{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"SC\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-statement-on-fdic-chairman-mcwilliams-resignation/", "Senator Scott Statement on FDIC Chairman McWilliams\u2019 Resignation", "2021-12-31", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Jelena McWilliams\u2019 resignation after a politically-motivated attempt to undermine the independence of the agency.\n\n\u201cI am thankful for Chairman McWilliams\u2019 service as FDIC chairman,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cShe played an instrumental role in the implementation of rules to alleviate regulatory burdens on community banks and helped guide the industry through pandemic-related economic uncertainty. Her strong and fair leadership will be greatly missed.\n\n\u201cOver the course of her career, Chairman McWilliams has established an impressive reputation as a good faith negotiator and dealmaker, all while staying true to her core principles. Moreover, throughout her FDIC tenure, she has been a consummate consensus builder. The fact that Biden administration regulators have seemingly failed to conduct board business through the standard procedural channels in an open and honest manner with a regulator as well known for her integrity as Chairman McWilliams speaks volumes. I remain deeply concerned that the flagrant, politically-motivated efforts to appropriate the authorities granted by FDIC bylaws to the agency\u2019s Senate-confirmed chairman represent a dangerous attempt to politicize the independent and historically apolitical practice of federal bank regulation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-colleagues-call-on-president-biden-to-withdraw-nomination-of-dr-david-weil-for-wage-and-hour-administrator/", "Senator Scott, Colleagues Call on President Biden to Withdraw Nomination of Dr. David Weil for Wage & Hour Administrator", "2021-12-29", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in urging President Biden to formally withdraw the nomination of Dr. David Weil to be Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s Wage & Hour Division. In a letter, the senators cited that the Senate\u2019s HELP Committee was unable to report Dr. Weil\u2019s nomination favorably when it was considered this year and listed concerns with actions Dr. Weil took while serving as Wage & Hour Administrator during the Obama administration, including implementing job-killing rules, arbitrarily constricting the standard for who is considered an independent contractor, and presiding over a 93% increase in litigation due to an expansion of the \u201cjoint employer\u201d definition.\n\n\u201cSmall business entrepreneurs in this country deserve a Wage and Hour Division Administrator that will work constructively alongside them,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cThe Senate has spoken this year that Dr. Weil is not the right fit for this position. We appreciate your responsiveness to this request, and ask for prompt confirmation that the nomination of Dr. David Weil is formally withdrawn.\u201d\n\nClick here to download or read the full text of the letter below:\n\nDear Mr. President,\n\nWe write to urge you to formally withdraw the nomination of Dr. David Weil, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor, vice Cheryl Marie Stanton. Dr. Weil\u2019s track record is hostile to employers, unproductive to the employees served by such employers, and the actions he took at the federal level were mired in costly litigation.\n\nThe United States Constitution divides the responsibility for populating top positions in the federal government between the President and the United States Senate. The appointments clause (Article II, Section 2) empowers the President to nominate \u201cby and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate\u201d. The role of the Senate to give advice and consent is an integral part of the process for populating top officials in our government.\n\nThe Senate received Dr. Weil\u2019s nomination on June 8, 2021. The Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) carefully considered the merits of his nomination, actions that included a full committee hearing. The HELP Committee was unable to favorably report Dr. Weil\u2019s nomination to the full Senate during an August 3, 2021 business meeting, lacking the necessary votes to do so. In the nearly five months that followed this failed business meeting, no action was taken by the full Senate to discharge or otherwise consider his nomination. On December 21, 2021, this nomination was formally returned to the White House, as the Senate did not give consent to hold over Dr. Weil\u2019s nomination.\n\nThe lack of sufficient support for Dr. Weil\u2019s nomination is not surprising considering the actions he took during the Obama administration as Wage & Hour Administrator. Chief among the concerns with his record: promulgation of a job-killing overtime rule in 2016 that overstepped and was therefore struck down by the U.S. District Court; an arbitrarily strict standard for classification of independent contractors in 2015; and a destructive expansion of \u201cjoint employer\u201d definition in 2016 that led to a 93 percent increase in litigation. Additionally, both Dr. Weil and the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have refused to provide all the documents regarding Weil\u2019s actions with the Labor Advisory Board in Massachusetts. Requests to both by the Ranking Member\u2019s staff have been stonewalled and public records requests have been unnecessarily delayed. These are not the actions of an individual committed to transparency and accountability in government service. His nomination has raised sincere concerns on behalf of many of the constituencies we represent.\n\nSmall business entrepreneurs in this country deserve a Wage and Hour Division Administrator that will work constructively alongside them. The Senate has spoken this year that Dr. Weil is not the right fit for this position. We appreciate your responsiveness to this request, and ask for prompt confirmation that the nomination of Dr. David Weil is formally withdrawn.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-praises-passage-of-the-catawba-indian-nation-lands-act/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN PRAISES PASSAGE OF THE CATAWBA INDIAN NATION LANDS ACT", "2021-12-27", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "COLUMBIA, SC \u2013 Congressman James E. Clyburn praised the enactment of the Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act included in the National Defense Authorization Act signed into law by President Biden today.\n\nThe Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act clarifies that the Catawba Indian Nation is subject to the well-established rules and regulations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act on their modern and ancestral lands in the State of North Carolina. This new law clarifies the Tribe\u2019s 1993 land claims settlement act and reaffirms recent action taken by the Department of Interior to take land into trust for the Tribe.\n\n\u201cI was proud to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure passage of this bipartisan piece of legislation,\u201d said Congressman Clyburn. \u201cThe Catawba Indian Nation Lands Act is a very significant step towards rectifying historic injustices that have been perpetrated against the Catawba Indian Nation. This legislation will be crucial in helping the Catawba Indian Nation secure economic self-sufficiency.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/as-inflation-soars-scott-stands-up-for-farmers-and-ranchers/", "As Inflation Soars, Scott Stands Up For Farmers and Ranchers", "2021-12-23", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.), Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), and several of their colleagues in urging federal financial regulators to provide community banks, credit unions, and Farm Credit institutions with the regulatory flexibility they need to responsibly work with their agriculture clients as the profit margins of farmers and ranchers shrink from higher input costs. The senators are also requesting that federal financial regulators monitor how inflation and inflationary-related pressures are affecting the agriculture industry and, in turn, the community financial institutions that serve it.\n\n\u201cThe destructive impact of inflation has already affected individuals, families, and businesses across the nation, and no one is immune from these price increases,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cCaused in large part by an unprecedented increase in federal government spending, in addition to supply chain bottlenecks, these higher prices are not just increasing grocery bills and home heating costs, but they are also raising costs on businesses, including on our nation\u2019s farmers and ranchers.\u201d\n\nThe letter was also signed by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).\n\nSenator Scott is committed to investigating and pushing back against any actions taken by the administration that contribute to inflation, which takes its greatest toll on low-income Americans.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-talks-dem-spending-2021-highlights-and-2022-agenda/", "ICYMI: Scott Talks Dem Spending, 2021 Highlights and 2022 Agenda", "2021-12-23", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Leyla Gulen on Fox24 Charleston. Sen. Scott slammed Democrats\u2019 spending, talked legislative highlights of 2021, and laid out his agenda for 2022.\n\nClick to watch part one of the interview\n\nOn Dem Spending \u2026 \u201cWell, if you think about their plan, the Build Back Broker (BBB) as I prefer to call it, frankly that\u2019s three trillion dollars of unpaid spending if those programs continue for all 10 years and the likelihood of that is good if they can get it passed. \u2026I hope [what] we\u2019ll see over the next several weeks is no passage of the BBB. That is good news for the American people.\u201d\n\n\u201cLeyla throughout South Carolina whether you\u2019re in Charleston, Union, [or] McCormick South Carolina, the one thing you know is that gas prices have exploded \u2014 a 70 percent increase throughout our state. Utilities are up 25 percent if not even more. That is caused by reckless spending from Washington having a negative impact on every single household in the great Palmetto State. We can stop that from exploding again by not spending money we do not have, buying things we simply cannot afford.\u201d\n\nClick to watch part two of the interview\n\nOn 2021 Highlights \u2026 \u201cAnother really impressive issue this year frankly \u2014 is our bill that stopped the IRS from being able to peer into our financial accounts. That has been great news frankly \u2014 having all 50 Republicans get on that bill in less than 24 hours and then having Joe Manchin and a couple of other Democrats come out and say we can\u2019t do that that\u2019s just ridiculous.\u201d\n\nOn His Areas of Focus for 2022 \u2026 \u201cI\u2019m sticking with the less is better agenda. So, we\u2019re going to continue to fight against certain provisions in the BBB \u2014 things like that childcare component that I talked about earlier. The average family cannot afford an 80 percent increase in the childcare cost. If we can defeat that provision specifically, we will have empowered parents to keep making the choice for their kids. Education opportunity \u2014 this is the closest thing to a civil rights issue we\u2019ll see in our lifetime. Creating parity for poor parents and poor zip codes is job one for us as a nation on the domestic agenda and something that I\u2019ll continue to fight for. Then, continuing to eliminate inflation as well as [preventing] the IRS [from having] more purview into your accounts. Then, if I had to put icing on the cake, I would simply say to take away the disadvantages in the Build Back Broker plan against states like South Carolina.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-finance-republicans-demand-treasury-analysis-of-oecd-agreement/", "Scott, Finance Republicans Demand Treasury Analysis of OECD Agreement", "2021-12-22", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and all other Senate Finance Committee Republicans, wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen renewing requests for information regarding international tax negotiations. To date, the Department of the Treasury (USDT) has been unwilling or unable to fully engage with Congress to provide details on the negotiations, which will have a significant impact on American workers, businesses and revenue.\n\nThe senators raise concerns with how the negotiations may negatively impact U.S. competitiveness; the commitment from the United States to increase its global minimum tax before any other country; and suggestions that USDT could implement the agreement without the advice and consent of the Senate, bypassing the treaty process.\n\n\u201cThe Administration\u2019s rush to reach a political agreement, tied to its domestic spending plans and pursuit of revenue, has come at the expense of thorough analysis and meaningful engagement with Congress and the business community, and may ultimately put U.S. businesses at risk. . . . Given this agreement\u2019s potential to jeopardize U.S. competitiveness, we continue to have concerns with the lack of detail underlying the approach being proposed under Pillar One and its lack of foundation in any discernible tax principles,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\n\u201cFurther troubling is Treasury\u2019s continued insistence that the United States once again move first by significantly increasing the U.S. global minimum tax. . . . As Pillar Two does not require other countries to adopt a global minimum tax, we are not confident that our biggest foreign competitors, like China, will enact and implement a global minimum tax on the same terms or on the timeline agreed to at the OECD. \u2026\n\n\u201cFinally, suggestions that the United States could fully implement Pillar One without the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate through the treaty process are highly problematic. . . . [A]ny suggestion that Pillar One can be implemented absent treaty ratification is a dramatic shift from past precedent and calls into question the binding nature of any such agreement, thereby threatening the very tax certainty that many of our companies, and this Administration, claim to seek under Pillar One.\u201d\n\nThe senators end the letter with a detailed list of questions regarding the proposals, reiterating that any opportunity for a bipartisan outcome will require greater transparency and engagement from USDT.\n\nSigning the letter along with Senator Scott and Ranking Member Crapo were all other Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee: Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Thune (R-S.D.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-in-filing-amicus-brief-in-pending-clean-air-act-supreme-court-case/", "Scott Joins Colleagues in Filing Amicus Brief in Pending Clean Air Act Supreme Court Case", "2021-12-20", "2021", "2021-12", "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.) today joined 47 senators and 45 House members\u2014including Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)\u2014in filing an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the petitioners in the pending case West Virginia, et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\n\nThe members agree that the EPA acted outside its congressionally-authorized authority by issuing significantly overreaching rules\u2014namely the Clean Power Plan\u2014to attempt to transform the nation\u2019s power sector through emissions regulations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.\n\n\u201cIf Congress had intended to give the EPA such sweeping authority to transform an entire sector of our economy, Congress would have done so explicitly. An administrative agency like the EPA may decide issues of such vast economic and political significance only when the agency can point to \u2018clear congressional authorization.\u2019\n\n\u201cDecisions regarding greenhouse gas emissions and the power sector are major policy questions with vast economic and political significance. Only elected members of Congress, representing the will of the people, may decide these questions. The EPA\u2019s attempt to issue expansive regulations cannot stand in the absence of clear congressional authorization.\n\n\u201cCongress knows how to address greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, Congress has decided to pass transformative laws that incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from a wide range of industries, including the electric power sector,\u201d the brief states.\n\nSenate cosigners of the brief include Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).\n\nHouse cosigners of the brief include Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), Robert E. Latta (R-Ohio), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Earl L. \u201cBuddy\u201d Carter (R-Ga.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Gary J. Palmer (R-Ala.), Neal P. Dunn (R-Fla.), John R. Curtis (R-Utah), Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Greg Pence (R-Ind.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), John Joyce (R-Pa.), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Garret Graves (R-La.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), August Pfluger (R-Texas), Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), and Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).\n\nRead the full text of the amicus brief here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wilson-and-moulton-condemn-russias-aggression-on-ukraine-border", "Wilson and Moulton Condemn Russia's Aggression on Ukraine Border", "2021-12-19", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressmen Joe Wilson and Seth Moulton issued a joint statement in support of Ukraine's independence, while condemning Russia's aggressive behavior at their common border.\n\n\"Having returned from Ukraine last week, on a bipartisan delegation, we remain deeply concerned by Russia's confrontational buildup of its military in and around the country. The support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the U.S. Congress is unwavering.\n\n\"We stand ready to work with the Administration and our transatlantic partners to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including by imposing new, crippling sanctions on Russia should it continue its invasion into Ukraine. As tens of thousands of Russian troops assemble on Ukraine's border, we support the accelerated distribution of additional lethal and nonlethal military equipment to Ukraine and remain steadfast in our commitment to the security of our NATO allies, especially those in Eastern Europe that face the threat posed by Putin's Russia every day.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-banking-republicans-call-on-president-biden-to-rebuke-fdic-coup-attempt/", "Senator Scott, Banking Republicans Call on President Biden to Rebuke FDIC Coup Attempt", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and fellow Senate Banking Committee Republicans are calling on President Joe Biden to rebuke Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Director Marty Gruenberg for their illegitimate attempt to violate the FDIC\u2019s 88-year tradition of working independent from partisan political influence. In a letter, the senators also urged President Biden to immediately replace Director Gruenberg\u2014whose term expired three years ago and is serving in a temporary capacity\u2014and nominate an individual to fill the vacant Republican seat on the FDIC board.\n\n\u201cAs a public servant who spent nearly four decades serving in the U.S. Senate, we believe you understand and hold deep respect for historical precedent, institutional norms, and courteous treatment of your colleagues\u2014even in the face of political disagreement,\u201dthe senators wrote. \u201cAmerica\u2019s independent financial regulators are respected the world over for their professionalism and integrity, and we fear the actions of Director Chopra and Director Gruenberg, if left unchecked have the potential to weaken faith in our financial institutions and markets.\u201d\n\nOn December 9, CFPB Director Chopra and FDIC Director Gruenberg published a joint statement to the CFPB\u2019s website claiming the FDIC approved a request for information (RFI) on bank mergers. Shortly thereafter, the FDICclarifiedthat no such document had been approved by the FDIC and that there was no valid vote by the FDIC board.\n\n\u201cDirector Chopra and Director Gruenberg\u2019s statement and actions make clear that they violated FDIC procedures with the apparent goal of usurping the powers of the chairman and inhibiting her ability to carry out her official duties and responsibilities,\u201dthe senators continued. \u201cIn addition to violating the FDIC bylaws and processes, their actions upended an 88-year tradition of the FDIC board working on a collegial basis with its chairman as well as working independent from partisan political influence.\u201d\n\nAs the senators point out, Director Gruenberg is going on nearly two decades as an FDIC board member, but is currently serving in a temporary role because his term expired three years ago. Despite the fact that his position requires Senate confirmation, he has continued to serve on the FDIC board long after the expiration of his term in order to undermine its Senate-confirmed leader.\n\n\u201cWe urge you to nominate promptly a candidate to replace Director Gruenberg, as well as a candidate to fill the vacant Vice-Chairman position on the FDIC board. These candidates should be well-qualified, mainstream individuals who will respect the institutional norms and practices that Director Chopra and Director Gruenberg have willfully chosen to ignore.\u201d\n\nTo read the senators\u2019 full letter to President Biden, click here.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nOn Monday, Senator Scott separately urged Director Chopra and Director Gruenberg to cease and desist their efforts to supersede Chairman McWilliams\u2019 powers and responsibilities as the Senate-confirmed leader of the FDIC.\n\nIn his letter, Senator Scott emphasized that Director Chopra and Director Gruenberg\u2019s unprecedented and illegitimate actions to politicize the independent and historically apolitical practice of federal bank regulation are in direct conflict with their job as Board members to uphold the FDIC\u2019s mission of maintaining \u201cstability and public confidence in the nation\u2019s financial system.\u201d\n\nTo read Senator Scott\u2019s full letter to CFPB Director Chopra and FDIC Director Gruenberg,click here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-scott-and-hassan-introduce-bill-to-expand-educator-tax-deduction/", "Senators Scott and Hassan Introduce Bill to Expand Educator Tax Deduction", "2021-12-17", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced a bill to extend the educator Expense Tax Deduction to K-12 athletic coaches and administrators. This bill will amend the tax code to allow K-12 coaches to be classified as \u201celigible educators\u201d in order to be eligible for tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses relating to instructional expenses.\n\n\u201cCoaches and athletic administrators are often integral to the success of students both in and out of the classroom,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cIt is only right that we expand the tax code to ensure that they receive the same benefits as they continue to personally invest in the future of students across America.\u201d\n\n\u201cAthletic directors and coaches across New Hampshire play an important role in setting students up for success, including by fostering health and wellness and helping student-athletes get on the road to college,\u201d Senator Hassan said. \u201cIt is nonsensical that coaches are left out of getting tax cuts to help cover out-of-pocket costs for supplies when all other teachers have that option. I am glad to introduce this bill with Senator Scott that would include athletic directors and coaches in the group of educators who can get certain out-of-pocket expenses covered, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation.\u201c\n\nSeveral organizations have expressed support for this bill including Nike, Inc, adidas America, Inc, Sports and Fitness Industry Association, and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).\n\n\u201cWe thank Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) for this bill that directly offers a positive benefit to interscholastic athletic administrators,\u201d said NIAAA Executive Director Dr. Mike Blackburn. \u201cJust as the original 1986 IRS code allows deductions for out-of-pocket educator costs, this bill offers the same financial option to those in the profession of high school and middle school athletic administration and coaching. We appreciate our supportive members of the U. S. Congress, as well as our advocates, and NIAAA Board of Directors.\u201d\n\n\u201cInterscholastic athletics is an integral component of the education system. First and foremost, we are thankful for the actions of Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) for recognizing interscholastic athletic administrators and interscholastic athletic coaches as educators. The financial options of the tax bill is a welcomed addition and is very much appreciated,\u201dsaid NIAAA President Dr. Lisa L. Langston.\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nUnder current law, only \u201celigible educators\u201d are able to utilize the $250 tax credit for out-of-pocket related instructional expenses.\n\n\u201cEligible educator\u201d means, with respect to any taxable year, an individual who is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during a school year.\n\nAthletic administrators and coaches can be considered eligible educators and receive these tax deductions as they also provide critical instruction to students and often pay for their expenses out of their own pockets.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1103", "Senator Scott, Representative Norman Lead Effort to Protect Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Thursday, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC-5) led a bicameral letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning the negative impact his department\u2019s recent actions could have on religious liberties.\n\nIn total, 102 members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives signed this letter requesting information from Secretary Becerra on the withdraw of non-discrimination waivers for several states, including South Carolina, a decision which is likely to harm faith-based adoption and foster care agencies.\n\nAdditionally, the letter seeks information as to why Secretary Becerra revoked the authority of his Department\u2019s Office for Civil Rights to receive and review complaints concerning possible violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).\n\nThursday\u2019s letter to Secretary Becerra affirms that faith-based child welfare providers perform critical services for hundreds of thousands of foster children across the nation. Further, it questions why the Biden administration appears to be placing ideology over the interests of the law, children, and faith-based partners who only want to continue serving their communities. It asks HHS to provide:\n\nbetter answers as to why the Department rescinded previously granted waivers; and\n\nreasoning as to why HHS stripped its Office for Civil Rights of its existing authority to investigate and oversee complaints under RFRA and the religion clauses of the First Amendment.\n\nRep. Norman issued the following statement on Thursday: \u201cFaith-based child welfare agencies are doing incredible work throughout our nation and here in South Carolina, and it is unconscionable that government bureaucrats would seek to roadblock their efforts. By withdrawing non-discrimination waivers and cutting out the Office for Civil Rights\u2019 authority to review religious freedom complaints, this appears to be a deliberate attempt by this Administration to devalue religious liberties, making them a mere footstool to elevate their far-left agenda. On behalf of countless faith-based agencies and the families they serve, I want to know exactly how HHS and Secretary Becerra have reached these alarming decisions, and what the Secretary intends to do to reaffirm and protect religious freedoms.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=EC68FBA6-2836-4DFB-92F8-FA79B970F99C", "Graham Pushes For Senate Hearing On Rising Crime Rates", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "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) wrote to the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman to call for a hearing on the drastic rise in violent crime in the United States. The letter was signed by all Republican members of the committee.\n\n\u201cAs you know, reducing violent crime is a topic about which many members of the committee are deeply passionate,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cBeginning in the summer of 2020, the country has experienced a sustained and unprecedented 30% increase in murders. This spike has correlated with a move toward depolicing, after the eruption of over 500 riots nationally.\u201d\n\nWhile the Trump Administration took steps to combat violent crime, the senators noted that the Biden Administration\u2019s plan is more focused on targeting lawful firearm owners.\n\n\u201cIn June of 2021, the Biden Administration unveiled its own strategy to reduce violent crime,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cWe were troubled to see how much of the President\u2019s strategy focuses on lawful gun acquisition and lawful gun owners. For example, one of the tenets of the President\u2019s plan is finding ways to sue legal gun manufacturers, an initiative that would do much to interfere with Americans\u2019 access to guns but nothing to target murders or reduce crime\u2026Legally owned firearms play an important role in allowing Americans to protect themselves during a violent crime surge. A 2013 CDC-commissioned study found that as many as millions of people a year defend themselves with a firearm.\u201d\n\nThe senators wrote to Chairman Durbin following a field hearing on reducing violent crime in Durbin\u2019s hometown of Chicago that Judiciary Committee Republicans were blocked from participating in virtually. The senators noted that a spike in violent crime has impacted cities across the nation and a national focus on the issue is of great importance.\n\n\u201cWe therefore request that you hold a full committee hearing in Washington, D.C. on the spike in murders and the challenges that law enforcement is facing. Ineffective bail policies, cumbersome restraints on police officers, and the impact of the \u201cprogressive prosecutor\u201d movement are exacerbating this surge,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nThe full text of the letter is below.\n\nDear Chairman Durbin:\n\nYesterday you held a hearing entitled, \u201cCombating Gun Trafficking and Reducing Violence in Chicago\u201d at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago, Illinois.\n\nAs you know, reducing violent crime is a topic about which many members of the committee are deeply passionate. Beginning in the summer of 2020, the country has experienced a sustained and unprecedented 30% increase in murders.[1] This spike has correlated with a move toward depolicing,[2] after the eruption of over 500 riots nationally.[3] Former Attorney General Bill Barr responded with Operation Legend, an initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies worked in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. By the end of 2020, the initiative had yielded 467 homicide arrests and seized thousands of firearms and kilos of drugs.[4]\n\nIn June of 2021, the Biden Administration unveiled its own strategy to reduce violent crime.[5] We were troubled to see how much of the President\u2019s strategy focuses on lawful gun acquisition and lawful gun owners. For example, one of the tenets of the President\u2019s plan is finding ways to sue legal gun manufacturers, an initiative that would do much to interfere with Americans\u2019 access to guns but nothing to target murders or reduce crime. A 2019 study by DOJ found that few firearms used in crime are acquired from firearm dealers, about 7%, compared to 56% who stole a firearm or bought it in a black market.[6] Legally owned firearms play an important role in allowing Americans to protect themselves during a violent crime surge. A 2013 CDC-commissioned study found that as many as millions of people a year defend themselves with a firearm.[7]\n\nWe understand that the hearing included witnesses who could answer questions about the President\u2019s plan and the challenges of countering this increase in crime. Although the hearing occurred in Chicago, the Chairman\u2019s hometown, travel to Chicago would have been difficult for the other members of the committee during the last few weeks of the work period. Accordingly, we previously requested that you make virtual or telephone questioning available. That request was denied.\n\nWe therefore request that you hold a full committee hearing in Washington, D.C. on the spike in murders and the challenges that law enforcement is facing. Ineffective bail policies, cumbersome restraints on police officers, and the impact of the \u201cprogressive prosecutor\u201d movement are exacerbating this surge. While it would have been helpful to explore the effects of these factors on crime in Chicago, given the many other cities that are impacted by the crime surge, we believe it would be even more useful if we could explore these problems on a national scale with the full committee.\n\nThank you for your attention to this request.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-representative-norman-lead-effort-to-protect-faith-based-child-welfare-providers/", "Senator Scott, Representative Norman Lead Effort to Protect Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers", "2021-12-16", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Representative Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) led a bicameral letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, condemning HHS\u2019s recent reversal of protections for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies.\n\n\u201cFor decades, faith-based child welfare agencies have provided safe and loving homes for our nation\u2019s children,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cRather than celebrating that work, Secretary Becerra and President Biden\u2019s recent steps will force many providers to choose between abandoning their religious beliefs or closing their doors. This is not only an attack on religious liberty\u2014it\u2019s also a disservice to the 400,000 children who depend on the work of these providers.