", "2024-08", "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 following his visit to Norway. Senator Graham met with Norwegian Minister of Defense Bj\u00f8rn Arild Gram and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide in Oslo, Norway.\n\n\u201cI had a very productive visit to our great ally, Norway. I spent time with the Norwegian Special Operations Command and was very impressed with their skill and dedication to duty. I enjoyed my meetings with Defense Minister Gram and Foreign Minister Eide, where we agreed that continued support for Ukraine is in our mutual interest.\n\n\u201cNorway is a great example of what a NATO partner should be like. They are committed to exceeding their two percent GDP contribution and marching towards three percent. They are also investing in high-end military capabilities to provide maximum deterrence.\n\n\u201cIn addition, Norway has provided significant assistance to Ukraine, particularly with their maritime power. Norway possesses top-of-the-line fighter aircraft and is a very adept naval presence in Russia\u2019s backyard.\n\n\u201cNorway, Finland and Sweden are now all NATO members that live in the shadow of Russia and provide credible deterrence against Putin\u2019s aggression, which makes America safer. I look forward to building on the United States\u2019 relationship with Norway.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-fall-of-kabul/", "Sen. Scott Statement on Third Anniversary of Fall of Kabul", "2024-08-15", "2024", "2024-08", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul, which marked the start of a two-week series of events that led to the tragic loss of 13 U.S. servicemembers and the Taliban\u2019s control of Afghanistan:\n\n\u201cThe United States\u2019 hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan was a strategic and operational disaster that led to the heartbreaking loss of 13 U.S. servicemembers and erased decades of progress that was hard-won by countless brave Americans, Afghans, and other partners. Three years ago, the world witnessed President Biden and Vice President Harris\u2019 catastrophic handling of a crisis\u2014a failure that has not only weakened our global standing and tarnished our nation\u2019s credibility, but emboldened our adversaries. Their failed leadership must serve as a stark warning and never be repeated.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=186FC460-AE8E-44D4-87A3-7520878B7E15", "Graham on Visit to Finland", "2024-08-14", "2024", "2024-08", "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 on meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Defense Minister Antti H\u00e4kk\u00e4nen, and President Alexander Stubb in Finland.\n\n\u201cI had very productive meetings with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Defense Minister Antti H\u00e4kk\u00e4nen, and President Alexander Stubb regarding Finland\u2019s role in NATO and future collaborations that will be mutually beneficial to both of our nations.\n\n\u201cPresident Stubb is also a Furman University graduate who played on the golf team. What more could you want in an ally?\n\n\u201cAs one of the newest members of NATO, Finland brings a lot to the table. Finland is one of the most forward-leaning countries on AI and quantum computing research and development, and they have some of the largest shipyards in the world. The future of our economy and warfare itself will be determined by AI development, and Finland is way ahead of the game. There is no doubt their membership to NATO further strengthens the alliance.\n\n\u201cThe United States and our NATO allies need to build bigger naval forces to provide the deterrence that has been lost throughout the world, and in collaboration with Finland, we will greatly accelerate that endeavor.\n\n\u201cWe are truly lucky to have Finland as a new NATO member, and I look forward to this relationship growing.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DB12ABDA-0E2C-4CD8-A5C2-D38B10837851", "Graham, Blumenthal Statement on Visit to Ukraine", "2024-08-12", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) issued this statement following their visit to Ukraine. The senators met with United States and Ukraine government officials today, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.\n\n\u201cAfter our sixth visit to Kyiv, we are more hopeful than ever that the tide of war has turned against Putin and his cronies. Ukraine\u2019s decision to go on the offensive in the Kursk region of Russia was bold and brilliant.\n\n\u201cBipartisan support for Ukraine is critical to American interests, and we will do whatever we can in 2024 to build on these successes and secure additional future military aid necessary to maintain the momentum.\n\n\u201cWe urge NATO to issue an invitation this year to Ukraine for membership, making real what has been described as inevitable.\n\n\u201cPresident Zelensky was excited about and was committed to obtaining a strategic agreement with the U.S. regarding the more than a trillion dollars-worth of rare earth minerals owned by Ukraine and expressed a commitment to create a working group with the U.S. to make this happen.\n\n\u201cExpanding economic cooperation with Ukraine makes America stronger and accelerates Ukraine\u2019s economic recovery. Ukraine is blessed with significant lithium, titanium, and other rare earth minerals that are needed by the American economy. An agreement with Ukraine in this area would make the U.S. less dependent on foreign adversaries for rare earth minerals.