url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://clyburn.house.gov/clyburn-hails-house-passage-of-spending-package-that-delivers-for-south-carolina/,CLYBURN HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF SPENDING PACKAGE THAT DELIVERS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA,2020-12-23,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"COLUMBIA, SC – Today, U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) applauded House passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Package, 2021, which includes critical support for South Carolina communities.

""I am pleased that this legislation contains significant investments in South Carolina communities,” said Congressman Clyburn. “It is especially essential during this pandemic that every American have affordable access to health care, education, housing, internet, and economic opportunity. The investments in this bill will make progress in all of these areas throughout South Carolina and the Sixth Congressional District.”

Congressman Clyburn’s statement on the national impact of the coronavirus relief provisions of the legislation is available here. Summaries of the bill are available here, arranged by subject matter:

Summary of COVID-19 Relief Provisions

Summary of Appropriations Provisions

Summary of Other Legislative Provisions

Below are Congressman Clyburn’s priorities for South Carolina that are included in the package:

Persistent Poverty

This legislation applies Congressman Clyburn’s 10-20-30 framework—designed to ensure that at least 10 percent of funds are spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent over the last 30 years, and that all impoverished communities receive their fair share of federal investment—to 18 spending programs, an all-time high. These targeted investments will help expand opportunity in these communities and empower them to emerge from persistent poverty.

Broadband Internet

The bill appropriates more than $730 million for rural broadband investment through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including $635 million for the ReConnect program, $80 million more than Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. These appropriated funds are in addition to the $7 billion for broadband internet in the COVID-19 portion of the package: $3.2 billion to help low-income families afford service (a version of which is also included in Congressman Clyburn’s Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act), $1.9 billion for small providers to replace Huawei/ZTE equipment with equipment that is secure, $1 billion to support connectivity on tribal lands, $300 million to fund broadband in rural areas, $285 million to connect minority communities, $250 million for telehealth, and $65 million to complete up-to-date broadband coverage maps. The package also establishes a new Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This Office will be tasked with expanding access and adoption of high-speed broadband service, as well as coordinating federal funds for broadband infrastructure spending. This authorization was also included in the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act.

Eviction Prevention/Affordable Housing

According to a recent analysis, 52% of South Carolina renter households are at risk of eviction. This legislation includes $20 million in grants for organizations to provide legal assistance to at-risk, low-income tenants, consistent with the Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020, a bill Congressman Clyburn introduced earlier this year. In addition, the COVID-19 relief portion of the package includes $25 billion in rental assistance distributed by states and localities and extends the current eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. Finally, the bill strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to spur construction of more affordable housing; Congressman Clyburn introduced a bill to boost the credit in 2018.

Lake Marion Regional Water System

This legislation sustains the FY20 increased allocation of $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account within Army Corps of Engineers Construction. The explanatory statement accompanying the bill includes language stating, “The Corps is reminded that the Lakes Marion and Moultrie regional water supply project is eligible to compete for additional funding provided” under the Continuing Authorities Program. This funding will allow the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency to address unmet funding needed to bring clean drinking water access and economic development to Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties.

Water Resources Development Act

The omnibus package includes the final version of the Water Resources Development Act, which includes:

Lake Marion Regional Water System – increases the project’s authorization from $89,550,000 to $110,000,000.

Eagle and Chandler Creeks – authorizes a flood control study through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Continuing Authorities Program for Eagle and Chandler Creeks in Dorchester County.

Charleston Inland Flooding – authorizes a new Corps of Engineers feasibility study for inland and tidal flooding in the Charleston.

Charleston Harbor

The legislation requires the Army Corps of Engineers to spend at least $35 million to reimburse non-federal sponsors of projects like the Charleston Harbor deepening, and more than $20 million in funding for Charleston Harbor maintenance.

Rural Energy Savings Program

The legislation includes $11 million for the Rural Energy Savings Program, an initiative originally introduced by Congressman Clyburn in 2010 that provides low-interest micro-loans to residents and small businesses in rural areas to fund energy efficiency improvements that bring down electric bills.

Savannah River Site

The bill passed today includes $1.532 billion for the Savannah River Site. This includes $25 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative facility on the campus of USC – Aiken and $11.549 million for Community and Regulatory Support, which funds Payment in Lieu of Taxes that funds schools, emergency services, and county operations in Allendale, Aiken, and Barnwell counties.

Telehealth/MUSC

The bill includes $34 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Telehealth program—a $5 million increase above FY20—including $6.5 million for Telehealth Centers of Excellence—a $500,000 increase above FY20. The Medical University of South Carolina is one of those Centers, and it provides over 100 telehealth services to nearly 350 sites in 44 counties, including 40 hospitals, over 80 schools, and nearly 200 community clinics and other facilities.

Community Health Centers

This legislation appropriates $1.7 billion in discretionary funds for Community Health Centers for FY 21, an increase of $57 million, and provides $4 billion per year in mandatory funding for Community Health Centers through FY 23. Community Health Centers are also eligible to receive funds through the Provider Relief Fund established by the CARES Act, which receives an additional $3 billion in this bill.

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

The legislation provides $1 million for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, a significant funding increase that will enable the commission to ramp up efforts to promote economic development in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

National Park Service National Networks

This legislation includes $1.5 million for the national networks of the National Park Service. One of these national networks is the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which includes four sites in South Carolina and is managed by the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County.

Historic Preservation

The bill includes over $21.125 million in funding for historic preservation grants of sites from the Civil Rights Movement.

It also includes $10 million for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program, the funding level authorized by Congressman Clyburn’s bill that was enacted into law last year.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will benefit from several items in this legislation in addition to the HBCU Historic Preservation Program. Of the $22.7 billion provided for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund within the COVID-19 relief portion of the package, $1.7 billion is for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and certain other institutions. HBCUs are eligible for the $285 million provided to connect minority communities to broadband internet.

Within FY21 appropriations:

$81.3 million is provided for the HBCU/Minority Institution program within the Department of Defense, an increase of more than $40 million over FY20.

$48.4 million is provided for the HBCU Capital Financing Program, a $2 million increase over FY20.

Within Department of Education Aid for Institutional Development programs, the bill provides:

$337.6 million for Strengthening HBCUs (increase of nearly $13 million);

$87.3 million for Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions ($3.3 million increase);

nearly $11 million for Strengthening HBCU Masters programs ($1 million increase).

The following funding amounts are provided to 1890 institutions through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture:

$73 million for research through the Evans-Allen Program;

$26 million for education grants;

$10 million for scholarships;

$62 million for extension services;

$21.5 million for facility improvements.

$6 million is provided for HBCUs through the Department of Housing and Urban Development Policy Development and Research.

$36.5 million is provided for the National Science Foundation HBCU Undergraduate Program.

University of South Carolina

This legislative package provides funding for several activities which the University of South Carolina has indicated they plan to pursue, including power and energy systems in navy technology, unmanned logistics solutions, and research in the use of biopolymers to support water distribution and regulation and energy systems.

The Citadel

The bill includes $10 million for cyber institutes, which are located at The Citadel and the other five Senior Military Colleges. These funds facilitate further development of cyber curriculum offerings, cyber experiential events for K-12 student and teachers, support for underserved and minority cyber students, cyber internship and co-op opportunities, and mentorship of other universities seeking to establish DOD cyber pipelines.

Clemson University

This legislative package funds activities which Clemson University has indicated they plan to pursue, including prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems for combat vehicles and industry grade optical fiber fabrication for energy laser research. The explanatory statement accompanying the bill passed today also makes clear that previous House report language supporting exploration of the potential use of high and ultra-high temperature ceramic-matrix composites in hypersonic flight carries the same weight as language in today’s explanatory statement itself.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/clyburn-hails-house-passage-spending-package-delivers-south-carolina,CLYBURN HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF SPENDING PACKAGE THAT DELIVERS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA,2020-12-22,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBIA, SC  Today, U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) applauded House passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Package, 2021, which includes critical support for South Carolina communities.
	""I am pleased that this legislation contains significant investments in South Carolina communities, said Congressman Clyburn. It is especially essential during this pandemic that every American have affordable access to health care, education, housing, internet, and economic opportunity. The investments in this bill will make progress in all of these areas throughout South Carolina and the Sixth Congressional District.
	Congressman Clyburn's statement on the national impact of the coronavirus relief provisions of the legislation is available here. Summaries of the bill are available here, arranged by subject matter:
Below are Congressman Clyburn's priorities for South Carolina that are included in the package:
	Persistent Poverty  
	This legislation applies Congressman Clyburn's 10-20-30 frameworkdesigned to ensure that at least 10 percent of funds are spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent over the last 30 years, and that all impoverished communities receive their fair share of federal investmentto 18 spending programs, an all-time high. These targeted investments will help expand opportunity in these communities and empower them to emerge from persistent poverty.
	Broadband Internet  
	The bill appropriates more than $730 billion for rural broadband investment through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including $635 million for the ReConnect program, $80 million more than Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.These appropriated funds are in addition to the $7 billion for broadband internet in the COVID-19 portion of the package: $3.2 billion to help low-income families afford service (a version of which is also included in Congressman Clyburn's Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act), $1.9 billion for small providers to replace Huawei/ZTE equipment with equipment that is secure, $1 billion to support connectivity on tribal lands, $300 million to fund broadband in rural areas, $285 million to connect minority communities, $250 million for telehealth, and $65 million to complete up-to-date broadband coverage maps. The package also establishes a new Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This Office will be tasked with expanding access and adoption of high-speed broadband service, as well as coordinating federal funds for broadband infrastructure spending. This authorization was also included in the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act.
	Eviction Prevention/Affordable Housing  
	According to a recentanalysis, 52% of South Carolina renter households are at risk of eviction. This legislation includes $20 million in grants for organizations to provide legal assistance to at-risk, low-income tenants, consistent with the Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020, a bill Congressman Clyburn introduced earlier this year. In addition, the COVID-19 relief portion of the package includes $25 billion in rental assistance distributed by states and localities and extends the current eviction moratorium through January 31, 2021. Finally, the bill strengthens the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to spur construction of more affordable housing; Congressman Clyburn introduced a bill to boost the credit in 2018.
	Lake Marion Regional Water System  
	This legislation sustains the FY20 increased allocation of $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account within Army Corps of Engineers Construction. The explanatory statement accompanying the bill includes language stating, The Corps is reminded that the Lakes Marion and Moultrie regional water supply project is eligible to compete for additional funding provided under the Continuing Authorities Program. This funding will allow the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency to address unmet funding needed to bring clean drinking water access and economic development to Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties.
	Water Resources Development Act  
	The omnibus package includes the final version of the Water Resources Development Act, which includes:
 Lake Marion Regional Water System  increases the project's authorization from $89,550,000 to $110,000,000.
Eagle and Chandler Creeks  authorizes a flood control study through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Continuing Authorities Program for Eagle and Chandler Creeks in Dorchester County.
Charleston Inland Flooding - authorizes a new Corps of Engineers feasibility study for inland and tidal flooding in the Charleston.
 Charleston Harbor  
	The legislation requires the Army Corps of Engineers to spend at least $35 million to reimburse non-federal sponsors of projects like the Charleston Harbor deepening, and more than $20 million in funding for Charleston Harbor maintenance.
	Rural Energy Savings Program  
	The legislation includes $11 million for the Rural Energy Savings Program, an initiative originally introduced by Congressman Clyburn in 2010 that provides low-interest micro-loans to residents and small businesses in rural areas to fund energy efficiency improvements that bring down electric bills.
	Savannah River Site  
	The bill passed today includes $1.532 billion for the Savannah River Site. This includes $25 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative facility on the campus of USC  Aiken and $11.549 million for Community and Regulatory Support, which funds Payment in Lieu of Taxes that funds schools, emergency services, and county operations in Allendale, Aiken, and Barnwell counties.
	Telehealth/MUSC  
	The bill includes $34 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Telehealth programa $5 million increase above FY20including $6.5 million for Telehealth Centers of Excellencea $500,000 increase above FY20. The Medical University of South Carolina is one of those Centers, and it provides over 100 telehealth services to nearly 350 sites in 44 counties, including 40 hospitals, over 80 schools, and nearly 200 community clinics and other facilities.
	Community Health Centers  
	This legislation appropriates $1.7 billion in discretionary funds for Community Health Centers for FY 21, an increase of $57 million, and provides $4 billion per year in mandatory funding for Community Health Centers through FY 23. Community Health Centers are also eligible to receive funds through the Provider Relief Fund established by the CARES Act, which receives an additional $3 billion in this bill.
	Southeast Crescent Regional Commission  
	The legislation provides $1 million for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, a significant funding increase that will enable the commission to ramp up efforts to promote economic development in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
	National Park Service National Networks  
	This legislation includes $1.5 million for the national networks of the National Park Service. One of these national networks is the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which includes four sites in South Carolina and is managed by the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County.
	Historic Preservation  
	The bill includes over $21.125 million in funding for historic preservation grants of sites from the Civil Rights Movement.
	It also includes $10 million for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program, the funding level authorized by Congressman Clyburn's bill that was enacted into law last year.
	Historically Black Colleges and Universities  
	Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will benefit from several items in this legislation in addition to the HBCU Historic Preservation Program. Of the $22.7 billion provided for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund within the COVID-19 relief portion of the package, $1.7 billion is for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and certain other institutions. HBCUs are eligible for the $285 million provided to connect minority communities to broadband internet.
	Within FY21 appropriations:
 $81.3 million is provided for the HBCU/Minority Institution program within the Department of Defense, an increase of more than $40 million over FY20.
$48.4 million is provided for the HBCU Capital Financing Program, a $2 million increase over FY20.
Within Department of Education Aid for Institutional Development programs, the bill provides:
$337.6 million for Strengthening HBCUs (increase of nearly $13 million);
$87.3 million for Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions ($3.3 million increase);
nearly $11 million for Strengthening HBCU Masters programs ($1 million increase).
The following funding amounts are provided to 1890 institutions through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture:
$73 million for research through the Evans-Allen Program;
$26 million for education grants;
$10 million for scholarships;
$62 million for extension services;
$21.5 million for facility improvements.
$6 million is provided for HBCUs through the Department of Housing and Urban Development Policy Development and Research.
$36.5 million is provided for the National Science Foundation HBCU Undergraduate Program.
 University of South Carolina  
	This legislative package provides funding for several activities which the University of South Carolinahas indicated they plan to pursue, including power and energy systems in navy technology, unmanned logistics solutions, and research in the use of biopolymers to support water distribution and regulation and energy systems.
The Citadel  
	The bill includes $10 million for cyber institutes, which are located at The Citadel and the other five Senior Military Colleges. These funds facilitate further development of cyber curriculum offerings, cyber experiential events for K-12 student and teachers, support for underserved and minority cyber students, cyber internship and co-op opportunities, and mentorship of other universities seeking to establish DOD cyber pipelines.
	Clemson University  
	This legislative package funds activities which Clemson University has indicated they plan to pursue, including prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems for combat vehicles and industry grade optical fiber fabrication for energy laser research. The explanatory statement accompanying the bill passed today also makes clear that previous House report language supporting exploration of the potential use of high and ultra-high temperature ceramic-matrix composites in hypersonic flight carries the same weight as language in today's explanatory statement itself.
	Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership  
	This legislation provides $150 million for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is an increase of $4 million above the FY20 funding level. The Hollings MEP is a nationwide network of centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that help manufacturers successfully grow their businesses.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-statement-on-south-carolina-projects-included-in-house-passed-water-resources-development-act/,Congressman Clyburn Statement on South Carolina Projects Included In House Passed Water Resources Development Act,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn released the following statement today on the House-passed S. 1811, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020:

“I am pleased the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 includes three of my priority projects that will help address important water infrastructure needs in South Carolina.