\u201d\n\n\u201cFaith-based child welfare agencies are doing incredible work throughout our nation and here in South Carolina, and it is unconscionable that government bureaucrats would seek to roadblock their efforts. By withdrawing non-discrimination waivers and cutting out the Office for Civil Rights\u2019 authority to review religious freedom complaints, this appears to be a deliberate attempt by this Administration to devalue religious liberties, making them a mere footstool to elevate their far-left agenda. On behalf of countless faith-based agencies and the families they serve, I want to know exactly how HHS and Secretary Becerra have reached these alarming decisions, and what the Secretary intends to do to reaffirm and protect religious freedoms,\u201d said Representative Norman.\n\n\u201cWe find it disturbing that one day before it released its 2021 AFCARS report, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)\u2014with your express approval\u2014 announced the rescission of waivers that were previously granted to faith-based adoption and foster care agencies in Michigan, Texas, and South Carolina,\u201d the members of Congress wrote in their letter. \u201cAs you know, rescinding the waivers puts providers in these states in the untenable position of choosing between serving children under the Title IV-E foster care program or operating in accordance with the tenets of their faith \u2013 the same faith that drives them to serve children in the first place. HHS should be welcoming child welfare providers, not excluding them. Children are too important to be pawns in political games.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nOn November 18, HHS announced it was rescinding waivers previously issued to faith-based adoption and foster care agencies in South Carolina, Michigan, and Texas that allowed them to qualify for HHS grants while operating in accordance with their deeply-held religious beliefs. Additionally, the HHS announced it was moving to strip the Office for Civil Rights of its authority to enforce the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act and the religion clauses of the First Amendment.\n\nSenator Scott and Representative Norman\u2019s letter articulates that:\n\nFaith-based child welfare providers perform vital services for hundreds of thousands of children nationwide;\n\nThrough its actions, the Biden administration is placing ideology over the interests of the law, children, and faith-based partners who only want to continue serving their communities; and\n\nHHS must explain how it reached the decision to rescind previously-granted waivers and strip the Office for Civil Rights of its existing authority.\n\nCosigners on the letter are Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James E. Risch (R-Idaho), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-talks-inflation-blasts-dems-spending-on-americas-newsroom/", "ICYMI: Scott Talks Inflation, Blasts Dems\u2019 Spending on America\u2019s Newsroom", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino on Fox News\u2019s \u201cAmerica\u2019s Newsroom.\u201d Sen. Scott slammed the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending, which has driven inflation to a record high, and he discussed how to combat America\u2019s rising prices.\n\nClick to watch the full interview\n\nOn record-level inflation \u2026 \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that, when you think about inflation\u2014this bone-crushing, life-changing, hope-stealing, job-killing inflation\u2014there\u2019s no doubt in my mind that I\u2019m thankful that it\u2019s no longer considered transitory. Finally, Chairman Powell is speaking the truth, which is [that] this is unprecedented. The last time inflation was this high, I had an afro. That is a long time ago. That\u2019s early 1980s.\n\n\u201cThe truth is that we have to find a way to forge forward by reducing spending from the federal government and allowing raises to increase in the private sector. That means that we have to pull back on this \u2018Build Back Broker\u2019 plan that the Democrats are still trying to weave together.\u201d\n\nOn inflation\u2019s effect on service members \u2026 \u201c[In South Carolina] we actually make marines at Parris Island; we train the army folks at Fort Jackson. So if you think about [a service member] who may even be eligible for public assistance because they get paid so little\u2014[working] paycheck-to-paycheck\u2014they drive up to the gas station and now gas is up almost 75 percent. \u2026 Can you imagine someone who\u2019s serving our nation \u2026 and they simply cannot put gas in their cars while they defend our nation?\n\nOn the path forward \u2026 \u201cMedian income in this country is around $35,000 a year. When you think about what this inflationary impact is on folks living paycheck-to-paycheck, it means that you have to choose between sometimes your health care, sometimes your energy, and sometimes the utilities in your house. \u2026 We can change that by [stopping reckless spending] in Washington and [allowing] the American people to catch up. That means putting more focus on an incentive-based economy where we let the private sector do what they do really well and getting the government out of the way.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-calls-out-democrats-destructive-child-care-proposals-at-press-conference/", "Scott Calls Out Democrats\u2019 Destructive Child Care Proposals at Press Conference", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) led their Republican colleagues at a press conference calling out the destructive child care proposals in the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending bill.\n\nClick to watch the senator\u2019s remarks\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s remarks as delivered:\n\nThank you, Senator Burr, for leading this important press conference on an issue that is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It\u2019s simply an American issue.\n\nImagine, if you will, households across the country and specifically those households in South Carolina\u2014[like the one] I grew up in when I was a kid. Single-parent [households are] waking up to the sense of desperation because your gas prices are up nearly 75 percent, so instead of spending less than $2 a gallon in 2020, you\u2019re now spending over $3.30 a gallon in 2021.\n\nImagine, if you will, turning your heat up or, likely, turning your heat down to conserve money because your utilities are up 25 percent. And then you wake up to the BBB\u2014as I call it, the \u201cBuild Back Broker\u201d plan\u2014and you realize that the bone-crushing, life-changing, hope-stealing, job-killing aspects of the BBB include increasing your child care costs, as Senator Burr said, by $13,000.\n\nTo understand the actual impact of the $13,000, you have to first understand that the current cost is over $15,000. So, said in a way that everybody in our nation can understand, with median income around $34,000, you take taxes out, [and] the cost of child care is now more than your take-home pay. Literally, providing child care for one kid is more than the take-home pay of the average income in our nation.\n\nAnd somehow, we are to celebrate this notion that the government is here to do something for you, when in fact, you know the government is taking something from you. And what are they taking? Your hope, your future, your plans. And so, while we may think of this as an exercise of political philosophy [or] one side versus the other \u2026 this is literally an attempt to fundamentally transform what it means to take care of your child in the place you want to send your child, by eliminating options, increasing the cost, and stealing the hope from far too many families who deserve better from their government.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-statement-on-passage-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act/", "Senator Scott Statement on Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act", "2021-12-15", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on his vote to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\n\u201cAt a time of growing and evolving global threats, it is unthinkable that the Biden administration asked for tens of billions of dollars in cuts to our military,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI am proud to vote for this bipartisan authorization to increase U.S. defense spending by $25 billion more than the Biden plan and give our troops a well-deserved pay raise. I remain committed to ensuring our men and women in uniform are fully equipped to keep our country safe and prosperous.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nThe FY22 NDAA authorizes $777.7 billion to support U.S. national defense and includes a pay raise for armed forces for the third year in a row. The bill includes Senator Scott\u2019s amendment to increase funding from the president\u2019s original request of $31 million for the Department of Defense\u2019s Historically Black Colleges and Universities program to $73 million in the final NDAA. The bill also contains multiple wins for South Carolina championed by Senator Scott, including:\n\n$59 million, Joint Base Charleston\n\n$55 million, Fort Jackson\n\n$130.3 million, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort\n\n$6 million, Marine Corps Reserve Depot Parris Island\n\n$18.8 million, McEntire Joint National Guard Base\n\n$1.7 billion, Savannah River Site\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8A2FB8CC-1343-406B-B01B-EC64790E25F5", "Graham, Shaheen Call For Humanitarian Assistance For Afghans", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) today issued the following statement following a meeting with Angelina Jolie.\n\n\u201cWe had a very productive meeting with Angelina Jolie regarding the plight of Afghan women and religious minorities.\n\n\u201cOur nation and the international community need to work together to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cWe will be working with our colleagues and Administration officials to develop a coordinated U.S. response, hopefully in conjunction with the international community, to help the Afghan people through this winter and beyond.\n\n\u201cWe appreciate all the work Ms. Jolie has done and her dedication to help the long-suffering Afghan people.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=91F827D5-BBA9-4FCF-ADC3-9635CABE09E1", "Yuma, Arizona Forced To Declare State Of Emergency", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "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 reacted to news that the mayor of Yuma, Arizona declared a State of Emergency in response to the surge of illegal immigration encountered in the region.\n\nGraham visited Yuma in October. He warned:\n\n\u201cYuma, Arizona is going to be the next Del Rio [Texas]. Word is out. They are sending people away from Del Rio and coming here. Most of the people who come here are not from Mexico or the Northern Triangle countries. Just about everybody we saw was from Venezuela, Brazil, and Cuba.\u201d\n\nSenator Lindsey Graham \u2013 https://bit.ly/3EV3bRH\n\nYuma, Arizona \u2013 October 12, 2021\n\nGraham today made this statement on Yuma, Arizona declaring a State of Emergency:\n\n\u201cI was disappointed to hear that the mayor of Yuma, Arizona was forced to declare a State of Emergency because of the dramatic increase in illegal immigration in the Yuma Sector.\n\n\u201cI traveled to Yuma to meet with the mayor in October. I also met with Border Patrol officials and other community leaders. It was apparent then that the problems we were seeing in Texas would come to Arizona. It appears that time has now arrived. The latest report from the Yuma Sector states that since October 1 of this year, the flow of illegal immigration has already reached fifty percent (50%) of all of fiscal year 2021.\n\n\u201cWhether in Texas or now in Arizona, it seems all too often local officials like the mayor of Yuma have to do the work and are stuck with confronting the problems of illegal immigration in order to protect their local communities. They are forced to sound the alarm and clean up the mess after the Biden Administration drops the ball. This is a nightmare for the people of Arizona.\n\n\u201cI want to help these local communities suffering under the pressure of illegal immigration and help our Border Patrol who are working around the clock to manage the problems created by the Biden Administration.\n\n\u201cSince taking office, the Biden Administration has been AWOL about unprecedented problems along our southern border. They refuse to get ahead of this problem and take corrective action. They have let this humanitarian and public health crisis spiral out of control.\n\n\u201cWhere is Vice President Harris? Where are the other Administration officials in charge? What are they doing to help states like Texas and Arizona who are forced to deal with the Biden Administration\u2019s failures? Where are the international partners to help stem the flow?\n\n\u201cUltimately, it is up to the Biden Administration to lead on these issues. They need to up their game. Instead of focusing on these problems, they seem more intent on working toward legal settlements that will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to illegal immigrants who broke our laws.\n\n\u201cIn an Administration marked by multiple critical failures, which have left our nation weaker than before they took office, the Biden Administration\u2019s border policies are among the worst. The citizens of Yuma, Arizona and the surrounding communities are the latest victims of their failures.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-prevent-democrats-big-government-lending-scheme/", "Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prevent Democrats\u2019 Big Government Lending Scheme", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), along with Republican colleagues, introduced the Protecting Access to Credit for Small Businesses Act. The bill is designed to prevent Democrats from turning the Small Business Administration (SBA) into a direct lender, as they are attempting to do in their tax-and-spend reconciliation bill.\n\n\u201cForcing community banks and local credit unions to compete with a massive government agency is inefficient and wrong,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott.\u201cFunneling tax dollars through the federal government in order to loan it back to small business owners with interest makes no sense. This is just another example of Democrats\u2019 misguided plan for a big government takeover of virtually every aspect of American life and private institutions.\u201d\n\n\u201cFraud and inefficiency characterize the Small Business Administration\u2019s history in direct lending,\u201d said Senator Kennedy. \u201cThe government shouldn\u2019t encroach on a space where private lenders are already doing a good job getting funds to the small businesses that need them. I\u2019m proud to partner with Sen. Scott to stop the SBA from replacing community and other private lenders with bureaucrats.\u201d\n\nThe bill is co-sponsored by Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R- Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nIn October, Senator Scott and several colleaguessent a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House and Senate Small Business Committee Chairs Ben Cardin and Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez warning against their plan to make the SBA a direct lender through the Democrats\u2019 reckless tax and spending bill.\n\nThe SBA Office of the Inspector General estimates that the federal government Economic Injury Disaster Loan program had 17 times the amount of potentially fraudulent loans than did Paycheck Protection Program loans run through financial institutions.\n\nThe legislation is supported by American Bankers Association, Consumer Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, Bank Policy Institute, Credit Union National Association, National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions, and South Carolina Bankers Association.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-scott-booker-resolution-raising-sickle-cell-awareness/", "Senate Passes Scott, Booker Resolution Raising Sickle Cell Awareness", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker\u2019s (D-N.J.) 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 Americans,\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 is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, and yet research, treatment, and awareness efforts for the disease still lag far behind other chronic illnesses,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cMore work and research remains to be done, and we must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are largely affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health. I am proud to lead the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month resolution with Senator Scott and I will continue to champion federal initiatives to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.\u201d\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s sickle cell legislation, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act, was signed into law in 2018, and the senator continues to advocate for the sickle cell community today.\n\nThe resolution was cosponsored by Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).\n\nRead the full resolution here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-questions-fda-nominee-on-the-future-of-mrna-and-crispr-technologies/", "Senator Scott Questions FDA Nominee on the Future of mRNA and CRISPR Technologies", "2021-12-14", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) questioned Dr. Robert Califf, President Biden\u2019s nominee for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, on the future of mRNA and CRISPR technologies and their potential to treat and cure rare diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia.\n\nClick to watch the senator\u2019s questions\n\nA full transcript is below.\n\nSenator Scott: Thank you, Dr. Califf, for spending some time with us today and talking about some really important issues that we could all spend a day talking about. I only have five minutes, [which is] good news for you.\n\nMy first question is: You\u2019re coming into a very important position in the midst of, really, headwinds in the public health space. And I appreciate the enormity of your responsibilities if you are confirmed to lead the FDA. How do you view the FDA\u2019s role in granting Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the new, as well as repurposed, products to address the COVID-19 pandemic? Should the FDA use a wider latitude to ensure multiple avenues\u2014for instance drugs like budesonide, as well as COVID-19 testing kids\u2014making sure that they\u2019re available to combat the pandemic?\n\nDr. Califf: Thanks senator, it\u2019s good to be here with a fellow South Carolinian. \u2026 You\u2019re well aware, and it was during my tenure that the EUA guidance was written that the potential benefits need to be weighed against the potential risks. That\u2019s the authority the FDA is given.\n\nSo there\u2019s a lot of latitude on the types of things that you mentioned, yet I would still point out we need to have enough evidence that we can make a fair assessment of what the potential is, and we need a system in this country, as I\u2019ve emphasized over and over, that produces the evidence more quickly because under that framework, it\u2019s possible you could get it wrong. It\u2019s different if you\u2019ve actually measured the benefits and risks and then you\u2019re confident about it. And so it\u2019s finding that right balance that\u2019s really in play for the FDA.\n\nSenator Scott: No doubt. I would suggest that, based on the severity of the challenge in the public space, that taking the appropriate calculated risk seems to be necessary nowadays more than it has been in the past, and I think we can do that in a way that involves coming to good decisions consistently.\n\nOn the long view of public health, I am excited about the role that the mRNA played in bringing the vaccine to the forefront and saving millions of lives. What\u2019s the future of that technology for future needs in the vaccine arena, number one?\n\nNumber two, I think about the 7,000 rare blood diseases that have very few therapies, [or] treatments of any sort. And I focus a little bit more on CRISPR technologies for things like Sickle Cell Anemia and that path going forward. Do you see: A) more application for CRISPR in the rare blood disease space? And B) on the future forefront of the mRNAs and vaccines, is that future as bright as it appears it could be with the use of these technologies?\n\nDr. Califf: This is one of the things, senator, where the excitement of being part of this is what keeps me going and coming back. I mean, I\u2019m old enough to remember when the Human Genome Project was just being developed, and now we have the code for the genome, and what you\u2019re describing are the downstream consequences of that with reading the code and producing proteins and other substances that determine whether we\u2019re sick or healthy. And there are a whole array of technologies, you know, specifically for mRNA. I think, as a platform for vaccines, this is something that we\u2019ve only dreamed about, but it\u2019s a reality now. And you know, this took a collaboration of FDA scientists and, of course, academia and the private sector all working towards a common goal over decades.\n\nYou also mentioned CRISPR, and the ability to change the fundamental genome is an amazing possibility but also has significant risks. And so, like everything else, we\u2019ve got to come up with the ideas, try them out, and measure things and see what really works, but almost nothing could be more exciting than curing a rare genetic disease with a gene substitution, perhaps for life. And I think, for people with Sickle Cell Disease, I\u2019ve done a lot of work \u2026 I think this is something that\u2019s really needed, and it ties in. You know, chronic treatment for Sickle Cell Disease is not going so well in this country because many of the patients live off the beaten path of the big high-tech centers, and we\u2019ve got to get treatments that are more effective.\n\nSenator Scott: I think we should at least take a second and thank Dr. Francis Collins for his work on the project that really has produced amazing results for our nation and, frankly, for the world. I know he\u2019s retiring or just retired. His work has been amazing for all of mankind, number one. Number two, I would suggest that, as we look into that future, the ethical issues around the new technologies like CRISPR will continue to pop up around the world. I know that China has had some challenges already with the use of CRISPR, and so what becomes a solution also becomes a problem. That\u2019s called reality, and hopefully we will wrestle with those ethical issues in the public forum sometime in the very near future.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-reminds-constituents-to-sign-up-for-health-insurance-during-open-enrollment/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN REMINDS CONSTITUENTS TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTH INSURANCE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT", "2021-12-13", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "COLUMBIA \u2013 Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn is reminding constituents that there is still time to sign up for affordable health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace until January 15, 2022. For coverage beginning January 1, individuals must enroll by December 15. Due to the work of Democrats in Congress, the recently enacted American Rescue Plan has made enrolling in quality health insurance through the Marketplace more affordable and accessible than ever. Because of these new changes, 80 percent of individuals and families are now able to find a quality plan for just under $10 a month and more people are eligible to buy subsidized health insurance through the marketplace.\n\n\u201cCOVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the health and wellbeing of our communities and has burdened many families with high medical costs. It is more important now than ever to ensure that families have access to quality, affordable health insurance,\u201d said Congressman Clyburn. \u201cWhen we passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, our goal was to ensure all Americans have access to the health care they need. Under the American Rescue Plan, Democrats have continued this mission and have made health insurance more affordable than ever before. I encourage all South Carolinians in need of health insurance to visit the marketplace during open enrollment to get covered with an affordable plan today.\u201d\n\nAdditional information to know:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-to-attend-dr-mary-mcleod-bethune-statue-ceremony-in-mayesville/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN TO ATTEND DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE STATUE CEREMONY IN MAYESVILLE", "2021-12-10", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "COLUMBIA \u2013 Next Friday, Congressman James E. Clyburn will help welcome Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune\u2019s statue as it makes a stop in her hometown of Mayesville, South Carolina on its way to the U.S. Capitol. The 11-foot, 3-ton marble statue will be on display for public viewing on North Main Street East for the day to give community members the opportunity to view Bethune\u2019s statue before it continues its journey to Washington, D.C.\n\nBorn to former slaves in 1875 on a plantation in Mayesville, Bethune would go on to become one of the country\u2019s most influential educators and civil rights leaders. Florida selected Bethune to replace a Confederate General as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection, representing the state where she founded Bethune-Cookman University. Each state sends two statues to the collection, and Bethune\u2019s addition is historic as she becomes the first Black person to be sent to the Capitol from a state.\n\n\u201cSoon, the statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune will depart Daytona Beach, Florida \u2013 her home where she founded Bethune-Cookman University. As she makes her way to her place of honor in the United States Capitol, it is fitting that Dr. Bethune be honored in her birthplace of Mayesville, South Carolina. This Homecoming will give South Carolinians an opportunity to admire the beauty of the historic sculpture and reflect upon the magnificence of her life. The visit to Mayesville has been a dream I have shared with my friend, Congressman Jim Clyburn. I appreciate the work it took to coordinate this stop in Mayesville so that South Carolinians can share in the celebration of her life,\u201d Representative Castor said.\n\n\u201cI was pleased to work with Congresswoman Kathy Castor of Florida and the Town of Mayesville to bring the statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune to her birthplace, and I thank Wells Fargo and the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Statuary Fund, Inc. for helping us honor her at home in this way,\u201d said Congressman Clyburn. \u201cAs a young child, my mother revered Dr. Bethune, and had me learn all that I could about her. It was her roots in South Carolina that fueled her passion for education and enabled her to serve as a counselor to U.S. Presidents and a tremendous advocate for the Black community. I spearheaded the effort to have her portrait in the South Carolina Statehouse in the 1970s, and 50 years later, I look forward to welcoming her statue to the halls of Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis moment in history would not have been possible if it were not for our esteemed Congressman and Majority Whip, James E. Clyburn,\u201d said Mayesville Mayor Hollimon-Miller. \u201cMy aunt, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was called \u201cThe First Lady of the Struggle\u201d for her persistent influence on the Roosevelt Administration on civil rights issues that impacted her people throughout the world. As one of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune\u2019s family descendants and Mayor of her birthplace, seeing her statue move from her college, Bethune-Cookman University with a stop at her birthplace, is truly an inspiration of God Himself. This is so spiritual and befitting for God to honor her wishes to one day return home on her way to the nation\u2019s capital where she will rest throughout eternity.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to witness the recognition of Dr. Bethune\u2019s legacy,\u201d said William Daley, Wells Fargo Vice Chairman for Public Affairs. \u201cThrough her work as an educator, civil rights activist, and advocate for women\u2019s equality, Dr. Bethune\u2019s impact on our nation will be felt for generations to come.\u201d\n\nA ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 17 to celebrate Mary McLeod Bethune\u2019s legacy and officially welcome her statue to Mayesville.\n\nWho: Congressman James E. Clyburn\n\nMayor Jereleen Hollimon-Miller\n\nWilliam M. Daley, Vice Chairman, Wells Fargo\n\nNilda Comas, Master Sculptor\n\nMorris College Choir Ensemble\n\nWhat: Mary McLeod Bethune Statue Ceremony\n\nWhere: Mary McLeod Bethune Learning Center and Art Gallery\n\n35 North Main Street East Mayesville, South Carolina 29104\n\nWhen: Friday, December 17th at 2:00 p.m.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-statement-cfpb-director-chopras-attempted-political-power-grab/", "Senator Scott Statement on CFPB Director Chopra\u2019s Attempted Political Power Grab", "2021-12-10", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board Member Martin Gruenberg\u2019s attempt to politicize the FDIC by circumventing Chairwoman Jelena McWilliams.\n\n\u201cI am shocked and disappointed by the blatant disregard CFPB Director Chopra and FDIC Board Member Gruenberg have shown for the leadership of FDIC Chairman McWilliams,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cTheir actions are an affront to the FDIC\u2019s status as an independent financial regulator and deserve rebuke from Republicans and Democrats\u2014including the Biden White House. The decision to hold this illegitimate vote has upended the FDIC\u2019s decades-long commitment to respect and collegiality between board members, regardless of political affiliation, to instead pursue an egregious and possibly illegal political power grab.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-on-legislation-to-prevent-settlement-payments-for-illegal-immigrants/", "Scott Joins Colleagues on Legislation to Prevent Settlement Payments for Illegal Immigrants", "2021-12-09", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and 28 Senate colleagues in sponsoring the Protect American Taxpayer Dollars from Illegal Immigration Act, to prevent settlement payments for individuals who crossed the U.S. border illegally.\n\nDespite the crisis consuming our southern border, President Biden\u2019s Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to give out payments of $450,000 per person to immigrants who broke our laws by coming here illegally\u2014putting their lives and their children\u2019s lives at risk. If successful, President Biden\u2019s DOJ could pay out hundreds of millions of dollars to illegal immigrants while hardworking American taxpayers are struggling under Democrat\u2019s reckless tax-and-spend policies.\n\n\u201cWith far more than a million illegal crossings this year alone, there is a clear humanitarian and national security disaster at our border,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet\u2014even as hardworking Americans struggle to buy gas and groceries in the face of roaring inflation\u2014Democrats want to give nearly half-a-million dollars to individuals who broke our nation\u2019s laws. This is wrong not only for Americans, but also for the migrants who don\u2019t need another incentive to cross our border illegally and put their families in harm\u2019s way.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur southern border is a disaster, and President Biden\u2019s failed policies have continued to fuel this ongoing crisis,\u201d said Senator Tillis. \u201cWe are seeing the most illegal immigration this year alone than ever recorded, and now President Biden wants to give illegal immigrants a payout, further rewarding lawlessness and chaos. These $450,000 settlements are an insult to all hardworking Americans who will subsequently be funding these large settlements with their hard-earned tax dollars. I am proud to work with my colleagues to make sure this doesn\u2019t happen.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile American families are struggling anxiously just to keep pace with President Biden\u2019s inflation, the President now wants to make millionaires out of people who crossed the border illegally. It\u2019s beyond parody,\u201d said Leader McConnell. \u201cObviously, this would only exacerbate the Democrats\u2019 border crisis and incentivize the riskiest and most dangerous kinds of illegal immigration.\u201d\n\nSenators Scott and Tillis were joined by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Josh Hawley (R- Mo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Steve Daines (R- Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wilson-statement-on-house-passage-of-fy2022-national-defense", "Wilson Statement on House Passage of FY2022  National Defense Authorization Act", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement on the House passage of the FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\"This year's NDAA represents the ongoing commitment my colleagues and I have for our national security, servicemembers, veterans, and their families. As a Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and the Second District of South Carolina on this critical legislation that advances peace through strength. Enactment of this bill would be the 61st consecutive fiscal year that the NDAA has passed, exhibiting the truly bipartisan nature of the process.\n\n\"Many of the initiatives I have championed this Congress are in this year's NDAA, including language to reduce barriers for military voters, exercise Congressional oversight of the Biden Administration's catastrophic withdrawal of Afghanistan endangering American families at home, provide support for military families with members who have special needs, encourage uniform cost parity between male and female servicemembers through the Military FATIGUES Act, and prevent malign actors from abusing INTERPOL with the TRAP Act.\n\n\"Military families are the strong foundation of the nation's military, which is why I am focused on ensuring servicemembers and their families continue to receive the benefits they deserve. This NDAA provides a 2.7 percent increase in basic pay, expands the in-home childcare pilot program, increases allowable parental leave, and ensures incentive pay parity for our National Guard and Reserve components.