\n\n\u201cIn addition, we will introduce the Stand With Ukraine Act, led by Senator Blumenthal, when the Senate reconvenes in September. This bipartisan piece of legislation will codify the bilateral security agreement reached by the Biden Administration and Zelensky\u2019s government this past July. We believe this will send an important signal to the world and show that the United States continues to stand with Ukraine.\n\n\u201cAfter listening to President Zelensky, we urge the Biden Administration to lift restrictions on weapons provided by the United States so they can strike the Russian invaders more effectively.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, President Zelensky told us both that he would be looking to supplement his Air Force by establishing a program to enlist retired NATO F-16 fighter pilots. We support this effort. Ukraine is already fielding units of freedom fighters on the ground, and this volunteer force should be replicated in the air.\n\n\u201cNow is the time to form a strategic partnership with Ukraine that can have tremendous economic benefits to the United States and lead to stability in Europe. Ukraine has demonstrated it has a genuine desire to join the democratic family of nations. We must not abandon them in their hour of need. We should accelerate the gains that have been achieved through dogged determination and courage.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B43ACAFA-38CC-45C9-BA48-38F923DBA41A", "ICYMI: Three Ways to Confront Iran", "2024-08-06", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "Three Ways to Confront Iran\n\nBy Senator Lindsey Graham\n\nThe Wall Street Journal\n\nAugust 5, 2024\n\nhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/three-ways-to-confront-iran-sanctions-tariffs-oil-gas-hezbollah-terrorism-nuclear-weapons-0007754d?mod=commentary_article_pos3\n\nIran and its proxies have intensified their attacks on Israel and on U.S. interests in the Middle East, beginning with Hamas\u2019s barbaric incursion of Oct. 7. Much of the blame belongs to the Biden-Harris administration for deciding not to enforce sanctions against Tehran. When President Trump left office, Iran was exporting 300,000 barrels of oil a day. By October 2023, that figure was up to 1.4 million barrels a day. That generates money to fund Iran\u2019s top export: terrorism.\n\nFor too long, the U.S. has at best played defense when it comes to Iran. It\u2019s time to go on offense. To that end, I have introduced a series of bills:\n\nI call my first proposal the terrorism tariff. If a nation buys oil or gas from Iran, the U.S. would levy a tariff on all imports from that country. By buying cheap Iranian oil, China, India and others are enriching the ayatollahs, cheating the market, and blatantly violating sanctions. My proposal would make these countries choose between cheap Iranian oil and normal business with the U.S. This idea originated after many discussions with Mr. Trump, who has used tariffs with great effect to change bad behavior.\n\nThe second proposal is a resolution declaring that any Hezbollah attack on Israel is an Iranian attack on Israel. This was the position President John F. Kennedy took in the Cuban Missile Crisis\u2014any attack emanating from Cuba would be considered an attack by the Soviet Union on the U.S.\n\nHezbollah is getting more provocative, and the U.S. and Israel need to recognize that the problem doesn\u2019t begin in Lebanon. Iranian oil refineries should be on the target list if Hezbollah or other Iranian proxies continue to attack Israel. If Iran\u2019s rulers believe we are serious about destroying or diminishing their capability to refine oil, their behavior will change.\n\nMy third proposal lays out definitive red lines for Iran\u2019s nuclear program. If Iran crosses these lines, the U.S. would be authorized to use military force against Iran. Iran\u2019s pursuit of nuclear weapons is its most potent threat. The ayatollahs continue to deny it, but when they chant \u201cdeath to Israel\u201d and \u201cdeath to America,\u201d they mean it\u2014and we should take them seriously.\n\nSecretary of State Antony Blinken said recently that Iran has narrowed its nuclear breakout time\u2014how long it would take to produce enough weapons-grade uranium to make a bomb\u2014to a week or two. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence published an assessment that found \u201cIran continues to increase the size of its uranium stockpile, increase its enrichment capacity, and develop, manufacture, and operate advanced centrifuges. Tehran has the infrastructure and experience to quickly produce weapons-grade uranium at multiple facilities, if it chooses to do so.\u201d I encourage every American to read that report, and I urge my congressional colleagues to read the classified version. It will put this threat into chilling perspective.\n\nUnder my proposal, if it is determined that Iran holds uranium enriched to weapons-grade level, possesses a nuclear warhead, or has obtained a delivery vehicle capable of carrying a nuclear warhead that threatens the national security interests of the U.S., then the president would be authorized to take military action.\n\nIt is hard to imagine a worse disaster for the world than if the ayatollahs acquire nuclear capability. It would throw the Middle East into a nuclear arms race and put us all on the road to Armageddon.