“I have worked since coming to Congress to create and expand the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency, which serves Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties. This legislation includes an increased authorization in project funding for the Agency from the current level of $89,550,000 to $110,000,000. This funding is vital to expand the Agency’s reach to bring more potable water and economic opportunity to this region of South Carolina.

“This legislation also authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study to address flooding on the Charleston Peninsula. This study will assess tidal and inland flood mitigation and drainage to help protect against coastal storm surges, reduce risks to human health and safety, and lessen the financial burden on the City of Charleston and its residents for damage caused by repeated flooding and saltwater intrusion. In 2019, Charleston experienced inland flooding one out of almost every five days and rising sea levels are expected to bring more frequent flooding tides in the future.

“Additionally, this bill provides for a flood control study through the Army Corps of Engineers’ Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) for Dorchester County. Since 2015, significant flooding has occurred along the Eagle and Chandler Creeks during storm events including Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. This study will help develop a plan to implement flood control measures.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-statement-on-the-passing-of-don-fowler/,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF DON FOWLER,2020-12-18,2020,2020-12,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"“The heart of the South Carolina Democratic Party for a long time has stopped beating. Politics coursed through my dear friend Don Fowler’s veins. Although he has passed on, his legacy remains strong in the beloved Democratic Party he helped build and sustain. “Don and I met as young Democrats back in 1969, and we became friends. It was in Don’s home that Emily and I first met a young Joe Biden soon after his first reelection to the United States Senate. Don was always the connector, the one bringing political friends and, sometimes, enemies together. His Southern charm and gentle spirit belied his fierce competitiveness and strength of character. I was often a guest lecturer in his master class on politics at the University of South Carolina and an attentive listener to his lectures on politics outside of the classroom. “My thoughts and prayers are with Carol and their children and grandchildren. It is my sincere hope that they draw comfort from knowing that so many are joining them in celebrating Don’s life and are already missing his presence among us.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:42:23Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-statement-passing-don-fowler,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF DON FOWLER,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"The heart of the South Carolina Democratic Party for a long time has stopped beating. Politics coursed through my dear friend Don Fowler's veins. Although he has passed on, his legacy remains strong in the beloved Democratic Party he helped build and sustain.
	Don and I met as young Democrats back in 1969, and we became friends. It was in Don's home that Emily and I first met a young Joe Biden soon after his first reelection to the United States Senate. Don was always the connector, the one bringing political friends and, sometimes, enemies together. His Southern charm and gentle spirit belied his fierce competitiveness and strength of character. I was often a guest lecturer in his master class on politics at the University of South Carolina and an attentive listener to his lectures on politics outside of the classroom.
	My thoughts and prayers are with Carol and their children and grandchildren. It is my sincere hope that they draw comfort from knowing that so many are joining them in celebrating Don's life and are already missing his presence among us.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-statement-south-carolina-projects-included-house-passed-water,Congressman Clyburn Statement on South Carolina Projects Included In House Passed Water Resources Development Act,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.  House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn released the following statement today on the House-passed S. 1811, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020:
	I am pleased the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 includes three of my priority projects that will help address important water infrastructure needs in South Carolina.
	I have worked since coming to Congress to create and expand the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency, which serves Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties. This legislation includes an increased authorization in project funding for the Agency from the current level of $89,550,000 to $110,000,000. This funding is vital to expand the Agency's reach to bring more potable water and economic opportunity to this region of South Carolina.
	This legislation also authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study to address flooding on the Charleston Peninsula. This study will assess tidal and inland flood mitigation and drainage to help protect against coastal storm surges, reduce risks to human health and safety, and lessen the financial burden on the City of Charleston and its residents for damage caused by repeated flooding and saltwater intrusion. In 2019, Charleston experienced inland flooding one out of almost every five days and rising sea levels are expected to bring more frequent flooding tides in the future.
	Additionally, this bill provides for a flood control study through the Army Corps of Engineers' Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) for Dorchester County. Since 2015, significant flooding has occurred along the Eagle and Chandler Creeks during storm events including Hurricanes Matthew and Irma. This study will help develop a plan to implement flood control measures.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-meets-lowcountry-small-business-owners-continued-impacts-covid-19,Cunningham Meets with Lowcountry Small Business Owners on Continued Impacts of COVID-19,2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today met with Lowcountry small businesses to discuss the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 at a roundtable event organized by Lowcountry Local First. They discussed the dire need for further federal COVID-19 relief, the need for more flexibility with small business resources like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and other problems facing Lowcountry small businesses as they manage the continuing challenges caused by COVID-19.
Small businesses are the backbone of the Lowcountry's economy, and it is abundantly clear that they are still hurting, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I am thankful for the opportunity to hear directly from small business owners about the sort of challenges they are facing, including the need for technical changes to federal aid resources like the PPP to make them work better for our smaller businesses. It is crucial that Congressional leaders work with the Administration to pass another round of COVID-19 relief as soon as possible and take into consideration these concerns.
""The needs of small businesses are as diverse as the types of businesses that were represented in our listening session with Congressman Cunningham today. As we heard today, a one-size-fits-all approach to economic recovery typically helps larger, more-established businesses and leaves our small businesses behind. As advocates for the local-independent business community, we appreciate the Congressman taking the time to hear from a variety of businesses from different backgrounds that included retail, restaurant, publishing and light industrial, said Jamee Haley, Executive Director of Lowcountry Local First.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-cosponsors-local-journalism-sustainability-act,Cunningham Cosponsors the Local Journalism Sustainability Act,2020-10-13,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Charleston, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today cosponsored the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, bipartisan legislation that proposes a series of tax credits aimed at bolstering local newspapers and media in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local news publications were already facing financial difficulties prior to the onset of COVID-19. Now, in the wake of the severe economic challenges caused by the pandemic, the industry is facing increased challenges to remaining sustainable.
I recognize the vital importance of our local news outlets in the Lowcountry, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. During COVID-19, our local papers, TV, and radio stations have done a phenomenal job delivering timely and critical information to our community. I am proud to support bipartisan legislation that provides tax credits for readers, journalists, and advertisers to keep Lowcountry news outlets afloat and protect the essential service they provide.
The Local Journalism Sustainability Act offers a series of three tax-credits aimed at sustaining and providing a pathway to viability for the local journalism industry in the years to come. The first credit works to incentivize annual subscriptions to local papers that primarily produce content related to local news and current events. The second credit is a five-year refundable credit for local newspapers to employ and adequately compensate journalists. The last of the three credits is a five-year non-refundable tax credit that incentivizes small-to-medium sized businesses to advertise with local newspapers, as well as local radio and television stations.
The proposed credits in the Local Journalism Sustainability Act will encourage Americans to subscribe to local publications, help those publications retain and compensate journalists, and provide businesses and publications alike with much-needed advertising dollars.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-joins-south-carolina-delegation-introduce-bipartisan-legislation,Cunningham Joins South Carolina Delegation to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Parris Island,2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01), who represents Parris Island, today joined Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05), to introduce the Parris Island Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would protect Parris Island from closure by prohibiting the use of federal funds to close or plan the closure of the Marine Corps Training Depotat Parris Island,and recognizes the important contributions female recruits have played there since 1949. The action comes in response toreportsthat the U.S. Marine Corps was considering plans to shutter Parris Island and move all new recruits to a new centralized base.
I am humbled by the opportunity to represent Parris Island and take seriously my responsibility to safeguarditscritical role in ensuring our national defense,said Rep. Joe Cunningham.For over 100 years, tens of thousands of Marines have begun their outstanding service to our nation in our backyard and I will not let that change on my watch. I am proud to stand with my colleagues across the aisle and protect Parris Island by prohibiting federal funds from being used to close or realign the base.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) intends to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Last year, Cunningham successfully passed anamendmentin the House that would protect Lowcountry installations from closing by prohibiting funds from being used for a base realignment and closure (BRAC).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-levin-introduce-student-veteran-covid-19-response-package,Cunningham and Levin Introduce Student Veteran COVID-19 Response Package,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Reps. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) and Mike Levin (CA-49) today introduced a package of bills to address the impacts of COVID-19 and resulting changes to higher education on student veterans. The Pandemic Assistance for Student Veterans Act makes updates to H.R. 6322 and S. 3503, two previous GI bill legislative fixes that have been passed by Congress in response to COVID-19. The legislation ensures all student veterans negatively impacted are covered, and addresses disparities in coverage for student veterans in apprenticeships or receiving on-the-job training who have become unemployed or furloughed.
Among many other benefits, the legislation would:
 Provide resources to student veterans who have fallen through the cracks of previous student veteran COVID-19 relief packages through no fault of their own;
	Makes certain that veterans continue to receive their housing allowance payments if their institution closes due to COVID-19; and
	Extend coverage to vocational training, apprenticeship programs, and other educational programs included in the GI bill beyond traditional colleges.
 The challenges presented by COVID-19 are difficult enough without student veterans having to worry about losing their benefits or housing allowances or being hit with unexpected bills if their higher education institution or work-study program closes, said Rep Joe Cunningham. Throughout this pandemic, Congress has worked together to pass meaningful bipartisan legislation to help our student veterans manage the negative consequences of COVID-19. But conversations with student veterans, the VA, and Veteran Service Organizations have made it clear that more needs to be done. I'm proud to introduce this comprehensive package to ensure our student veterans have the resources and safeguards they need to get through this crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend students' lives, and that includes veterans who are at risk of losing VA benefits they depend on to cover tuition, housing, and other costs, said Rep. Levin. I was proud to help pass the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act earlier this year to protect veterans' GI Bill benefits, but some students still fell through the cracks. Our bill will fill those gaps and ensure that veterans continue to receive the GI Bill benefits they deserve. Every student veteran deserves that peace of mind, and I'm grateful for Congressman Cunningham's partnership on this legislation.
""Since we passed my Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act this April, we've continued to hear from students, VSOs, schools, apprenticeship programs, and other stakeholders about what we still need to do to fully support student veterans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. That's why I strongly support Rep. Cunningham's new bipartisan efforts to further safeguard student veterans' benefits and provide certainty that however they're learning throughout the pandemicat home, at school, or some combinationtheir VA benefits will continue, said Chairman Mark Takano.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-against-partisan-response-package,Cunningham Votes Against Partisan Response Package,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Following his vote against the HEROES 2.0 package, Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) released the following statement:
""While imperfect, the CARES Act was a vital lifeline to many Lowcountry small businesses and families, and to those facing unemployment through no fault of their own.As several of its most critical provisions and funds have expired in recent weeks, I've made it clear toCongressional leadership the pressing need to pass additionalCOVIDrelief --specifically the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus 'March to Common Ground' framework I helped introduce -- which has received interest from the White House and representatives on both sides of the aisle.Acrisis this urgentdemandsa bipartisan,bicameral, and fiscally prudentresponse, not another partisan messaging package. Whilethe so-called' HEROES Act 2.0containsseveral importantprovisionsfor whichI've been fightingover the past few months, I ultimately cannot vote for a one-sided bill whose primary purpose ismore a messaging exercise than a real solution to a generational public health and economic crisis. ""I remain optimistic about the status of recent negotiations between Speaker Pelosi and the White House,and hope they will strongly considerthe 'March to Common Ground' framework I introduced with the Problem Solvers Caucus. Both parties must remain at the negotiating table and hammer out a deal that can provide urgent relief for workers, families, small businesses, and local governments.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-joins-bipartisan-group-urging-congressional-leadership-bring,Cunningham Joins Bipartisan Group Urging Congressional Leadership to Bring a Bipartisan COVID-19 Deal to House Floor Before Election,2020-09-23,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Lawmakers: We were elected to represent the best interests of our constituents and the country
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham joined a bipartisan group of House colleagues to press Congressional leadership to bring a bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal to the House floor for a vote before the election. In a letter sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Cunningham expressed his concern about the status of negotiations and Congress' failure to confront the public health and economic crisis facing Americans.
We were elected to represent the best interests of our constituents and the country, the lawmakers wrote. Our constituents' expectations in the midst of this crisis are that we not only rise to the occasion and stay at the table until we have delivered the relief they so desperately need, but also that we set aside electoral politics and place the needs of the country before any one region, faction, or political party.
This comes on the heels of a bipartisan proposal to jumpstart COVID-19 relief negotiations that Cunningham helped introduce as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, which established a number of areas of agreement between the two parties.
The lawmakers argued that House leadership should support bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation before the election.It has been suggested by some that Members of Congress are anxious to return to their districts to campaign in advance of the November 3rd election, even if that means leaving Capitol Hill without passing another COVID-19 relief bill, they wrote. We want to be very clear that we do not in any way agree with this position.
You can view a copy of the letter online.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-house-vote-americas-conservation-enhancement-act-following,Cunningham Calls for House Vote on the America's Conservation Enhancement Act Following Passage in the Senate,2020-09-17,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation will reauthorize or establish several important government wildlife conservation programs
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today called for a House vote on the America's Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE), following its passage in the Senate by unanimous consent on Wednesday evening.
America's Conservation Enhancement Act is bipartisan legislation that would reauthorize or establish several important government wildlife conservation programs, including the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The bill would reauthorize NAWCA for five years, thereby ensuring the critical work to protect and restore thousands of acres of Lowcountry wetlands can continue. These wetlands provide habitat for many wildlife species and they improve water quality by preventing soil erosion, especially in areas like the Lowcountry that are prone to flooding. ACE also authorizes the National Fish Habitat Partnership program, which helps restore fish population and habitats.
In the Lowcountry, our economy and way of life depends on clean and healthy wetlands and waterways, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. At a time when our community needs it the most, this bipartisan legislation is a comprehensive victory for conservation funding, access to public lands, and the responsible stewardship of our natural resources. It's a victory for birders, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The Senate has already taken the critical step to protecting our wildlife by passing the ACE Act by unanimous consent and I urge House leadership to do the same soon as possible.
In March, Cunningham led a letter to House leadership urging them to bring America's Conservation Enhancement Act to the House floor for a vote. Cunningham called attention to the pivotal role that the outdoor recreation industry plays in South Carolina's economy, generating $16.3 billion annually in consumer spending and 151,000 jobs in the state. The measures contained in ACE would help us continue to responsibly manage and protect our natural resources and the many livelihoods that depend on them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-pass-pregnant-workers-fairness-act,Cunningham Votes to Pass Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,2020-09-17,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham today voted to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation that establishes a pregnant worker's clear-cut right to reasonable workplace accommodations, provided they do not impose an undue burden on their employer.