\n\n\"This legislation removes attempts by Democrats to restrict the Second Amendment rights of servicemembers and require women to register for the selective service and prohibits the Department of Defense (DoD) from dishonorably discharging servicemembers who choose not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.\n\n\"This bill also provides full funding authorization for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) at the Savannah River Site, all of which I have worked to secure through the committee process.\n\n\"As a veteran and father of four sons who have served in the military overseas, I appreciate these victories for our military and am committed to continuing to work for our servicemembers and their families. I am thankful to have worked with my colleagues to advance this important, bipartisan legislation.\"\n\nHighlights of the FY22 NDAA:\n\nSavannah River Site (SRS)\n\nIncludes authorization for full funding for the missions of the Savannah River Site, including laying the groundwork for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility and modernization of our nuclear triad\n\nSecures an additional authorization of $6 million to fund Payment in Lieu of Taxes for the communities of the Savannah River Site\n\nSupport for Military Families\n\nAuthorizes a 2.7% pay raise for servicemembers\n\nIncludes Congressman Wilson's effort to expand the advisory panel supporting our military families with members who have special needs\n\nThe panel will now include a broader representation of families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) to ensure this critical military population receives the support they need\n\nIncludes Congressman Wilson's bicameral, bipartisan Military Forces Assuring that Treatment of Items by Gender are Uniform and Equal across the Services (FATIGUES) Act, which encourages uniform cost parity between male and female servicemembers\n\nIncludes Congressman Wilson's amendment focusing $10 million in educational impact aid for military families with children enrolled in EFMP\n\nIncreases allowable parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers, including foster parents\n\nExpands the in-home childcare pilot program providing financial assistance for in-home childcare\n\nRequires the military to provide Reserve and National Guard servicemembers incentive and special duty pay at the same rate as their active-duty counterparts\n\nEstablishes a \"Special Trial Counsel\" within the Uniform Code of Military Justice system to make prosecutorial determinations for offenses of sexual assault, murder, and other serious crimes\n\nAfghanistan Oversight and Accountability\n\nIncludes Congressman Wilson's requirement that DoD detail a systematic, sustainable, and interagency method of determining eligibility for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which will enhance the security of the program and help us fulfill our obligation to local nationals who provide crucial support to our armed forces\n\nProhibits DoD from providing any financial support to the Taliban\n\nProhibits the use of DoD aircraft to transfer frozen currency reserves or other assets to the Taliban\n\nEstablishes an independent commission to review the entirety of the Afghanistan War, including the disastrous withdrawal, and present findings and recommendations to Congress\n\nMilitary Readiness\n\nReverses Biden's disastrous cuts to readiness and modernization priorities by adding $25 billion to Biden's dangerously inadequate defense budget topline\n\nThis prevents our military from being shortchanged as they balance the Global War on Terrorism and other emerging threats while modernizing critical warfighting capabilities\n\nIncludes Congressman Wilson's effort to make tactical training safer by establishing a Joint Safety Council to examine serious training incidents and help standardize best prevention practices across the services\n\nReducing Barriers for Military Voting\n\nIncludes language from Congressman Wilson's bill, the Reducing Barriers for Military Voters Act, to explore the benefit of secure, auditable electronic ballot delivery for members of our military deployed in areas without postal service\n\nSecond Amendment Protections\n\nCongressman Wilson joined the effort to remove \"Red Flag\" provisions included in a previous version of the bill, safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of our servicemembers\n\nOversight of DoD Vaccine Mandates\n\nPrevents DoD from dishonorably discharging servicemembers that refuse the COVID-19 vaccine\n\nRequires DoD to establish uniform standards for exemptions for administrative, medical, or religious reasons\n\nRequires DoD to consider the effects of natural immunity in setting medical standards\n\nRequires DoD to take into account whether the servicemember is approaching retirement when setting administrative exemption standards\n\nRequires DoD to track and record any adverse reactions to vaccines\n\nBorder Security\n\nContinues funding for the deployment of the National Guard to the Southern U.S. border\n\nReauthorizes authority for DoD to support U.S. law enforcement counter-narcotic and counter-transnational crime efforts\n\nRequires an assessment of the impact on military readiness of forcing DoD to transport illegal immigrants\n\nCountering Russia and China\n\nIncludes Congressman Wilson's Transnational Repression Accountability and Prevention (TRAP) Act\n\nEstablishes reforms to prevent authoritarian regimes like China and Russia from continuing to abuse INTERPOL to harass and pursue political dissidents and whistleblowers\n\nProhibits U.S. agencies or departments from extraditing an individual based solely on an INTERPOL notice\n\nRequires the Departments of Justice and State to take actions to increase transparency of INTERPOL and requires reports on countries that abuse INTERPOL communications for political motives and other unlawful purposes\n\nSouth Carolina Military Installations\n\nSupports military aircraft in South Carolina at Shaw Air Force Base, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, and Joint Base Charleston by funding the F-35 joint strike fighter and AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Blackhawk, CH-47 Chinook helicopters\n\nInvests in South Carolina military installations by funding:\n\nFort Jackson's Reception Barracks\n\nJoint Base Charleston's Fire and Rescue Station and Flightline Support Facility\n\nMcEntire Joint National Guard Base's Hazardous Cargo Pad and upgraded F-16 Mission Training Center (MTC)\n\nMarine Corps Air Station Beaufort's Instrument Landing System, F-35 Operational Support Facility, Recycling/Hazardous Waste Facility, and Aircraft Maintenance Hangar\n\nMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island's Entry Control Facility", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-decries-president-bidens-vaccine-mandate-at-press-conference/", "Scott Decries President Biden\u2019s Vaccine Mandate at Press Conference", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined his Republican colleagues at a press conference to decry President Biden\u2019s vaccine mandate. In his remarks, Senator Scott highlighted the mandate\u2019s harmful effects on public safety.\n\nClick to watch Senator Scott\u2019s remarks\n\nRemarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cI won\u2019t repeat what my friends and colleagues have said up here already, but I do want to focus on the importance of the mandate\u2019s impact on public safety.\n\n\u201cHaving grown up in South Carolina in North Charleston, I see cities throughout South Carolina and around the country, frankly\u2014New York City being, perhaps, the poster child of bad decisions, especially as it relates to this mandate and the oppressive decision that [Mayor De Blasio] has made, and the negative impact it will have on public safety is without question. [It\u2019s] one of the most alarming aspects of this mandate and one of the reasons why I look forward to the passage of this [Congressional Review Act].\n\n\u201cImportantly, I think about the firefighters who are no longer working on their jobs, think about the EMS drivers [and] the EMTs who are no longer able to save lives, think about the law enforcement officers\u2014the police officers in my hometown and throughout this nation\u2014who are no longer on the job.\n\n\u201cThe negative impact on public safety in a year where violent crime is hitting highs \u2026 it\u2019s a devastating impact in places like the one that I grew up in, where the last thing you want is fewer officers patrolling the streets in the neighborhoods. The thing you want the most is the presence of law enforcement in those neighborhoods. And we see that\u2019s not \u2026 possible as city after city across this nation sees the loss of more and more officers, sees the loss of more and more firefighters, sees the loss of more and more EMTs because of this mandate.\n\n\u201cThe negative impact will be felt in the loss of lives because of the lack of individuals responding to emergencies in communities all across this country, not responding because the government gets in the way.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-vote-to-reject-president-bidens-vaccine-mandate/", "Scott Statement on Vote to Reject President Biden\u2019s Vaccine Mandate", "2021-12-08", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement after voting for the Congressional Review Act resolution, to formally oppose President Biden\u2019s vaccine mandate on private businesses.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden\u2019s unpopular, heavy-handed mandate is clear government overreach that will weaken our struggling economy, sow more distrust of vaccines, and\u2014perhaps most importantly\u2014threaten public safety,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cIn the midst of an alarming, nationwide crime wave, these mandates are further handicapping our police departments and first responders. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in voting against this harmful mandate and standing up for communities across our nation that are prepared to thrive, if the government would just get out of the way.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=113EFDBC-319D-4220-814A-1C9B00631E1D", "Graham On The Passing Of Former Senator Bob Dole", "2021-12-06", "2021", "2021-12", "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 on the passing of former Senator Bob Dole.\n\n\u201cLike most in his generation, Bob Dole was willing to sacrifice everything for his country.\n\n\u201cAs a soldier, he suffered horrendous injuries for the cause of defeating Nazi Germany.\n\n\u201cAs a political leader, he was one of the strongest voices for a strong national defense and made America a better place.\n\n\u201cHe was instrumental in the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act because he understood their needs.\n\n\u201cHe led the Republican Party with honor and passion for common-sense conservatism.\n\n\u201cHe found middle ground when required for the good of our nation.\n\n\u201cOn a personal note, he was a dear friend and served as Chair of my first campaign for the Senate. He was always helpful and supportive.\n\n\u201cBob Dole was one of the giants of the Senate and one of the bravest of the brave. He has now reaped the benefits of a well-lived life and eternal peace in heaven.\n\n\u201cTo Elizabeth and the entire Dole clan: please know that millions of Americans have you in their prayers. Bob Dole was loved and respected, and his life was as good as it gets.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-wilson-on-the-passing-of-bob-dole", "Congressman Wilson on the Passing of Bob Dole", "2021-12-05", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement: \"I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole today.\n\n\"A great American hero and statesman, Bob Dole gallantly served his country in the Second World War, where he was severely wounded trying to help a comrade in danger, and went on to represent his home state of Kansas for over four decades, initially as a state house member, through his time in the U.S. House of Representatives and then in the leadership of the U.S. Senate, including time as chairman of the Republican National Committee. It was in the Senate where his dedication to the disabled was especially noteworthy, as he was instrumental in the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination. After his public service career, he continued supporting veterans issues, including as an important fundraiser for the World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1087", "Rep. Ralph Norman Introduces Legislation to Expedite FDA Compliance with FOIA Requests for Vaccine Approval Data", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Thursday, Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC) introduced legislation that would require the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release all records of information submitted to the FDA regarding the authorization of emergency use of, or licensing of all COVID-19 vaccines. The bill requires all records and information to be released to the public no later than 100 days.\n\nBackground\n\nThe Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was licensed by the FDA on August 23, 2021, 108 days after Pfizer began submitting documents for approval by the FDA.\n\nThe Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency (PHMPT) is a group of public health and medical professionals, which includes professors and scientists from universities including Yale, Harvard, UCLA, and Brown.\n\nThrough a Freedom of Information Act, PHMPT sought an expedited request \"to obtain the data and information relied upon by the FDA to license the Pfizer Vaccine\" in part to \"confirm the FDA\u2019s conclusion that the Pfizer Vaccine is safe and effective.\"\n\nThe FDA denied expedited processing of PHMPT's request, prompting that organization to file a lawsuit against the FDA in September 2021. In total, PHMPT is seeking more than 329,000 pages of documents detailing the approval of the Pfizer vaccine.\n\nOn November 15, 2021, FDA attorneys asked the court to allow the FDA to release just 500 pages per month to the public, resulting in a timeline of roughly 55 years for the disclosure of all documents. More than 256 million doses of Pfizer's vaccine have been administered in the United States since the approval of the vaccine in August 2021 by the FDA.\n\nThe FOIA request and lawsuit are exclusive to the FDA approved Pfizer vaccine, but Rep. Norman's legislation would require the public release of all documentation related to Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.\n\nRep. Norman issued the following statement on Thursday:\n\n\"The FDA's only priority should be the health and safety of consumers. The agency has compromised its integrity by delaying information that belongs to the public. Since the Biden administration is hell-bent on forcing these vaccine mandates on us, the public has every right to know how this vaccine was approved, especially in such a short amount of time. After all, the FDA managed to consider all 329,000 pages of data and grant emergency approval of the Pfizer vaccine within just 108 days. So it\u2019s hard to rationalize why it now needs 55 years to fully release that information to the public.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CB6A8F94-5296-4B0C-9510-62A311A1652C", "Graham Backs Legislation Preventing Settlement Payments To Illegal Immigrants", "2021-12-02", "2021", "2021-12", "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 signed on to legislation, the Protect American Taxpayer Dollars from Illegal Immigration Act, to prevent federal funds from being used for payments to illegal immigrants at the expense of hardworking American taxpayers.\n\nAccording to published reports, the Biden Administration has proposed giving payments of up to $450,000 per person to illegal immigrants who broke our laws, came here illegally, and put their children\u2019s lives at risk.\n\nIn a televised question and answer, Biden had disputed that his Administration was considering doing this and called the proposed payments \u201cgarbage.\u201d After discussions with others in his Administration, they reversed course and made it clear President Biden is now \u201cperfectly comfortable\u201d with the plan for cash payouts.\n\n\u201cIt is clear that when it comes to using taxpayer dollars to pay illegal immigrants, the Biden Administration and Democratic Party have lost their minds,\u201d said Graham. \u201cTheir proposal, which rewards illegal immigrants who broke our laws with extravagant payments of up to $450,000 per person, would be pouring gas on a raging fire along our southern border.\n\n\u201cThe number of migrants crossing our border illegally grows larger by the day,\u201d said Graham. \u201cThe Biden Administration will make the crisis even worse if they pay illegal immigrants who were lawfully detained hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. These proposed settlements are unjust, unwise and will encourage more illegal immigration at the worst possible time.\u201d\n\nGraham noted the proposed settlement with illegal immigrants by the Biden Administration is far more generous than to Americans who serve in uniform and are killed in the line of duty. Graham said a family of a U.S. servicemember who dies while on active duty only receives a one-time payment of $100,000 from the Department of Defense.\n\n\u201cThis legislation will make sure taxpayer dollars are reserved for hardworking American citizens and their families,\u201d concluded Graham.\n\nThe full text of the bill is available here.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/clyburn-and-rice-introduce-legislation-to-revise-standards-for-disaster-recovery-grants/", "CLYBURN AND RICE INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REVISE STANDARDS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY GRANTS", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Representatives James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Tom Rice (R-S.C.) this week introduced legislation to revise the standards for eligibility for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grants for communities after major disasters.\n\nThis legislation corrects an imbalance in the standards for an area to be considered as having suffered sufficient concentrated damages following a disaster from a minimum threshold dollar amount to any zip code for which the median household income is less than 75 percent of the national median household income.\n\n\u201cIt is often in times of crisis that inequities in our country are most pronounced. This was especially true in South Carolina after many rural and disadvantaged communities suffered significant losses during the 2015 100-year flood,\u201d said Congressman Clyburn. \u201cI am pleased to join this effort to ensure low-income communities are not discriminated against in the allocation of disaster recovery funding merely because their damages don\u2019t meet an arbitrary minimum dollar amount.\u201d\n\n\u201cSouth Carolina faced challenges with how the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocations were weighted during past disasters, such as after Hurricane Florence. Currently, the HUD formulas favor large counties and discriminate against small counties, regardless of damages sustained during a major disaster,\u201d said Congressman Rice. \u201cI\u2019m proud to work across the aisle with Congressman Clyburn on this important correction that will better help disadvantaged areas of South Carolina receive our due federal disaster funding in the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities across our nation face unique challenges in the aftermath of natural disasters. Modifying the CDBG-DR funding methodology is a great step towards more equitable recovery funding particularly in our state\u2019s rural counties,\u201d said South Carolina Chief Resilience Officer Benjamin I. Duncan II.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-hold-roundtable-on-dems-harmful-child-care-proposals/", "Scott, Colleagues Hold Roundtable on Dems\u2019 Harmful Child Care Proposals", "2021-12-01", "2021", "2021-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with Senators Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), held a roundtable with child care providers from around the country to hear their concerns about the negative impact the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending bill would have on child care workers and families.\n\nClick to watch Sen. Scott\u2019s remarks\n\nSenator Scott\u2019s remarks, as delivered:\n\nThank you, Senator Burr, for holding this really important roundtable discussion. Let me just say to each and every witness, thank you all for being here and providing your expertise as it relates to what we\u2019re facing in the \u201cBuild Back Better\u201d plan.\n\nIn so many cases, for the parents of the 12 million kids [under age] five, it\u2019s really a \u201cBuild Back Broker\u201d plan, honestly.\n\nIf you literally think about what [the Democrats\u2019] own folks are saying about their plan, it\u2019s devastating to families. I think about the liberal People\u2019s Policy Project that calculates that this plan would increase the cost of having a single child\u2014one child\u2014in daycare from $15,800 to over $28,000.\n\nThere\u2019s no way that this government will provide families with enough subsidies to make up for the cost that the Build Back Broker plan is actually going to increase. I can\u2019t think of anything less logical, anything less commonsense, than this plan as it relates to child care.\n\nI\u2019d also say that, for more than 30 years, there\u2019s been a bipartisan coalition here in Washington that has included faith-based child care as a part of the remedies available for families. Fifty-three percent of families use the faith-based option. This new plan eliminates that option for more than half of Americans who want to dictate and determine where their child goes to child care.\n\nI don\u2019t understand what [the Democrats] don\u2019t understand about this proposal and its increased cost, its reduction in options, and its negative impact on families all across America.\n\nAnd every time I talk with a child care provider, their suggestions to making child care more affordable seem commonsense, as if they\u2019re in the business of doing it every single day! Why [would we] not take a step back and listen to folks like you all, who are experts on the ground on helping us deal with what is, in fact, an ever-increasing problem for Americans across this nation?\n\nHow do I find the right place for my child? Why isn\u2019t that the focus? Why are we focusing on changing the facility, changing the employees, changing the profits, changing the approach, and making it all more expensive and out of reach for the average American family?\n\nI can\u2019t imagine having two kids in child care. If one is $28,000 almost $30,000, [then] two kids? The median income in this country\u2014median, Senator Burr\u2014is under $40,000. How [do] you go to work and take care of your family with the Build Back Broker plan? It just won\u2019t work.\n\nI think we ought not politicize this issue, because to me this is not an issue of Left versus Right. This is an issue of American families looking for ways to make decisions in their households, and [this plan would] take away options by making it unaffordable.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:37:48Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6665BF15-2972-4D62-9E9B-A0F47C4AC10F", "Graham On Dobbs Vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization", "2021-11-30", "2021", "2021-11", "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) made this statement on tomorrow\u2019s oral argument before the Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women\u2019s Health Organization. The case deals with the constitutionality of a 2018 Mississippi state law that bans almost all abortions after fifteen weeks of pregnancy.\n\nGraham has long been a leader and one of the most effective legislators in Congress in passing pro-life legislation. He was the original author of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush. Graham is currently pushing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which would ban abortions twenty weeks after fertilization.\n\nGraham on threats against the Court:\n\n\u201cTomorrow will be a consequential day in the history of the Supreme Court.\n\n\u201cTo my Democratic colleagues: I will accept whatever decision the Court renders in the Mississippi abortion case \u2013 whether I like it or not. However, I find the threats leveled against the Court by Democratic politicians to be inappropriate and dangerous.\n\n\u201cThreats to expand the size of the Supreme Court based on a ruling you may not agree with undermines the Rule of Law.\u201d\n\nGraham on Dobbs Case:\n\n\u201cIt has long been my personal view that \u2018substantive due process\u2019 as a legal concept is unbounded and dangerous.\n\n\u201cUnder Roe vs. Wade, elected legislators are prohibited from having a say about the rights of the unborn before medical viability. The Court\u2019s legal reasoning behind this is an example of \u2018substantive due process.\u2019\n\n\u201cOver time, \u2018substantive due process\u2019 allows the Court to confer rights based on the view of five Supreme Court Justices, not the Constitution. In effect, the Court becomes the most powerful legislative body in the land.\n\n\u201cThe Dobbs case is historic and will afford the Court the opportunity to return political decision making to the legislative branch and revisit \u2018substantive due process.\u2019\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-calls-out-harms-of-dem-spending-inflation-irs-proposal-at-banking-hearing/", "Senator Scott Calls Out Harms of Dem Spending, Inflation, IRS Proposal at Banking Hearing", "2021-11-30", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) had spirited exchanges with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at a hearing for the Senate banking committee. Senator Scott highlighted the impact of persistent, surging inflation on the most vulnerable Americans resulting from out-of-control Democrat spending and called out the Biden administration for doubling down on their IRS bank reporting scheme.\n\nClick to Watch Sen. Scott\u2019s Questions\n\nRead a full transcript of his exchanges below:\n\nSEN. SCOTT: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Ranking Member, for holding this hearing this morning, and thank you to the guests for being here with us this morning.\n\nI was thinking about the conversation I had over Thanksgiving with some South Carolinians about the consequences of elections. And we have heard over and over again that elections have consequences, elections have consequences.\n\nPerhaps no finer point that elections have consequences is simply losing a single seat in Georgia, January 5th. The result of one lost seat in Georgia may cost taxpayers just this year $5 trillion in additional spending. One single seat\u2014$5 trillion in additional spending. $1.9 trillion on a COVID relief package that had 1% for vaccines and less than 9% for COVID-related health. $1.2 trillion for an infrastructure package with only 10% of that $1.2 trillion going to roads and bridges in the next five years, and now we\u2019re talking about overheating the economy with another $2 trillion. Elections have consequences. It\u2019s stunning.\n\nAnd what I\u2019ve heard this morning is hard to process back at home in South Carolina. What I\u2019ve heard so far is that the administration wants you to believe what they say and not what you see and are experiencing\u2014what you see with your own eyes. They say [that] by putting another $2 trillion in the economy, it will make things more affordable for you. But what you see and are experiencing is inflation, in part caused by trillions of dollars of government spending and the anticipation of even more money.\n\nIn other words, when inflation is over 6%, and your wage growth is under 3%, your buying power is going down, not up. And they want you to believe that spending more money is going to solve this problem.\n\nThe South Carolinians on a fixed income like Social Security, averaging around $1,500 per month\u2026 their spending because of this \u201ctransitory inflation\u201d\u2014I don\u2019t know what the definition of transitory is anymore\u2014a third of their Social Security income [is spent] on putting gas in their cars, heating their houses, and fixing up the places they live in.\n\nChairman Powell, is it your impression that the Biden administration has a clear understanding that rising prices are hitting people the hardest who are on Social Security, families struggling paycheck-to-paycheck, and single moms?\n\nCHAIRMAN POWELL: It\u2019s not appropriate for me to comment on what the Biden administration thinks. I can talk about what I think\u2026\n\nI think that\u2019s right. I think that, if you think about families that are living paycheck-to-paycheck, they\u2019re feeling high gas prices, soon enough heating/oil prices, food prices. They\u2019re certainly feeling that. And you know, this is our job. Our role is to make sure that this higher inflation does not become entrenched.\n\nSEN. SCOTT: And part of the challenge that I see\u2014I know that someone else may address this point\u2014but I was trying to figure out the complexity of the labor force participation rate, and the fact of the matter is that since the pandemic, we\u2019ve seen a loss of about 1.7% labor force participation rate. We celebrate a 4.6% unemployment rate, but what we sometimes miss is the fact that when you have fewer people looking for work, your unemployment rate goes down because your long-term unemployment goes up, which means that your labor force participation rate also goes down.\n\nBefore I run out of time, let me just follow up on Senator Hagerty\u2019s point about expanding the power of the IRS and your response, Secretary Yellen. Giving the IRS more power to catch tax cheats by starting with the IRS bank reporting proposal seems far-fetched at best. Because the original proposal said that if you were a successful lemonade stand operator making $12 a week, putting $600 into your checking or savings account, [that] would cause [your] account to be reported to the IRS. Then, they revamped that proposal to $10,000. Said differently: If you\u2019re making minimum wage working almost full time, your accounts would then also be available for heightened inspections by the IRS. If you\u2019re looking to catch complex business partnerships in cheating their taxes, you don\u2019t need the IRS bank reporting proposal.\n\nCan you tell the American people today, Secretary Yellen, whether you still support any form of the IRS bank reporting requirements your department proposed earlier this year, which would provide the IRS with currently undisclosed taxpayer information for the purpose of targeting, essentially, every single American working at minimum wage or higher. Do you still support that or not?\n\nSEC. YELLEN: I do support it. I think it\u2019s important that the IRS have visibility into opaque income streams. And that\u2019s an important way of improving tax of compliance\u2014\n\nSEN. SCOTT: Secretary Yellen, let me ask you a question. If you\u2019re looking to catch tax cheats, why in the world would we start with something as low as $600 and then revamp it to $10,000? If you\u2019re trying to find millionaires and billionaires, they\u2019re not running lemonade stands\u2014I don\u2019t think they are\u2014and they\u2019re certainly not making minimum wage. So when you create a new approach to having the IRS search through our account records at our financial institutions, or compelling our financial institutions to forward our information to the IRS\u2014\n\nSEC. YELLEN: I\u2019m sorry, it is not detailed information about what you\u2019re doing in your bank account\u2014\n\nSEN. SCOTT: Aggregated information going to the IRS is the scariest proposal, and there\u2019s no way that it has to be anywhere near the thresholds you\u2019ve started with in order to find a way to take accountability for those complex organizations\u2014\n\nSEN. BROWN: Senator Scott, your time has expired. Secretary Yellen, please answer the question.\n\nSEN. SCOTT: Chairman, if we\u2019re going to have a conversation, we\u2019re going to have to dialogue.\n\nSEN. BROWN: Well you\u2019ve had the dialogue.\n\nSEC. YELLEN: We\u2019ve worked carefully with Congress to narrow the scope of the reporting, and in particular to exempt wage-earners and federal beneficiaries. The initial proposal was intended to be comprehensive. The requirement asked for exactly two pieces of information: aggregate inflows and aggregate outflows over the course of the year for each account where financial institutions already report interest income earned if it exceeds $10. The burden on financial institutions was minimal, and there was no attempt to target income-earners whose actual incomes are below $400,000. But the low reporting requirement was meant to make evasion more difficult by opening multiple accounts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-ossoff-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-boost-national-security-opportunities-for-hbcu-students/", "Sens. Scott, Ossoff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost National Security Opportunities for HBCU Students", "2021-11-29", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) today introduced the bipartisan HBCU National Security Innovation Act, to help connect students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with national security and innovation programs in the defense industry and private sector.\n\n\u201cAs technology continues to advance, our nation faces unprecedented threats that will require new skills and innovation,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cThat\u2019s why I am proud to work to build an enduring connection between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Department of Defense. This bill will not only open doors to new opportunities for diverse students, but it will also allow the Department of Defense to tap into a deeper talent pool than ever before, bolstering our national security for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe HBCU National Security Innovation Act will support the growth of America\u2019s HBCU\u2019s in research, development, and innovation vital to American national security,\u201d Sen. Ossoff said.\n\nSen. Scott is also a consponsor of the bipartisan Cybersecurity Opportunity Act, which would expand cybersecurity training programs at HBCUs and other institutions that serve a high proportion of Pell Grant recipients in South Carolina and nationwide.\n\nAs co-chair of the bipartisan, Congressional HBCU caucus, Sen. Scott has long championed legislation to support and improve our nation\u2019s HBCUs.\n\nIn 2019, his FUTURE Act was signed into law, permanently reauthorizing HBCU funding.\n\nIn 2020, his HBCU Partners Act was signed into law, strengthening the relationship between HBCUs and federal agencies.