\n\nUntil the Iranians understand what they can\u2019t do, they will continue to sow chaos. We must define red lines for Iran and enforce them.\n\nThe only thing the Iranian regime will respect is strength. The Biden-Harris administration has been profoundly weak, and its posture toward Iran has been a catastrophic failure. Israel isn\u2019t alone in paying the price.\n\nWe live in dangerous times. The best way to prevent further bloodshed and upheaval in the Middle East and protect America is to stand up to the Iranian regime. Together, these three legislative proposals will send an unambiguous message to Iran that the old way of doing business is over.\n\nMr. Graham, a Republican, is a U.S. senator from South Carolina.\n\nAppeared in the August 6, 2024, print edition as 'Three Ways to Confront Iran'.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E1BC8CD1-1B67-4B9F-BCC3-3DFCE2933EE9", "Graham Attends Ceremony Celebrating $175 Million in Federal Funding to Replace Bridges on I-95 Over Lake Marion", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "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 attended the award ceremony in Summerton, South Carolina celebrating the $175 million federal grant to replace four bridges on I-95 over Lake Marion. This award is one of the largest federal discretionary grant awards ever received by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).\n\nSenator Graham and Congressman James Clyburn (D-South Carolina-06) led the South Carolina Congressional Delegation in securing funding for the project. In November, Governor Henry McMaster sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation supporting the delegation\u2019s efforts.\n\n\u201cI am very pleased and grateful that after working with Congressman Clyburn, Governor McMaster and other state and local officials, we were able to secure a $175 million federal grant to build new bridges on I-95 over Lake Marion. The current bridge infrastructure needs to be replaced. The surrounding community is growing as one of the premier destinations for sportfishing, and the bridges will enhance economic opportunity across South Carolina.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Department of Transportation made this award based on merit, and it shows what can happen when officials from South Carolina at the state, federal and local level work together to tell our story. This will be transformative and create new opportunities for Santee, Summerton, and the entire state.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-cotton-46-senate-gop-colleagues-to-biden-harris-admin-delaying-weapons-to-israel-undermines-our-ally-accommodates-iran/", "Scott, Cotton, 46 Senate GOP Colleagues to Biden-Harris Admin: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) today led nearly all of their Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden-Harris administration, protesting its partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing the lives of American servicemembers, and to deliver the necessary weapons systems to Israel.\n\nAlso co-leading the letter were Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).\n\nAdditional signatories included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cWhen Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here.\n\nIn the 118th Congress, Senator Scott has been a leader in pushing for a tougher U.S. posture toward Iran and its proxies and unequivocally supporting our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel, by:\n\nChampioning legislation to ensure congressional oversight of any proposed changes to arms sales to Israel;\n\nIntroducing a resolution that condemns any action by the Biden administration to withhold or restrict weapons for Israel;\n\nDemanding that President Biden strongly oppose the International Criminal Court\u2019s (ICC) efforts to politically target Israel and introducing a bill to sanction the ICC for such action;\n\nIntroducing a resolution reiterating Israel\u2019s right to self-defense and condemning certain statements from U.S. lawmakers that interfere in Israel\u2019s sovereign electoral process;\n\nLeading several efforts calling on the Biden administration to censure Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following a report showing Iran\u2019s nuclear enrichment activity tripled by the end of last year;\n\nChampioning S. Res. 417, a resolution expressing solidarity with Israel in the wake of the October 7th attack, which passed the Senate with near unanimous support;\n\nVoting in support of the FY24 NDAA, which included numerous provisions to increase U.S. security cooperation with Israel;\n\nMeeting with victims of Hamas and members of victims\u2019 families, hearing first-hand about the brutality inflicted by Hamas on innocent civilians, including innocent children;\n\nSupporting passage of the 2024 supplemental appropriations bill, which provided over $26 billion to support Israel and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).\n\nAuthoring the Stop Support for Hamas Act with Senator Ricketts to cut U.S. funding for UNRWA and prevent bilateral U.S. assistance from winding up in the hands of Hamas terrorists;\n\nIntroducing the Preventing Terrorism at the U.N. Act to restrict U.S. funding to the United Nations until UNRWA is abolished; and\n\nVoting against and condemning Senator Bernie Sanders\u2019 anti-Israel resolution.