Often times, pregnant workers are forced to choose between ignoring their doctor's advice or losing their jobs, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. At a time when we are facing a public health and economic crisis, no woman should have to choose between her and her baby's health or her family's economic security. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act solves this dilemma by requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers who need them, without imposing undue hardship on the employer. I am proud the House passed this long overdue legislation and I urge the Senate to act as swiftly as possible and give families the safety and stability they deserve.
While the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 amended the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prohibit sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, this is currently no federal law that explicitly and affirmatively guarantees the right of pregnant workers to reasonable accommodation so they can continue to work without jeopardizing their pregnancy.
Among other provisions, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would:
 Require public sector employers and private employers with more than 15 employees to make reasonable accommodations for job applicants and workers with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions  so no worker would have to choose between financial security and a healthy pregnancy.
	Include simple changes such as appropriate seating, water breaks, closer parking, flexible hours, appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel, bathroom breaks, and excusing pregnant workers from strenuous activities.
	Ensure pregnant workers could not be denied employment opportunities, retaliated against for requesting reasonable accommodation, or be forced to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation is available.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-pass-ensuring-children-and-child-care-workers-are-safe-act,Cunningham votes to pass the Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers are Safe Act,2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation to support families and child care providers throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers are Safe Act would help guarantee child care providers have the resources and funding necessary to safely operate at a time when childcare services are critically important.
The coronavirus pandemic has seriously exacerbated the child care challenges South Carolina families face, forcing facilities to close and worsening the shortage of quality, affordable care, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. To fully reignite and reopen our economy, it is crucial that our childcare facilities have the funds necessary to safely care for our children, especially for essential workers who cannot stay home. This bill ensures child care providers have the operational guidance they need on personal protective equipment, best practices for safer childcare facilities, and updated health and safety regulations. The Senate should take up this bipartisan legislation as soon as possible and deliver much-needed relief to working families.
The bipartisan Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act of 2020 would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide states with educational materials and technical assistance related to:
 COVID-19 prevention in childcare facilities.
	Professional development for childcare providers on health and safety.
	How to acquire and use personal protective equipment.
	How to modify operations to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including optimal staff-to-child ratios.
 In addition to technical assistance, the legislation would also allow HHS to make grants to states so they can then provide outreach, guidance, and technical support to childcare providers. The bill would also require HHS to recommend how to ensure the safe provision and adequate supply of childcare during COVID-19.
Earlier this summer, Cunningham voted to pass the Child Care is Essential Act and the Child Care for Economy Recovery Act, legislation that would provide $50 billion for the Child Care Stabilization Fund to award grants to child care providers to help pay for sanitation, training, and other costs associated with reopening a child care center in the time of COVID-19; increase and make refundable the child and dependent care tax credit; provide $10 billion in funding to help states assess long-term structural challenges that child care centers may face during COVID-19; and enable states' child care agencies to increase support for child care through $850 million in Social Services Block Grant funding.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-pass-ensuring-children-and-child-care-workers-are-safe-act-0,Cunningham votes to pass the Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers are Safe Act,2020-09-16,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation to support families and child care providers throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers are Safe Act would help guarantee child care providers have the resources and funding necessary to safely operate at a time when childcare services are critically important.
The coronavirus pandemic has seriously exacerbated the child care challenges South Carolina families face, forcing facilities to close and worsening the shortage of quality, affordable care, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. To fully reignite and reopen our economy, it is crucial that our childcare facilities have the funds necessary to safely care for our children, especially for essential workers who cannot stay home. This bill ensures child care providers have the operational guidance they need on personal protective equipment, best practices for safer childcare facilities, and updated health and safety regulations. The Senate should take up this bipartisan legislation as soon as possible and deliver much-needed relief to working families.
The bipartisan Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act of 2020 would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide states with educational materials and technical assistance related to:
 COVID-19 prevention in childcare facilities.
	Professional development for childcare providers on health and safety.
	How to acquire and use personal protective equipment.
	How to modify operations to prevent COVID-19 transmission, including optimal staff-to-child ratios.
 In addition to technical assistance, the legislation would also allow HHS to make grants to states so they can then provide outreach, guidance, and technical support to childcare providers. The bill would also require HHS to recommend how to ensure the safe provision and adequate supply of childcare during COVID-19.
Earlier this summer, Cunningham voted to pass the Child Care is Essential Act and the Child Care for Economy Recovery Act, legislation that would provide $50 billion for the Child Care Stabilization Fund to award grants to child care providers to help pay for sanitation, training, and other costs associated with reopening a child care center in the time of COVID-19; increase and make refundable the child and dependent care tax credit; provide $10 billion in funding to help states assess long-term structural challenges that child care centers may face during COVID-19; and enable states' child care agencies to increase support for child care through $850 million in Social Services Block Grant funding.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-problem-solvers-caucus-announce-bipartisan-bicameral-framework,"Cunningham and Problem Solvers Caucus Announce Bipartisan, Bicameral Framework for COVID-19 Relief Legislation",2020-09-15,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan Framework Aims to Breakthrough Gridlock & Dysfunction, Bring Congressional Leadership Back to the Negotiation Table 
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus today unveiled their March To Common Ground framework to help break the gridlock on the latest COVID-19 relief package and encourage negotiators to get back to the table.
The 50 member bipartisan Caucus - 25 Democrats and 25 Republicans  developed the framework to address key areas of need, including COVID-19 testing, unemployment insurance, direct stimulus, worker and liability protection, small business and non-profit support, food security, schools and child care, housing, election support, and state and local aid. Cunningham helped play a key role in the Caucus' negotiations as they developed the package, bringing input and feedback from Lowcountry constituents and contributing it to this plan.
With thousands of South Carolinians still out of work, small businesses struggling to keep the lights on, and state and local governments fiscally exhausted, it is long past time Congress stops the partisan political posturing and comes together to negotiate another COVID-19 relief package, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. This bipartisan framework would allocate the necessary funding for testing, relief for working families, unemployed Americans, and small businesses, and much-needed aid for state and local governments. Americans are counting on their elected officials so failure is not an option.
In light of the urgent needs facing millions of Americans, families, and small businesses, the framework is designed for a six month horizon and through the next inauguration, except for state and local funding which extends for a full year. Depending on the severity of the pandemic and if a successful vaccination program is adopted by March, 2021, a system of automatic boosters are designed to incrementally increase the amount of relief to individuals and families. Conversely, a system of reducers will decrease the total cost of the package. The framework calls for both new stimulus money and the reallocation of previously appropriated CARES Act funding, and allocates resources to the following key categories:
 Testing & Healthcare ($100B)
	Direct Assistance to Individuals & Families ($316B)
	Unemployment Assistance ($120B)
	Small Business & Non-profit Support ($290B)
	School & Child Care ($145B)
	State & Local Aid ($500.3B)
	Election Support ($400B)
	Broadband, Agriculture, USPS, & Census ($52B)
	Worker & Liability Protections
	Automatic Boosters & Reducers
	The fullframework can found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-urges-beaufort-county-reject-bay-point-development,Cunningham Urges Beaufort County to Reject Bay Point Development,2020-09-14,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Argues development does not meet standards of eco-tourism, would pose irrevocable harm to the ecological, cultural, and community significance of Bay Point Island
Beaufort, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today urged the Beaufort County Zoning Board of Appeals to reject plans to develop a luxury resort on Bay Point Island. In a letter sent to Vice Chairman Kevin Mack of the Beaufort Country Zoning Board of Appeals, Cunningham called on the Board to deny the special use permit as proposed by the developer, Bay Point Island, LLC, arguing the project does not meet true eco-tourism standards.
Cunningham called attention to the ecological and cultural significance of Bay Point Island, writing, As one of only a handful of undeveloped barrier islands in South Carolina, it represents an increasingly rare and invaluable natural resource in our great state. As is, the island provides beneficial ecosystem services as a refuge for imperiled wildlife, a source of commercial and recreational fisheries, and a buffer from increasingly frequent and intense storms to the surrounding communities in Beaufort County (d)eveloping a large-scale resort, and introducing extensive permanent infrastructure where none currently exists, will compromise each of the valuable benefits the island naturally provides.
Cunningham also pointed out the negative impacts this development could have on the Gullah/Geechee communities on neighboring St. Helena Island, who have relied on Bay Point and its surrounding marshes for sustenance and commercial fishing for generations.
A copy of this letter is below:
Dear Vice Chairman Mack:
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the luxury resort proposed for development on Bay Point Island as an ecotourism venture. I urge you to critically consider several problematic implications and detrimental impacts this project presents. 
Bay Point Island is a small, low-lying, erosional, barrier island subjected to the persistent forces of the Atlantic Ocean and the Port Royal Sound. As one of only a handful of undeveloped barrier islands in South Carolina, it represents an increasingly rare and invaluable natural resource in our great state. As is, the island provides beneficial ecosystem services as a refuge for imperiled wildlife, a source of commercial and recreational fisheries, and a buffer from increasingly frequent and intense storms to the surrounding communities in Beaufort County. All of this is provided by the island while posing no financial burden to Beaufort County taxpayers.
Developing a large-scale resort, and introducing extensive permanent infrastructure where none currently exists, will compromise each of the valuable benefits the island naturally provides. At over 66,000 square feet of proposed building space, including 50 bungalows, 4 spas, 3 restaurants, a retail center, a cooking school, and more, the proposed resort will potentially require ten septic fields (though the developers have recently informed my staff they would prefer packaged wastewater plants), more than 22,000 square feet of solar fields, and 100,000 gallons of fresh water to operate daily. I am concerned that the construction alone, not to mention the ongoing maintenance of the resort, poses a high likelihood of causing irreparable damage the island. And, when the infrastructure is ultimately threatened by rising seas and volatile storms and hurricanes, the financial burden of cleaning, repairing, and protecting a private investment and providing evacuation and emergency services will inevitably fall to the taxpayers of Beaufort County. 
Bay Point and its surrounding tidal marshes and inlets are a designated Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. The island historically hosts nearly 8,000 overwintering and migrating shorebirds each year, including federally threatened red knots and piping plovers, and state-listed Wilson's plovers and least terns. It is also the nesting site of, most recently, over 100 threatened loggerhead sea turtles' nests. Each of these species is incredibly sensitive to human-driven changes to their habitats. The decline of their populations as a result of coastal development is well-documented and understood. The notion that putting a resort on Bay Point Island would in any way benefit these vulnerable species by foisting humans upon their habitat, as has been argued in the special use application submitted for this project, is a stretch. 
The introduction of utilities on an undeveloped barrier island presents its own set of environmental consequences. Septic tanks utilize freshwater bacteria to operate. Exposure to saltwater, an inevitable consequence of being situated at a tidally-impacted low elevation, will render these systems inoperable, leading to contamination of the island's sandy soils and surrounding marshes. The health of the island's ecosystems, the marsh's fisheries, and visitors to the island could be put at risk. While septic tanks will impair surface water quality, the proposed well that will serve a portion of the development's estimated 100,000-gallon daily water needs will threaten groundwater resources by tapping into an aquifer already facing saltwater intrusion impacts. What's more, there's no guarantee on behalf of the developers that the aquifer will have the capacity to service the needs of the resort. Regardless, if developed as planned, the resort could impose sudden and toxic run-off into the near pristine marshes of Bay Point, detrimentally impacting fish, mollusk, and crustacean populations. The plan to provide utilities to the luxury resort is, at best, inadequate, and, at worst, an environmental catastrophe waiting to happen. 
Also of concern is the fact that the proposal fails to consider impacts to the surrounding communities of the island, both military and cultural resources. Bay Point is situated just downriver from the military base at Parris Island and is a mere 15 miles south of the Marine Corps Air Station. The Federal government has invested billions of dollars in Beaufort County to support the Parris Island military base and the Marine Corps Air Station. The developers of the island have claimed to implement and utilize a heli-pad and helicopter in the event of medical emergencies on the island. There may be the potential for this heli-pad to interfere with military operations, and this has not been addressed in the application to the Zoning Board. Even without the helicopters, the displacement of massive flocks of shorebirds could create potentially dangerous situations for training pilots. 
Finally, and importantly, are impacts to the immediately adjacent Gullah/Geechee communities on neighboring St. Helena Island who have relied on Bay Point and its surrounding marshes for sustenance and commercial fishing for generations. Such impacts are of significant concern and have not received adequate consideration. From the start, Queen Quet, queen and Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee nation, has expressed grave concerns regarding the impact of the proposed resort on the cultural and natural resources of the area. So, too, has the Gullah/Geechee Fishing Association. Indeed, a petition in opposition to the proposed resort initiated by Queen Quet has over 27,000 signatures as of the date of this letter. 
For these reasons, I am asking you to uphold Beaufort County's current vision of the island as a nature preserve, to recognize it is an inappropriate location for a resort development, and to deny the special use permit as proposed by Bay Point Island, LLC. In the end, true ecotourism would, at a minimum, amplify the history and culture of our community and protect and preserve our natural resources. As proposed, the current project does not seem to meet that standard.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-banks-introduce-va-expanded-care-hours-echo-act,Cunningham and Banks Introduce the VA Expanded Care Hours (ECHO) Act,2020-09-02,2020,2020-09,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan Legislation Would Help Expand Veterans' Access to Care 
Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Reps. Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Jim Banks (R-IN) today introduced the VA Expanded Care Hours (ECHO) Act, bipartisan legislation that would help expand veterans' access to care. The VA ECHO Act would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the attitudes of eligible veterans toward the Department of Veterans Affairs offering appointments outside the usual operating hours of facilities of the Department, including through the use of telehealth appointments, and share its findings on the feasibility and advisability of expanding care.
This legislation would provide the data necessary to ensure veterans are able to receive the care they deserve, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic. According to the VA, the number of veterans using virtual healthcare spiked by 800% in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak, with 11 million virtual prescription requests already fulfilled and 1.1 million mental telehealth appointments completed.
One of the largest barriers preventing Lowcountry veterans from receiving the care they deserve is inflexible care hours at the VA, especially when it comes to mental health concerns, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. This bipartisan legislation will help us determine if expanding VA care hours to outside the usual operating timeframe and using telehealth appointments helps increase veterans' ability to access the care they need. We must do everything we can to support our nation's heroes and prevent veteran suicide. Ensuring our veterans are able to readily access the best possible service in a way that's convenient for them is a strong start.
""Coronavirus turned telehealth into an indispensable tool for delivering high-quality care to veterans. But telehealth is still a new technology, and we need to learn more about it to ensure its robust and sustainable. That's why this legislation, which gives VA feedback from veterans and employees about its telehealth services, is so important, said Rep. Jim Banks.
I hear from veterans all the time about how difficultor even impossibleit can be to schedule health care appointments during standard work week hours. That's why I support Rep. Cunningham's new legislation that will direct VA to survey veterans and providers about offering appointments during expanded hours. Removing that barrier to access is one more way we can support veterans in crisis and help prevent veteran suicide, said Chairman Mark Takano.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/clyburn-hails-house-passage-of-appropriations-bills-that-deliver-for-south-carolina-urges-senate-action/,CLYBURN HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF APPROPRIATIONS BILLS THAT DELIVER FOR SOUTH CAROLINA; URGES SENATE ACTION,2020-08-04,2020,2020-08,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"COLUMBIA, SC – U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) applauded House passage of 10 of the 12 appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2021 over the last two weeks, which include critical investments in South Carolina communities.