\n\nIn May of 2021, he introduced the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act to invest in infrastructure at HBCUs, enabling them to expand their transformational work.\n\nIn August of 2021, he introduced a resolution to formally designate the week of September 6, 2021 as \u201cNational Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.\u201d\n\nClick here to read the HBCU National Security Innovation Act.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CA686F22-B059-458E-B411-489A1DA0DE94", "Graham on Biden Releasing Oil from Strategic Reserve", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "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 on the Biden Administration decision to release emergency oil reserves.\n\n\u201cWhat an abuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by the Biden Administration. The program is designed to deal with national emergencies, not correct bad policy. The release of 50 million barrels is a Band-Aid because the root cause is the Democratic war on fossil fuel production in America.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump filled the reserves up with cheap oil. President Biden is releasing millions of barrels to control skyrocketing prices, which are the direct result of his bad policy choices. It won\u2019t work, and we will end up having to eventually replace the released oil at higher prices.\n\n\u201cFinally, the Democrats\u2019 Build Back Better proposal, which recently passed the House of Representatives, will dramatically decrease domestic oil production. It\u2019s a bad bill for American energy independence, and it will make the American oil and gas supply worse in every way.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-talks-financial-literacy-in-axios-interview/", "Senator Scott Talks Financial Literacy in Axios Interview", "2021-11-23", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Axios\u2019s Mike Allen for a discussion on financial literacy. Senator Scott described how growing up in poverty led him to champion financial literacy and credit access for all Americans.\n\nClick to watch the full interview\n\nOn why he champions financial literacy \u2026 \u201cAs a kid who was raised in a single-parent household mired in poverty, I\u2019ve got to tell you that the issue of financial literacy is something that I wish I would\u2019ve understood earlier in life. It was really in my 20s before I started really understanding and appreciating that what you look like on paper might be more important than what you look like in-person. Financial literacy has so much to do with your future success and your present opportunities, and having not learned those lessons early in life, I wanted to make sure that a part of my focus is on making sure that Americans today \u2014 no matter their income \u2014 [have] access to financial literacy. And frankly, the more you find [yourself] in marginalized communities, the more important financial literacy really is.\u201d\n\nOn his bill to block the Democrats\u2019 plans to increase IRS surveillance \u2026 \u201c[T]he three letters you never want to see in your mailbox: It\u2019s the IRS. And having more letters delivered to more mailboxes because of the new reporting requirements coming from the IRS to your financial institutions? I wanted to preemptively make that an impossibility. Getting 50 Republicans on [the bill] in about 24 hours and then talking to a few of my colleagues on the other side, we were able to get that part of this taxing and spending bill [taken] out of it, and that was really good news. I hope it stays out. [The Democrats\u2019 provision] also [sent] a negative message to seven million unbanked Americans to be in fear that getting involved in the financial institutions of this country makes you more likely to be audited. That is a scary proposition.\u201d\n\nOn increasing credit access \u2026 \u201cFor millions of Americans around our country who need more help, need more resources, [and] need more access to loans and opportunities, it is imperative upon us in the positions that we hold to make it easier for those who are credit-worthy to get the credit they need. You think about homeownership and the disparities between the races. One of the ways that we bridge that gap is not by extending loans to people who cannot afford it, but [by] helping those who can be a part of the system and helping those who have been [paying] their rent on time, their electric bill on time, and their cellphone on time. That information should be scored by the credit-scoring agencies, and when that happens, you have more people who have the beauty of experiencing the American Dream, building equity in their largest asset, their homes, and closing the wealth gap.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-senator-scott-discusses-his-childhood-vision-for-america-and-more-on-pbss-firing-line/", "ICYMI: Senator Scott Discusses His Childhood, Vision for America, and More on PBS\u2019s \u2018Firing Line\u2019", "2021-11-22", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This weekend, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined PBS\u2019s \u201cFiring Line\u201d with Margaret Hoover to discuss growing up in poverty and how his experiences shaped his positions on education, police reform, and more.\n\nClick to watch the full interview\n\nExcerpts from the interview:\n\nOn Education Curricula \u2026 \u201cIn education, we should never teach people that any form of discrimination is okay. It\u2019s kind of that simple. And as a kid who went to public high schools and who understands the challenges of race in America intimately and personally, I can tell you that I benefitted from not having [a] curriculum designed around racial outcomes or \u2018oppressed versus oppressors.\u2019 \u2026\n\n\u201cHere\u2019s what I think. Number one, we\u2019ve made more progress in the last 50 years than we did in the first 190. Number two, we still have a ways to go. Both can be true because both are true. And if we were to celebrate the progress \u2014 at the same time looking for ways to address the problems \u2014 I think most Americans would lean into that position. But what we don\u2019t want is to have our kids indoctrinated on any topic. We want to teach our kids how to think, not what to think, and that\u2019s what\u2019s missing.\u201d\n\nOn Progress in America \u2026 \u201cMy grandfather, born in 1921 in South Carolina, experienced a very different South Carolina [than I did]. He had to get off the sidewalk when a white person was coming; he couldn\u2019t look you in the eye. My mother was born in 1944, during a time where all the water fountains were \u2018colored\u2019 or \u2018white.\u2019 But by the time I am in high school, where we had [racial] tension, you also had people sitting together and hanging out. Fast forward to my nephew, who has just graduated \u2026 when I brought all of his friends to lunch after graduation, it looked like the United Nations. I can\u2019t look at that and say, \u2018Boy, we\u2019re going backwards.\u2019 It\u2019s absolutely not true. We are going forward by leaps.\u201d\n\nOn Police Reform \u2026 \u201cTruth be told, I don\u2019t know why [the Democrats] keep walking away from such an important table. \u2026 I\u2019m here for the long haul. I think this is something we have to get done. Let me give you some good news, though, on this topic. There were four or five areas that we all agreed on. \u2026 Is something better than nothing? The answer is absolutely it is. But \u2026 what they wanted was essentially federalizing local law enforcement and still fighting over the funding that departments would be eligible for. Those [are two issues that] I hope we can find paths around. I\u2019m not going to reduce funding, and I\u2019m not going to federalize local law enforcement.\u201d\n\nOn Opportunity Zones \u2026 \u201c[Opportunity Zones attract] the private sector, when they make a profit, to come back to marginalized communities that are disproportionately majority-minority and invest money long-term. What I do not want, what I did not want, and what I will not ever want is for people to come into a community, make a profit off the community, and run away with their money. I wanted them to plant roots for five, seven, 10 years. And frankly, $75 billion in just three years has been committed to Opportunity Zones, where on-average, we\u2019ve seen property values go up double-digits, which means that we\u2019re closing the wealth gap because the gentrification rate is under 5 percent in those zones, meaning that the people who are there are benefitting from what\u2019s happening in their backyards.\u201d\n\nOn Making it Easier to Vote and Harder to Cheat \u2026 \u201cI think, if you look at the Georgia law, this is a classic example of something that\u2019s actually making it easier to vote. Most of the people who have demonized the law didn\u2019t really read the law, so they\u2019re going on headlines, [which are] not always the most accurate. Before the pandemic, it was illegal to have a drop box where you could drop your votes off. In the Georgia law, it codifies and makes it legal to have drop boxes. There\u2019s a big debate over early voting, and I think it\u2019s a worthy debate. In Georgia, there are more early voting days than in blue states throughout the country. \u2026\n\n\u201cThe federal law, H.R. 1, which is the way that the Democrats want to take it, says tax dollars should go into my personal campaign account. That\u2019s wrong! Why would we compel Democrats to put money into a Republican campaign account, or Republicans into a Democrat\u2019s campaign account? Number two, we should not make ballot harvesting legal. We shouldn\u2019t allow for one person to pick up hundreds \u2014 if not thousands \u2014 of ballots and decide which ones they turn in [and] which ones they don\u2019t turn in. That\u2019s the kind of stuff that we don\u2019t need.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-wilson-votes-against-massive-socialist-spending-package", "Congressman Wilson Votes Against Massive Socialist Spending Package", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement after voting against today's massive, Democrat-proposed spending package:\n\n\"\u2018Build Back Bankrupt' is a sad day for young Americans to be saddled with unimaginable debt, destroying jobs, and a sad day for older Americans with Biden inflation crushing retirement accounts, undermining Social Security, and compromising Medicare.\n\n\"This confirms that the Democrat elite think they are smarter than everyone and think Democrat voters are ignorant that this multi-trillion dollar legislation \"costs zero.'\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-wilson-and-cohen-introduce-resolution-to-end-us-recognition", "Congressmen Wilson and Cohen Introduce Resolution to End U.S. Recognition of Vladimir Putin as President of Russia in 2024", "2021-11-19", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC-02), Ranking Member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, better known as the Helsinki Commission, along with Co-Chairman Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), introduced a Congressional Resolution to end recognition of Vladimir Putin as president of Russia after May 7, 2024, if the autocrat remains in power.\n\n\"The inspiring people of Russia deserve better than endless corruption and authoritarianism. Vladimir Putin has shown time and time again that he is willing to subvert the law and the will of the people by continuing to enrich himself and his cronies. The United States should make it clear that it will not recognize desperate attempts by Vladimir Putin to cling to power and continue criminal activities, enriching oligarchs across the globe.\"\n\nThe resolution notes the irregularities in elections that kept Putin in power and makes the case that his continuation in office is illegitimate.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1076", "Reps. Norman and Comer's Request John Kerry's Testimony Before House Oversight Committee", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On Thursday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC-5), Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. James Comer (R-KY-1), Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to the committee Chairwoman, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-12) concerning John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.\n\nThis letter requests the chairwoman convene a hearing with Mr. Kerry concerning \u201chow the Administration\u2019s climate policies are impacting the American economy, including skyrocketing gas prices, and surging inflation.\u201d To date, the House Oversight Committee has held six (6) hearings related to climate change, but has yet to hear from any Biden Administration official responsible for directing climate change policy.\n\nRead the full letter here.\n\nRep. Norman issued the following statement on Tuesday: \u201cThe real \u2018climate crisis\u2019 we face is the Biden administration disregarding sound climate policy in favor of woke virtue signaling and a shameful reluctance to admit the Chinese Communist Party, guilty of human rights abuses, is the greatest threat to this planet both philosophically and ecologically. John Kerry can continue jetting around the globe building his narrative or he can buck up and come have a chat about real solutions to climate change with members of the Oversight Committee.\u201d\n\nRep. Comer added: \u201cPresident Biden granted his Climate Czar, John Kerry, the ability to unilaterally set foreign policy and bind the United States to international agreements without consent from Congress. The American people deserve to fully understand Kerry\u2019s role in the Biden Administration and what closed-door deals he is making with any potential foreign adversary. Democrats should begin to take their oversight responsibilities seriously and immediately join our request for Secretary Kerry to appear before this Committee and answer the American people\u2019s questions.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nCommittee Democrats have continuously advocated for oil companies to reduce production and have attacked the American gas and oil industry, consequently impacting the U.S. economy and creating a massive energy crisis nationwide.\n\nAs U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry\u2019s newly established position was created \u201cto reflect the President-elect\u2019s commitment to addressing climate change as an urgent national security issue,\u201d though the administration\u2019s commitment to addressing climate change has been absent within the Committee on Oversight and Reform thus far despite the roaring domestic energy crisis that continues to worsen.\n\nThe Committee on Oversight and Reform exists to hold the Executive Branch accountable and a testimony from John Kerry -- considering the current state of energy in the nation -- is overdue.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-grills-saule-omarova-at-banking-committee-hearing/", "Senator Tim Scott Grills Saule Omarova at Banking Committee Hearing", "2021-11-18", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) grilled President Biden\u2019s nominee for Comptroller of the Currency, Saule Omarova, for her numerous inflammatory, ideologically radical, and disqualifying statements and writings.\n\nClick to Watch Sen. Scott\u2019s Remarks\n\nRead Senator Scott\u2019s remarks below:\n\n\u201c\u2026I want to be fair and I will be fair. I won\u2019t be hyperbolic, but I will be frank and honest. I cannot think of a nominee more poorly suited to be the Comptroller of the Currency based solely on your public positions, statements, and the weight of your writings than you are. Let me just quote you versus anybody else.\n\n\u201cOn the Green New Deal \u2026 you proposed taking economic and climate policy making from Congress and creating an unaccountable bureaucracy called the National Investment Authority. In a roundtable this year\u2014this year\u2014you pushed \u2018to make the NIA the dedicated institutional platform at the federal level for really being the kind of fighting muscle of the Green New Deal and fighting muscle of, you know, all of these other movements that are pursuing environmental justice, social, economic justice, equality, and so on.\u2019\n\n\u201cYour disdain for the financial services industry: In 2019, in a documentary titled\u2014I\u2019ll be kind\u2014\u2018Buttholes: A Theory,\u2019 you said, \u2018The financial services industry, in my view, and I don\u2019t think I\u2019m alone here, is the quintessential \u201cbutthole\u201d industry.\u2019\n\n\u201cKilling American energy\u2026In a Jain Family Institute Seminar in March of this year, you proposed bankrupting the coal and oil and gas industries saying, \u2018We want them to go bankrupt if we want to tackle the climate change.\u2019 That\u2019s really hard to misunderstand.\n\n\u201cOn nationalizing banking, last year, 2020, not 10 years ago, not 20 years ago. Just last year, a paper you titled \u2018The People\u2019s Ledger: How to Democratize Money and Finance the Economy,\u2019 you proposed reforms to, and I quote \u201ceffectively end banking as we know it\u201d by \u2026 nationalizing retail banking, as it relates to the end of private banking. Your words. No one else\u2019s. This year. Not 5 years ago, not 10 years ago, not 20 years ago. This year. You said, you proposed to, \u201cimagine what it would be like if, instead of just a public option for deposit banking, this would be actually the full transition, in other words, there would be no more private bank deposit accounts and all of the deposit accounts would be held directly at the Fed.\u2019\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t have any questions for you, because there is nothing you can say today to undo what you said for years, including this year. Thank you Mr. Chairman.\u201d\n\nClick here to watch the full video of his remarks.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-op-ed-on-the-build-back-better-plan/", "ICYMI: Scott Op-Ed on the Build Back Better Plan", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) penned an opinion piece published in the Post & Courier explaining the deeper costs and long term negative impacts of President Biden\u2019s \u201cBuild Back Better\u201d plan.\n\nOpinion: Build Back Better is not free, and it\u2019s not something we need\n\nPost & Courier\n\nU.S. Senator Tim Scott\n\nNovember 14, 2021\n\n\u201cZero down!\u201d \u201cYou don\u2019t pay a dime\u2026guaranteed!\u201d\n\nYou\u2019re flipping through the channels and the temptation of \u201cfree\u201d causes you to stop surfing and see what the offer is all about. The commercial narrator enthusiastically says that you, yes you, can get the latest car or gadget today without paying a red cent. But if you stay tuned till the end when the salesman speed reads the fine print, the pitch that seemed too good to be true is just that.\n\n\u201cMy Build Back Better Agenda costs zero dollars.\u201d It won\u2019t \u201cadd a single penny to our deficit.\u201d\n\nYou\u2019d be forgiven for wondering whether President Joe Biden and his party are hocking snake oil or their reckless tax and spend package. Like the misleading commercials, it doesn\u2019t come as a surprise when the conditions and exception reveal that the price tag isn\u2019t actually as advertised.\n\nWhether it\u2019s $3.5 trillion or $1.75 trillion, the Democrat\u2019s liberal wish list still amounts to increases in taxes and decreases in American\u2019s spending power. But the shocking sticker price only scratches the surface of the actual cost of this plan. The real, long-term cost is much, much higher because of the junk that\u2019s in it. That\u2019s why President Biden and the Democrats are hoping the American people won\u2019t take a closer look at what\u2019s in their spending proposal.\n\nEven before this package, our economy was on the fritz. The partisan spending Democrats passed earlier this year has already caused an inflationary crisis that is hitting middle-class Americans hardest. With the cost of beef up nearly 20 percent, gas prices up more than 40 percent, and children\u2019s shoes over 10 percent more expensive than last year, our purchasing power has gone down. If passed, this new spending spree would actually reduce wages and raise taxes on 95 percent of middle-class families in the long run.\n\nBut that\u2019s not all. To find the money to pay for this plan, Democrats proposed to take those tax dollars and invest an additional $80 billion to hire more IRS agents to turn around and snoop on taxpayers. They wanted to empower the IRS to know about the transactions of any American that had $10,000 or more coming out of their bank account in a given year. The compliance costs would have been crippling for small town institutions, to say nothing of the invasion of privacy for tens of millions of Americans.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nClick HERE to read the full op-ed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-adopts-sens-scott-and-coonss-resolution-designating-november-as-national-college-application-month/", "Senate Adopts Sens. Scott and Coons\u2019s Resolution Designating November as National College Application Month", "2021-11-17", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) designating November as National College Application Month. The bipartisan resolution encourages students to look toward their future and consider their college options.\n\n\u201cA quality education is the key to unlocking countless opportunities,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cAs we emerge from the pandemic, we must continue working to ensure that nothing stands in the way of a positive future for our young people. With today\u2019s resolution, we affirm our commitment to breaking barriers to higher education and encourage all students \u2014 regardless of age \u2014 to pursue their dreams and continue their educational journey.\u201d\n\n\u201cHigher education provides an important path for students, but not all students are aware of their options. National College Application Month tells students to dream big and emphasizes the importance of exploring their resources and opportunities,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cI\u2019m excited to bring my colleagues together in recognition of this important moment in so many people\u2019s lives.\u201d\n\nColleges and universities provide pathways to economic opportunity, but there has been a decline in enrollment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for students in poverty and students of color. The bipartisan resolution notes that there is value in identifying and comparing postsecondary options and encourages all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).\n\nIn addition to Senators Scott and Coons, the resolution was cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). A companion piece was also introduced in the House by Representatives Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Susan Wild (D-Pa.).\n\nRead full text of the resolution here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/another-terrorist-attack-in-united-kingdom", "Another Terrorist Attack in United Kingdom", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 It is horrifying to hear of a second fatal terrorist attack in the United Kingdom in a month, following the October murder of Member of Parliament, David Amess. Sadly, the Global War on Terrorism continues as it moves from the safe haven of Afghanistan across the world.\n\nOn Sunday, a taxi passenger asked to be dropped off at the Liverpool Women's Hospital, when an explosive device was set off upon nearing its destination. The passenger was killed, while the driver, David Perry, escaped with minor injuries. Hailed by Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson as \u2018heroic,' Mr. Perry locked the doors, trapping the passenger, before escaping the burning taxi and preventing any further incident.\n\nThese actions have caused the UK terror level to be raised to \"severe,\" indicating that another attack was \"highly likely,\" said Prime Minister Boris Johnson.\n\nThe Global War on Terrorism is in our streets and those of our allies. We must do what we can to stop it and keep citizens safe, as an unknown number of persons on our terrorist watchlist have crossed the open Southern Border to conduct suicide bombings.\n\nAmerica proudly stands with its valued ally, the United Kingdom. As a co-chair of the Congressional UK Caucus, it is so assuring to know the American people stand solidly with the citizens of the UK.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-embassy-in-yemen-breached", "U.S. Embassy in Yemen Breached", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 In its latest escalation, this weekend the Houthi terrorists breached the U.S. embassy compound in Sana'a, Yemen, and detained and harassed U.S. locally-employed staff. The Iranian-backed Houthis now feel they have nothing to lose as the Biden administration fails to address the threat posed by Iran.\n\nThe people of Yemen are suffering tremendously as the Houthis continue to divert critical aid and deploy missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles from within Yemen. The consequences of the Biden administration's policy of appeasement toward the Iranian regime and by extension, its proxies, are disastrous.\n\nAmerica should work with our decades-long ally Saudi Arabia to stop the murderous subjugation of the oppressed people of Yemen who suffer from Iranian aggression.\n\nIran continues its goal, \"Death to America, Death to Israel.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=899BA0F4-B4C0-4913-A079-604CE8B8A376", "Graham Discusses Phase III Of Berlin G. Myers Parkway Improvement", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "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 joined state officials in Summerville to discuss updates on Phase III of the Berlin G. Myers Parkway improvement project. Graham was joined by Secretary Christy Hall, Mayor Ricky Waring, and Christopher Mims.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe infrastructure bill\u2019s biggest asset to me is the fact that you can build things quicker and smarter by regulatory reform. The money is important, but time is money. President Trump came up with a pilot program by executive order to streamline the building process that can make things years quicker, and the quicker you get it done, the cheaper it is, but still do it in a sound way. That executive order became part of this bill \u2013 that really got me over the line. The money's important \u2013 that $30 million will be appreciated \u2013 but being able to build roads, bridges, and sewer systems more effectively is not sexy. It doesn't get a headline\u2026 but it's the blocking and tackling of government. I like this part of my job \u2013 to see something that needs to be done, get done.\u201d\n\nHALL: \u201cNot doing the project was not an option \u2013 it had to get done, it had to get built, it\u2019s desperately needed. 30,000 cars a day will be using this highway, hopefully to unclog the downtown area in Summerville on a daily basis once we get it open and cut the ribbon.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe goal is to build things that need to be built, care for the environment, but realize that things are changing, South Carolina is changing in a very rapid fashion\u2026People come to places like [Summerville] and it's incumbent upon us to pass on to the next generation a livable community. This parkway is a big deal. It's going to get 30,000 cars off Main Street, nobody's going to lose any business, but you can get to your job. A lot of people in the Lowcountry spend way too much time in their car getting somewhere.\u201d\n\nHALL: \u201cThis project has been 17 years in the making. So when we talk about streamlining and all the other great things that the bipartisan infrastructure bill has in it in addition to the funding, this is example number one of why something like that is desperately needed. Speaking of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, I want to once again thank Senator Graham for his support of that particular infrastructure package\u2026it is actually part of the funding package that will pay for this project. This project is a $125 million project, $60 million of which is federal funds including about $30 million that will be within that new bipartisan infrastructure package that\u2019s coming to the state.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cYou live in a beautiful place, and I think the word is out about living [in Summerville]. The cat is out of the bag. I was driving through some neighborhoods to get here and it really is just a gorgeous place to raise a family and start a business. We're a victim of our own success \u2013 people want to come here and we want to make sure they can get here safely. So this is probably a case study on how to get something unstuck. We had monthly phone calls for about a year or so.\u201d\n\nHALL: \u201cWe will receive bids on this project, tentatively we\u2019re looking at April of 2022 which means that we will put the project out for advertisement about two months ahead of that so that we can get good bids in on that particular project. Then we'll be able to make an announcement the following April of awards, and hopefully execution of contracts so then we can have you come back Senator Graham and Mr. Mayor for a groundbreaking hopefully later in the spring or early in the summer. Senator Graham is a good friend to infrastructure in South Carolina, not only for this particular project and his personal engagement in this project helped get it over the finish line, but the overarching policy issues that we talk about regularly on things that can be improved in Washington to help us back home in South Carolina. This is one example of that in particular. Senator Graham and I had a conversation very early on about this project, and a lot of things got us to where we are today but the overarching theme behind all of it was partnerships. At the end of the day, what brought us to where we are today is all of us working in good faith towards a common goal, all driven to be successful at the end of the day.\u201d\n\nWatch Full Remarks Here\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A77E2A3A-44C8-4719-A71A-E3CA07AC1FBE", "Graham Remembers Retired Colonel Beverly \"Ben\" Skardon", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "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 Ret. Colonel Ben Skardon.\n\n\u201cA giant of a man has fallen and will be missed by his legions of admirers, friends, and wonderful family.\n\n\u201cColonel Skardon is a Clemson legend and an American hero. He\u2019s one of the last survivors of the Bataan Death March, and with his passing one of the most consequential chapters in American history will be closing. His service reminds us of the cruelty of war, the determination of the American Soldier, and the sacrifices that have to be made to maintain our freedom.\n\n\u201cI was very glad to see Congressman Jeff Duncan was able to secure an honorary promotion to the rank of Brigadier General for Colonel Skardon before his passing.\n\n\u201cSoon-to-be General Skardon and his lovely wife Betsy raised a terrific family, represented the best in America, and were the most faithful Clemson Tiger fans I have ever known.\n\n\u201cI truly believe that he is reunited with his brothers in arms and is looking down on the country he loved full of pride, knowing he fought the good fight.\n\n\u201cMay he Rest in Peace.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-praises-opportunity-zones-positive-impact-at-house-committee-hearing/", "Senator Scott Praises Opportunity Zones\u2019 Positive Impact at House Committee Hearing", "2021-11-16", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) gave the following remarks at a House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Hearing on Opportunity Zones, which Sen. Scott championed in 2017 as a way to incentivize private investment in the poorest communities across the nation.\n\nClick to watch the senator\u2019s remarks\n\nRemarks as delivered:\n\nThank you, Chairman Pascrell, as well as Ranking Member Kelly. Good afternoon to both of you, and thank you for allowing me to speak today.\n\nLet me say this before I go on to my prepared remarks, that I do think it\u2019s important for us to remember how we crafted the Opportunity Zones. One of the things that we did was we started with giving the governors\u2014not the president, not Congress\u2014the power of actually designating within their states where they wanted the Opportunity Zones to be. And that\u2019s really important.\n\nThe second thing I think the chairman spoke about and Ranking Member Mike Kelly referred to as well [is] the importance of having reporting requirements. I think we all want reporting requirements, and I would encourage every single person out there who has a vote to vote yes for the IMPACT Act that would allow for us to have reporting requirements so that the IRS could say exactly what people are doing with the resources and the benefits and the incentives so that we can judge fairly.\n\nWithout those reporting requirements, there\u2019s no possible way to have an honest, balanced hearing around the benefits that are really important to the poorest people in this country. And I say that as a kid who grew up in poverty, and I recognize there\u2019s a lot of talent and a lot of potential in the poorest neighborhoods like the one I grew up [in] in Charleston, South Carolina, that might never see the light of day without an opportunity to succeed.\n\nFrom my perspective there are two ways we can help facilitate the creation of opportunity for low-income areas. Option 1 is by government fiat\u2014this is where the government confiscates money from the wealthy, cycles it through the federal bureaucracy while siphoning off government overhead costs, and then redistributing it\u2014whatever\u2019s left.\n\nWhile the intentions behind this option might be good, we know this is a failed strategy. The poverty rate in the poorest parts of America since 1965 has been at best stagnant under that plan, and we never truly created a pathway out of poverty.\n\nSo the question is: is there a better way? I believe the answer is absolutely. And that\u2019s why I worked in a bipartisan fashion to secure Opportunity Zones. This is our second, and better, option for ensuring investments [make] their way to the communities that need it the most, like the one I grew up in.\n\nWhy is this a better way? Well, first, you can measure the results. Look at the numbers. We\u2019ve seen historic capital being poured into low-income communities. GAO notes that, in just the first year of Opportunity Zone programs, we\u2019ve seen $29 billion\u2014in 2019\u2014$29 billion have been invested in low-income, high poverty, racially diverse areas.