\n\nIn his capacity as Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over economic sanctions, Senator Scott has led the charge in pushing back on the Biden administration\u2019s disturbing pattern of sanctions non-enforcement and sanctions relief to Iran, which have made funds more accessible for the Iranian regime and its terror proxies to attack U.S. servicemembers and our allies. His efforts include:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=891AD6FF-946B-4611-8A4F-370332D3B3B7", "Graham, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Crack Down on International Trade Violations That Hurt American Workers", "2024-08-01", "2024", "2024-08", "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 Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) today introduced a bill to strengthen the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) ability to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.\n\nChinese companies frequently violate U.S. trade laws by committing crimes including fraud, duty evasion, and avoiding customs checks at ports. These actions benefit the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s monopolistic economy and have a detrimental effect on U.S. companies and workers. The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act combats these crimes by directing DOJ to establish a new structure for prosecuting international trade crimes.\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party and other bad actors exploit U.S. trade laws at the expense of American companies and workers,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cI\u2019m glad to work with my colleagues on legislation to increase DOJ\u2019s ability to investigate and prosecute these crimes.\u201d\n\n\u201cInternational kleptocrats, smugglers, and shady front companies exploit American trade laws designed to protect workers, companies, and consumers,\u201d said Senator Whitehouse. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation will bolster the Department of Justice\u2019s capacity to pursue criminal cases and hold violators accountable for their efforts to undermine American businesses.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe applaud Senator Graham and Senator Whitehouse for their leadership on introducing the Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act, companion legislation that would create a formal structure within the Department of Justice\u2019s Criminal Division to aggressively combat widespread trade fraud that is adversely impacting American manufacturers. It is imperative that our government have the necessary tools to prosecute a range of trade crimes, including products made with forced labor that are evading the U.S. ban on such imports, fraudulent rules of origin claims under our free trade agreements, evasion of duties through abuse of the de minimis loophole, and myriad other predatory practices. This legislation is designed to do just that, by creating new federal tools and resources for DOJ to urgently address the pervasive trade crimes impacting our industry and ensuring those facilitating these crimes will be held accountable,\u201d said National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas.\n\nSpecifically, this bill:\n\nEstablishes a new task force or similar structure within the DOJ\u2019s Criminal Division to investigate and prosecute trade-related crimes.\n\nEnhances nationwide responses to trade-related offenses by providing training and technical assistance to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, expanding investigations and prosecutions, and allowing for parallel criminal and civil enforcement actions.\n\nRequires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to Congress assessing the DOJ\u2019s efforts, statistics on trade-related crimes, and fund utilization.\n\nAuthorizes $20,000,000 for FY 2025 to support these efforts with appropriate guardrails.\n\nThe bill has been cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). A companion bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa-02) and Select Committee on the Chinese Community Party Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-call-out-olympic-committee-for-mocking-christian-faith/", "Scott, Colleagues Call Out Olympic Committee for Mocking Christian Faith", "2024-07-31", "2024", "2024-07", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) and 17 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach following the vulgar depiction of the Last Supper during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.\n\n\u201cWe write in response to the vulgar mockery of the Christian faith on display at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The Games should unite people of every country, race, and creed. There is no place for anti-Christian bigotry at an event designed to bring the world together. The Games should celebrate the athletes, not denigrate anyone\u2019s faith. We urge you to take immediate action by amending Rule 55 of the Olympic Charter to ensure that no faiths are the subject of mockery as part of the opening or closing ceremonies ever again,\u201d wrote the members.\n\n\u201cThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) should formally condemn the mockery that occurred in Paris of one of the most sacred moments of the Christian faith. Then, the IOC should make formal changes to ensure this kind of divisive display is not repeated to ensure that Coubertin\u2019s vision for the Games may continue to thrive. Every person, from every nation and every faith, should be encouraged to enjoy the Olympics without being belittled or mocked. Thank you for your attention to this matter,\u201d the members continued.