“As we approach the start of the next fiscal year on October 1, I am pleased that the House is well on its way to completing our constitutional responsibility to fund the government and invest in our communities,” Congressman Clyburn said. “Along with coronavirus response legislation like the HEROES Act and an infrastructure package like the Moving Forward Act—both of which have passed the House only to be ignored by the Republican Senate—these 10 bills will enable a strong economic recovery that makes America’s greatness affordable and accessible to all Americans, including my constituents in the Sixth District.”

Below are Congressman Clyburn’s priorities for South Carolina that are included in the House-passed legislation:

Persistent Poverty

These 10 bills apply Congressman Clyburn’s 10-20-30 framework—designed to ensure that at least 10 percent of funds are spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent over the last 30 years—to 19 spending accounts, four more than the bills enacted in FY20 and an all-time high. These targeted investments will help expand opportunity in these communities and enable them to emerge from persistent poverty.

Broadband Internet

Building on the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, Congressman Clyburn’s bill that passed the House as part of the Moving Forward Act, this appropriations legislation includes $61 billion for the Federal Communications Commission to fund broadband infrastructure construction in unserved areas and $1.025 billion for rural broadband investment through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including $990 million for the ReConnect program.

Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions

As the eviction moratorium in the CARES Act expires, and a new analysis finds that 52% of South Carolina renter households at risk of eviction, this legislation includes $25 million in grants for organizations to provide legal assistance to at-risk, low-income tenants. This provision is consistent with the Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020, a bill Congressman Clyburn introduced with Congressman David E. Price (NC-04), the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing & Urban Development.

Lakes Marion and Moultrie

This legislation sustains the FY20 increased allocation of $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account within Army Corps of Engineers Construction. The Committee report explicitly “recognizes the importance of continued progress on the Lakes Marion and Moultrie regional water supply project and reminds the Corps that this project is eligible to compete for additional funding provided in this account.” This funding, along with a critical authorization from the Water Resources Development Act, will allow the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency to address unmet funding needed to bring clean drinking water access and economic development to Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties.

Charleston Harbor

The House-passed legislation requires the Army Corps of Engineers to spend at least $10 million to reimburse non-federal sponsors of projects like the Charleston Harbor deepening, and more than $20 million in funding for Charleston Harbor maintenance.

Rural Energy Savings Program

The legislation includes $12 million for the Rural Energy Savings Program, an initiative originally introduced by Congressman Clyburn in 2010 that provides low-interest micro-loans to residents and small businesses in rural areas to fund energy efficiency improvements that bring down electric bills.

Savannah River Site

The bill passed this week includes $1.538 billion for the Savannah River Site, nearly $7 million more than the President’s request. This includes $25 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative facility on the campus of USC – Aiken and nearly $11.5 million for Community and Regulatory Support, which funds Payment in Lieu of Taxes that funds schools, emergency services, and county operations in Allendale, Aiken, and Barnwell counties.

Telehealth/MUSC

The House bill includes $42 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Telehealth program—a $13 million increase above FY20—including $7 million for Telehealth Centers of Excellence—a $1 million increase above FY20. The Medical University of South Carolina is one of those Centers, and it provides over 100 telehealth services to nearly 350 sites in 44 counties, including 40 hospitals, over 80 schools, and nearly 200 community clinics and other facilities.

Community Health Centers

This legislation provides $1.65 billion for Community Health Centers, $25 million more than FY20. These facilities are vital providers of health care to many Sixth District residents. In addition, the House-passed HEROES Act includes $7.6 billion for Community Health Centers, and the House-passed Moving Forward Act authorizes $10 billion for Community Health Center capital projects to ensure these facilities are state-of-the-art.

Historic Preservation

The appropriations bill passed last week includes $10 million for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program, the funding level authorized by Congressman Clyburn’s bill that was enacted into law last year.

The bill also includes over $22 million in funding for historic preservation grants of sites from the Civil Rights Movement.

National Park Service National Networks

This legislation includes $1.5 million for the national networks of the National Park Service. One of these national networks is the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which includes four sites in South Carolina and is managed by the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County.

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

The legislation provides $1 million for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, a significant funding increase that will enable the commission to ramp up efforts to promote economic development in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

University of South Carolina

These legislative packages provide funding for several activities which the University of South Carolina has indicated they plan to pursue, including navy power and energy systems technology, unmanned logistics solutions, and research in the use of biopolymers to support water distribution and regulation and energy systems.

The Citadel

The House approved $10 million for cyber institutes. The Citadel, in conjunction with the other five Senior Military Colleges, has submitted a proposal to serve as a cyber institute, which will facilitate further development of cyber curriculum offerings, cyber experiential events for K-12 student and teachers, support for underserved and minority cyber students, cyber internship and co-op opportunities, and mentorship of other universities seeking to establish DOD cyber pipelines.

Clemson University

These legislative packages advance several activities which Clemson University has indicated they plan to pursue, including prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems, beam control systems and industry grade optical fiber fabrication for energy laser research, and exploration of the potential of high and ultra-high temperature ceramic-matrix composites in extreme environments experienced during hypersonic flight.

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership

This legislation provides $153 for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is an increase of $7 million above the FY20 funding level. The Hollings MEP is a nationwide network of centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that help manufacturers successfully grow their businesses.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:24:54Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/clyburn-hails-house-passage-appropriations-bills-deliver-south-carolina-urges-senate,CLYBURN HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF APPROPRIATIONS BILLS THAT DELIVER FOR SOUTH CAROLINA; URGES SENATE ACTION,2020-08-03,2020,2020-08,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBIA, SC  U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) applauded House passage of 10 of the 12 appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2021 over the last two weeks, which include critical investments in South Carolina communities.

""As we approach the start of the next fiscal year on October 1, I am pleased that the House is well on its way to completing our constitutional responsibility to fund the government and invest in our communities, Congressman Clyburn said. Along with coronavirus response legislation like the HEROES Act and an infrastructure package like the Moving Forward Actboth of which have passed the House only to be ignored by the Republican Senatethese 10 bills will enable a strong economic recovery that makes America's greatness affordable and accessible to all Americans, including my constituents in the Sixth District.""

Below are Congressman Clyburn's priorities for South Carolina that are included in the House-passed legislation:

Persistent Poverty

These 10 bills apply Congressman Clyburn's 10-20-30 frameworkdesigned to ensure that at least 10 percent of funds are spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent over the last 30 yearsto 19 spending accounts, four more than the bills enacted in FY20 and an all-time high. These targeted investments will help expand opportunity in these communities and enable them to emerge from persistent poverty.

Broadband Internet

Building on the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, Congressman Clyburn's bill that passed the House as part of the Moving Forward Act, this appropriations legislation includes $61 billion for the Federal Communications Commission to fund broadband infrastructure construction in unserved areas and $1.025 billion for rural broadband investment through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including $990 million for the ReConnect program.

Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions

As the eviction moratorium in the CARES Act expires, and a new analysis finds that 52% of South Carolina renter households at risk of eviction, this legislation includes $25 million in grants for organizations to provide legal assistance to at-risk, low-income tenants. This provision is consistent with the Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020, a bill Congressman Clyburn introduced with Congressman David E. Price (NC-04), the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing & Urban Development.

Lakes Marion and Moultrie

This legislation sustains the FY20 increased allocation of $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account within Army Corps of Engineers Construction. The Committee report explicitly recognizes the importance of continued progress on the Lakes Marion and Moultrie regional water supply project and reminds the Corps that this project is eligible to compete for additional funding provided in this account. This funding, along with a critical authorization from the Water Resources Development Act, will allow the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency to address unmet funding needed to bring clean drinking water access and economic development to Berkeley, Calhoun, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties.

Charleston Harbor

The House-passed legislation requires the Army Corps of Engineers to spend at least $10 million to reimburse non-federal sponsors of projects like the Charleston Harbor deepening, and more than $20 million in funding for Charleston Harbor maintenance.

Rural Energy Savings Program

The legislation includes $12 million for the Rural Energy Savings Program, an initiative originally introduced by Congressman Clyburn in 2010 that provides low-interest micro-loans to residents and small businesses in rural areas to fund energy efficiency improvements that bring down electric bills.

Savannah River Site
The bill passed this week includes $1.538 billion for the Savannah River Site, nearly $7 million more than the President's request. This includes $25 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative facility on the campus of USC  Aiken and nearly $11.5 million for Community and Regulatory Support, which funds Payment in Lieu of Taxes that funds schools, emergency services, and county operations in Allendale, Aiken, and Barnwell counties.

Telehealth/MUSC

The House bill includes $42 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Telehealth programa $13 million increase above FY20including $7 million for Telehealth Centers of Excellencea $1 million increase above FY20. The Medical University of South Carolina is one of those Centers, and it provides over 100 telehealth services to nearly 350 sites in 44 counties, including 40 hospitals, over 80 schools, and nearly 200 community clinics and other facilities.

Community Health Centers

This legislation provides $1.65 billion for Community Health Centers, $25 million more than FY20. These facilities are vital providers of health care to many Sixth District residents. In addition, the House-passed HEROES Act includes $7.6 billion for Community Health Centers, and the House-passed Moving Forward Act authorizes $10 billion for Community Health Center capital projects to ensure these facilities are state-of-the-art.

Historic Preservation

The appropriations bill passed last week includes $10 million for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program, the funding level authorized by Congressman Clyburn's bill that was enacted into law last year.

The bill also includes over $22 million in funding for historic preservation grants of sites from the Civil Rights Movement.

National Park Service National Networks

This legislation includes $1.5 million for the national networks of the National Park Service. One of these national networks is the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which includes four sites in South Carolina and is managed by the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County.

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

The legislation provides $1 million for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, a significant funding increase that will enable the commission to ramp up efforts to promote economic development in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

University of South Carolina

These legislative packages provide funding for several activities which the University of South Carolina has indicated they plan to pursue, including navy power and energy systems technology, unmanned logistics solutions, and research in the use of biopolymers to support water distribution and regulation and energy systems.

The Citadel

The House approved $10 million for cyber institutes. The Citadel, in conjunction with the other five Senior Military Colleges, has submitted a proposal to serve as a cyber institute, which will facilitate further development of cyber curriculum offerings, cyber experiential events for K-12 student and teachers, support for underserved and minority cyber students, cyber internship and co-op opportunities, and mentorship of other universities seeking to establish DOD cyber pipelines.

Clemson University

These legislative packages advance several activities which Clemson University has indicated they plan to pursue, including prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems, beam control systems and industry grade optical fiber fabrication for energy laser research, and exploration of the potential of high and ultra-high temperature ceramic-matrix composites in extreme environments experienced during hypersonic flight.

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership

This legislation provides $153 for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is an increase of $7 million above the FY20 funding level. The Hollings MEP is a nationwide network of centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that help manufacturers successfully grow their businesses.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-veterans-affairs-committee-passes-veteran-home-loan-disaster-recovery-act,House Veterans Affairs Committee Passes the Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act,2020-07-30,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Joe Cunningham and Brian Mast would help veterans in the wake of a natural disaster
Washington, D.C.  The House Veterans' Affairs Committee today passed the Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Brian Mast (R-FL) that would help veterans rebuild and recover in the wake of a natural disaster. 
Veterans and servicemembers are currently eligible for VA home loans that are backed by the federal government and subject to lower interest rates than traditional mortgages. The Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act would reduce loan fees for veterans who have been affected by presidentially-declared natural disasters by enabling them to qualify for a second home loan using the initial VA funding fee, instead of the higher subsequent-use fee. 
As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am proud to use my seat at the table to ensure that Lowcountry veterans know our country is there for them, especially after a natural disaster, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. This bipartisan legislation helps our veterans and servicemembers rebuild and recover after disaster strikes by reducing unnecessarily high loan fees. With hurricane season well under way, I encourage House leadership to hold a vote on this legislation as soon as possible. South Carolina veterans and servicemembers do not deserve to be penalized for living in the path of hurricanes. 
""Rep. Cunningham's bill is a key solution to ensure that we help veterans when natural disasters strike and they lose their homesand I'm proud to see his bill pass through the Committee today, said Chairman Mark Takano. Especially in the midst of hurricane season, it's critical that we reduce home loan fees and support these veterans if they lose everything to a natural disaster.
It is absurd that veterans are forced to pay more for a second VA home loan if their first home was destroyed by a natural disaster, said Rep. Brian Mast. The least we can do for veterans trying to put their lives back together after one of these storms is to make sure they have access to the benefits they earned in service to our nation. That's what this bill is all about.
Current VA Funding Fee Structure:




The legislation has earned the support of three high-profile veteran service organizations: the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
The Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act passed as an amendment to bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this month by Reps. Bost (R-IL) and Cunningham, which would expand eligibility to the VA home loan program to National Guard and Army Reserve members that have been activated in response to COVID-19. Under current law, members of the National Guard and Army Reserves can only access the program if they have had served over 90 consecutive days on active duty or six years of total service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-announces-berkeley-dorchester-and-charleston-receive-155-million,"Cunningham Announces Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston to Receive $1.55 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grants",2020-07-29,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Funding will be used to capitalize revolving loan funds to help small businesses in the Lowcountry 
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today announced that the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $1.55 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to capitalize and administer Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that will provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs that have been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 
The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments will receive a $616,000 EDA Cares Act Recovery Assistance Grant and the City of Charleston will receive a $935,000 EDA Cares Act Recovery Assistance Grant to provide struggling small businesses in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties with loans to support their continued economic growth.
As the Lowcountry continues to be hard hit by COVID-19, our small businesses are still facing the devastating consequences of this public health and economic crisis, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. These grants, provided by the CARES Act that I was proud to pass, will help Lowcountry small businesses survive these uncertain times and come back stronger then before. My work in Congress will continue to help support those in need, including our small businesses, workers, and South Carolina families. 
The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments' goal with this funding is to keep local businesses in business during an extraordinarily difficult time, said BCDCOG Executive Director Ron Mitchum. We are deeply appreciative of the work of our Congressional delegation in securing these needed resources for our region and we look forward to aiding in the recovery effort.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-congressional-leadership-renew-enhanced-unemployment-benefits,Cunningham Calls on Congressional Leadership to Renew Enhanced Unemployment Benefits As South Carolina Families Continue to Face Challenges from COVID-19,2020-07-24,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Advocates for the creation of a return to work bonus so workers can make the best decisions for themselves and their families 
Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today called on Congressional leadership to take immediate action to protect the enhanced unemployment benefits that are set to expire on Saturday. In March, Cunningham helped pass bipartisan legislation that provided enhanced unemployment benefits to the millions of hardworking Americans who have been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic. These expanded unemployment benefits, including a $600-a-week increase and a 13-week extension for workers who have exhausted their state benefits, have helped South Carolina families keep a roof over their heads and food on the table throughout this public health and economic crisis. 
In a letter to Congressional leadership, Cunningham called attention to the fact that diagnosed COVID-19 cases in South Carolina continue to grow at an alarming rate at the exact same time that many South Carolinians will see their benefits reduced. The Lowcountry's economy, which is particularly dependent on the tourism, service, and hospitality industry, remains especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of the pandemic. 
While I am glad to see that our national economy is recovering in some respects, in South Carolina, our unemployment rate is still a staggering 8.7 percentwith more people relying on unemployment benefits than at any point during the Great Recession, Cunningham wrote. Absent this additional $600 per week, the maximum weekly state UI payment in South Carolina is $326, which is plainly not enough for a family to live at any time, but especially in the midst of a global pandemic. 
Cunningham also acknowledged the concern of Lowcountry small business owners who are facing difficulties rehiring staff as they reopen. He encouraged Congress to expedite full reemployment as soon as businesses are able to safely and responsibly reopen without abandoning those workers for whom it is not yet in their best interest to return to work. Cunningham called for Congress to empower workers to make the best decision for themselves and their families by establishing a return to work bonus, in which newly reemployed workers would receive a temporary $450-a-week bonus on top of their regular wages. This is similar to an effort proposed by U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). 
A copy of this letter can be found online.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/letter-congressional-leadership-unemployment-letter,Letter to Congressional Leadership on Unemployment letter,2020-07-24,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"710 Boundary Street, Suite 1D",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-facilitates-donation-250k-medical-masks-first-responders-and,Cunningham Facilitates the Donation of 250K Medical Masks for First Responders and Frontline Workers in the Charleston Area,2020-07-23,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier today, the office of Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) facilitated the donation of 250,000 KN95 masks by inFocus Healthcare Consultants Founding Partner Joshua Lambert. The masks will be distributed to first responders and frontline workers throughout the Charleston area, with 150,000 masks being split between the city of Charleston and the Charleston County Medical Society and another 100,000 masks going to Seacoast Church. 
inFocus Healthcare Consultants is honored to work alongside Congressman Cunningham, Senator Scott, Mayor Tecklenburg, and Seacoast Church to donate 250,000 critically-needed KN95 Respirator Masks to local first responders risking their personal safety and saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic along with our church community and local school systems, said Joshua Lambert, President of Charleston-based inFocus Healthcare Consultants. Our team is working around the clock to provide critically needed services, PPE and testing supplies for the fight against COVID-19. inFocus Healthcare Consultants is honored to be able to provide this donation to the city of Charleston along with the Charleston County Medical Society; we encourage everyone else to assist in the fight as they can, added Lambert.
When Josh reached out to our office to let us know that he had a supply of PPE, we immediately sprung to action and communicated with community leaders to locate the immediate need for PPE for Lowcountry first responders and frontline workers,said Rep. Joe Cunningham. His generous donation of 250,000 masks is proof of the fact that when the Lowcountry goes through difficult times, we pull together to make it through. It is an honor to help facilitate this donation and help our heroic first responders, health care workers, and all others on the frontlines of this pandemic stay healthy as they fight this virus. 
As COVID-19 infection rates continue to rise in the Charleston area, it's more important than ever that we take the necessary steps to slow the spread, and wearing a mask is job number one. This generous donation by Mr. Lambert will go a long way in keeping our first responders and frontline workers healthy and able to continue the fight against COVID-19, said Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg. 
Masks are an essential part of being able to see patients in a safe manner.CCMS is proud to help distribute this PPE to Doctors' offices and clinics that focus on disadvantaged patients, said Dr. Marcelo Hochman, Charleston County Medical Society President. 
On behalf of Seacoast Church, I want to say how grateful we are for this generous donation of KN95 masks. We are thrilled to partner with inFocus Healthcare and our local, state and federal officials to ensure that medical professionals and first responders have the necessary supplies as they work tirelessly to meet the needs of our communities. We are working with the city of Charleston as well as local missions partners to identify the highest needs for these masks, and are grateful for the opportunity to play a small role in this effort, said Pastor Josh Surratt, Lead Pastor, Seacoast Church.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/what-they-re-saying-conservation-groups-applaud-house-passage-cunningham-s,WHAT THEYRE SAYING: Conservation Groups Applaud House Passage of Cunninghams Great American Outdoors Act,2020-07-23,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 310-107 to pass Rep. Joe Cunningham's landmark conservation legislation, the Great American Outdoors Act. This bipartisan legislation permanently and fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses priority repair needs in our national parks and other land management agencies. 
The Senate has already passed this legislation and President Trump is expected to sign this legislation into law shortly. 
The Great American Outdoors Act has been called the most significant conservation legislation in decades and Cunningham's efforts have earned praise from conservation groups in the Lowcountry and across the nation. 
What conservation leaders are saying: 
Congressman Cunningham's bill is a historic investment in community parks and public lands. It's a huge step forward to ensuring that every community has access to nature. People have been working for decades to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but Congressman Cunningham's leadership was critical to finally getting it done. His hard work and willingness to reach across the aisle has helped deliver a massive win for the Lowcountry and communities all across the country, said Gene Karpinski, President, League of Conservation Voters. 
From the Lowcountry to Sumter National Forest, South Carolina's wild landscapes are integral to our identity, our economy and our well-being. Amidst all the challenges we face, the Great American Outdoors Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in conservation, one South Carolina and the rest of the country needs right now. By fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund and investing in the care of our national parks and public lands, this act will create jobs, rebuild local economies and increase access to the outdoors for all. Congressman Cunningham's tireless and dedicated leadership helped make today's vote possible, and we are grateful for him guiding the Great American Outdoors Act out of the House, said Dale Threatt-Taylor, SC State Director of the Nature Conservancy. 
The Great American Outdoors Act is good for wildlife like red knots and flatwoods salamanders, but it is also good for the economy, reducing our climate change pollution, and protecting human health. We need to see more bipartisan climate solutions like this coming through Congress and we particularly need more champions like Rep. Cunningham leading the way. Now, more than ever, we need role models for action that will shape the future of our country and lay the foundation for the reality that future generations will face here in South Carolina and around the country, said Sara K. Green, Executive Director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. 
""The bipartisan passage of the Great American Outdoors Act by the House is yet another big conservation victory made possible through Congressman Cunningham's tireless leadership to protect the natural resources of the Lowcountry.Full and permanent funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund will create jobs bysupporting our outdoor recreation and tourism economy and will also ensure that all communities across South Carolina have access to safe, quality parks and open spaces and the health benefits that come with them.We applaud Rep. Cunningham'shard work on this historic bill and his continued work toprotect natural beauty and quality of life in the Lowcountry, said John Tynan, Executive Director of the Conservation Voters of South Carolina. 
The passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is a watershed moment for conservation in our country. With full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the conservation community is primed and ready to continue efforts to preserve the incredible array of history, culture, scenery, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunity that makes our country so special, for all people. We are incredibly grateful for Representative Cunningham's leadership and support of this vital legislation for South Carolina, said David Ray, Chief Conservation Officer at Lowcountry Land Trust.
We commend House leadership and Representative Joe Cunningham for their commitment in moving the Great American Outdoors Act forward, culminating in overwhelming bipartisan approval today. The bill will invest non-taxpayer dollars to help preserve our nation's historic sites and natural legacy, protect access to public lands, and create jobs in local communities nationwide, said Marcia Argust, Project Director of the Restore America's parks campaign at The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Today's bipartisan House passage of the 'Great American Outdoors Act' gets us to the very brink of fully and permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund so it can serve its full potential for our country and communities. After years of leadership and support from long-term and recent champions in both chambers of Congress, the 'Great American Outdoors Act' is now heading to the President's desk with a tidal wave of momentum. Once signed, this historic bill will finally keep the 55-year-old promise of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to strengthen our communities through investment in our parks and public lands, said Jamie Williams, President of The Wilderness Society.
We appreciate Rep. Joe Cunningham's leadership on the Great American Outdoors Act. This overwhelmingly bipartisan bill is good for the Lowcountry's economy, birds, and people. During the pandemic, more people are appreciating the beauty, accessibility, and protection of our state's parks, wildlife refuges, and recreation sites that stand to benefit from this legislation, said Justin Stokes, Vice President, National Audubon Society & Executive Director, Audubon South Carolina.
The Great American Outdoors Act guarantees the preservation of old growth forests at Congaree National Park, vital history at the Reconstruction Era National Monument, and other special places across our state. Fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a critical source of funding for South Carolina's public lands, preserves public access to our outdoor spaces and improves communities across the Lowcountry. We applaud Congressman Cunningham, a lead sponsor of the bill in the House, and all who supported it, said Laura Cantral, Executive Director of Coastal Conservation League. 
I commend Congressman Joe Cunningham for successfully shepherding a bipartisan bill that fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and improves the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. The Lowcountry will benefit immensely from this legislation, and generations to come will see its effect, said Ducks Unlimited Board Member Mike McShane.
The Great American Outdoors Act is the single greatest piece of conservation and outdoor recreation legislation passed in decades. It is proof that the outdoors crosses party lines and resonates with all Americans. We applaud House Democrats and Republicans particularly Representative Cunningham and the other Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Restore our Parks Act sponsors  for working together tirelessly to get this done. The entire outdoor recreation industry thanks every Member of Congress who supported this bill so we can finally fully fund LWCF and begin the much-needed work on rebuilding infrastructure on our public lands and waters, said Jessica (Wahl) Turner, executive director of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.
""The passage of the Great American Outdoors Act represents the most significant investment in our federal public lands to enhance conservation and increase public access in a lifetime. We applaud Congressman Cunningham - alongside his bipartisan colleagues in the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus - for his steadfast leadership on this historic legislation and for his continued commitment to sportsmen and women, said Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President Jeff Crane.
Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act is a tremendous win for the Lowcountry's unique and irreplaceable landscapes. South Carolina's federal, state and local lands and parks, from the upstate to the coast, have a bright future. Joe Cunningham, thank you for your leadership!, said Nate Berry, the Open Space Institute's Senior Vice President and Southeast Program Director.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-cunningham-s-great-american-outdoors-act,House Passes Cunninghams Great American Outdoors Act,2020-07-22,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Most Significant Conservation Legislation in Decades; Fully Funds LWCF and Addresses National Parks Maintenance Backlog
Washington, D.C.  The U.S. House of Representatives voted 310-107 today to pass Rep. Joe Cunningham's landmark conservation legislation, the Great American Outdoors Act. This bipartisan legislation permanently and fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses priority repair needs in our national parks and other land management agencies.

It is an honor to lead the effort in the House to pass the Great American Outdoors Act, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. Today, the House passed bipartisan legislation that will deliver jobs to communities across the country, protect recreational access, preserve historic sites, and restore aging national park and public land infrastructure. For folks in the Lowcountry, this bill will protect some of our most beloved and treasured places, from the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Hunting Island State Park, and the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge,to the Pitt Street Park and Folly Beach Boardwalk. I look forward to President Trump swiftly signing this legislation into law so that we can protect access to the great outdoors for generations of Americans to come. 
Speaking at a press conference immediately before the vote, Cunningham said of the urgency to pass this legislation, The Lowcountry depends on our recreational areas and open spaces to support the tourism and hospitality industries that play a massive role in our economy. As we continue to recover from COVID-19, this legislation will provide new jobs, protect recreational access, preserve historic sites, and restore aging national park and public land infrastructure. 
Watch the press conference here. 
The Great American Outdoors Act passed the Senate in June with broad bipartisan support. It also has the support of more than 900 organizations across the country, including local businesses, the recreation industry, veterans groups, conservation organizations, tourism and travel associations, sportsmen, and infrastructure groups.President Trump has already expressed his eagerness to sign this legislation into law. 
Speaking on the House floor before the vote, Cunningham said, In this current climate of division and discord, the Great American Outdoors Act is exemplary of the fact that Republicans and Democrats can still come together to pursue common sense solutions, do right by our public lands, and keep our word. 
Watch his floor speech here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-holds-listening-session-lowcountry-educators-coronavirus-pandemic,Cunningham Holds Listening Session with Lowcountry Educators on Coronavirus Pandemic,2020-07-21,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"2021 school year, Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01), hosted a listening session with Lowcountry educators regarding COVID-19's impact on children and schools. They discussed how to keep children and teachers safe as COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket in South Carolina, challenges associated with virtual learning, and the additional funding necessary for schools to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. 
Cunningham has called on Governor McMaster to implement a statewide mask requirement in order to get the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths under control. Cunningham has expressed his concerns over in-person schooling until those numbers decrease. 