\n\nSecond, you can measure whether or not these communities are seeing people forced out\u2014i.e. gentrification\u2014or are they remaining where they are. Well, we know that the gentrification rate in Opportunity Zones is less than five percent, meaning that people are staying where they are, finding jobs, and seeing their standard of living increase, some for the first time in generations. That\u2019s the power of OZs.\n\nAnd lastly, you can see and hear from local leadership exactly what the impact has been.\n\nMayor Bowser here in Washington D.C., not to be confused with a Republican, stated:\n\n\u201cThrough the Opportunity Zones program \u2026 we\u2019re doing more to meet the needs of D.C. residents right now and preparing for our collective future.\u201d\n\nMayor Stephen Benjamin of Columbia and the former president of U.S. Conference of Mayors has celebrated the opening of new businesses in his city saying:\n\n\u201cThese Opportunity Zones in Columbia were some of the first in the nation\u2014creating jobs for inner city kids.\u201d\n\nMayor John Gettys, from Rockhill\u2014a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina, said [this] Opportunity Zone is providing him\u2014for the first time in almost three decades\u2014the ability to create affordable housing within the downtown part of his community. This plus local innovation is securing more investments for the future.\n\nAnd finally, from Mayor Michael Tubbs, Democrat from California, he says:\n\n\u201cOpportunity Zones would be a way to not just invest in land and buildings, but to also invest in our people.\u201d\n\nThose are the voices of local leaders who are probably the best sources we have on the real-world impact of Opportunity Zones. But we also have data from the nonpartisan, apolitical GAO report that celebrates that \u201cOpportunity Zones have lower income, higher poverty, and greater non-White\u201d or, said different, majority-minority communities within their census tracts.\n\nWith Opportunity Zones, we get a package that has a punch! We are incentivizing the local business community to invest in their community rather than going somewhere else. And it\u2019s not just about the financial impact; it\u2019s also about empowering and inspiring innovation and securing a better future for the individuals living within the zones.\n\nPlaces like the Charleston Tech Corridor that is helping create opportunities for local residents, where kids in the future can take coding classes and come out with world-class career opportunities. My neighborhood didn\u2019t have that growing up, but now it does, thanks to OZ\u2019s. OZ\u2019s have helped communities across this country, from the south side of Chicago\u2014yes, Mike Kelly\u2014to Erie, Pennsylvania.\n\nSo overall, we can look at the facts about Opportunity Zones\u2014not merely the rhetoric\u2014and we are seeing businesses making historic investments in places with low levels of gentrification, and a place where local leaders are seeing and celebrating the positive impact.\n\nAs many on this committee know all too well, it is often when the federal government gets out of the way that true upward mobility is most dynamic\u2014and that is exactly the function of Opportunity Zones. Thank you for this opportunity to speak about an issue that I have spent five years working on, and I am now celebrating the positive impact that [it] is having throughout this country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1063", "Rep. Ralph Norman Introduces Legislation To Safeguard Religious Exemptions at Higher Education Institutions with Covid Vaccine Mandates", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Monday, Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC-5) introduced H.R. 5967, a bill to ensure higher education institutions provide an opportunity for religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccine requirements.\n\nSpecifically, this bill would hold public colleges and universities accountable by:\n\n(1) Assuring reasonable opportunity is provided for an individual to receive religious exemption from such vaccination requirement and require schools to notify students and employees about the exemption process using accessible forms of communication.\n\n(2) Permitting the Secretary of Education to withhold funding from the school contingent upon a report to the Department of Education denoting their rationale for denying religious exemption requests and evidence demonstrating how such religious exemption would place an undue hardship on the school.\n\nFollowing the introduction of the bill, Rep. Norman issued the following statement: \u201cStudents\u2019 education should not be disrupted or compromised because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. At a time of so much uncertainty, it is vital we protect the freedom of medical choice for our students, especially where religion is concerned. The students, not the school administrators, should have sole responsibility and decision making power over whether or not they choose to receive the vaccine.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1D08974D-ABD1-486F-B268-1E37BB6C9F33", "Graham on New Estimate on Budget Gimmicks and Shell Games in Democrats\u2019 Socialist Spending Bill", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today issued a statement on the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget\u2019s (CRFB) estimate that the Democrats\u2019 Reckless Tax and Spend bill would cost $4.9 trillion if certain provisions were made permanent.\n\nGraham has previously noted the Reckless Tax and Spend bill includes arbitrary sunset dates for several costly provisions in order to make the cost of the bill appear less expensive.\n\n\u201cOne of the most highly respected budget organizations has just released their findings on Build Back Better. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the bill\u2019s realistic cost is $4.9 trillion.\n\n\u201cI have found this group to be honest brokers over a long period of time and they have enjoyed respect from both sides of the aisle. Their analysis makes perfect sense. We will not let the falsehood that this bill is paid for go unchallenged.\n\n\u201cI believe that the bill is a fraud on the American people in terms of actual cost and will be an inflation enhancer by expanding government.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nCommittee for a Responsible Federal Budget: Build Back Better Cost Would Double With Extensions\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-colleagues-denounce-us-postal-services-misguided-banking-expansion/", "Senator Scott, Colleagues Denounce U.S. Postal Service\u2019s \u2018Misguided\u2019 Banking Expansion", "2021-11-15", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and Republican colleagues in calling a new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) pilot program a threat to mail delivery and a misguided attempt to federalize financial services.\n\nIn a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the senators raised questions about USPS\u2019 authority to implement a banking pilot program that includes check-cashing services.\n\n\u201cWe are concerned that the pilot program exceeds the Postal Service\u2019s legal authority and fails to comply with relevant regulations and procedural requirements,\u201d members wrote in the letter.\n\nThe Postal Service launched its postal banking pilot program in September without notifying Congress. It comes on the heels of losses of more than $75 billion from 2007-2019. Last month the USPS announced it will further slow service and increase prices in attempt to fix its own notoriously poor financial footing.\n\n\u201cGiven that these losses occurred during a period of time in which the Postal Service was exclusively focused on mail delivery, it would be imprudent to shift attention and resources toward an area in which the agency lacks expertise. It is essential that the Postal Service address this revenue shortfall by focusing on fixing inefficiencies with its mail delivery system, not pivoting to financial products and offerings with which the agency has no expertise,\u201d members continued.\n\nCosigners of the letter include Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Pat Toomey (R-PA), Senate Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Ranking Member Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Thune (R-SD) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).\n\nFull text of the letter is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=15D5AA22-FE0C-413F-BBB0-458C05D00F70", "Graham Statement On The Passing Of Senator Leatherman", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "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 on the passing of South Carolina Senator Hugh Leatherman.\n\n\u201cSenator Leatherman was a giant in the South Carolina Senate. When it came to the needs of South Carolina \u2013 from the mountains to the sea and everywhere in between \u2013 he was always at the forefront of breakthrough change.\n\n\u201cHe had a statewide perspective that served South Carolina well. His leadership was indispensable in recruiting Boeing to South Carolina, and he was a great champion of the Port of Charleston.\n\n\u201cSenator Leatherman loved his hometown and the Pee Dee. He was the most effective voice for his region of the state one could have ever imagined. He was a tireless advocate always focused on building for a stronger and better future.\n\n\u201cSenator Leatherman was a leader. He was a great friend and a kind and caring man. His leadership, mentorship, and steady hand will be missed.\n\n\u201cMy thoughts are with his wife and his family during this difficult time. Today, South Carolina has lost a legend.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=37C061F3-8E9D-469A-A20E-E2247AB8202C", "Graham on Biden Economic Agenda: Tax Cuts for the Rich, Inflation for the Middle Class", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today reacted to a report from the Tax Policy Center on the Democrats\u2019 tax proposals in the latest version of their Reckless Tax and Spend legislation.\n\nGraham noted that under the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats\u2019 plan, changes to the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction would mean nearly two-thirds of taxpayers making more than $1 million could see an average tax cut of $16,760.\n\n\u201cWhat a joke. The Democrats\u2019 Reckless Tax and Spend bill is a windfall for Blue State millionaires, and it comes at the expense of the American middle class.\n\n\u201cWhat kind of bill are the Democrats proposing? Working men and women of the American middle class get higher inflation. Blue State millionaires get federal government tax breaks and rebates. It\u2019s past time we stop the madness.\n\n\u201cAccording to the Tax Policy Center, the latest SALT deduction changes would overwhelmingly benefit Blue State millionaires. All the while middle class working families, already suffering from rising prices, would see inflation skyrocket under the Democrats\u2019 socialist spending bill.\n\n\u201cFinally, the changes that we made to the SALT deduction in 2017 under the Trump tax cuts were long overdue. There is no reason for low tax states like South Carolina to subsidize Blue State high taxation. Now Democrats are trying to bring the SALT deduction back as a giveaway to millionaires and are willing to sock it to the middle class in the process. Their plan is wrong and must be stopped in Congress.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nPolitico: Most millionaires could get tax cut under House Dems' tax plan\n\nTax Policy Center Analysis, November 11, 2021\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-senator-scott-hosts-foxs-brian-kilmeade-in-charleston-for-day-in-the-life-episode/", "ICYMI: Senator Scott Hosts Fox\u2019s Brian Kilmeade in Charleston for \u2018Day in the Life\u2019 Episode", "2021-11-12", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) hosted Fox News\u2019s Brian Kilmeade in Charleston, S.C., to film a special, two-part episode on what a \u201cDay in the Life\u201d is like in Sen. Scott\u2019s hometown.\n\nPart one featured a sit-down conversation between Sen. Scott and Kilmeade on how Sen. Scott entered politics and how he views the progress the country has made.\n\nClick to watch part one\n\nOn how race played into his election \u2026 \u201cI\u2019m not called to serve [only] Black people \u2014 I\u2019m just called to serve Americans. I think it says a lot about our country and it says a lot about South Carolina that they chose me \u2026 to be their senator. I like talking about the evolution of the southern heart. Because the state I live in is not the state that my grandfather was born in. \u2026 We have evolved so much in so little time that access to real opportunity \u2014 being judged by your character and not your color \u2014 is my reality.\u201d\n\nOn the way out of poverty \u2026 \u201cI\u2019ve seen the government come in with good intentions to help people, but it just made you a little more comfortable in your poverty [and never provided] an escape route. We on the Right? We provide the escape route.\u201d\n\nPart two featured the men exploring various sites in Charleston, including the impoverished neighborhood where Sen. Scott grew up, and discussing his personal story.\n\nClick to watch part two\n\nOn his childhood and learning personal responsibility \u2026 \u201cAt 13 years [old], I started working at a gas station checking oil and pumping gas \u2026 I worked at a movie theatre, [and] I sold vacuum cleaners door-to-door. One of my mentors \u2026 prepared me for a future that I could not see. \u2026 One of the most powerful weapons he gave me was individual responsibility. And as a kid who thought that sports was the only way out of poverty, he started saying \u2018have a backup plan.\u2019\u201d\n\nOn gratefulness for his mother \u2026 \u201cThe most exciting part of this journey is watching [my mom] experience the fullness of America \u2014 watching her travel with me around the country. People come walking up to talk to her and thank her for the way she raised me. That probably means more to me than anything else.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-applauds-the-more-than-6-billion-in-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-funding-coming-to-south-carolina/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN APPLAUDS THE MORE THAN $6 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT FUNDING COMING TO SOUTH CAROLINA", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "COLUMBIA- South Carolina will receive more than $6 billion in direct allocations through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will soon be signed into law by President Biden. Many millions more will come to the state through competitive grants included in this legislation.\n\nCongressman Clyburn helped broker the deal to pass this historic bipartisan infrastructure package in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. All House Republican members representing South Carolina voted against approving these federal investments for the state. Only one of two South Carolina Senators voted for the package in the Senate.\n\nThese infrastructure investments are critical to South Carolina. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state a C- grade on its infrastructure report card. Receiving the transformational investment of more than $6 billion will create jobs, improve the quality of life for South Carolinians, and make strides to address climate change.\n\n\u201cThe path to progress is never easy, but it is necessary if we are to continue our efforts to make America\u2019s greatness accessible and affordable for all,\u201d Congressman Clyburn said. \u201cThis a is long-overdue and essential investment in our nation\u2019s infrastructure, and it begins to expand our definition of infrastructure beyond traditional roads and bridges, water and sewer, and ports and airports.\u201d\n\nBased on formula funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, South Carolina can expect to receive the following allocations over the next five years:\n\n$4.6 billion to maintain federal highways\n\n$274 million to replace and repair bridges\n\n$510 million to improve water infrastructure\n\n$161 million to upgrade airports\n\n$366 million to improve public transportation\n\n$70 million to support the expansion of an EV charging network\n\n$100 million at minimum to expand high-speed broadband infrastructure, with additional funds provided based on the number of unserved locations in the state\n\n$18.3 million to protect against cyberattacks\n\n\u201cThis legislation goes a long way toward addressing the systemic lack of investment in South Carolina\u2019s infrastructure,\u201d Congressman Clyburn continued. \u201cI am especially pleased that it contains two priorities I have long championed in Congress that aren\u2019t considered traditional infrastructure\u2014access to affordable high-speed internet and assistance to improve the energy efficiency of our homes.\u201d\n\nCongressman Clyburn is the founder and Chair of the House Rural Broadband Task Force and is a leading voice on closing the digital divide. In addition to funds to expand high-speed broadband coverage, the bill requires an affordable option to be offered along the newly built networks and invests in projects to facilitate internet adoption. Critically, it establishes the Affordability Connectivity Program, which will allow eligible households to continue to receive a monthly discount their internet bills. 1.5 million South Carolinians\u201429 percent of our state\u2019s population\u2014will be eligible for this benefit.\n\nCongressman Clyburn is also a longstanding proponent of federal funds for energy efficiency. He is creator of the Rural Energy Savings Program enacted in 2014, which allows homeowners to borrow money from their local electric cooperatives to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. As homeowners pay back the loan on their utility bill, the cost of the loan is often covered by the energy savings they realize from the upgrades. In this area, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes:\n\n$3.5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program\n\n$550 for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program\n\n$250 million for the Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grant program\n\nThe Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also includes $12 billion for flood mitigation, $17 billion for port infrastructure, and $55 billion for clean drinking water, all of which will meet needs that are pressing for our state.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-tim-scotts-opportunity-zones-drew-29b-to-low-income-areas-changing-the-game/", "ICYMI: Tim Scott\u2019s \u2018opportunity zones\u2019 drew $29B to low-income areas: \u2018Changing the game\u2019", "2021-11-10", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the impact of Opportunity Zones (OZs) on America\u2019s most underserved communities. Providing tax incentives for investments in designated OZs was a part of Senator Tim Scott\u2019s (R-S.C.) signature work in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Among other findings, the GAO reported:\n\nThe census tracts governors designated as OZs had higher poverty and a greater share of non-White populations than eligible, but not selected, tracts.\n\nOZs benefitted from at least $29 billion in investment through 2019\u2014much higher than previous estimates and impressive considering the program was not fully implemented until December of that year.\n\nA majority of the Qualified Opportunity Funds surveyed by the GAO for this report said that their investments would not have happened if not for the incentives in the OZs program.\n\nRead excerpts from Fox News on the report below:\n\nTim Scott\u2019s \u2018opportunity zones\u2019 drew $29B to low-income areas: \u2018Changing the game\u2019\n\nFox News\n\nBy Ronn Blitzer\n\nNovember 10, 2021\n\nDesignated low-income areas known as \u201copportunity zones\u201d that attract investments by offering tax-related benefits have resulted in positive impacts in many states across the U.S., generating tens of billions of dollars for the affected neighborhoods, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.\n\nAccording to the GAO report, preliminary IRS data from 2019 showed that in that year, 17,891 investors contributed $28,910,000,000 in investments in more than 6,000 \u201cQualified Opportunity Funds,\u201d which are investment vehicles dedicated to the more than 8,700 opportunity zones.\n\n\u201cOpportunity Zones are changing the game for thousands of communities across our country. Empowering the private sector to make direct investments in underserved communities is breathing life in neighborhoods that wouldn\u2019t have happened otherwise,\u201d said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a strong proponent of the initiative. \u201cThis new report further proves that the 2017 tax cut delivered relief for the most vulnerable Americans and stands in stark contrast to the devastating impact of Democrats\u2019 reckless spending and taxing plans.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\n\u201cBased on case studies of Qualified Opportunity Funds,\u201d the report said, \u201cthe tax incentive attracted investment in a variety of projects, including multifamily housing, self-storage facilities, and renewable energy businesses.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\nIn practice, the report said, qualified funds found that the tax incentive program appeared to lead companies \u201cto invest in projects and locations that they otherwise would not have.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor example,\u201d the report said, \u201ca fund that built an industrial warehouse facility would not have pursued this project if the incentive did not exist. Representatives from four funds said they would have considered, and likely invested in, different locations if not for the incentive.\u201d\n\n\u2026\n\nClick here to read the full story.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1056", "Rep. Norman Introduces Daylight Act To Observe Year-round Daylight Saving Time", "2021-11-06", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Friday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) introduced the DAYLIGHT Act, a bill to allow states to elect to observe year-round daylight saving time.\n\nAdditionally, the DAYLIGHT Act would include a Government Accountability Office (GAO) Study in which the Comptroller General would submit to Congress a report with the results of implementing daylight savings year-round no later than two years after enacted.\n\nBackground\n\nNineteen states, including South Carolina, have enacted legislation in favor of year-round daylight saving time. Current federal law only enables states to opt out of daylight saving time and keep standard time year-round. This bill would amend the current law to also include the option for states to have daylight saving time year round.\n\nResearch suggests an association between the time change and Seasonal Affective Disorder, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Permanent daylight saving time has the potential to decrease the risk of car accidents and crime while increasing consumer spending.\n\nRep. Norman said on Friday, \u201cDisrupting our circadian rhythm twice a year has proven to do more harm than good. It is evident that health benefits and safety of Americans would be increased by giving states the freedom to opt into year-round daylight savings, as well as continuing the option of year round standard time.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1052", "Reps. Norman, Rice, and Joyce Introduce The PROMISE Act to Hold Big Tech Accountable", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Tuesday, Representatives Ralph Norman (R-SC), Tom Rice (R-SC), and David Joyce (R-OH) introduced The Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act, a bill to hold Big Tech companies accountable for their promises to operate without political bias. This is companion legislation to a bill introduced by Senator Mike Lee\u2019s PROMISE Act in the U.S. Senate.\n\nThe PROMISE Act would:\n\n(1) Require a \u201ccovered entity\u201d to implement, operate, and disclose information moderation policies that explain the standards, processes, and policies regarding its moderation of information provided by a user or other information content provider.\n\nSuch policy must include: (A) categories of information not permitted on its service or subject to moderation by users or the entity itself; (B) the process used in moderating content; and (C) the notification process (if any) utilized to inform users of a moderation action taken, the rationale for the moderation decision, and options for redress (if any).\n\n(2) Prohibits a \u201ccovered entity\u201d from making a \u201cdeceptive policy statement\u201d with respect to its information moderation policy. A \u201cdeceptive policy statement\u201d carries with it a rebuttable presumption that a statement is material and likely to cause injury.\n\n(3) Make violations of the requirements to implement, operate, or disclose an \u201cinformation moderation policy\u201d or to not make a \u201cdeceptive policy statement\u201d constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a))\n\n\u201cFor too long, Silicon Valley Elites have leveraged the power of Big Tech to not only censor conservatives but smear us. This legislation will bring about transparency for consumers and dilute any deniability social media giants still retain in moderating or removing user content without reason or cause,\u201d said Congressman Norman.\n\n\u201cFrom deleting conservative content to banning conservative ads, we\u2019ve seen time and time again that Big Tech lies to the American people when they claim to operate under the guise of neutrality,\u201d said Congressman Rice. \u201cThe PROMISE Act will help keep Big Tech from weaponizing against Americans who hold differing views than the billionaires of Silicon Valley. This legislation requires Big Tech to explain their content moderation policies and holds them accountable to following those policies.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith just a small handful of platforms dominating the exchange of ideas online, it\u2019s critical that their content moderation policies be implemented consistently and fairly across the board,\u201d said Congressman Joyce. \u201cUnfortunately, we now know that Big Tech and Silicon Valley often do the exact opposite, suppressing speech and views they disagree with. The natural competition of all thought and expression \u2013 not just those that are popular in elite circles \u2013 is a staple of any free, democratic society. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to introduce the PROMISE Act. By holding Facebook and other online platforms accountable for their biased censorship decisions, this important legislation will help ensure the internet fosters the free exchange of all ideas, no matter if they are liberal or conservative.\u201d\n\nBackground\n\nIn a Pew Research study conducted in August 2020, polls show most Americans, both liberal and conservative, believe that Big Tech is involved in censoring opinions and information the company does not agree with. Additionally, the same research polls show Americans from both parties also agree these companies tend to favor liberal ideologies over conservative views.\n\nMore recently, Facebook has been the center of scrutiny within Congress. Although it tried its efforts in a campaign earlier this year to promote \u201ccontent modification\u201d and increased speech regulation, some believe Facebook and other media tech giants are not doing enough to eliminate speech they simply do not agree with.\n\nThe PROMISE Act aims to preserve our First Amendment rights by holding Big Tech accountable and requiring transparency in how information is moderated and shared to ensure political bias is not in question.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1053", "Rep. Norman Issues Statement Concerning Extension of the Consent Order for New Indy", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-5) released the following statement concerning an extension of the Consent Order for New Indy, which was granted last Friday by the South Carolina District Court:\n\n\"New Indy and the EPA have been working together for months to help finalize a plan to address emissions from the Catawba facility. And now we learn the emergency order has been granted another 60 days. Although strides have been made by both parties in community engagement and process reforms, the public deserves to know when a final order will be issued and a consent resolution is reached once and for all.\n\n\"I have personally visited the New Indy facility. I have met with the EPA Regional Administrator, spoken with the president of The Kraft Group, and my office is in regular communication with the EPA and others.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=311474C7-879B-4964-A96E-EFE32BCEB4E9", "Graham, Gillibrand Legislation To Empower Sexual Assault And Harassment Survivors Passes Senate Judiciary Committee", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Legislation introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) that would stop perpetrators from being able to push survivors of sexual harassment and assault into the secretive, and often biased process of forced arbitration, unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. A similar version of this legislation has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nThe Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment Act would invalidate forced arbitration clauses that prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment survivors from seeking justice and public accountability under the laws meant to protect them.\n\n\u201cI very much appreciate the bipartisan effort and strong bipartisan vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee to make sure that arbitration is not abused when it comes to victims of sexual assault and harassment,\u201d said Senator Graham. \u201cThe strong bipartisan vote is a giant step forward to finish this journey for justice for the victims. I hope this bill will soon pass the full Senate and eventually be signed into law. Under current law, many employment contracts require binding arbitration no matter the nature of the grievance. When it comes to sexual assault and harassment, I believe these types of agreements have a chilling effect and should be banned.\u201d\n\n\u201cWorkplace sexual assault and sexual harassment disrupts lives and careers, and can have severe consequences for the lifetime earnings of women in the workforce. Working people deserve a real chance at justice; they should not be forced into the secretive and often biased process of arbitration designed by the same corporation they are challenging,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cI\u2019m pleased to see that our legislation, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, has passed out of the Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support. This is an important step forward for survivors and for the more than 60 million Americans who are subject to mandatory arbitration clauses. I will keep working until this bill is signed into law, giving individuals their day in court, allowing them to discuss their cases publicly, and ending the days of institutional protection for bad employers.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful to the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee for advancing this bipartisan legislation, S. 2342,\u201d said Gretchen Carlson, Co-Founder of Lift Our Voices. \u201cThis is an historic opportunity to end silencing mechanisms and it will allow harassment and assault survivors the ability to speak openly and protect others in workplaces across the country. I thank the Committee members for their support of this legislation and their hard work to advance it.\u201d\n\nGillibrand and Graham noted that forced arbitration clauses are buried in the fine print of everything from employment agreements and ubiquitous terms and conditions to everyday digital click-through \u201cagreements.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-effort-to-overturn-bidens-vaccine-mandate/", "Scott Joins Effort to Overturn Biden\u2019s Vaccine Mandate", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and 40 of their Senate colleagues to formally disapprove of and nullify President Biden\u2019s vaccine mandate on private companies and their employees under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), the official process for Congress to eliminate an executive branch rule.\n\nToday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a rule to officially mandate vaccination requirements for private businesses with more than 100 employees. The rule will affect more than 80 million Americans and impose $14,000 fines for persons who do not comply.\n\nThis rule by the Biden administration threatens to worsen the current labor shortage and further disrupt supply chains. This unacceptable federal directive impacts tens of millions of Americans and warrants review by Congress, the representatives elected by the American people to make the laws.\n\n\u201cPresident Biden is placing an undue burden on business and workers who have already faced so many difficulties throughout the pandemic,\u201d said Scott. \u201cThis is a time when we should be working together to get our economy going again\u2014not tearing people from their livelihoods. Forcing a federal mandate on Americans will only decrease trust in our nation\u2019s vaccines and harm small businesses just as they are getting back on their feet. My colleagues and I will not stand for what is simply another Washington power-grab.\u201d\n\nThe National Federation of Small Businesses said of the mandates: \u201cSmall businesses face daily challenges from pandemic requirements, locating qualified workers, rampant inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Small business owners and their employees want to operate in a safe and healthy manner that allows them to stay open. Additional mandates, enforcement, and penalties will further threaten the fragile small business recovery.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nOn September 8, President Biden announced via a speech vaccine mandates that extend to 80 million private sector workers and additional mandates on millions of federal workers and contractors. This rule is expected to force private-sector employers with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccinations or produce at-least-weekly negative test results before coming to work. And as announced, the federal employee and contractor plan doesn\u2019t even include the option of weekly testing rather than taking a vaccine.\n\nTo implement this mandate, OSHA promulgated an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).\n\nThe CRA can be used by Congress to overturn certain federal agency regulations and actions through a joint resolution of disapproval. If a CRA joint resolution of disapproval is approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the president, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto, the rule at issue is invalidated.