\n\nSenators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) also signed the letter.\n\nRead the full letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-emphasizes-importance-of-local-solutions-in-transportation-infrastructure/", "Sen.\u00a0Scott Emphasizes Importance of Local Solutions in Transportation, Infrastructure", "2024-07-31", "2024", "2024-07", "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 \u2014 In his opening remarks at today\u2019s U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing on infrastructure and public transportation investment, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the committee\u2019s top Republican, stressed the importance of pursuing local solutions to local problems that will promote targeted developments to improve infrastructure in both urban and rural communities. Noting that progressive policies have led to record-high inflation and increased costs across the board, Senator Scott pushed back on the Biden administration and Democrats\u2019 efforts \u2013 from their climate agenda to burdensome regulations \u2013 that have made it more difficult for local communities to make improvements to their infrastructure.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s opening remarks as delivered:\n\nThank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the witnesses for being with us today. Thank you for the committee members who are here with us as well.\n\nOne of the challenges I see on this conversation that we\u2019re having today is to realize that local problems need local solutions. It\u2019s really hard for folks in Washington, DC to understand the transit needs of folks in Charleston, South Carolina, Summerville, South Carolina, Columbus, Ohio, or Chicago, Illinois.\n\nThe most effective thing that we can do is make sure that the resourcing goes without all the red tape and challenges that comes from Washington, D.C. Getting that done seems to be too close to Peter walking on the water. Nearly a miraculous occurrence and manifestation has to happen for us to just do the simple thing.\n\nI spent half my career in politics on the local level, understanding and appreciating transit systems, infrastructure projects, and what it takes to get those things done.\n\nWhen I first became a senator, the one thing I did was, I decided that as a kid who grew up in a single parent household mired in poverty, who understood the transit needs of the poorest Americans trying to get to the job, I wanted to make sure that I was sensitive to the current state of Americans trying to get to work, so I decided I\u2019d go back to the old bus routes and get on those bus routes and spend time talking to people waiting on the bus to come.\n\nI remember talking to a grandmother who worked at Walmart, who wanted to spend more time with her grandkids on the weekends, but she would spend 80 to 90 minutes early in the morning waiting on the bus, seven hours at work, and 80 or 90 minutes to get back home. Three hours to work a seven-hour shift for slightly more than minimum wage to provide the resources necessary to help our grandkids have a better life and a better opportunity to experience and enjoy the American Dream. Having the conversations with folks who are struggling to make ends meet, thinking about how challenging it is as a local official to understand and then to decide the right transit routes, so that the folks who need public transportation have access to the right routes at the right times to get to the right job. You just can\u2019t do that from Washington.\n\nThe one thing Washington has done poorly is to put on more onerous burdens on local government and state government, because somehow 535 people in Washington seem to know everything about local needs, and yet we seem to know nothing about getting the job done.\n\nAs an example, my friends on the left are always looking for a \u201cNew Green Steal.\u201d They call it the New Green Deal, but in the end it steals opportunity and innovation, creativity, and resources from local folks to make good decisions about what they need. But it\u2019s not just transit \u2013 it\u2019s actually the infrastructure needs that are delayed time and time again.\n\nI was thinking about this recently and it takes about seven years \u2013 seven years \u2013 for a project to turn the shovel on a new highway program.\n\nI think about Highway 17 and its expansion in Mount Pleasant in South Carolina a number of years ago. The frustration I felt as the chairman of the county, waiting for all the red tape to be cut so that we could simply turn a shovel on a project that had been approved for years. And I sent some notes to my friends back on county council just to make sure that I was right about the seven-year process.\n\nIt could take up to two years for the planning and the programing just to meet federal threshold so that projects can start. And then after you do that, it can take up to three years, whether it\u2019s NEPA or other environmental challenges through the Green New Steel. On top of all of that, you recognize that this onerous burden to start a road project takes seven years.