I deeply appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from Lowcountry educators as we all grapple with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and teachers. As we make decisions about the upcoming school year, we must listen to teachers and public health experts. I am committed to ensuring our state and local governments, municipalities, and school districts have the funding they need to safely and successfully educate our children. 
We are thankful when leaders reach out to educators to learn about our challenges and allow us to discuss the expectations that we have in our education system. It takes the community to work together to lift up all children to the heights they can achieve. We thank Congressman Cunningham for being a part of building that community, said Leanna Rossi-Potter, Teacher - Charleston County School District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-cunningham-amendment-give-national-guardsmen-responding-covid-19,House Passes Cunningham Amendment to Give National Guardsmen Responding to COVID-19 Transitional Health Care Benefits,2020-07-20,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House today passed Rep. Joe Cunningham's amendment to provide transitional health care benefits to National Guard servicemembers who have aided the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic into the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bipartisan amendment was introduced by Cunningham and Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) and is identical to the Support our National Guard Act, bipartisan legislation they introduced in May. The House will vote on final passage of the NDAA tomorrow. 
Under current law, National Guard servicemembers serving on federally funded duty orders are entitled to six months of transitional TRICARE coverage after they are demobilized, under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). However, the servicemembers currently activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not eligible for TAMP benefits. This amendment would remedy the situation by requiring the Defense Department to provide TAMP benefits to any National Guard servicemember activated to support the government response to the pandemic. 
Speaking on the House floor, Cunningham said, This amendmentwould expand this important benefit to the over 45,000 National Guard servicemembers serving on the front lines of the pandemic. These brave men and women are sacrificing to ensure our nation overcomes this unprecedented crisis, and they deserve our unconditional support.
Watch his floor speech here.
Thousands of National Guard members around the country have supported COVID-19 response efforts in every state, and now it's our turn to support them, said Rep. Palazzo. I am pleased to see that our legislation, which provides health care benefits to those who have filled coronavirus-specific orders, will be included in the final passage of this year's annual defense bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-secures-funding-expand-coast-guard-presence-lowcountry,Cunningham Secures Funding to Expand Coast Guard Presence in the Lowcountry,2020-07-15,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham announced he had secured increased funding to expedite the Coast Guard's planned expansion in the Lowcountry in the Fiscal Year 2021 Homeland Security funding legislation, which the House Appropriations Committee approved today. 
This comes after the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Karl Schultz, announced the Coast Guard would be substantially increasing its presence in the Lowcountry, including an additional two National Security Cutters (NSC) and over 1,000 more personnel. In February, Cunningham testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and urged the Committee to fully fund this expansion. View the video of the testimony here. Cunningham was also appointed to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Board of Visitors last year. 
The brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard have decided to make a home for themselves in the Lowcountry and it is an honor to have them here, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I am proud to have helped secure the funding necessary for them to do the critical work of ensuring maritime safety, interdicting drugs, providing emergency and disaster relief, and keeping coastal communities like ours safe. 
Thanks to Cunningham's advocacy, the FY 2021 Homeland Security Funding bill includes:
 $68 million for maintenance, testing, evaluation, and support of the Coast Guard's tenth and eleventh NSCs, both of which will be homeported at Coast Guard Base Charleston upon completion.
	$18 million towards the purchase of waterfront real estate needed to homeport two additional NSCs, as well as for security and a storm water management infrastructure to support an increased Coast Guard footprint in Charleston.
	$3.3 million to provide for necessary additional construction and improvements to pier infrastructure to support Base Charleston's fifth NSC. This funding will also provide shore-side improvements to accommodate additional storage, shipping and receiving, and maintenance space. 
 The legislation will also help to improve employment outcomes for Coast Guard spouses by providing them financial assistance to pursue a degree or certification. Last year, Cunningham passed an amendment into the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that expanded eligibility to the Department of Defense's My Career Advancement Account Scholarship Program (MyCAA) to Coast Guard spouses. This year's Homeland Security funding bill includes language authored by Rep. Cunningham that directs the Coast Guard to ensure that eligible spouses can take advantage of the newly-expanded MyCAA program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-america-s-great-outdoors-showing-its-age-congress-proposing-facelift,ICYMI: Americas great outdoors is showing its age. Congress is proposing a facelift [Washington Post],2020-07-15,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Congress is on the verge of passing one of the most significance pieces of conservation legislation in decades, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. LWCF has enriched countless lives in the Lowcountry by protecting many of the places that make our community unique and irreplaceable, from the Folly Beach Boardwalk to Hunting Island State Park. It is an honor to lead the effort in the House to permanently fund LWCF and address the maintenance backlog across our national parks and public lands. I look forward to passing the Great American Outdoors Act next week and getting this bill signed into law. 
---
Washington Post: America's great outdoors is showing its age. Congress is proposing a facelift.
By Darryl Fears and Dino Grandoni
July 14, 2020
Every 30 seconds in America, bulldozers pave over a green area the size of a football field. In the nation's century-old parks system, there's not enough money to fix crumbling roads, hiking trails and even restrooms, let alone preserve millions of acres of land.
The House is expected to approve a plan next week to invest nearly $2 billion per year to restore national parks, conserve land to ward off the impacts of climate change and put parks and playgrounds in urban areas that sorely need them.
The Great American Outdoors Act, passed overwhelmingly in the Senate by a 73-to-25 vote on June 17, has been called one of the most important environmental bills in history because it could nearly eliminate a $12 billion U.S. National Park Service maintenance backlog and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF, for the first time since it was enacted in the 1960s.
This is decades in the making, said Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.), the lead sponsor. About 200 lawmakers have joined a bipartisan effort to support it. That goes to the importance of it. It would enact permanent funding that has eluded a lot of people. We're glad to bring it to a close and bring it across the finish line, he said.
[] President Trump, who earlier in the year proposed nearly eliminating funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, has already vowed to sign it.
[.] In the House, the bill has support from about 170 Democrats and 30 Republicans.
We have so much bipartisan support  the Senate, the White House and now the House, Cunningham said. You don't have to go far in your district to find a public space that has been created by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing. Everyone in South Carolina has benefited from this project.
[] The government's cut of oil and gas revenue will provide $900 million over 10 years to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Those funds would support projects to restore coastal areas ravaged by impacts from climate change and sea-level rise. Coastal marshes that protect cities from storm water surge and flooding would be fortified and forest areas that soak up carbon dioxide would be preserved.
The U.S. Forest Service has used land and water conservation funds to filter, clean and store fresh water. It's been used to protect the 15,000-acre Sterling Forest in New York with $17.5 million to ensure clean drinking water for over 2 million residents of northern New Jersey, according to the organization that administers the fund.
READ FULL STORY HERE",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-secures-critical-lowcountry-priorities-defense-funding-legislation,Cunningham Secures Critical Lowcountry Priorities in Defense Funding Legislation,2020-07-14,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) secured critical Lowcountry priorities in the Fiscal Year 2021 defense funding bill, which passed the House Appropriations Committee today. Cunningham has made ensuring Lowcountry military installations have the resources they need one of this top priorities in Congress. 
The Lowcountry plays a critical role in ensuring our national defense, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I am proud to stand behind a funding bill that recognizes the importance of Lowcountry military installations and ensures they have the resources they need to protect and defend our great nation. 
Due to his advocacy, the defending funding bill includes:
 Funding for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines, which will support nearly a 1,000 manufacturing jobs in the Charleston area.
	$3 million for the Cyber Institute at the Citadel, which allow this important institution to continue to support our national defense by helping to identify, educate, and expand our cybersecurity talent pipeline.
	$50 million in funding for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which help address deficiencies in infrastructure that support military installation, such as by expanding Red Bank Road.
	$8.7 million to accelerate the fielding of the Advanced Airborne Expendable Countermeasure Dispenser System, which will help protect the U.S. Marine Corps' F-35B aircraft and pilots from incoming missiles.
 Thanks to Cunningham's advocacy, the legislation includes language that addresses cybersecurity shortages by encouraging the Department of Defense (DoD) to collaborate with colleges and universities near military installations and in areas with significant veteran population to help fill gaps in the cybersecurity workforce. This provision could help local education collaboratives, such as the South Coast Cyber Center in Beaufort, to secure support to establish and grow their programs. 
The legislation also restricts the DoD from downsizing the military health system until they provide additional information to ensureany efforts to streamline the system minimizes negative effects on servicemembers and military families. Cunningham has repeatedly called attention to the harm planned cuts to Naval Hospital Beaufort could have on the surrounding community and their ability to provide essential medical services to the estimated 35,000 servicemembers, retirees, and military families living in the Lowcountry.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-secures-language-banning-offshore-drilling-and-seismic-airgun,Cunningham Secures Language Banning Offshore Drilling and Seismic Airgun Blasting in House Funding Package,2020-07-10,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) secured critical language banning offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting off the Atlantic coast in the Fiscal Year 2021 Interior-Environment funding package, which was approved by the House Appropriations Committee today. Thanks to Cunningham's advocacy, the legislation will prohibit federal funds from being used to allow for any new oil and gas leasing or seismic activities along the Atlantic coast, Pacific coast, Eastern Gulf, and the Arctic Ocean. The House will vote on the bill later this month. 
This follows a ruling by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to proceed in processing seismic testing permits off South Carolina's coast, overriding South Carolina's objections and making it clear that the threat of offshore drilling and seismic testing is still on the table. 
Cunningham advocated for these priorities in a letter to the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this year. Cunningham also testified in front of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment in March, urging the Subcommittee to prohibit funding for offshore drilling and seismic testing. 
Despite coastal communities like the Lowcountry making their opposition to offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting abundantly clear, the threat to our coasts remain, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. Through the appropriations process, we have an opportunity to block funding for this dangerous and unwanted practice and ensure there is never an oil spill off our shores. I am proud to have secured these results and I look forward to voting on this legislation on the House floor.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-murphy-introduce-legislation-require-congressional-notification,Cunningham and Murphy Introduce Legislation to Require Congressional Notification if Foreign Government Targets U.S. Servicemembers,2020-07-09,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bill is Congress' first legislative response to credible intelligence reporting that a Russian military intelligence unit paid Taliban fighters to kill American troops in Afghanistan
WASHINGTONU.S. Representatives Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., and Joe Cunningham, D-S.C., today introduced legislation to require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to swiftly brief key Members of Congress if the DNI determines, with moderate or high confidence, that a foreign government is deliberately seeking to kill or severely injure U.S. servicemembers. This will enable Congress to take appropriate action to deter and respond to such conduct. The Murphy-Cunningham legislation, called the Deadly Escalation by Foreign Entities Notification and Disclosure (DEFEND) Act, is the first bill introduced in Congress in response to credible U.S. intelligence reporting that a Russian military intelligence unit paid bounties to Taliban-linked militants to encourage those militants to kill American and coalition troops operating in Afghanistan. When this intelligence reporting was made public, the Trump administration invited some congressional Republicans and congressional Democrats to the White House to be informally briefed on the matter. Republicans and Democrats were briefed separately, giving a partisan sheen to a national security issue of critical importance to all Americans. When our brave servicemembers are targeted or threatened, it is our duty to protect them and hold the perpetrators accountable, said Murphy, a former national security specialist at the Department of Defense under President George W. Bush. If the U.S. intelligence community has credible reasons to believe a foreign government is conducting or sponsoring lethal attacks against our servicemembers, Congress should immediately be notified so we can take all appropriate stepson a bipartisan basisto protect our troops. The safety and security of American servicemembers is my top priority in Congress and should never be politicized, said Cunningham. If American soldiers are being targeted abroad, we must work together in a nonpartisan manner to hold those responsible to account. This legislation will give Congress the information necessary to protect American lives. Under the DEFEND Act, the DNI would be required to provide a classified briefing to top congressional leaders in the House and Senate, the intelligence committees, and the armed services committees within 14 days of the DNI determining, with moderate or high confidence, that officials or agents of a foreign governmentwith which the United States is not at warare deliberately seeking to kill or cause serious bodily injury to U.S. servicemembers though direct or indirect means, including through payments to terrorist or criminal organizations. In making this determination, the DNI would consult with other elements of the intelligence community, such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. Under the Murphy-Cunningham bill, the classified briefings to Congress would include:
 A description of the nature and extent of the foreign government's effort to target U.S. servicemembers.
	An assessment of the specific officials, entities, and agencies within the foreign government that ordered, authorized, or had knowledge of the effort.
	An assessment of the foreign government's motivations for undertaking the effort. 
	An assessment of whether the foreign government's effort was a substantial factor in the death or serious bodily injury of any United States servicemember. 
 Once this initial briefing is provided, the DNI would be required to provide updated congressional briefings on a quarterly basis until such time as the DNI determines that the foreign government is no longer targeting U.S. servicemembers.The bill requires all congressional briefings to be provided in a manner that is consistent with the protection of intelligence sources and methods. The information provided to Congress would enable congressional leaders, on a bipartisan basis, to make better informed decisions relating to authorizing legislation, appropriations legislation, and oversight of the executive branch. The DEFEND Act is modeled on a bipartisan provision, strongly supported by Murphy and Cunningham, that was enacted as part of the most recent Intelligence Authorization Act. It requires the DNI to brief certain Members and committees of Congress if the DNI determines, with moderate or high confidence, that a foreign government is seeking to influence a federal election by means of a significant cyber intrusion or active measures campaign.See 50 U.S.C. 3371a. To read the DEFEND Act, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-secures-key-lowcountry-military-priorities-house-appropriations,Cunningham Secures Key Lowcountry Military Priorities in House Appropriations Package,2020-07-09,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today announced he had secured critical Lowcountry military priorities in the Fiscal Year 2021 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding legislation, which was approved by the House Appropriations Committee this afternoon. Thanks to Cunningham's advocacy, the funding bill includes language that directs the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) to prioritize important issues related to military readiness, climate resiliency, and veterans' access to care. Cunningham advocated for these priorities in a letter to the Committee earlier this year. The legislation will now make its way to the House floor for a vote later this month. 
Supporting Lowcountry veterans, servicemembers, and military installations through smart, strategic investments is one of my top priorities in Congress, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. Our coastal military community knows how important it is to mitigate recurrent flooding, prioritize climate resiliency, and provide our military installations with the resources they need to ensure a strong national defense. I am proud to secure these results in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill and look forward to voting for this legislation on the House floor. 
Cunningham's priorities secured in the legislation include: 
 Preventing Defense Access Road Flooding  Directs the DoD to work with local governments to identify the public roads that hamper military readiness due to flooding and sea-level fluctuations, including Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, which are projected to be flooded up to 30% of the year by 2050.
	Supporting Climate Resiliency on Military Installations - Requires military construction projects funded in the legislation to be resistant to extreme weather events and recurrent flooding.
	Flooding and Disaster Mitigation at Veteran Facilities  Encourages the VA to work with state and local governments to support infrastructure projects that would benefit VA facilities, such as the Ralph Johnson VA Medical Center which is regularly made inaccessible by recurrent flooding. 
	National Guard Readiness Center  Provides $15 million for the construction of a new National Guard Readiness Center on Joint Base Charleston to support South Carolina's 1223rd Engineer Company and 237th Support Battalion, Company I.
	Completing Previously Funded Projects  Provides $10 million to complete the Recycling and Hazardous Waste Facility on Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and $5 million to complete a Fire and Rescue Station on Joint Base Charleston.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-clyburn-announce-coast-guard-establish-junior-rotc-program-lucy,"Cunningham, Clyburn Announce Coast Guard to Establish Junior ROTC Program at Lucy Beckham High School",2020-07-08,2020,2020-07,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC-06) today announced the Coast Guard would be establishing a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Lucy Beckham High School in Mount Pleasant. In a letter sent to Cunningham, Coast Guard Admiral Karl L. Shultz thanked Cunningham for his unwavering support and commitment to the men and women of the Coast Guard and announced, I am pleased to inform the Coast Guard is contacting the Lucy Garrett Beckham High School with the intent to establish a Junior Leadership/ Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program.
Cunningham successfully passed an amendment that establishes Coast Guard JROTC programs in high schools across the country into the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was signed into law by President Trump. Once established, Lucy Beckham's program will be one of the first in the nation. 
The Coast Guard JROTC program is designed to teach young people critical life skills like leadership, discipline, and integrity that help them become better, more engaged citizens. These skills will serve them well in whatever path they follow after graduation, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I am thrilled that Mount Pleasant high schoolers will be among the first in the nation to have the opportunity to have this fulfilling experience.
I am pleased that the Coast Guard has decided to establish a JROTC program at Lucy Beckham High School, which will allow these students to learn valuable leadership skills and important life lessons, said Congressman James Clyburn. I hope more schools across the country will take advantage of JROTC programs and the new allowance that enables this leadership training to occur earlier in their educational pursuits.
""We are so excited to be offering our students the opportunity to learn about leadership, maritime safety, service and to get our young people started on a path to protecting our community and coast through our Coast Guard JROTC program will be a terrific addition to our new high school, and a natural fit given our coastal location. We are honored to be the first unit in South Carolina and appreciate the immense support from our legislative and Coast Guard leadership. This unique program will be a flagship for the Lowcountry and a model for our state and nation. Lucy Beckham High School is proud to be a leader with our Coast Guard community and we look forward to sharing our progress, said Anna Dassing, Principal at Lucy Beckham High School.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-pass-patient-protection-and-affordable-care-enhancement-act,Cunningham Votes to Pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act,2020-06-29,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today voted to pass comprehensive, bipartisan legislation that lowers health coverage costs for American families; lowers the cost of prescription drugs; expands coverage to Americans across the country, including in South Carolina; combats inequity in health coverage faced by communities of color; cracks down on junk plans; and strengthens protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Last week, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down the protections afforded to Americans by the Affordable Care Act, including coverage for the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions. 
As South Carolinians continue to deal with this unprecedented public health crisis, it is clear that access to quality, affordable health care is more important than ever, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. The bipartisan bill we passed today includes my legislation to encourage states like South Carolina to expand Medicaid and ensure veterans can benefit from lower drug prices. I am proud we worked together to deliver lower health costs and prescription drug prices, and I urge the Senate to act as soon as possible so we can get this signed into law.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act includes legislation Cunningham introduced earlier this year, the Medicaid REACH act, which would require South Carolina and other states that have not expanded Medicaid to publish a yearly report on access to affordable health care coverage in their state. Right now, South Carolinians' tax dollars are being used to pay for Medicaid expansion in other states, without receiving any of the benefits. In other states, Medicaid expansion has helped increase access to care and improve health outcomes; promote financial security by reducing medical debt and protecting people from medical bankruptcy; and lower uncompensated care costs for hospitals, allowing rural hospitals to stay afloat.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act also includes a bipartisan amendment authored by Cunningham that was previously passed in legislation to lower to cost of prescription drugs. This amendment would make lower prices negotiated by this legislation available to veterans within the VA health care system. 
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act: 
 Lowers health coverage costsby dramatically expanding the ACA's insurance affordability subsidies to cover more middle class families and to be more generous for those already receiving them. Many enrollees will see their premiums cut by half or more, and for the first time, no one will have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their income for a silver plan in the ACA marketplaces. 
	Negotiates for lower prescription drug pricesby delivering the power to negotiate lower drug prices so that Americans no longer have to pay more for our medicines than Big Pharma charges for the same drugs overseas.
	Expands coverage by pressing Medicaid expansion in hold-out states while restoring the outreach and advertising funding that enables Americans to learn about the affordable health coverage available to them under the ACA. 
	Combats inequity in health coverage faced by communities of color by expanding more affordable coverage to vulnerable populations and fighting the maternal mortality epidemic by requiring states to extend Medicaid or CHIP coverage to new mothers for a full year post-partum.
	Cracks down on junk plans & strengthens protections for people with pre-existing conditions by reversing the Trump Administration's expansion of junk health insurance plans that do not provide coverage for essential medical treatments and drugs and that are allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing medical conditions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-pass-george-floyd-justice-policing-act-2020,Cunningham Votes to Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020,2020-06-25,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today voted to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, comprehensive legislation designed to hold police accountable, increase transparency, and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. 