\n\nJoining Senators Scott and Braun in the disapproval are Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind), John Kennedy (R-La.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-joins-effort-to-block-taxpayer-funded-payments-to-illegal-immigrants/", "Senator Scott Joins Effort to Block Taxpayer-Funded Payments to Illegal Immigrants", "2021-11-04", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and 27 of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022 to block the Justice Department\u2019s reported plan to pay $450,000 per person to immigrants who crossed our border illegally, costing American taxpayers upwards of a billion dollars.\n\n\u201cWith far more than a million illegal crossings this year alone, there is a clear humanitarian and national security disaster at our border,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cYet\u2014even as hardworking Americans struggle to buy gas and groceries in the face of roaring inflation\u2014Democrats want to give nearly half-a-million dollars to individuals who broke our nation\u2019s laws. This is wrong not only for Americans, but also for the migrants who don\u2019t need another incentive to cross our border illegally and put their families in harm\u2019s way.\u201d\n\nAlso joining Senators Scott and Daines on the bill are Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).\n\n\u201cBiden\u2019s open border policies have reached a new crazy level. Montana families are struggling with inflation and skyrocketing costs on everything from gas to groceries because of Biden\u2019s wasteful spending policies, and now the President wants to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to illegal immigrants. Because of Biden, our southern border has been taken over by Mexican cartels and this effort will only continue to incentivize illegal immigration making it worse. This is a gut punch to the American taxpayer,\u201d said Daines.\n\n\u201cGiving out potentially billions of dollars of taxpayers\u2019 money to people who broke federal law to enter the country is outrageous and an insult to the American people. I am proud to support this amendment to ensure the Biden Administration doesn\u2019t do this,\u201d said McConnell.\n\n\u201cIt would be unthinkable to pay damages to a burglar who broke into your home for the \u2018psychological trauma\u2019 they endured during the crime. And yet the Biden administration wants to reward migrants who illegally entered our country with up to $450,000 each for just that reason. President Biden\u2019s promises of citizenship and entitlement programs have already caused the worst border crisis in history\u2014a huge cash reward will make it even worse. This is the height of insanity,\u201d said Cotton.\n\n\u201cSending money to illegal immigrants rewards people for breaking the law, and that only makes the border crisis more dangerous. These settlements with illegal aliens would be a bitter insult to every person who has come to America by respecting our laws and borders. I\u2019m happy to partner with Sen. Daines to prevent the Biden administration from undermining and apologizing for the rule of law,\u201d said Kennedy.\n\n\u201cThere are already countless pull factors enticing immigrants to cross our Southern Border illegally. Nearly 1.5 million illegal crossers have been found by Customs and Border Protection just this year. Paying those who broke our laws nearly half a million dollars is unconscionable. This is yet another effort by the Biden Administration to prioritize illegal immigration and a porous border over the best interest of Americans,\u201d said Lee.\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration is in complete denial of the crisis their policies have created at our border. Instead of reinstituting successful policies that stemmed the flow of illegal immigration, President Biden is facilitating the multibillion dollar business model of some of the most evil people on the planet. Offering money to those who break the law will only create a magnet for more illegal immigration. I\u2019m happy to co-sponsor this bill with Sen. Daines to rein in some of Biden\u2019s disastrous border policies,\u201d said Johnson.\n\n\u201cJoe Biden wants to give illegal aliens over four times more money than our Gold Star families that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is downright shameful that time and again President Biden chooses to put illegals over law abiding and hardworking Americans. President Biden is not only encouraging, but paying immigrants almost half a million apiece to break the law. The legislation I am joining with Senator Daines and our colleagues will ensure this leftist daydream does not become a reality Tennesseans are forced to pay for,\u201d said Blackburn.\n\n\u201cIt is absurd the Biden administration wants to pay illegal migrants $450,000 for crossing the border and getting caught,\u201d said Cassidy. \u201cThis creates a monetary incentive for migrant families to put their children in harm\u2019s way.\u201d\n\n\u201cPeople in Wyoming are not interested in bankrolling yet another handout from the federal government, especially to those who broke the law. It\u2019s long past time to secure our borders and begin taking our crippling national debt seriously,\u201d said Lummis. \u201cA $450,000 check to those who crossed our border illegally will not do anything to make our country safer or financially secure. I applaud Senator Daines for standing up for Wyoming citizens, and all Americans, who recognize the absurdity of this proposal from the Biden Administration.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt a time where millions of Americans are struggling economically due to record high inflation levels, it\u2019s appalling for the Biden Administration to offer large taxpayer funded payouts to those who violated our immigration laws. President Biden has made it clear where his priorities lie and it\u2019s not with the American people,\u201d said Braun.\n\n\u201cThe crisis at the southern border continues to grow and now instead of securing the border and enforcing our laws, the Biden administration is planning to pay $450,000 to individuals who broke our laws. This is not only wrong, but will exacerbate the crisis at the border,\u201d said Hoeven. \u201cOur legislation ensures that the Biden administration does not reward those who broke our laws and entered our country illegally. We need to secure the border and enforce our laws, not provide additional incentives for individuals to come here illegally.\u201d\n\n\u201cInstead of discouraging illegal entry into the United States, the Biden-Harris Administration wants to hand illegal immigrants a winning lottery ticket. This half-baked scheme is an insult to hardworking Americans who will never see a check that large and the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line for far less,\u201d said Young.\n\n\u201cSince his candidacy, President Biden has repeatedly signaled that America\u2019s borders are open. It\u2019s no wonder illegal immigration has skyrocketed as a result. Now, the Biden Administration is seeking to pay large sums of money to those who sought to illegally cross our border. This is complete and utter lunacy. I will not allow American taxpayers to be forced into paying reparations to those who broke the law,\u201d said Rubio.\n\n\u201cJust when you thought President Biden\u2019s border crisis or inflation couldn\u2019t get any worse, the President wants to cut $450,000 checks to illegal immigrants on the backs of hardworking American taxpayers. That\u2019s more than Gold Star families receive after their relative is killed in action. This proposal is outrageous and incredibly disrespectful to the loved ones of those who\u2019ve made the ultimate sacrifice,\u201d said Ernst.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s plain unacceptable to consider payments of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to people who violated our laws. Such a move would just worsen the already record-breaking border crisis, and undermine both common sense and the rule of law. These settlement payments should never have been considered in the first place, but because we can\u2019t rely on the Biden administration to make the right decision, Congress needs to step in to ensure they don\u2019t happen,\u201d said Grassley.\n\n\u201cIllegal immigration does not deserve a reward, and this proposal sends exactly the wrong message to hardworking families across the country as well as to those who obeyed our laws and followed proper procedure to come to the United States. This plan is the latest example of the Biden administration\u2019s disastrous immigration policies continuing to undermine secure borders and the rule of law, and my colleagues and I will fight every step of the way to defeat it,\u201d said Boozman.\n\n\u201cDuring the worst border crisis in decades, the last thing this country needs is to use taxpayer funds to add fuel to the fire,\u201d said Wicker. \u201cThe Biden Administration should be focused on stopping the flow of people across our border, not giving new incentives to migrants who are considering making the journey.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s truly mindboggling to think the Biden administration wants to give illegal immigrants six-figure payouts for crossing our border illegally\u2014more than what\u2019s offered to the families of our fallen troops. I, along with hardworking Mississippians and Americans, am still waiting for the President and his administration to disavow these reports,\u201d said Hyde-Smith. \u201cThe worst of the President\u2019s ongoing border crisis is yet to come if his administration makes these outrageous payments, which will be seen as another signal that the United States has opened its borders.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs if President Biden leaving our southern border wide open for thousands of people to pour into our country isn\u2019t enough, now his administration plans to provide hundreds of illegal immigrants with $450,000 each as a reward for breaking the law,\u201d said Marshall. \u201cIncentivizing this type of crime will only exacerbate the crisis at our southern border, and Americans\u2019 tax dollars should not fund this ridiculous stunt led by the Biden Administration.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration\u2019s handling at our southern border has been nothing short of disastrous. Rewarding illegal immigrants with hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars will only incentivize more illegal immigration and increase the flow of illegal drugs across the border and into states like Idaho. We cannot allow this administration to pay people to break our laws,\u201d said Risch.\n\nThe full text of the amendment can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-sec-condoleezza-rice-school-choice-caucus-members-discuss-protection-of-parental-involvement-in-education/", "Scott, Sec. Condoleezza Rice, School Choice Caucus Members Discuss Protection of Parental Involvement in Education", "2021-11-03", "2021", "2021-11", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, School Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), alongside other members of the caucus, met with former Secretary Condoleezza Rice to discuss important issues facing students and parents in our nation\u2019s schools \u2014 including the need to protect parents\u2019 rights to be fully and actively involved in their children\u2019s education.\n\nFollowing a productive conversation, members of the caucus announced their intent to develop a unified vision for the future of education and work to ensure parents\u2019 voices are supported.\n\nSec. Rice speaks with Sen. Scott and caucus members\n\n\u201cThroughout the pandemic, school closures highlighted the detrimental impact of reducing parents\u2019 educational options. Yet \u2014 inexplicably \u2014 efforts to lock parents out of the conversation have only accelerated,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI\u2019ve often said a good education is the closest thing to magic in this country, providing a lifeline for kids who feel stuck in poverty, as I did. I look forward to working with my colleagues to extend that lifeline to all young Americans by putting their education back in the hands of those who know best: their parents.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis year, parents have voted for school choice candidates at the polls, and they have voted with their feet, leaving behind school districts that refuse to provide the environment and curriculum that is best for their children,\u201d said Congressman John Moolenaar. \u201cI am thankful to Secretary Rice for her efforts on this issue and for meeting with the School Choice Caucus today. I look forward to working with Senator Scott and our colleagues in Congress to do everything we can to eliminate red tape and empower parents and students so they can pursue the educational opportunities that are best for them.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nWith education at the top of mind for parents and families across the nation, Senator Scott has led several efforts to give them greater autonomy over their children\u2019s education. Recently, Scott:\n\nIntroduced a resolution to celebrate National School Choice Week;\n\nReintroduced the CHOICE Act to foster children\u2019s success by providing parents greater educational options;\n\nPenned a Fox News op-ed about the merits of school choice;\n\nHeld a discussion on the future of school choice with former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos;\n\nReleased a video debunking myths surrounding school choice; and\n\nSigned a resolution supporting parents\u2019 rights to be fully and actively involved in their children\u2019s education.\n\nSchool Choice Caucus members gather for a meeting with Sec. Rice\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=926CE0CD-4DC9-41DB-A0B1-073FC75A46E4", "Graham Blasts Biden Plan To Pay Illegal Immigrants $450,000 In Settlement", "2021-11-02", "2021", "2021-11", "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) wrote to President Joe Biden to oppose the reported plan to offer illegal immigrants up to $450,000 per person in taxpayer dollars to settle lawsuits resulting from those individuals violating immigration laws.\n\n\u201cRewarding illegal immigration with financial payments runs counter to our laws and would only serve to encourage more lawlessness at our border,\u201d said Graham. \u201cAt a time when respect for our country\u2019s immigration laws is at an all-time low, our federal government is now seeking to financially reward aliens who broke our laws.\u201d\n\nAccording to media reporting, the federal government is considering paying out more than $1 billion to illegal immigrants based on allegations against the Department of Homeland Security.\n\n\u201cThese illegal immigrants disregarded our immigration processes, cut in front of those seeking to legally enter our nation, and put children at risk of great personal injury or death by placing them in the hands of abusive smugglers. Not only would these settlements be breathtakingly unjust and unwise, but they reinforce the conditions that make it easy for the cartels to recruit more people to undertake the treacherous journey to our southwest border, and serve only to encourage more illegal immigration.\u201d\n\nSenators John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) joined Graham in urging the president to refuse to issue any settlement payments for immigrants who broke U.S. laws.\n\n#####\n\nBACKGROUND:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:30:49Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-tim-scott-supports-parents-voices-in-education/", "Senator Tim Scott Supports Parents\u2019 Voices in Education", "2021-10-29", "2021", "2021-10", "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 This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined a resolution led by Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), supporting parents\u2019 rights to be fully and actively involved in the education of their children. Recently, President Joe Biden and his administration have politicized and weaponized the Justice Department, threatening to use federal law enforcement resources to intimidate and silence parents who speak out to protect their children\u2019s education from far-left influences. Biden\u2019s dangerous tactics are a clear violation on parents\u2019 rights of free speech.\n\nThe resolution is also cosponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).\n\n\u201cWashington Democrats want to tell Americans how their money should be spent, how their businesses should be run, and now, how their children should be educated,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019ve already seen how dangerous it can be to lock parents out of that conversation. Last year\u2019s school closures were the prime example, resulting in heartbreaking learning loss and mental health issues for our nation\u2019s youth. President Biden and the Democrats must start putting our children first, and that means giving their parents\u2014those who know best\u2014a voice in how their kids are educated. The education of future generations of Americans is simply too important to use for political gain.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Democrats\u2019 war on parents is disgusting,\u201d said Senator Rick Scott. \u201cAs a proud father of two, and grandfather to seven, it makes me furious to hear people say that the government knows better than a mom or dad when it comes to the education of their child. That\u2019s why today I am proud to have Leader McConnell, Ranking Member Burr and nearly thirty other Republican senators join me in introducing a simple resolution supporting parents\u2019 rights to be engaged and have a say in their child\u2019s education. It\u2019s not controversial or radical to say that we support the right of parents to be the leading voices in the education of their children. And it\u2019s not controversial or radical to expect teachers, schools and school districts to regularly engage parents in constructive and open dialogue about school policies, curriculum, and instructional materials \u2013 and to LISTEN to their feedback. Moms and dads know what is best for their children, and it is a great thing when they get involved. We won\u2019t let the Democrats use their radical, socialist agenda to drive parents out of education and replace them with the failed ideas of big government.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the middle of a border crisis and a national surge in homicides, the Attorney General seems to think the DOJ\u2019s top priority should be intimidating parents out of their free speech rights,\u201d said Leader McConnell. \u201cViolence and threats are already crimes. If Democrats want fewer concerned citizens speaking up, the solution is to stop trying to indoctrinate children on the taxpayers\u2019 dime. Holding elected officials accountable for their failures isn\u2019t intimidation, it\u2019s democracy.\u201d\n\n\u201cWashington bureaucrats and labor unions do not know better than parents on what\u2019s best for their children, especially when it comes to their education,\u201d said Ranking Member Burr. \u201cOur nation\u2019s school systems encourage constructive debate, but the Biden Administration is threatening this long-held model by restricting parental free speech at public school board meetings. I\u2019m proud to work with my colleagues on this critical resolution to support parents across the nation advocate for what\u2019s best for their children.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSenator Scott is leading efforts to keep parents at the forefront of children\u2019s education.\n\nIn September, he held a virtual parent town hall to hear from parents and address their top concerns as the new school year began.\n\nThis month, he joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Garland, demanding clarification on the DOJ\u2019s recent memo restricting parents from expressing concerns about their children\u2019s education.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=BE810CA6-37AC-442A-A026-CEB27F81EEC4", "Graham Statement On Mother Emanuel Settlement Agreement", "2021-10-28", "2021", "2021-10", "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) today made the following statement on news that the U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement agreement with the families of the victims of the 2015 massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.\n\n\u201cI am very pleased to hear that the Department of Justice has reached a settlement agreement with the families of the victims of the Mother Emanuel attack. I have been very supportive of the families\u2019 rights to pursue legal recourse because of the failure of the NICS program to adequately pick up prior offenses of Dylann Roof.\n\n\u201cI appreciate the efforts of the Attorney General and his team to reach this settlement, and I hope the families of the victims of this horrible deed will find some closure with this settlement.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4AD1509C-9138-4389-94E9-DCD681E83C5C", "Graham Presses Attorney General On Crisis At Southern Border, Afghanistan", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "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 questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cDid [Border Patrol] tell you anything about asylum claims being made by people that are mostly economic claims, not asylum claims? Did they mention that to you?\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI think it's\u2026I don't recall exactly\u2026\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cYou don\u2019t recall being told by the Border Patrol that they're overwhelmed? They can't hold the line much anymore? That we've had 1.7 million people apprehended and the big magnet, the pull factor is the way the catch and release program around asylum\u2026that didn't stick out to you?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cThat was not a discussion that I had when I was\u2026\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cWho did you talk to?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI was at the border at Nogales, I spoke to Border Patrol agents there.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThey never mentioned to you the pull factors of illegal immigration?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cThis was a review of what they were doing at the border with respect to\u2026\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cIt\u2019s a simple question: they never mentioned to you that they've got a problem with being overrun by asylum seekers?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI know from reading the news media that Border Patrol agents feel that way.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI mean, it's not about reading the paper. You were there talking to them.\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI don't recall that\u2026I don't want to tell you about a conversation that I\u2019m not sure I had.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI\u2019m just stunned that you can\u2019t recall that.\u201d https://youtu.be/fkqcEuTnVzc?t=86\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cDo you trust the Taliban to police al-Qaeda and ISIS on our behalf?\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI do not trust the Taliban.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cMatter of fact, they have openly told us they will not work with us regarding containing the al-Qaeda/ISIS threat. Are you aware that?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI think there has been inconsistent statements.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThey just literally said that.\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI think there have been inconsistent statements, but their statements are not anything that we can rely on.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cWell, when they tell you to your face, \u2018we're not going to help you,\u2019 do you think they're kidding? Do you think they really will help us but they're just telling us to our face\u2026\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI think ISIS-K, al-Qaeda, associated forces are and continue to be a threat.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cWe're talking about the Taliban. The Taliban has told the United States they will not work with our counterterrorism forces when it comes to al-Qaeda or ISIS. What response should we have regarding the Taliban when they say that?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cI think we have a number of different tools available.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cLike what?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cWe have economic sanctions where they need money from the United States for humanitarian and other reasons.\u201d https://youtu.be/fkqcEuTnVzc?t=253\n\nGRAHAM: \u201c[Director] Wray has told the world that ISIS and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan present a threat to our homeland. The Taliban has told us they're not going to help us when it comes to policing these groups. The Department of Defense has said we're six months to a year away from a possible attack by ISIS and al-Qaeda. It just seems to me there's not a sense of urgency about this.\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cThere is a sense of urgency\u2026\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cSpecifically, what have you done since our withdrawal in Afghanistan to deal with this new threat?\u201d\n\nGARLAND: \u201cWe have strengthened and increased the efforts of our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, I have met with\u2026\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cLiterally what have you done? Just put it in writing.\u201d https://youtu.be/fkqcEuTnVzc?t=414\n\nWatch Full Video Here\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-accepting-applications-for-spring-2022-internships/", "Senator Scott Accepting Applications for Spring 2022 Internships", "2021-10-27", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is now accepting applications for internships in his Washington, D.C., North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville offices for the spring of 2022. The internship program offers undergraduate and graduate students the chance to work with public service professionals and gain practical experience in constituent services, government policy, and more.\n\nWashington, D.C. Office: In Washington, interns will research legislation, attend Congressional hearings and briefings, assist with press tasks, and help write constituent letters on various issues. Responsibilities also include answering phones and other administrative tasks. Interns in this office will gain a stronger understanding of the lawmaking process, while also improving their communications skills.\n\nSouth Carolina Offices (North Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville): In the state offices, interns will take an active role in the community, working on state-based projects while also answering phones, completing research, and being an integral part of day-to-day office operations. Interns in these offices are able to assist with issues that affect South Carolina citizens each day.\n\nInternship hours are flexible to accommodate students\u2019 course schedules but generally run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students may also gain course credit for completing the internship program. Interested students can apply through our website at https://www.scott.senate.gov/constituent-services/internships. For additional questions, contact the internship coordinator at internships@scott.senate.gov or (202) 224-6121.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-slams-democrats-partisan-approach-to-spending-package/", "Scott Slams Democrats\u2019 Partisan Approach to Spending Package", "2021-10-26", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee executive session, Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) slammed Democrats for their unwillingness to work across the aisle on the largest spending package in the nation\u2019s history.\n\nThe Democrats\u2019 reckless tax and spending bill proposes spending more than $726 billion in the HELP Committee\u2019s jurisdiction. To date, there have been no committee mark-ups or hearings on this massive partisan spending bill. In contrast, during the reconciliation process to consider the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Senate held a mark-up that lasted four consecutive days with more than 23 hours of committee time spent debating the bill. As a result, 350 amendments were filed, 69 amendments were considered, and 35 bipartisan amendments were adopted in the final text.\n\nClick to watch the senator\u2019s remarks\n\nA partial transcript of the senator\u2019s remarks is below.\n\n\u201cI didn\u2019t come here to argue about the issues. I came here to make a difference about these issues. And frankly, I don\u2019t think we have done a good job making a difference for the average person in this country who watches the processes and the \u2018performances\u2019 here in Washington, and they are sick to their stomach.\n\n\u201cIf I were in charge \u2026 I would be thoughtful about deliberating, discussing, debating, disagreeing on those tenants and principles that we think move America in the right direction. This process has been missing.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re talking about spending more money this fiscal year than any country on Earth has ever spent. And, we\u2019re going to do that in the most partisan way, and I know the voters are watching, and I hope that the response and the reaction they have is an allergic reaction to this process and to the spending because ultimately \u2014 and I predict this \u2014 in three to five years when we measure poverty in this country, it\u2019ll be worse than it is today.\n\n\u201cWhat we saw after the 2017 tax reform, we saw poverty hit the lowest level ever recorded, we saw the unemployment numbers hit the lowest numbers ever recorded, we saw labor force participation rates in the poorest communities go up. We saw the long-term unemployed come back to work. What are we seeing today? The exact opposite.\n\n\u201cSo, yes we are frustrated by the lack of transparency that this nation has on the largest spending packages in the history of the country. And we are frustrated by the fact that when you call a COVID relief package \u2014 a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package \u2014 \u2018COVID relief,\u2019 about one percent goes to vaccines and nine percent goes to COVID-related health. Yes, we are concerned about the definitions of the words we are using when we have an infrastructure package that has about 10 percent in the next five years for roads and bridges.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s frustrating because the American people believe the words we use because the words we use are containers of power. And yet, we deceive the American people in our packages by naming them something that sounds good, but the details are so murky you can\u2019t figure out what it is. And we\u2019re doing it again.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://joewilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/international-nuclear-forum-says-iran-months-away-from-having-enough", "International Nuclear Forum Says Iran Months Away From Having Enough Material for Nuclear Weapon", "2021-10-22", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Joe Wilson", "W000795", "joewilson.house.gov", "joewilson", "https://joewilson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee and other members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee met with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today to review the Iranian nuclear program and other IAEA operations.\n\nAs stated in the October 19, 2021, Financial Times and reiterated in today's meeting, the Director General said \"Iran was \"\u2018within a few months'\" of having enough material for a nuclear weapon...\"\n\nMr. Grossi has also said in the past, we cannot put the genie back in the bottle. Iran's nuclear program has grown more sophisticated and continues to do so. For this reason, I call upon the Administration to abandon its pursuit of a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and instead focus on putting in place strong, verifiable restrictions that will permanently block Iran's path to a bomb.\n\nI remain alarmed by the actions of this predatory government, and along with the Committee, will continue to work with the IAEA to monitor this situation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://norman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1036", "Rep. Norman Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Curb Congressional Perks", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "House", "SC", "Ralph Norman", "N000190", "norman.house.gov", "norman", "https://norman.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Yesterday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC-5), along with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that would terminate certain lifetime benefits that are currently provided to former members of Congress.\n\nThe \u201cStop Congressional Retirees Accessing Perks\u201d (SCRAP) Act will reform the following:\n\nFirst, the SCRAP Act will prohibit federal funds from being used for death gratuity payments to the survivors of a Member of Congress who dies in office, except as authorized on a case-by-case basis by House leadership.\n\nSecond, this bill will prohibit a former member from receiving benefits in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB). This is currently a lifetime perk afforded to anyone who serves in Congress, even for a single term. With this legislation, however, once a Member leaves office, his/her participation in FEHB will end, just as it does for all other federal employees.\n\nAnd third, this bill will terminate certain lifetime access currently provided to former members, including access to the Hall of the House of Representatives, House athletic facilities, the Members\u2019 Dining Room, designated parking spaces, and other House facilities and resources.\n\nThis legislation is particularly relevant and timely, as so far this year, at least ten (10) members in the House of Representatives have announced they will not seek re-election.\n\nAfter filing this bill on Wednesday, Rep. Norman issued the following statement: \u201cCorruption in Washington is a bipartisan problem. For too long, politicians have received special privileges, inaccessible to the American people, because of their positions of power. It's no surprise they have safeguarded them for so long. The SCRAP Act is a bipartisan bill and part of a larger effort to restore integrity in Congress and weed out individuals here for the wrong reasons.