\n\nNow, here\u2019s the challenging part. When you get the price of a highway project, let\u2019s say those days, it was several hundred million dollars, $700 million. It\u2019s not anticipated that seven years later, somehow, someway, miraculously, that same road project is going to cost the same amount of money seven years later. That\u2019s what we call in South Carolina \u2013 ridiculous, hogwash. It just doesn\u2019t work that way.\n\nBut none of that is anticipated in the actual price that people pay. Waiting and waiting and waiting for the federal government just to do their jobs and get out the way. But then after you get through the environmental review and compliance, which three years later, then you go to the preliminary final design \u2013 up to two more years on this process.\n\nAnd at the same time of this is happening, currently under the Biden administration, everybody wants to celebrate the IJA and the I.R.A., the most ridiculously named bill in maybe American history, the Inflation Reduction Act \u2013 that actually increases inflation \u2013 and the Chips and Science Act.\n\nWhat happens? Well, the cost of construction explodes to the highest level ever. It costs more money to do the same thing than it has ever cost \u2013 three or four years later.\n\nAnd so when you take a seven year delay on a road, you take all of the impacts studies that is that it takes. We\u2019re not smart enough to do them all at the exact same time. We\u2019re going to wait for the first two years before we start the environmental impact studies, before we start the\u2026 if this was a business we would just fire everybody.\n\nThat\u2019s what I would do. That\u2019s what I did when I was in business. If you can\u2019t, if it takes you seven years to get something started, I want a new \u2013 I want somebody else in charge. Americans want someone else in charge because the $2 billion problem that they have in Maryland to rebuild a road \u2013 a bridge \u2013 that\u2019s going to take four years is ridiculous. Unnecessary.\n\nAll you need is common sense and people ready to go to work. And unfortunately, every time well-intentioned politicians made the decision that we know better than the local community, it costs jobs. It costs prices because they explode. I gotta tell you, 13 years on the local level is a really good education on what not to do.\n\nLet\u2019s not burden local government with the Green New Steal \u2013 that $7.5 billion in green funding that resolves to only eight EV charging stations \u2013 that takes all those dollars away from being able to have real progress on real roads for real people to get to their jobs.\n\nMr. Chairman, I\u2019m glad we\u2019re having the hearing today. But I got to tell you, most Americans would say, skip the hearing block, block grant the money, and let a brother go to work. That\u2019s what they would say.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=35C19497-7B25-4D56-8340-7DDB7373ADE0", "Graham Statement on Maduro's Illegitimate Regime in Venezuela", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "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 recent elections in Venezuela and Nicolas Maduro\u2019s illegitimate regime.\n\n\u201cI stand with the people of Venezuela who believe Maduro and his thugs crushed democracy yet again. The Biden-Harris approach to Maduro has failed. It is now time to let the world know that Maduro is a bad actor at home and abroad.\n\n\u201cSanctions should be reimposed at the highest level possible.\n\n\u201cThe Venezuelan people deserve a fresh start and a brighter future. That will never occur as long as Maduro has a stranglehold on the country.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-dictator-nicolas-maduro-has-once-again-stolen-a-presidential-election/", "Scott, Colleagues: \u201cDictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has once again stolen a presidential election.\u201d", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, along with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas), as well as U.S. Representatives Carlos Gim\u00e9nez (R-Fla.), Jenniffer Gonz\u00e1lez-Col\u00f3n (R-P.R.), Mar\u00eda Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), and Mario D\u00edaz-Balart (R-Fla), released a joint statement after the criminal and illegitimate Maduro narco-regime claimed victory in a sham presidential election in Venezuela:\n\n\u201cTo no one\u2019s surprise, dictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has once again stolen a presidential election. However, what the narco-regime will never steal is the Venezuelan people\u2019s desire to return to democracy and live in freedom after decades of tyranny. We must prioritize uniting the free world in rejecting these sham election results and securing the release of the more than 300 Venezuelans that remain arbitrarily detained in torture centers as political prisoners.\n\n\u201cThe Maduro dictatorship is experiencing an internal fracture, and members of the dictatorship know their status quo, which is filled with incompetence, is no longer sustainable. There is massive discontent in the streets of Venezuela, and everyday citizens have stood in support of opposition leaders Mar\u00eda Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez. Let there be no doubt: the countries and international organizations backing this fraud of unimaginable proportions must be held accountable, as should members of the narco-regime and its \u2018National Electoral Council.