I share the anguish and pain felt by so many in the Lowcountry after confronting another unjust killing of a Black American by police officers who dishonor their badge and the communities they are supposed to serve, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. The time is long overdue for Congress to take a stand against police brutality and racial injustice and affirm that Black lives matter. The landmark legislation we voted on today will hold police accountable for egregious misconduct, increase transparency, improve police practices and training to prevent these injustices from happening in the first place, and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. I am proud to join my colleagues in passing historic, comprehensive legislation to move the country forward.                                   
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 will:
 Combat police brutality by banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants, which took the lives of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and requiring body and dashboard cameras. 
	Require that deadly force be used as a last resort and require officers to employ de-escalation techniques first. It will also change the standard to evaluate whether law enforcement use of force was justified from whether the force was reasonable to whether the force was necessary.
	Remove barriers to holding police accountable for misconduct by ending qualified immunity for law enforcement. 
	Improve transparency by collecting data on police misconduct and the use of force, including by creating a nationwide police misconduct registry to prevent problematic officers who are fired or leave one agency, from moving to another jurisdiction without any accountability.
	Work to end racial and religious profiling by prohibiting federal, state, and local law enforcement from racial, religious, and discriminatory profiling and mandating training on discriminatory practices.
	Finally make lynching a federal hate crime.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-to-host-webinar-debuting-south-carolinaaes-innovative-approach-to-broadband-mapping/,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN TO HOST WEBINAR DEBUTING SOUTH CAROLINA’S INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO BROADBAND MAPPING,2020-06-23,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn will host a webinar to publicly release South Carolina’s new broadband maps, the result of an innovative public-private collaboration. South Carolina’s new broadband maps are some of the most accurate and current maps of broadband service in the country, and will help policymakers at the state and federal level target resources to address inequities in internet access and adoption that have been exacerbated by the current health crisis.

These maps of broadband service availability and speeds – covering all 46 counties – are available via the nation’s first broadband map store and can be accessed and downloaded for free. They were developed by utilizing advanced data science to blend public FCC Form 477 data together with Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence®.

This webinar will provide a live demonstration of Speedtest, mapping methodology, and the broadband map store.

WHAT: Webinar debuting nation’s most accurate and up-to-date broadband maps and a tutorial on how to use them.

WHEN: 11:00 AM ET on Tuesday, June 23, 2020

WHO: Congressman James E. Clyburn, House Majority Whip

Jim Stritzinger, President, CEO & Founder, Revolution D, Inc.

Doug Suttles, CEO, GM and Co-Founder, Ookla

Molly Spearman, South Carolina Superintendent of Education

Kathy Schwarting, CEO, Palmetto Care Connections

Jason Dandridge, CEO, Palmetto Rural Cooperative

WHERE: Please register by completing the form linked below. A Webex link will be provided upon RSVP. It is highly recommended that you access the webinar via computer.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:12:47Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-host-webinar-debuting-south-carolina%E2%80%99s-innovative-approach,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN TO HOST WEBINAR DEBUTING SOUTH CAROLINAS INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO BROADBAND MAPPING,2020-06-22,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Tuesday, June 23, 2020 House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn will host a webinar to publicly release South Carolina's new broadband maps, the result of an innovative public-private collaboration. South Carolina's new broadband maps are some of the most accurate and current maps of broadband service in the country, and will help policymakers at the state and federal level target resources to address inequities in internet access and adoption that have been exacerbated by the current health crisis.
These maps of broadband service availability and speeds  covering all 46 counties  are available via the nation's first broadband map store and can be accessed and downloaded for free. They were developed by utilizing advanced data science to blend public FCC Form 477 data together with Ookla Speedtest Intelligence. 
This webinar will provide a live demonstration of Speedtest, mapping methodology, and the broadband map store.
WHAT: Webinar debuting nation's most accurate and up-to-date broadband maps and a tutorial on how to use them. 

	WHEN: 11:00 AM ET on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 

	WHO:Congressman James E. Clyburn, House Majority Whip   Jim Stritzinger, President, CEO & Founder, Revolution D, Inc.   Doug Suttles, CEO, GM and Co-Founder, Ookla    Molly Spearman, South Carolina Superintendent of Education   Kathy Schwarting, CEO, Palmetto Care Connections   Jason Dandridge, CEO, Palmetto Rural Cooperative
WHERE: Please register by completing the form linked below. A Webex link will be provided upon RSVP. It is highly recommended that you access the webinar via computer. 
RSVP LINK:https://forms.gle/xB86LDvAGKmxvdPY6",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/us-chamber-commerce-awards-cunningham-spirit-enterprise-award,U.S. Chamber of Commerce Awards Cunningham Spirit of Enterprise Award,2020-06-22,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of pro-growth economic policies during the first session of the 116th Congress. The Spirit of Enterprise Award is given annually to Members of Congress based on rankings the U.S. Chamber gives for key pro-free enterprise, pro-economic growth, and pro-jobs votes. It also reflects Cunningham's commitment to the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward.
It is an honor to receive the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I am proud to advance pro-business, pro-growth legislation because I know that support for business means greater economic prosperity for our community. The Lowcountry is home to major international companies, world-class ports, and thousands of small businesses because folks know our community is a great place to start and grow a business. As we recover from this public health and economic crisis, I will continue to support policies that create jobs, promote growth, and reignite our economy. 
In these uncertain times with daunting economic and social challenges facing our nation, it is imperative that leaders in Washington are focused on propelling American businesses forward to create jobs and economic growth from California to Maine, said Thomas J. Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. As we rebuild our economy, legislators must lead by pursuing bipartisan solutions that create jobs and promote a free enterprise system. I'm proud to recognize these 259 Members of Congress for their commitment to driving opportunity and prosperity in America's workforce and on Main Streets across the nation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-house-vote-great-american-outdoors-act-following-passage,Cunningham Calls for House Vote on the Great American Outdoors Act Following Passage in the Senate,2020-06-17,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) called for a House vote on the Great American Outdoors Act, following a strong bipartisan passage vote in the Senate on Wednesday. The Great American Outdoors Act is bipartisan legislation to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address priority repair needs in our national parks and other land management agencies. Earlier this month, Cunningham led a bipartisan group in the House in introducing the companion to the Senate legislation. 
Over the past five decades, LWCF has become the gold standard of conservation programs and has invested more than $300 million in South Carolina to protect its recreational areas and open spaces, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. At a time when our country needs it the most, this bipartisan legislation will deliver jobs to communities across the country, protect recreational access, preserve historic sites, and restore aging national park and public land infrastructure. I urge House leadership to bring the Great American Outdoors Act to a vote on the House floor as soon as possible. 
In March, President Trump called on Congress to send this legislation to his desk to be signed into law. The Great American Outdoors Act has drawn the support of more than 900 organizations across the country, including local businesses, the recreation industry, veterans groups, conservation organizations, tourism and travel associations, sportsmen, and infrastructure groups.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-statement-supreme-court-s-decision-affirming-workplace-protections,Cunningham Statement on the Supreme Courts Decision Affirming Workplace Protections for LGBTQ Individuals,2020-06-15,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Following the Supreme Court's ruling that firing someone for being LGBTQ violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Rep. Joe Cunningham released the following statement:
Up until this morning, it was possible to get married on Sunday and fired on Monday morning, simply as a result of who you are or who you love. Today, our LGBTQ brothers and sisters received long overdue workplace protections and can no longer be fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Every single American deserves the opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families without fear of discrimination. I join the LGBTQ community in celebrating this incredible victory for true equality and justice. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join the House in passing the Equality Act and further enshrine these hard-fought protections into law.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-receives-us-chamber-commerce-s-jefferson-hamilton-award,Cunningham Receives U.S. Chamber of Commerces Jefferson  Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship,2020-06-10,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today announced he had received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Jefferson  Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship, which recognizes his willingness to work across the aisle to deliver real results for South Carolina's Lowcountry. 
I promised to put Lowcountry over party because I recognized that government works best when both sides can come to the table and work together, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. South Carolinians deserve real results, which is why I've worked across the aisle to ban offshore drilling, help our veterans, and protect our Lowcountry way of life. As we continue to tackle this unprecedented public health and economic crisis, we need to advance bipartisan solutions that solve the serious problems we are facing. 
Now more than ever, our nation needs elected leaders with the courage to pursue common ground and bold, bipartisan solutions to America's greatest challenges, said U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark. These awards honor the deserving members of Congress who are forging common-sense sense solutions, working across the aisle, to enact lasting and meaningful reforms. In the days ahead, Congress must work together and support our nation's free enterprise principles that will help bring our economy back to strength and put our people back to work.
Last year, the U.S. Chamber pledged to heighten our focus and reward bipartisan leadership and constructive governing, and we are now making good on that promise today, Clark added.
Last month, the Lugar Center ranked Cunningham as the most bipartisan freshman in the House of Representatives. Previously, CQ Roll Call ranked Cunningham as one of the most independent House Democrats. 
Background on the JeffersonHamilton Award for Bipartisanship: 
America's elected leaders should be men and women of conviction and principle who are also able to find common ground with those with whom they disagree. Since the days of Jefferson and Hamilton, America has benefitted from leaders who found ways to work together despite their differences. TheJefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship recognizes those members of Congress who in their actions have demonstrated a willingness to work across the aisle in support of common objectives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-bipartisan-colleagues-call-underserved-communities-be,Cunningham and Bipartisan Colleagues Call for Underserved Communities to be Prioritized in the Next Coronavirus Bill,2020-06-08,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today joined a bipartisan group of House colleagues to call on Congressional leadership to prioritize programs and services for underserved communities and provide targeted resources to address health disparities in any future coronavirus response legislation.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has touched every pocket of our country and communities of color are being harmed disproportionately by this crisis, the lawmakers wrote. According to the COVID Racial Data Tracker, Black Americans are dying at nearly two times their national population share. In five of the six counties with the highest death rates from the virus, Black Americans are the largest racial group.
In South Carolina, Black Americans comprise 27% of the state's population, but make up 42% of confirmed cases and 56% of deaths.
The text of the letter is copied below, and the full letter can be foundhere.
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader McCarthy:
We write to respectfully request that provisions that provide critical healthcare services to support underserved communities be prioritized as you negotiate coronavirus response legislation and included in future stimulus packages.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has touched every pocket of our country and communities of color are being harmed disproportionately by this crisis. According to the COVID Racial Data Tracker, Black Americans are dying at nearly two times their national population share. In five of the six counties with the highest death rates from the virus, Black Americans are the largest racial group. In Arizona, Native American death and case rates are five times their percentage of the state population. In Alaska, the Asian American case rate is two times their population. In the District, Maryland, and Virginia, Latinos are 10 percent of the population, yet make up a third of the COVID-19 cases in the region.
These disparities are linked to social determinants of health, including but not limited to, employment, housing, health insurance and medical care, neighborhood pollution, and food deserts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Latino Americans are three times more likely to be uninsured than their Caucasian counterparts, and African Americans are two times more likely to be uninsured. While their rates of behavioral health disorders may not significantly differ from the general population, Blacks and Latinos have substantially lower access to substance use treatment and mental health services. Ethnic minorities are also more likely to live in areas that are densely populated and further from grocery stores and medical facilities. Furthermore, people of color have higher rates of chronic conditions, and according to the CDC, 90% of patients severely hospitalized with COVID-19 had at least one underlying medical condition.
Our response to this pandemic will be insufficient if we do not tackle these disparities directly and prioritize policies in an equitable and just way.
As you may know, a key component to detecting and containing outbreaks is access to testing. With evidence mounting that Black American and Latino American communities are harder hit by this tragic disease, community leaders are voicing concerns about problematic testing disparities. Recent reporting has illuminated these disparities in access to public testing sites in Massachusetts, Texas, New York City, and Chicago. However, it is difficult to determine testing disparities on a national scale because data remains scarce and public health departments are drastically underfunded. If we are not testing our most vulnerable, we will miss pockets of infection, limit the success of mitigation efforts, and continue to see higher case counts and deaths across the country. It is also critical that vulnerable communities have access to healthcare and social support services, including treatment, if they test positive. Therefore, we request that you prioritize the inclusion of the following provisions during your negotiations that will help to address these ongoing challenges:
 $75 billion for testing, contact tracing, and other activities necessary to effectively monitor and suppress COVID-19.
	$2.1 billion for federal, state, and local public health agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.
	$7.6 billion in emergency funding for Health Centers, which have been shown to reduce health disparities and improve the health of vulnerable populations, to expand the capacity to provide testing, triage, and care for COVID-19 and other health care services across the country. Additionally, Health Centers need stability and should no longer be faced with an uncertain future. It is imperative we provide at least a five-year extension at a minimum of $69.7 billion so they can expand their presence and provide more services to more patients.
	$2.1 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to address health needs related to COVID-19 for Native Americans.
	$38.5 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to increase mental health support and substance abuse treatment during COVID-19, and to offer increased outreach.
 While we are grateful for previous funding for testing, public health agencies, Health Centers, IHS, and SAMHSA, there is still an abundance of unmet need and closing these gaps are critical to suppressing this crisis in our communities. We ask that funding for these streams in future packages is no less than the amounts above and are targeted to address health disparities and support our most at-risk communities. Thousands of lives are depending on Congressional action. Thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to health equity during this global pandemic and beyond.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/clyburn-wilson-and-south-carolina-delegation-call-on-house-and-senate-leadership-to-expand-affordable-high-speed-internet-access-in-underserved-areas/,"CLYBURN, WILSON, AND SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION CALL ON HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE, HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS",2020-06-05,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-06) and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) were joined by the entire South Carolina congressional delegation in calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to include robust measures to invest in the expansion of affordable, high-speed internet access in any upcoming stimulus package to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to House Majority Whip Clyburn and Congressman Wilson, the letter was signed by Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and Tim Scott (SC) and Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Tom Rice (SC-07), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Joe Cunningham (SC-01), and William Timmons (SC-04).