\"\n\nRep. Khanna added, \u201cFormer members of Congress should have to play by the same rules as every American. It\u2019s past time we end the special privileges and luxuries for former members at the expense of taxpayers by passing the SCRAP Act. Let\u2019s work to restore accountability in Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=82461601-10FF-4AAA-AD94-A72E88097CBB", "Graham Announces Berlin G. Myers Parkway Permitting Process Complete, Project Set to Move Forward in 2022", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "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 announced the permitting process enabling the final phase (Phase III) of the Berlin G Myer Parkway to be completed has been signed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.\n\nThe third phase will extend the road by 3.25 miles from East Carolina Avenue to Highway 17A with the goal of decreasing traffic on Main Street. The project is designed to improve roadway connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance safety within the Summerville area.\n\nConstruction is scheduled to begin in 2022.\n\n#####\n\nU.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)\n\n\u201cOne of the best things about this job is working with local, state and federal officials to get big things done for the future of South Carolina. I have been working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, the U.S Army Corp of Engineers and many local officials seeking ways to turn the final phase of Berlin G. Myers Parkway into a reality. We have been meeting with stakeholders to discuss how we could get this project done. We have made progress in those efforts and have now received all the necessary authorizations we need to move this project forward.\n\n\u201cWe would not be at this point without the collaboration and hard work of the entire team. I truly appreciate all the hard work of the US Army Corps of Engineers, South Carolina Department of Transportation, State Senator Sean Bennett, Summerville Mayor Ricky Waring, and many others along the way. I know this project will be a game-changing event for Summerville and the surrounding communities.\u201d\n\nSouth Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Christy A. Hall\n\n\u201cCongestion relief is coming to Summerville! Many thanks to the Berlin G Myers Parkway project team for finally breaking through the permitting barriers in order to enable the final phase of the parkway to go to construction in spring 2022. The recent approvals by the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Highway Administration breakthrough more than 17 years of delay on this $120 Million project.\n\n\"We greatly appreciate Transportation Commissioner Robby Robbins' leadership, both on the local community level and from a state perspective, in helping to move the project forward. It is a prime example of the type of infrastructure investment that is needed in South Carolina and what can be done when everyone works together for a better tomorrow.\"\n\nSouth Carolina State Senator Sean Bennett (Dorchester)\n\n\u201cIn 2004, the people of Dorchester County voted overwhelmingly to take control of their own community by approving and funding twenty-two road projects to improve traffic congestion. The recent approval by the Army Corps of Engineers is the final step needed to move toward competition of the final project in that list, the long-overdue completion of the Berlin G. Myers Parkway extension.\n\n\u201cThis project has been delayed by the federal permitting process despite the overwhelming public support to improve our region\u2019s traffic needs. Today\u2019s approval is a realization of more than 16 years of hard work and continued focus on this project by the Town of Summerville, SC Department of Transportation, community leaders, and others.\n\n\u201cSenator Lindsey Graham\u2019s help in navigating the US Army Corp of Engineers proved to be invaluable. The public has long-identified the Berlin G. Myers Parkway as an important transportation project - a crucial proposal to improve traffic congestion \u2014 and today we can finally take action toward its competition.\u201d\n\nMayor Ricky Waring, Town of Summerville\n\n\u201cToday is a good day for Summerville and for mitigating one of our major issues, traffic.\n\n\u201cI want to thank Senator Lindsey Graham and his staff for their willingness to get involved and staying the course. I would also like to thank Secretary Christy Hall, Highway Commissioner Robby Robbins, SC Senator Sean Bennett, Dorchester County Councilman and CHATS Chairman George Bailey, and fellow Town Councilman Terry Jenkins for their unwavering support.\n\n\u201cLt. Col Rachel Honderd and her successor Lt. Col Drew Johannes, both made this project a priority, I am very grateful for their commitment to get to this permit approved. A big thank you to the USACE staff and Mr. Christopher Mims.\n\n\u201cThis has been a glowing example of multiple agencies, organization and levels of government working together for solutions.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F7BB5B70-EDC6-45B9-9A5A-9EE969177B66", "Graham On Brazilian Efforts To Combat Illegal Immigration", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "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 the following statement following a meeting with Brazilian Ambassador to the United States Nestor Forster.\n\n\u201cI had a constructive meeting with the Brazilian Ambassador to the United States yesterday regarding America\u2019s broken immigration system.\n\n\u201cThis year, over 46,000 Brazilians have been apprehended without U.S. visas, mostly in the Yuma sector of the Arizona border, which I visited last week. It is a serious problem that must be more forcefully addressed by both countries.\n\n\u201cI was pleased to learn the Brazilian government has a campaign to inform their citizens not to come to the U.S. without a visa. The Brazilian government is in discussions with the U.S. on increasing repatriation flights of Brazilian citizens apprehended by U.S. authorities. I believe that with more aggressive and visible repatriation flights, the Brazilian government\u2019s message of not coming to the United States without a visa will be reinforced.\n\n\u201cI am hopeful that the Brazilian government, working with the United States, will redouble its efforts to stop the flow of illegal immigration from Brazil. Illegal immigration presents a problem for both of our nations.\n\n\u201cI will also pass along Brazil\u2019s concerns on the humanitarian front to the appropriate U.S. authorities.\n\n\u201cFinally, I look forward to a significant increase in repatriation flights to Brazil that will act as a deterrent to illegal immigration in the future.\n\n\u201cBrazil has been a good ally and an important partner in the region. Brazil and the United States working together to correct this immigration problem will strengthen and protect the long-standing relationship between our two countries.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-block-democrats-irs-snooping-proposal/", "Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Block Democrats\u2019 IRS Snooping Proposal", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and his Republican colleagues introduced the \u201cProhibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act,\u201d a bill to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from implementing Democrats\u2019 plan to give the agency access to transaction information of virtually every American.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats\u2019 plan to allow the IRS to spy on the bank accounts of nearly every person in this country, even those below the poverty line, should be deeply concerning to anyone who values privacy and economic inclusion,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cOf the more than 7 million American households that are currently unbanked, the majority are low-income, rural, and minority Americans. Implementing the Biden reporting scheme will disproportionately harm those who need greater access to our financial institutions and people living paycheck to paycheck. My colleagues and I will not stop fighting the Democrats\u2019 wrong-headed proposal to implement more federal government intrusion into our lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery American should be wary of giving the IRS more power and more tentacles into private financial transactions,\u201d said Senator Crapo. \u201cThe IRS bank reporting proposal is one of the biggest expansions of the agency\u2019s authority we\u2019ve ever seen, and is fundamentally flawed. I\u2019m proud to support Senator Scott\u2019s legislation to stop this proposal in its tracks and protect Americans\u2019 personal, private financial information.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration\u2019s plan to allow the IRS to monitor Americans\u2019 bank accounts is a dangerous idea that will only prove to be worse over time,\u201d said Senator Toomey. \u201cToday the administration wants to know your annual account inflows and outflows. What will they demand access to tomorrow? I\u2019m glad to join Senator Scott and Senator Crapo in working to ensure this terribly flawed proposal never sees the light of day.\u201d\n\nThe bill is co-sponsored by the ranking members of the Senate finance and banking committees, Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), as well as Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nPresident Biden, Treasury Secretary Yellen, and the IRS are seeking access to every working American\u2019s financial information by requiring financial institutions to report to the IRS each and every withdrawal and deposit that total at least $10,000.\n\nThe \u201cProhibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act\u201d would prohibit the Biden administration\u2019s proposed violation of privacy and federal government overreach.\n\nUnder the Biden reporting regime a family whose monthly expenses total just $833 would still be required to be reported to the IRS.\n\nNearly every American, even those below the poverty line, would be subject to this proposed reporting regime.\n\nThe Joint Committee on Taxation has analyzed the proposal and found that it is likely to impact taxpayers in every income bracket, including those making less than $50,000.\n\nSteven Rosenthal at the left-leaning Tax Policy Center concluded the bank reporting requirement proposal would, \u201cin fact, bury the agency in a sea of unproductive information.\u201d\n\nClick here to read the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-to-defend-freedoms-of-speech-and-religion/", "Scott Joins Colleagues to Defend Freedoms of Speech and Religion", "2021-10-21", "2021", "2021-10", "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, DC \u2013 Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined an amicus brief led by Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) along with 11 senators and 14 members of Congress in support of Coach Joe Kennedy in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. The brief asks the Supreme Court to review and subsequently reverse the Ninth Circuit\u2019s decision that allowed Coach Kennedy to be fired for silently kneeling and praying after school football games. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) is co-leading the brief for the House.\n\nJoining Senators Scott and Lankford are Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and John Thune (R-S.D.).\n\nKennedy was head coach for the Bremerton High School junior varsity football team and an assistant coach for the varsity team. After each game, he waited until the players cleared the field, then took a knee and silently prayed. Bremerton High School sent Kennedy a letter demanding he stop praying after games. Kennedy\u2019s contract with Bremerton School District was not renewed, resulting in his termination.\n\nKennedy filed a lawsuit against Bremerton School District, which a federal district court dismissed. On appeal, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit argued Kennedy\u2019s prayers were not protected by the Constitution because he was praying as a public employee rather than in his private, personal capacity. In 2019, Coach Kennedy asked the Supreme Court to review the case and 15 members of Congress, including Senator Scott, filed an amicus brief in support of Coach Kennedy.\n\nOn the issue of freedom of speech, Senator Scott joined Senators Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Cotton (R-Ark.) in introducing the Campus Free Speech Resolution of 2021.\n\n\u201cFreedom of speech and religion are cornerstones to the American way of life, yet they are under attack at all levels of education,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cI am proud to stand with my colleagues against the tide of woke supremacy sweeping across our educational institutions.\u201d\n\nThe Campus Free Speech Resolution of 2021 urges greater First Amendment protection at public universities. Senators Scott, Blackburn, and Cotton introduced this legislation alongside Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-talks-dems-spending-and-irs-plans-police-reform-on-americas-newsroom/", "ICYMI: Scott Talks Dems\u2019 Spending and IRS Plans, Police Reform on America\u2019s Newsroom", "2021-10-20", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino on Fox News to discuss how the Democrats\u2019 reckless spending spree, and their plan to pay for it by enlarging the IRS, will harm American families. He also pushed back on efforts to nationalize and defund law enforcement.\n\nClick to watch Senator Scott\u2019s interview\n\nOn Democrats\u2019 reckless spending \u2026 \u201cThere\u2019s no way this is going to cost zero for the American people. Here\u2019s what we know: A $2 trillion [bill] \u2014 or the largest tax increase in American history \u2014 is not free. \u2026 [The] cost to the average American family goes through the ceiling, [with] tens of thousands of dollars of additional debt being added to every single household in America. This is failed leadership and a one-way ticket to socialism. \u2026 it only helps hook more people on a government paycheck. That\u2019s bad for their futures; it\u2019s bad for their kids.\u201d\n\n\u201cHere\u2019s what I know about government handouts: If you can do it yourself, you should. If you cannot, it\u2019s a different question. \u2026 [This plan would] get more people disconnected from work [and] more dependent on the government, and that\u2019s bad for their lives.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats moving their proposed threshold for the IRS to investigate accounts from $600 to $10,000 \u2026 \u201c$600 versus $10,000 sounds like a big jump. Unfortunately, if you are a minimum wage earner in America, your account\u2019s [information] would still be transferred to the IRS. In other words, if you have an $800 monthly payment for your rent, you have $400 in food for the entire year, [that makes] $10,000. \u2026 [It\u2019s] not a concession because Republicans aren\u2019t even allowed to be part of the negotiations.\u201d\n\nOn police reform efforts and providing proper resources \u2026 \u201cI\u2019m still at the table. Two years in a row [the Democrats] walked away. More importantly, what they wanted to do were two fundamental things I completely disagree with. Number one is to nationalize all local police. That is not the American way. And number two, there were 11 sections that either reduced funding [or] made departments ineligible for funding, and that to me means defunding the police by a [thousand little] cuts.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn the end, change requires resources. We cannot ask police officers to go into some very dangerous situations without the equipment or the manpower. [There are] almost 400 vacancies in Baltimore city right now because they can\u2019t recruit officers. You don\u2019t demonize, demoralize, and defund police and then ask for better policing.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-democrats-irs-snooping-plan-hurts-americans-living-paycheck-to-paycheck/", "Scott: Democrats\u2019 IRS Snooping Plan Hurts Americans Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck", "2021-10-19", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spoke out against the Democrats\u2019 plans to give the IRS access to the bank information of virtually every American during a Senate Banking Committee hearing and a Senate GOP press conference.\n\nClick to watch Senator Scott\u2019s questions at the hearing\n\nOn the IRS investigating every American\u2019s accounts \u2026 \u201cIt would be impossible for me not to ask a question about the current proposals coming out of the administration as it relates to the ability to investigate and/or have access to every transaction in every American\u2019s banking accounts or financial accounts based on simply $600 of flow coming through. I know that some proposals have $600; others have $10,000. The challenge is, whether it\u2019s $600 or $10,000, it captures basically the same number of accounts.\u201d\n\nOn enlarging big government \u2026 \u201cIf you\u2019re looking for tax cheats, that is a terrible way of figuring it out. But if you are, in fact, looking at a big-government proposal to have the ability to investigate every single transaction of a financial institution of your account, my account, and their accounts\u2026 well, this might be a good direction to go in.\u201d\n\nOn burdening working-class Americans \u2026 \u201cIf you\u2019re looking to simply find the tax cheats of the top one percent or two percent of Americans, you don\u2019t need a threshold of $600. You don\u2019t need a threshold of $10,000. Frankly, you don\u2019t even need a threshold of $100,000 dollars. What this threshold of $600 or $10,000 does is it captures all the information, all the transactions of everyday Americans, not the rich ones, but the ones working paycheck-to-paycheck. \u2026 That\u2019s not about millionaires and billionaires. That is an actual additional burden on working-class Americans.\u201d\n\nClick to watch Senator Scott\u2019s remarks at the press conference\n\nOn the results of the Democrats\u2019 proposal \u2026 \u201cI think about the fact that there are seven million Americans who are unbanked and may be a little suspicious of the government. This proposal will keep those good Americans from being able to engage and get involved in the financial systems of our country. I can\u2019t think of anything more wrong-directed than this proposal. \u2026 For those Americans who are concerned that, somehow, the government is too big, too onerous, too burdensome, this only adds more fuel to that fire.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-calls-out-biden-cbp-nominee-for-refusing-to-acknowledge-the-border-crisis/", "Senator Scott Calls Out Biden CBP Nominee for Refusing to Acknowledge the Border Crisis", "2021-10-19", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) questioned Chris Magnus, President Biden\u2019s nominee to head U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), at a Senate Finance Committee hearing. Senator Scott challenged Magnus\u2019 refusal to call the situation at the southern border a crisis, despite record high illegal border crossings in the last year.\n\nClick to watch Senator Scott\u2019s questions\n\nRead the full transcript of his questions below:\n\nSenator Scott: You struggled to come to the conclusion that there is a crisis on our border, which I found fascinating. Millions of Americans, literally millions upon millions of Americans have come to the same conclusion that I have and that Senator Young has and that, frankly, I think even the administration is coming to: There is a crisis on our southern border. When we have 200,000 folks illegally crossing our border in just July\u2014more than one million in the last fiscal year\u2014there is a crisis on our border. Why admitting that there is a crisis on our border is a problem, I don\u2019t fully appreciate. After demonizing every single action of the Trump administration as it relates to the border, it is apparent to me that when the Department of Homeland Security reinstates a \u201cRemain in Mexico\u201d policy, it is because there is a crisis at the southern border. So I want to ask you, Mr. Magnus, just for clarification: With the reinstatement of the policy, with a million plus people crossing our border, with more than 200,000 just in July, with the actions taken against the border agents, is there a crisis at our border?\n\nMr. Magnus: Senator, thank you for the question. But if I might just make the observation that perhaps as a nation and as a group of electeds, if we spent a little less time debating on what the terminology is and perhaps a little more time trying to fix a broken system and working together, we could address what I\u2019ve already acknowledged is one of the most serious problems that we face right now in our nation.\n\nSenator Scott: Mr. Magnus, this is frankly where both Republicans and Democrats come to the same conclusion, that there is a crisis at our border. This is the one area of many areas within the political spectrum that we\u2019d like to see some kind of uniformity and people working together and acknowledging the concerns that we have, but words have meaning. We are living in a time where we\u2019re trying to find a way to erase and then re-define words, but the fact is that there is a crisis, number one. Number two, when Rodney Scott, the former chief of the border patrol, who worked for both President Trump and President Biden says that the administration is abusing its authority as it relates to paroles, I\u2019ll ask you, with over 30,000 released via parole and so many hundreds of thousands more just released into our communities, do you believe that the administration is abusing their immigration authority?\n\nMr. Magnus: Senator, I appreciate the question, and obviously this issue of immigration authority, how it\u2019s being used, is something that would be very important to me if confirmed for this position. I\u2019m coming into this, obviously, as someone from the outside. My intention would be to learn as much as I can, talk to different parties involved who maybe have very different perspectives on this, learn what I can, and then share that information with those above me.\n\nSenator Scott: Let me just say it this way: When our American public is watching the reckless action in Afghanistan, where we are trying to figure out what the vetting process was for those folks arriving here, we are thankful [for] those who assisted our soldiers in Afghanistan [and] we want to have the folks who deserve to be here here from Afghanistan, and yet the vetting process was rushed because of the arbitrary nature of the departure. That creates one concern from an immigration standpoint.This exacerbates the situation when you add, on top of those concerns for the average American, seeing more than a million folks come into our country illegally, which is about 20% of all of the citizens in the great state of South Carolina. So you can imagine my concerns that are shared by millions of Americans around this country as it relates to what we\u2019re doing on our border, and what we\u2019re not doing on our border, is very concerning. Thank you.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=18BC9525-8CC4-4F91-B6AC-B66FD7C2DAC7", "Graham On Leadership Changes At Port", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "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 on the news that Jim Newsome, President and CEO of South Carolina Ports, will retire on June 30, 2022. Newsome served in the position for 13 years.\n\nSC Ports COO Barbara Melvin will become President and CEO of South Carolina Ports on July 1, 2022. Melvin will be the sixth leader in the history of the port and the first woman to lead a top 10 U.S. operating container port.\n\nGraham said:\n\n\u201cJim Newsome has much to be proud of from his years as the President and CEO of South Carolina Ports. Under his steady leadership, and working closely with local, state, and federal officials, the Port of Charleston has exceeded every expectation. Today, the Charleston Port is the backbone of the South Carolina economy. I know Jim will stay involved in port issues even while he enjoys his well-earned retirement.\u201d\n\n\u201cI also want to congratulate South Carolina Ports for selecting Barbara Melvin to succeed Jim. Barbara is an outstanding choice who has worked closely with Jim for years. She understands the needs of the Port and is well-respected throughout our state. Barbara will build on Jim\u2019s legacy.\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to South Carolina Ports, the best is yet to come.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=BADF08FB-B70E-4D92-9A74-1A3C118F9C25", "Graham Discusses Border, Supply Chain Issues with South Carolina Media", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "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 members of the South Carolina media to discuss his recent trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, supply chain issues, and other issues facing the country.\n\nOn immigration:\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI just got back from the border. It\u2019s a disaster. The southern border of the United States is a complete disaster\u2026I went to the Yuma Sector along the Arizona-Mexico border and I saw a tremendous spike in illegal immigrant crossing. There\u2019s sort of a scam going on with the Brazilians. 46,000 Brazilians have come into the United States turning themselves in and asking for asylum in the last year. And at the Yuma Sector, here\u2019s what\u2019s happening. Brazilians, who seemed to be pretty well-off to me, smartly dressed, will take a plane from Brazil to Cancun, Mexico on a tourist visa. They spend a couple days in Cancun, either rent a car or take a bus to the U.S. border. They are dropped off right by our border, take the luggage out of the back of the car or off the bus, walk up to a Border Patrol agent and turn themselves in and ask for asylum. Many of them had flights booked inside the United States because they had relatives or friends. This is taking a lot of time of the Border Patrol to process these people. The ones I saw were smartly dressed and had better luggage than I did. This needs to stop.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe idea that terrorists could penetrate our southern border is very real to the Border Patrol. They feel abandoned. There is no plan in place to fix this. What\u2019s caused this 1,300% increase in illegal traffic at the Yuma Sector of the Arizona border? The catch-and-release program built around asylum\u2026Ending the catch-and-release program by Remain in Mexico policy of Trump worked. The first thing Biden did was cancel that policy and the rest is history.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThe Border Patrol is under siege. Their morale is low. They are American patriots. They are spending so much time processing people making asylum claims, they can\u2019t go out and do their job as law enforcement officers\u2026 [Department of Homeland Security Secretary] Mayorkas comes to the [Senate Judiciary] Committee October the 21st, this Thursday, and he needs to be held accountable. This is 9/11 in the making.\u201d\n\nOn shipping delays and supply chain issues:\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThere is a complete breakdown of the supply chain. Some of it you can blame on Biden, some of it you can\u2019t. COVID has created a problem for the supply chain for the last couple of years. People have been laid off. People have not been able to do their job to full capacity because of COVID. But what you see now is sort of a bad policy rearing its ugly head. In California they made all the truck drivers, instead of independent contractors, they made them employees which changed their tax situation. A lot of truck drivers are retiring. The backup of shipping is due to the fact that you can\u2019t unload the ships and get the cargo into the interior of the United States. And I just believe that [Department of Transportation] Secretary Buttigieg needs to up his game here. He\u2019s a nice fellow, I like him a lot. But he needs to up his game. We\u2019ve got 60 something ships waiting to be unloaded on the West Coast. Savannah has a problem. The administration needs to up its game and make it easier to hire people, not harder to hire people.\u201d\n\nWatch the full press conference HERE and HERE.\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-the-passing-of-general-powell/", "Scott Statement on the Passing of General Powell", "2021-10-18", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on the passing of General Colin Powell.\n\n\u201cToday we mourn the passing of one of America\u2019s strongest leaders. Colin Powell will forever be remembered as a great public servant and American patriot. He dedicated his life to this nation and broke countless barriers along the way. He was a trailblazer as Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his service inspired and paved the way for many of today\u2019s\u2014and tomorrow\u2019s\u2014greatest leaders.\n\n\u201cWhile I am heartbroken to hear of his passing, I am grateful for his life of service that touched not only our nation, but every corner of the world. I salute his legacy and know that it will live on for generations to come.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-sinema-lead-effort-to-protect-medicare-advantage/", "Scott, Sinema Lead Effort to Protect Medicare Advantage", "2021-10-15", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) led 11 of their colleagues in a letter urging Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to protect the Medicare Advantage (MA) program from payment cuts being floated in the Senate.\n\nSenators Capito (R-W.Va.), Fischer (R-Neb.), Kelly (D-Ariz.), King (I-Maine), Manchin (D-W.Va.), Peters (D-Mich.), Rosen (D-Nev.), Rubio (R-Fla.), Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tester (D-Mont.), and Young (R-Ind.) also joined the letter.\n\n\u201cAs Congress and the administration work together to find opportunities to promote better access to care and reduce costs, ensuring that MA\u2019s care delivery model remains strong and stable should remain a priority,\u201d the senators wrote. \u201cThe MA program is essential to fulfilling the CMS\u2019s commitment to improving and delivering high-quality, accessible, affordable, and equitable care choices to Medicare beneficiaries.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo ensure this continuum of care, we stand ready to protect MA from payments cuts, which could lead to higher costs and premiums, reduce vital benefits, and undermine advances made to improve health outcomes and health equity for MA enrollees.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Medicare Advantage program:\n\nCurrently serves more than 26 million Americans, 31 percent of whom come from a racial or ethnic minority, and more than 50 percent of whom have fixed incomes of less than $30,000 annually.\n\nOffers benefits aimed at addressing social determinants of health including vision, dental, hearing, telehealth services, transportation, meal services and delivery, and other wellness benefits.\n\nClick here to read the full letter.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-announces-more-than-15-million-for-construction-and-capital-improvements-of-south-carolina-community-health-centers/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $15 MILLION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS", "2021-10-13", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "COLUMBIA \u2013 Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded more than $15 million to 21 community health centers in South Carolina. These Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awards will be used to fund capital improvements and construction costs for facilities in communities disproportionally affected by COVID-19. These funds, made available through the American Rescue Plan legislation passed by Democrats and signed by President Biden in March, will be crucial to improving South Carolina\u2019s healthcare infrastructure and will help ensure that all South Carolinians have access to state-of-the-art medical facilities.\n\n\u201cThese resources championed by President Biden and Congressional Democrats are an investment in making health care more accessible and affordable for all,\u201d said Congressman James E. Clyburn. \u201cThroughout the pandemic these facilities have been lifelines to many communities across the state by providing patients with free and low-cost access to testing, vaccines and treatment. As we begin to emerge from the devastation of this virus, these funds will ensure that individuals in rural and underrepresented communities have access to high quality healthcare in expanded and modernized health centers.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-applauds-the-appointment-of-dr-saundra-glover-and-laurie-funderburk-to-south-carolina-usda-positions/", "CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN APPLAUDS THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. SAUNDRA GLOVER AND LAURIE FUNDERBURK TO SOUTH CAROLINA USDA POSITIONS", "2021-10-12", "2021", "2021-10", "Democrat", "House", "SC", "James E. Clyburn", "C000537", "clyburn.house.gov", "clyburn", "https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "COLUMBIA, SC \u2013 Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn praised the appointment of Dr. Saundra Glover as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) South Carolina State Director of Rural Development and Laurie Funderburk as the USDA South Carolina Farm Service Agency Executive Director.\n\n\u201cI want to thank President Biden for accepting my recommendations and making these outstanding appointments to the South Carolina offices of the USDA,\u201d said Congressman Clyburn. \u201cDr. Glover and Ms. Funderburk have led distinguished careers, and I am confident their extensive backgrounds and experiences working with rural and farming communities will allow them to continue to serve this state well.\u201d\n\nDr. Glover is the former Vice President for Research and Economic Development at South Carolina State University and distinguished Professor Emerita at the University of South Carolina. During her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of economic development in rural South Carolina. She exhibits a wealth of experience in closing racially-based health outcome gaps, developing comprehensive socio-economic policies, and addressing the disparities that limited-resource farmers face when impacted by natural disasters. She is a graduate of South Carolina State University and received her MBA and Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=76DB5EAE-D08C-47BE-87AD-7F25E2CCDCEA", "Graham: \u201cI don\u2019t understand why we\u2019re folding here.\u201d", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made these comments on raising the debt ceiling.