\u2019\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CE1F43D3-DC53-4F55-B6B3-7AE9970B8A92", "Graham: \"UNRWA Has Blood On Its Hands\"", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) at the Senate Appropriations Committee markup today criticized the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for their ties to Hamas and other terrorist organizations that operate in Gaza. Intelligence reports and media reports have found that UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attack on Israel. Additionally, Hamas and other terrorist groups use UNRWA offices and schools to store weapons and act as command centers.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cUNRWA has blood on its hands. They\u2019re part of the problem, not the solution. I have no desire, zero desire, to help UNRWA. You can\u2019t convince me they\u2019ve changed. Nothing\u2019s changed that I know of\u2026 So, I want to make sure we don\u2019t give a dime to this organization anytime soon.\u201d https://youtu.be/eb6wgbgZOwA?si=vgsvV2atY0TNSmRx&t=551\n\nGRAHAM: \u201c\u2026How much more evidence do we need to have before we say UNRWA is not a good deal for the American taxpayer? It\u2019s not a good deal for stability in the region.\u201d https://youtu.be/eb6wgbgZOwA?si=LzztIJQ78DCffZgj&t=269\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI have no apologies to anybody for saying UNRWA should be defunded until it is fundamentally changed.\u201d https://youtu.be/eb6wgbgZOwA?si=v8R7uD9c4iPTTd_N&t=312\n\nClick here to watch Graham\u2019s full remarks\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-highlights-bitcoins-potential-at-bitcoin-2024-conference/", "Scott Highlights Bitcoin\u2019s Potential at \u2018Bitcoin 2024\u2019 Conference", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "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", "The Bitcoin 2024 Conference is the largest Bitcoin conference in the world with more than 20,000 attendees.\n\nNASHVILLE, Tenn. \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today joined fellow Senate Banking Committee member Senator Cynthis Lummis (R-Wyo.) on a panel entitled \u201cFor Love of Country & Bitcoin,\u201d at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. During the panel, Senator Scott hailed Bitcoin and blockchain technology\u2019s potential to democratize the financial world and improve financial inclusion and called for a fair regulatory environment for the industry that encourages innovation in the United States, not overseas.\n\nClick here or on the image above to watch Senator Scott\u2019s panel.\n\n\u201cThe ability to bring resources and opportunities and access to the marketplace, to the people who need it most, that\u2019s what Bitcoin is about. That\u2019s what this is about \u2013 giving the average American a chance to make their own decisions at home. No matter where you live, if you\u2019re at the mountain top or with me in the valleys low, having a chance to democratize our financial footprint is an absolutely essential part of achieving the American Dream,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cWe need a regulatory environment that understands that freedom and liberty are inseparable.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-national-security-policies-must-maximize-domestic-growth-economic-pain-for-adversaries/", "Sen. Scott: National Security Policies Must Maximize Domestic Growth, Economic Pain for Adversaries", "2024-07-25", "2024", "2024-07", "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", "Senator Scott highlighted the negative impact the administration\u2019s export control policies, including the Commerce Department\u2019s interim final rule curtailing firearms exports, have on local economies in South Carolina and across the country.\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 At today\u2019s U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing focused on advancing national security through export controls, investment security, and the Defense Production Act, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the committee\u2019s top Republican, stressed the importance of U.S. economic leadership and called out the Biden administration\u2019s shortsighted policies that have damaged American competitiveness, security, and industry. Senator Scott highlighted the negative impact the administration\u2019s export control policies, including the Commerce Department\u2019s interim final rule curtailing firearms exports, have on local economies in South Carolina and across the country, and pushed for solutions that maximize growth here at home and economic pain for our adversaries.\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s opening remarks as delivered:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-cotton-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-palestinian-leadership-and-institutions-that-reward-terrorism/", "Sens. Scott, Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism", "2024-07-25", "2024", "2024-07", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act. This legislation would impose sanctions on foreign persons and entities that provide payments to terrorists and their families as part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority\u2019s (PA) system of terror compensation.\n\nSenators Scott and Cotton were joined by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) in cosponsoring the legislation.\n\nCongressmen Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) plan to introduce the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\n\u201cFor years, the Palestinian Authority has incentivized brutal attacks against Israelis\u2014and even American citizens\u2014through its horrific \u2018pay for slay\u2019 policies. Strong words and failed negotiations aren\u2019t enough to stop these acts of terror,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cWe need to actually use the authorities at our disposal to impose real economic pain against those who support and facilitate so-called \u2018martyr payments,\u2019 and I am proud to partner with Senator Cotton and our Republican colleagues to do just that.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe PA continues to support terrorism against Israel by providing hundreds of millions of dollars per year in its reprehensible \u2018pay-for-slay\u2019 program. Anti-Semitic Palestinian terrorists know they can expect payment as a reward for killing Israelis and Americans\u2014with thousands of Palestinian terrorists tied to October 7 eligible for these terror payments. Our bill will ensure that the PA, PLO and their institutions that reward acts of terrorism are punished,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nThe full text of the bill can be found here.\n\nIn 2018, Senator Scott partnered with a group of bipartisan colleagues to combat the pay-for-slay practice through passage of the Taylor Force Act. In the aftermath of Hamas\u2019 brutal terrorist attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, Senator Scott and Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nev.) introduced the Stop Support for Hamas Act, which aims to strengthens provisions within the Taylor Force Act to prevent any U.S. funding from directly or indirectly benefiting the PA until it ends its pay for slay program.\n\nThe PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act would impose sanctions on:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=796FD5BE-7F56-4177-9467-E606B0B2ACA7", "Graham Introduces Legislation to End Financial Support For Terrorist Iranian Regime", "2024-07-24", "2024", "2024-07", "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 introduced legislation to hold countries accountable for financially supporting Iran. During the Trump Administration, Iranian crude exports dropped as low as 300,000 barrels per day. Yet according to United Against Nuclear Iran, under the Biden Administration, Iran exported nearly 1.4 million barrels of oil a day in October 2023 alone.\n\nThe Tariffs For Terrorism Act of 2024 would require the President to identify countries that purchase, trade, consume or import crude oil or petroleum products from Iran and subsequently impose tariffs on products imported into the U.S. from those countries.\n\n\u201cAfter many discussions with President Trump, I\u2019m introducing legislation to impose tariffs on countries that purchase petroleum products from Iran,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cIt is long past time to make those that enrich this terrorist regime pay a price, and there\u2019s no better price than tariffs on products coming into the United States. On day one, President Trump will re-impose maximum pressure on Iran. Tariffs on countries that empower terrorism and the Ayatollah is a good place to start.\u201d\n\nSince the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has engaged in acts of international terrorism and continuously threatened the U.S., Israel and other allies and partners of the United States. Iran has been a designated state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law since January 19, 1984. To date, oil sanctions have been ineffective in deterring the Ayatollah\u2019s malign activity. The Iranian Regime uses billions of dollars of oil profits to finance proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The Ayatollah is also sprinting toward a nuclear bomb. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Iran has narrowed their nuclear breakout time \u2013 the time it takes to produce enough weapons grade uranium to make a nuclear bomb \u2013 to approximately one to two weeks.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sen-scott-hosts-14th-annual-prayer-breakfast/", "Sen. Scott Hosts 14th\u00a0Annual Prayer Breakfast", "2024-07-24", "2024", "2024-07", "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 \u2014 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) today hosted the 14th Annual South Carolina Prayer Breakfast, joined by Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), Senate Chaplain Barry Black, the South Carolina congressional delegation, and hundreds of South Carolinians. Senator Scott focused his remarks on the theme of Proverbs 13:12: \u201cHope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.\u201d\n\n\u201cI talked a lot about hope deferred makes the heart sick, because it does, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. The really good news about this is that the longer it takes, the sweeter it is. Sometimes it takes a very long time for us to be able to see the fruit on the tree,\u201d said Senator Scott.\n\n\u201cTilling the soil takes time and it is hard. Breaking up tough ground is hard. It\u2019s even harder when it\u2019s you, and all of us have areas that are hardened from pain, hardened from misery, hardened from challenges, hardened by life. 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