\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI don\u2019t understand why we [Republicans] are folding here. For two months Republicans have been saying Democrats want to spend $3.5 trillion without any Republican input. If they are going to do that -- they need to raise the debt ceiling on their own. This is just a mistake.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cDemocrats are spending the money by themselves through reconciliation, they can also raise the debt ceiling through reconciliation. That\u2019s been the position of the Republican Party. I can understand why Democrats don\u2019t want to use reconciliation for the debt ceiling because politically it will be tough. But I don\u2019t understand why we as Republicans are folding here.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cThis is a complete capitulation. The argument made yesterday was that this may be more pressure than two Democrat senators can stand regarding changing the filibuster rules. That to me is not a very good reason.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cYou either believe in Senate rules and procedures or you don\u2019t. When we had control of the White House, House, and Senate, we were under pressure to change the rules to enact the Republican agenda. I thought it would be bad for the country and I said \u2018No.\u2019 It never crossed my mind to go to Democrats and say if you don\u2019t do these two or three things I may have to change the rules. The bottom line is that\u2019s extortion. It\u2019s not healthy for the Senate and I\u2019m not going to live that way.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cDemocrats have a 50/50 Senate and a small majority in the House. They are acting like they have a mandate from the American people to completely transform America. I find that audacious and offensive. I don\u2019t blame Democrats for trying to do as much as they can; I do blame us for not fighting when we can. And the idea of Democrats using reconciliation to raise the debt limit by themselves made sense to me then and makes sense to me now.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cWhen President Trump was in the White House, we had the House and the Senate. We had all these Democrats saying don\u2019t change the rules. The shoe is on the other foot now. I understand that. No more games here. You either believe in the Senate being different from the House or you don\u2019t. So if you want to change the rules, change them.\u201d\n\nGRAHAM: \u201cI don\u2019t like using reconciliation to fundamentally change America through a socialist spending agenda. Why the hell would I make it easier for them to raise the debt ceiling through regular order? We had a strategy and we abandoned it.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-on-comprehensive-afghanistan-legislation/", "Scott Joins Colleagues on Comprehensive Afghanistan Legislation", "2021-10-07", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and 28 of his colleagues in supporting the Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act, legislation to address the outstanding issues related to the administration\u2019s rushed and disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.\n\n\u201cWhile the crisis in Afghanistan may have faded from headlines, the danger faced by Americans and our allies is still real and immediate,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cMy colleagues and I are committed to holding the Biden administration accountable by being a voice for those who have suffered as a result of this president\u2019s failure of leadership. We must act now to ensure our leaders do not repeat the mistakes that led to the loss of 13 Americans, countless allies, and our credibility on the world stage.\u201d\n\nJoining Scott and Risch as cosponsors are Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).\n\nThe Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act:\n\nEstablishes a State Department task force to focus on the evacuation of American citizens, legal permanent residents, and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) who are still stuck in Afghanistan.\n\nImposes oversight mechanisms on the processing of SIVs and refugees.\n\nRequires strategies for counterterrorism and for the disposition of Taliban-captured U.S. equipment.\n\nSanctions the Taliban and others in Afghanistan for terrorism, drug-trafficking, and human rights abuses.\n\nAuthorizes sanctions on those providing support to the Taliban, including foreign governments supporting the Taliban.\n\nStates that the United States should not recognize any member of the Taliban as the ambassador of Afghanistan to the United States or as the ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Nations.\n\nCalls for a comprehensive review of foreign assistance to entities that support the Taliban.\n\nPlaces restrictions on non-humanitarian foreign assistance to Afghanistan.\n\nFull text of the bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-oppose-democrat-plan-to-make-the-sba-a-direct-lender/", "Scott, Colleagues Oppose Democrat Plan to Make the SBA a Direct Lender", "2021-10-06", "2021", "2021-10", "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.) and his Republican colleagues sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Small Business Committee Chair Ben Cardin, and House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez warning against their plan to make the Small Business Administration (SBA) a direct lender through their $3.5 trillion reconciliation plan.\n\n\u201cAiming to get more 7(a) loans in the hands of the smallest of small businesses by providing the SBA $4.5 billion to run its own lending program is misplaced. We encourage you to take lessons from the past year and see that the way to increase availability of these products to those that do not have access is not by simply having government play a larger role, but instead to empower financial institutions in doing what they do best\u2026under the reconciliation legislation currently under consideration, among other provisions, allowing the SBA to establish and run a lending program that they themselves regulate will harm job creators and hurt the United States economy as a whole,\u201d wrote the senators.\n\nCo-signers include Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-La.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).\n\nClick here to read more from Fox News.\n\nClick here or read the full text of the letter below.\n\nOctober 06, 2021\n\nDear Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Chairs Cardin and Vel\u00e1zquez:\n\nWe write today regarding a deeply concerning provision contained within the House Small Business section (SEC. 100502. Funding For Credit Enhancement and Small Dollar Loan Funding) of the Budget Reconciliation Bill, that would authorize nearly $4.5 billion over 10 years for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue direct 7(a) loans. We believe this would be an inefficient, costly, and unequitable position to put both lenders and borrowers.\n\nOver the course of the last year the American people have witnessed financial institutions step up and provide relief to businesses of all sizes. In Fiscal Year 2020, the SBA approved 42,302 7(a) loans worth $22.6 billion through 1,673 lending partners. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic we saw financial institutions work to standup the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in an unprecedented period of time to start the small business recovery. The final tally shows that 5,467 lenders worked to service nearly 12 million loans worth $800 billion. Even more impressive is that the overall loan size in 2021 was just $42,000. While the PPP was massively successful in getting money out of the door and to borrowers that desperately needed relief, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) has seen rampant mismanagement, fraud, and waste. According to a recent analysis by the SBA Office of Inspector General, there have been $79 billion in potentially fraudulent EIDL loans processed and advanced. Compare this to the PPP, where only $4.6 billion in potential fraud was identified. Out of $800 billion for the full program, that is only .6% of the total. One of the main differences between these programs is the PPP relied heavily on banks, credit unions, fintech, and other private sector lenders. The EIDL program was entirely government run.\n\nAiming to get more 7(a) loans in the hands of the smallest of small businesses by providing the SBA $4.5 billion to run its own lending program is misplaced. We encourage you to take lessons from the past year and see that the way to increase availability of these products to those that do not have access is not by simply having government play a larger role, but instead to empower financial institutions in doing what they do best. As mentioned above, there were nearly 5,500 PPP lenders. By expanding the lender pool in the 7(a) program to more lenders, borrowers will start to see more options. Giving the SBA the reins to run its own lending program will make it more difficult for existing lenders to continue to participate and potential lenders to even want to join the program. A 10-year authorization of $4.5 billion for this program with little to no oversight will also increase the level of concern over how the money is being used. Without proper parameters, the direct lending program can fall into a great deal of fraud and abuse.\n\nAs the United States emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurship must be a top priority. Unfortunately, under the reconciliation legislation currently under consideration, among other provisions, allowing the SBA to establish and run a lending program that they themselves regulate will harm job creators and hurt the United States economy as a whole.\n\n/s/\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D78C6B1E-5B92-4133-B71F-40F05121CD06", "Graham Introduces Religious Education Week Resolution", "2021-10-04", "2021", "2021-10", "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) introduced a resolution designating this week 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 Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Jim Inhofe (Oklahoma), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and Todd Young (R-Indiana).\n\nOrganizations in support of the resolution include Agudath Israel of America, Alliance Defending Freedom, American Association of Christian Schools, Association of Christian Schools International, The Catholic Association, Catholics Count, Catholic Education Partners Inc., The Christian Coalition, Christian Legal Society, Coalition for Jewish Values, EdChoice, #EDTaxCredit50, Family Research Council, Foundation for American Christian Education, Invest in Education, Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, North American Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and School Time Bible Ministries.\n\nThe full text of the resolution is attached.\n\n#####\n\nWHAT THEY ARE SAYING:\n\nGrayson Hartgrove, Director of School Time Bible Ministries in Columbia, SC:\n\n\u201cWe support and applaud the U.S. Senate effort to pass a U.S. 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 of the Coalition for Jewish Values:\n\n\"Judaism places the education of our children at the center of religious practice. We are happy to endorse this resolution, which underscores the intrinsic connection between religious education and the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the Constitution, and celebrates religious schooling as a method of civic and moral development.\"\n\nTravis Weber, Director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Family Research Council:\n\n\u201cReligious education and the rights of parents to oversee that their children are taught according to the tenets of their faith are as important now as they have ever been. At this point in our nation\u2019s history, Christian parents must be especially vigilant to ensure their children are taught according to a biblical worldview. This resolution is a welcome encouragement toward that end.\u201d\n\nRoberta Combs, CEO and President of the Christian Coalition:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-scott-and-kelly-celebrate-passage-of-national-healthy-aging-month-resolution/", "Senators Scott and Kelly Celebrate Passage of National Healthy Aging Month Resolution", "2021-10-01", "2021", "2021-10", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) released the following statements applauding the Senate\u2019s unanimous passage of their resolution marking September as National Healthy Aging Month.\n\n\u201cIn just a few short years, seniors will outnumber children for the first time in our nation\u2019s history,\u201d said Senator Scott. \u201cAs our older population increases, we must also bolster our efforts to enhance their quality of life. This resolution not only reaffirms that commitment to seniors, but it also encourages all Americans to prepare for the future by living a healthy lifestyle today.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs Arizona\u2019s Senator and a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, I have continued to work to support older Arizonans by funding critical programs for our senior community including caregiver support and community based services,\u201d said Senator Mark Kelly. \u201cThis resolution recognizing September as Healthy Aging Month is an important step and will raise awareness about the ways Arizonans can improve their health and quality of life as they age and also promote strategies and services that can prevent chronic or serious illnesses.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nAs ranking member of the U.S. Special Senate Committee on Aging, Senator Scott has worked on a number of bills, resolutions, and hearings on behalf of our nation\u2019s seniors.\n\nIn May, he introduced the SENIOR CARE Act to ensure working seniors with disabilities keep Medicaid coverage.\n\nIn July, he introduced the Golden-preneurship Act to equip seniors with the tools they need to make their businesses thrive.\n\nSince March, he has held hearings on addressing seniors\u2019 health care needs, fighting Alzheimer\u2019s, building wealth at an older age, maintaining physical and mental vitality, and most recently combating frauds and scams.\n\nClick HERE to view the full resolution.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:24:51Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5E98EB54-0AF4-47A3-BF9A-FE698DCF2614", "Graham, Blackburn to President Biden: Tell Migrant Caravan to Turn Around", "2021-09-30", "2021", "2021-09", "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 Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) today sent a letter to President Biden urging him to tell the massive migrant caravan approaching our southern border, \u201cYou must turn around\u201d.\n\nGraham and Blackburn wrote:\n\n\u201cFor the sake of the vulnerable migrants preyed upon by smugglers, the brave men and women of your U.S. Border Patrol currently under siege, and those state and local law enforcement who work tirelessly in border communities to keep Americans safe, we call on you to immediately send a clear and concise signal to the massive caravan en route that they must turn around. Smuggling and trafficking should not be tolerated by the United States.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe continued capitulation constitutes an unconscionable threat to our national security. Terrorist and other transnational criminal syndicates will keep exploiting our weakness if you do not act. President Biden, you can still prevent further human suffering by sending a clear message to the caravan \u2013 \u201cYou Must Turn Around.\u201d Failure to do so would be patently reckless.\u201d\n\nFull text of the Graham Blackburn letter is below.\n\nSeptember 30, 2021\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW\n\nWashington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write today to again express grave concerns about the escalating humanitarian and public safety crisis at our southern border. Despite your administration\u2019s insistence that the United States does not have open borders, each month hundreds of thousands of migrants are emboldened by your policies to make the journey north. And now a caravan of over 15,000 migrants led by smugglers is making its way through Mexico towards our border.\n\nFor the sake of the vulnerable migrants preyed upon by smugglers, the brave men and women of your U.S. Border Patrol currently under siege, and those state and local law enforcement who work tirelessly in border communities to keep Americans safe, we call on you to immediately send a clear and concise signal to the massive caravan en route that they must turn around. Smuggling and trafficking should not be tolerated by the United States.\n\nWe cannot continue to surrender our southern border to drug cartels and coyotes. An open border like ours is a green light to those who see human life as a commodity. These traffickers, smugglers, and other terrorist groups wish only to line their pockets and cause harm, no matter the cost. The continued capitulation constitutes an unconscionable threat to our national security. Terrorist and other transnational criminal syndicates will keep exploiting our weakness if you do not act. President Biden, you can still prevent further human suffering by sending a clear message to the caravan \u2013 \u201cYou Must Turn Around.\u201d Failure to do so would be patently reckless.\n\nSincerely,\n\nLindsey O. Graham Marsha Blackburn\n\nU.S Senator U.S. Senator\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-colleagues-spotlight-democrats-self-inflicted-crises/", "Senator Scott, Colleagues Spotlight Democrats\u2019 Self-Inflicted Crises", "2021-09-29", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today in a press conference with Senate Republicans, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) highlighted crises caused by Democrat leadership and warned of the dangerous policies in their $3.5 trillion spending plan.\n\nClick to watch Senator Scott\u2019s remarks\n\nOn self-inflicted Democrat crises \u2026 \u201cCrisis after crisis after crisis \u2026 The Democrats are in disarray without any question. How does that all translate to the average person living in this country? We\u2019ve heard about the border crisis \u2026 Afghanistan, taxing and spending crisis. All of that lands on the shoulders of every-day Americans.\u201d\n\nOn inflation caused by reckless spending \u2026 \u201cThe price [of their proposal] is astounding. It is hard to digest $3.5 trillion after a $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan and a $1.9 trillion COVID plan with less than 10 percent going to COVID health or COVID vaccines. That spending is just enormous. \u2026 When you drive up to the pump and your gas prices are up 40 plus percent \u2026 when your electric bill is up 20 percent \u2026 the impact is devastating.\u201d\n\nOn harmful policies in the Democrats\u2019 tax-and-spend bill \u2026 \u201cWhen we\u2019re talking about giving the IRS permission to spy on accounts for every transaction at $600 or more, you\u2019re destabilizing one of the greatest systems of commerce in the world. \u2026\n\n\u201cThe amount of devastation being done by the programs and the policies, in addition to the price, makes this spending crisis an incredible threat to the American Dream. The accelerator to socialism can be seen by the policy designs in this reconciliation vehicle.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-slams-democrats-tax-and-spend-policies-in-floor-speech-senate-banking-hearing/", "Senator Scott Slams Democrats\u2019 Tax-and-Spend Policies in Floor Speech, Senate Banking Hearing", "2021-09-28", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) questioned Chairman Powell and Secretary Yellen on the Biden administration\u2019s harmful economic plans, and he took to the Senate floor to discuss how the Democrats\u2019 $3.5 trillion tax-and-spend bill would harm the American Dream and stifle economic opportunity.\n\nClick to watch Sen. Scott\u2019s floor speech\n\nOn defending the American Dream \u2026 \u201cWhat we\u2019re talking about today is not about simply a $3.5 trillion spending bill. We\u2019re talking about something more fundamental to what it means to be an American. I am proud to be an American. I am proud to live in a country where upward mobility is a reality \u2014 that we can, by hard work and a strong education, change our fortunes in this country, and not only change it for ourselves, but change it for the generations that follow us. \u2026\n\n\u201cAs a kid who struggled in high school \u2026 who did not believe always that there was a way that a poor kid in South Carolina could ever escape poverty \u2026 I am thankful to live in a country where the American, free-enterprise system provided a pathway forward, and if I could just see it and believe in it and work towards it, it was possible for me to achieve the outcomes that we\u2019re sitting here trying to defend. \u2026 The challenge, of course, is that we look at the $3.5 trillion package, [and] it makes it harder for a kid trapped in poverty, as I was, to find a path forward.\u201d\n\nOn destructive contents in the Democrats\u2019 proposal \u2026 \u201cThe content of this legislation is more dangerous than the amount of the legislation, and I\u2019ve got to tell you, $3.5 trillion is pretty dangerous. But more dangerous than the $3.5 trillion is having the IRS empowered to take a look at every single transaction. Not only the $600, but imagine doubling the number of IRS agents with the $80 billion in this package \u2014 doubling the number of agents to come take a look at your family businesses, your family accounts. Destructive. Go beyond that. \u2026 Restoring the tax credits for the state and local taxes for millionaires and billionaires across this country and putting that burden back on the backs of working people \u2014 middle-class working people. \u2026\n\n\u201cI will say this: If the Democrats\u2019 plan succeeds \u2026 I fear that kids stuck in poverty today will be stuck in a caste system of socialism tomorrow.\u201d\n\nClick to watch Sen. Scott\u2019s questions\n\nOn the Democrats\u2019 spending plans \u2026 \u201cDemocrats control the White House, the Senate, the House, they have the votes to raise the debt ceiling. Unfortunately, they also have the votes to fundamentally weaken the greatest economic engine in world history. What they do not have the votes to do is to force Republicans to be complicit with their reckless spending spree.\n\n\u201cKilling the goose that lays the golden eggs isn\u2019t just bad for the goose; it\u2019s bad for everyone who depends on the eggs as well. There is nothing compassionate about spending money we don\u2019t have on new benefits we can\u2019t afford, all the while discouraging work and increasing the likelihood of a future default when the yet-to-be-born American receives the bill for benefits she didn\u2019t experience and are no longer available.\u201d\n\nOn labor force participation and inflation \u2026 \u201cIt\u2019s also important to note that our labor force participation rate is down, not up. Even with the new programs and the payouts that I heard this morning during this hearing that somehow is supposedly increasing our labor force participation, when in fact it\u2019s apparent and clear to Americans that\u2019s not the case. Chair Powell, you know as well as I do \u2014 and certainly maybe neither one of us know as well as the folks working paycheck to paycheck around this nation or the seniors depending on their social security checks to make their ends meet \u2014 that inflation is having a devastating impact on people on fixed income, people working paycheck-to-paycheck. I think about the fact that gas prices are over 40% as a nation and frankly over the last few days, we\u2019ve seen signs that it\u2019s going to only get worse, not better.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-senator-scott-talks-police-reform-on-trey-gowdys-sunday-night-in-america/", "ICYMI: Senator Scott Talks Police Reform on Trey Gowdy\u2019s Sunday Night in America", "2021-09-27", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Trey Gowdy\u2019s Sunday Night in America on Fox News to discuss police reform and why the Democrats walked away from negotiations.\n\nClick to watch the full interview\n\nOn why Democrats walked away from negotiations \u2026 \u201c[The Democrats are] managing so many crises. I think they\u2019re looking for a way to give Biden a win. Think about [the] Afghanistan crisis, the border crisis, crisis in the Middle East, a crisis of spending, crisis of taxing. So they\u2019re putting politics over people and focusing on a partisan victory. They\u2019re actually going to look for the perfect and make it the enemy of the good.\u201d\n\nOn the Democrats\u2019 bill taking resources from police \u2026 \u201cThere were more than seven sections in the bill that literally said we\u2019re going to reduce your funding or make you ineligible for funding if you don\u2019t let a national standard dictate all local policing. \u2026 I\u2019m not turning over local police to the Department of Justice. It\u2019s never been [the case] and it will never be as long as I\u2019m at the table negotiating.\u201d\n\nOn providing solutions for vulnerable communities \u2026 \u201cI have lived in some very poor communities, [was] raised by a single mother, and I understand the fear and trepidation of wondering if your mother made it into the house okay when she gets off at 11 o\u2019clock at night. I\u2019m at the table, and frankly, [Republicans] are at the table because we want to provide solutions. \u2026\n\n\u201cWhen it comes to solutions, think about the record-breaking amount of money for HBCUs or the lowest unemployment rate for African Americans, for Hispanics, for Asians, a seventy year low for women, increases in the labor force participation rate. We\u2019ve seen the right direction of solutions under the GOP while the Democrats keep campaigning on the issue, never having to find the solution.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-pushes-back-on-biden-mandates-encourages-vaccination-in-new-video/", "Senator Scott Pushes Back on Biden Mandates, Encourages Vaccination in New Video", "2021-09-24", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released a new installment of his \u201cTwo with Tim\u201d video series, in which he pushed back on the Biden administration\u2019s vaccine mandates and promoted a community-based approach to vaccination.\n\nClick to watch the video\n\nTranscript:\n\nPresident Biden\u2019s recent attempt to force private companies into mandating vaccinations for employees is clear government overreach that won\u2019t bring us any closer together\u2014or help us solve the many problems we are facing.\n\nCOVID-19 has taken a devastating toll on folks across the nation\u2014physically, emotionally, and economically.\n\nAs I\u2019ve said for the past year, I want our economy\u2014and our country\u2014to fully reopen. That means getting kids back in school and adults back to work.\n\nBut our battle with COVID-19 won\u2019t be won by Washington elites making sweeping declarations or federal mandates.\n\nAt a time when our nation\u2019s leaders should be working together for solutions and bringing people together, Biden\u2019s actions are creating a world of division.\n\nInstead of politicizing this issue, we should encourage folks to unite around commonsense solutions.\n\nOver the past few months, it has become clear that vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness and death as it relates COVID-19. This is really important for you to recognize that we can save lives through this approach.\n\nIn my home state of South Carolina, around 80 percent of hospitalized COVID patients have not been fully vaccinated. And nationally, unvaccinated people are nearly 30 times more likely to be hospitalized because of the virus.\n\nIn 2020, as many of us lost loved ones to this devastating disease, we prayed for a safe and effective vaccine. Well, thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we have not one, but three vaccines available.\n\nLook, I believe all signs point to vaccination as the best option. That\u2019s why so many people, including myself, have already gotten the shot.\n\nAll of our living presidents\u2014 from President Donald Trump to President Jimmy Carter\u2014are vaccinated.\n\nAll of our states\u2019 governors\u2014yes, 27 Republican governors and 23 Democrat governors\u2014are all vaccinated.\n\nAnd the vast majority of Congress members\u2014both Republicans and Democrats\u2014[have] all been vaccinated.\n\nAt the end of the day, vaccination is about protecting ourselves and our loved ones from severe illness.\n\nCOVID-19 is a battle that has to be fought not by Washington elites and federal mandates, but by each member of the South Carolina family.\n\nAs with any other issue facing our nation today, if we work together, we can and we will overcome the challenges that we face.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=425BF072-8A79-452C-8274-DC81AA159A7C", "Graham Pushes President Biden to Call 'Time Out' on Asylum Claims Made in the United States", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "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 called on the Biden Administration to call a \u2018time-out\u2019 and stop processing asylum claims made in the United States. Graham has pushed for asylum claims to be filed in the asylum seekers' home country, another Northern Triangle country or one contiguous, or in Mexico before being allowed into the United States.\n\n\u201cEvery time I see the images coming from our southern border I get infuriated.\n\n\u201cThe human suffering. The national security threats. The out-of-control nature of this run on the border needs to stop.\n\n\u201cIf the Biden Administration called a \u2018Time Out\u2019 on asylum claims made in the United States \u2013 where people are released and never show up to their hearings \u2013 this flow would stop overnight.\n\n\u201cThe only way to stop the flow of migrants is to change our asylum laws that are being abused. It is past time for the Biden Administration to show some leadership.\u201d\n\n####\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nGraham Discusses Asylum Claim Abuse", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=777351AD-E2C4-42FE-8C92-0C722F4BB9BC", "Graham, Waltz Statement On Call With Afghan Resistance Leader Ahmad Massoud", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Lindsey Graham", "G000359", "www.lgraham.senate.gov", "graham", "https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-6) released the following joint statement.\n\n\u201cIt was a great honor and privilege to talk to Ahmad Massoud, who is leading the Afghan National Resistance Front. We appreciated hearing his continued commitment to resisting the brutality of the Afghan Taliban and standing for basic human rights and freedoms. It is clear to us after this conversation that the Afghan Taliban are deeply unpopular and resented throughout the country. Their cabinet and forces are comprised of al-Qaeda and other listed terrorist groups. It is in America\u2019s interest that the Afghan Taliban not be legitimized by the international community because they are, and have been, terrorists.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, we call on the Biden Administration to resist any effort to recognize the Afghan Taliban as the government of Afghanistan and resist all calls to provide the Afghan Taliban representation at the United Nations.\u201d\n\n#####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"], ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-police-reform-negotiations/", "Scott Statement on Police Reform Negotiations", "2021-09-22", "2021", "2021-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on Democrats walking away from the negotiating table on police reform.\n\n\u201cAfter months of making progress, I am deeply disappointed that Democrats have once again squandered a crucial opportunity to implement meaningful reform to make our neighborhoods safer and mend the tenuous relationship between law enforcement and communities of color. Crime will continue to increase while safety decreases, and more officers are going to walk away from the force because my negotiating partners walked away from the table.\n\n\u201cI made a promise to never walk away from the table because walking away means we\u2019re giving up on the communities and officers whose lives hang in the balance. I\u2019ve heard from and spoken to the families of the victims who have lost their lives at the hands of police. The areas where we agreed\u2014banning chokeholds, limiting the transfer of military equipment, increased mental health resources, and more\u2014would have brought justice to these families. I\u2019ve also heard from police and sheriffs groups who supported the work we were doing to provide more resources to implement better training, standards, and accountability for departments.\n\n\u201cDefunding the police destabilizes our communities. Change requires resources. I offered to introduce a bill that included our areas of compromise\u2014a bill that activists and law enforcement alike could have supported. Despite having plenty of agreement, Democrats said no because they could not let go of their push to defund our law enforcement. Once again, the Left let their misguided idea of perfect be the enemy of good, impactful legislation.\n\n\u201cReverting to a partisan approach to score political points when American lives are at risk is just plain wrong. As they are doing on so many other issues, I fear Democrats will continue to pursue a partisan route to create problems in search of solutions. While I am frustrated that the Left abandoned such a critical issue at such a critical time, I will continue to work with anyone who is serious about finding bipartisan solutions that bring justice, fairness, and safety for the most vulnerable among us.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 306, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "SC", "p1": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 278, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 28, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 191, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}, {"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 115, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "SC", "label": "SC", "count": 306, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 306, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2021-09-22,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Escott~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fscott-statement-on-police-reform-negotiations~2F", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=SC&year=2021&_next=2021-09-22%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Escott~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fscott-statement-on-police-reform-negotiations~2F&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 987.1554551646113, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}