“During this pandemic, unconnected Americans are at more of a disadvantage than ever,” the lawmakers wrote. “Many facilities that previously provided free internet access, such as libraries and schools, are now closed in many states, and students without this access are likely to fall behind their peers. Patients may have difficulty receiving the appropriate health care if they are unable to interact with their provider through remote video communication. Americans without an internet connection are also unable to access information provided online by federal, state, and local public health officials, increasing their vulnerability to the virus. These compelling reasons for expanding affordable broadband access only scratch the surface of the urgency of the need to connect all Americans.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:12:47Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/clyburn-wilson-and-south-carolina-delegation-call-house-and-senate-leadership-expand,"CLYBURN, WILSON, AND SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATION CALL ON HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE, HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS",2020-06-04,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-06) and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) were joined by the entire South Carolina congressional delegation in calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to include robust measures to invest in the expansion of affordable, high-speed internet access in any upcoming stimulus package to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
	In addition to House Majority Whip Clyburn and Congressman Wilson, the letter was signed by Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and Tim Scott (SC) and Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Tom Rice (SC-07), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Joe Cunningham (SC-01), and William Timmons (SC-04).
	During this pandemic, unconnected Americans are at more of a disadvantage than ever, the lawmakers wrote. Many facilities that previously provided free internet access, such as libraries and schools, are now closed in many states, and students without this access are likely to fall behind their peers. Patients may have difficulty receiving the appropriate health care if they are unable to interact with their provider through remote video communication. Americans without an internet connection are also unable to access information provided online by federal, state, and local public health officials, increasing their vulnerability to the virus. These compelling reasons for expanding affordable broadband access only scratch the surface of the urgency of the need to connect all Americans."" 
The full text of the letter can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-bipartisan-colleagues-introduce-great-american-outdoors-act,"Cunningham, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce the Great American Outdoors Act",2020-06-04,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation fully funds LWCF and addresses critical repairs in our national parks
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today introduced the Great American Outdoors Act, bipartisan legislation to fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address priority repair needs in our national parks and other land management agencies. Cunningham was joined by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Mike Simpson (R-ID), TJ Cox (D-CA), John Katko (R-NY), Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Kendra Horn (D-OK), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Jared Golden (D-ME), and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). 
This bill is the House companion legislation to the Great American Outdoors Act introduced in the Senate (S. 3422) by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-C0) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). In March, President Trump called on Congress to send this legislation to his desk to be signed into law. The Great American Outdoors Act has drawn the support of more than 900 organizations across the country, including local businesses, the recreation industry, veterans groups, conservation organizations, tourism and travel associations, sportsmen, and infrastructure groups. 
Over the past five decades, LWCF has become the gold standard of conservation programs and has invested more than $303.5 million in South Carolina to protect its recreational areas and open spaces, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. Last year we permanently reauthorized LWCF and now the time has come to make its funding permanent. LWCF has enriched countless lives in the Lowcountry by protecting many of the places that make our community unique and irreplaceable, from the Folly Beach Boardwalk to Hunting Island State Park. I stand with our community, environmental and sportsmen groups, and business and tourism leaders to urge my colleagues to pass the Great American Outdoors Act as soon as possible, permanently fund LWCF and address the maintenance backlog across our national parks and public lands. 
The bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act is a much-needed win for the American people. It will create jobs in communities across America, restore aging national park and public lands infrastructure, preserve historic sites, and protect recreation access, said Marcia Argust, project director of The Pew Charitable Trusts' restore America's parks campaign. Now more than ever, people recognize the importance of getting outside. Taking care of these places and the communities and small businesses that depend on them is a smart investment, said Marcia Argust, Project Director, The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The Great American Outdoors Act provides desperately needed investment to communities across the country. The Land and Water Conservation Fund preserves our natural and cultural heritage, it helps tell the stories of the diverse communities in our country, and it supports green spaces across the countryproviding greater access to nature closer to home while supporting our outdoor recreation economy. That's why it's more important than ever to invest in our health and economic recovery by fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addressing the maintenance needs in our national parks and other public lands. Congressman Cunningham is once again leading the way on commonsense conservation solutions. This bill introduction accelerates the momentum across both chambers of Congress for the Great American Outdoors Act. Let's get it done, said Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters.
Congressman Joe Cunningham knows that a healthy environment and vibrant economy go hand in hand. That's why his support for investing in our parks, trails, and outdoor spaces is a key part of our state's and nation's recovery. Parks and outdoor spaces support local tourism and outdoor recreation businesses while also helping to improve our mental and physical health - lowering stress and keeping us physically active. Supporting this type of win-win investment for the Lowcountry economy and environment is what we've come to expect from a Lowcountry environmental champion like Congressman Cunningham, said John Tynan, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of South Carolina. 
South Carolinians of all ages have long looked to the outdoors to help provide a sense of health and well-being, and I've long said, conservation is a team sport.' I appreciate Rep. Cunningham's efforts to spearhead this bipartisan legislation that will provide critical federal support for public outdoor recreation. This legislation will help South Carolinians continue to live life outdoors by restoring, enhancing, and protecting public outdoor places for enjoyment by present and future generations, said Robert H. Boyles, Director of the SC Department of Natural Resources. 
Perhaps now more than ever, Americans have a strong desire to be outdoors, which is why Ducks Unlimited joined the Responsible Recreation movement. Whether you're an avid hunter or angler, or simply enjoy experiencing the beauty of our natural landscapes, our nation's federal lands offer ample opportunity for everyone. The Great American Outdoors Act will increase access to the more than 600 million acres of land that belong to the American people, and we applaud Congressman Cunningham for his leadership on behalf of our nation's shared natural resources, said Mike McShane, former SC DNR Board Chairman and current Ducks Unlimited Board Member.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/transcript-press-conference-after-unrest-charleston-following-murder-george,Transcript of Press Conference After Unrest in Charleston Following the Murder of George Floyd,2020-06-01,2020,2020-06,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Thank you Mayor and thank you Chief.
I think one thing we can all agree on in the scene from last night and what has transpired throughout our country is that people are mad as hell.
People are mad as hell about what's going on and what's been going on.
And the fact is, if you can watch on camera a young man saying that he can't breathe while someone has their knee on his neck, and you don't feel angry, you may not have a beating heart inside of you.
And if you see the injustice that prevails throughout our country and you see that occurring within our own backyard, as we have seen here in Charleston with the death of Walter Scott and with what happened at Mother Emanuel. And you see that racism just simmering beneath the surface and often times boiling up over it.
You see all that going on  and that's just what we see. That's just what's recorded. And that's just what's reported. Not to mention what we don't see. What's not caught on iPhone or what's not reported.
If you know all that and don't feel that anger, then you don't understand the situation. But just as important as that anger is what is done with that anger and what's done with that emotion. And last night, that anger was severely misplaced. It was taken out on business owners, on employees that had nothing to do with what happened in Minneapolis or the underlying tone.
I walked down King Street today, helping out local businesses sweep up glass. I talked to business owners who had their family working with them at their business.
I talked to folks who stood on King Street fighting off violent protesters, and it does a serious disservice to everything that is trying to be accomplished and trying to bridge that racial divide when you shatter windows, when you light cars on fire.
It's not becoming of who we are as a country, and sure as hell isn't becoming of who we are as a community.
I pray to God tonight that the fire departments and the police department swill bring us protection and I pray to God that each and every citizen looks deep within their heart to realize what's wrong and realize the path to recovery. And recognize that it's not through fire and it's not through shattering windows. But it's through conversations, it's through legislation, it's through working together as a community and trying to heal the scars of our country and our city  not simply pick at the scabs and make it bleed further.
And I pray that tonight and in the nights that follow we will continue living up to our name as the Holy City. Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-bipartisan-legislation-improve-paycheck-protection-program,Cunningham Votes on Bipartisan Legislation to Improve the Paycheck Protection Program,2020-05-28,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today voted to pass bipartisan legislation to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), by providing much needed flexibility to Lowcountry small business owners. 

Congress created the PPP to address the immediate needs of small businesses and allow them to maintain their workforce as stay-at-home orders shuttered businesses. However, some of the loan guidelines have put undue strain on these vulnerable businesses, creating additional roadblocks instead of providing relief.
The PPP Flexibility Act improves the program in the following ways, in order to make it more accessible and usable for vulnerable small businesses:
 Allows loan forgiveness for expenses beyond the 8-week covered period to 24 weeks and extends the rehiring deadline;
	Increases the current limitation on the use of loan proceeds for nonpayroll expenses from 25 percent to 40 percent;
	Extends the program from June 30th to December 31st;
	Extends loan terms from two years to five years; and
	Ensures full access to payroll tax deferment for businesses that take PPP loans. 
 In the countless conversations I've had with Lowcountry small business owners and workers, it is clear that inflexible, one-size-fits-all rules have prevented many small businesses from fully taking advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. This bipartisan legislation helps fix those problems and makes this important relief program more accessible and usable for the small businesses that need it the most. I'm glad to see Congress put politics aside today and deliver this needed-relief to our constituents.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-palazzo-introduce-support-our-national-guard-act,Cunningham and Palazzo Introduce the Support Our National Guard Act,2020-05-22,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation Would Give National Guardsmen Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic Transitional Health Care Benefits
Washington, D.C.  Reps. Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Steven Palazzo (R-MS) today introduced the Support Our National Guard Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide transitional health care benefits to National Guard servicemembers who have aided the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic under Title 32 502(f) orders.
Under current law, National Guard servicemembers serving on federally funded duty orders are entitled to six months of transitional TRICARE coverage after they are demobilized, under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). However, the servicemembers currently activated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not eligible for TAMP benefits. This legislation would remedy the situation by requiring the Defense Department to provide TAMP benefits to any National Guard servicemember activated to support the government response to the pandemic.
The South Carolina National Guard has provided critical support to our state's COVID-19 response efforts, serving alongside doctors, nurses, first responders, and other heroes of the coronavirus pandemic, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. They've put themselves at great risk each day to provide indispensable help establishing provisional hospitals, feeding members of their community, and ensuring hospitals receive essential PPE and other medical supplies. This common-sense bill ensures that they continue to receive critical health care coverage when they return home to their families. 
The National Guard has always been ready to serve the American people, no matter how big the challenge. As the coronavirus spread through the nation, members of the Guard once again put the needs of others before their own. As a way to support these individuals, our legislation aims to allow Guardsmen to qualify for transitional TRICARE up to 180 days after a COVID-19 related deployment, said Rep. Palazzo, Co-Chair of the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus.
This legislation has been endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States and is the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senators Joe Manchin (D-VW) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). 
Background: 
There are currently over 45,000 National Guard servicemembers on active orders supporting state and federal coronavirus response operations on the front lines of this crisis. To date, over 1,000 servicemembers in the National Guard have contracted the coronavirus. Yesterday, Cunningham joined over 70 of his colleagues to urge the Department of Defense (DOD) to extend the activations of men and women in the National for the duration of the President's emergency and disaster declarations so they can continue to assist with the nation's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The call comes after it was reported that the June 24 deadline would fall just short of the 90 days of service required for many members of the National Guard to qualify for certain federal benefits, including the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill.
Last month, Cunningham introduced the Pandemic Hazard Pay Expansion Act, critical legislation that would expand hazard duty pay to uniformed servicemembers whose duties put them at risk of exposure to a pandemic disease in a Public Health Emergency, including COVID-19 response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-vote-against-partisan-coronavirus-response-package,Cunningham to Vote Against Partisan Coronavirus Response Package,2020-05-15,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today announced he would vote against H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, releasing the following statement: 

This is Washington politics at its worst. While South Carolina families, small business owners, and workers are struggling, now is not the time to advance a partisan wish list or refuse to come to the negotiating table. At a time when our country is in real trouble, we should not be spending precious time on one-sided solutions that aren't going anywhere.

Congress has an obligation to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. American small businesses, families, and our state and local governments urgently need more aid, but it must be targeted -- especially when we are discussing spending trillions of dollars. Instead, this legislation includes unrelated partisan objectives without adequately funding the small business resources my constituents desperately need. 
  Over the last few months, as America has confronted an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, Congress has put politics aside to pass bipartisan legislation that provided our constituents with much-needed relief. It is incredibly disappointing that we were not able to do that today. Now it is time for both sides to go back to the negotiating table and deliver bipartisan results that provide desperately-needed aid to state and local governments, and increased funding and flexibility for small businesses.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-klobuchar-and-diaz-balart-urge-administration-raise-public-awareness,"Cunningham, Klobuchar, and Diaz-Balart Urge Administration to Raise Public Awareness of Plasma Donation Program",2020-05-13,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Those who have recovered from coronavirus (COVID-19)  such as Cunningham, Diaz-Balart, and Klobuchar's husband, John Bessler - have antibodies to the disease in their blood which may help others fight the virus
Washington, D.C. - Reps. Joe Cunningham (D-SC), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wrote a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the Administration to raise public awareness of the importance and benefits of plasma donation in the effort to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The federally sponsored Expanded Access Program for convalescent plasma, an investigational treatment for COVID-19, involves giving patients with a coronavirus infection an infusion of antibody-rich plasma from someone who has recovered from the virus.
People who've recovered may have antibodies to the disease in their blood that can help those critically ill from COVID-19 fight the virus. One plasma donation can help up to four people. Cunningham made a convalescent plasma donation in April at a facility in the Lowcountry.
Given the unprecedented scale and nature of this outbreak, is it critically important that we support the development of safe and science-based treatments. In some cases, clinicians and investigators rely on plasma donations by people who have recovered to develop these treatments, the lawmakers wrote.
We understand that FDA and CDC have taken initial steps to encourage plasma donation by partnering with outside organizations, issuing guidance on plasma collection, and developing an informational webpage. We encourage FDA and CDC to take additional steps to effectively share these resources with the public, people who have recovered from coronavirus, and hospitals and health systems caring for patients with the virus.
Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below:
Dear Commissioner Hahn and Director Redfield,
We write to encourage the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take additional steps to increase public awareness of the importance and benefits of plasma donation as we respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Given the unprecedented scale and nature of this outbreak, is it critically important that we support the development of safe and science-based treatments. In some cases, clinicians and investigators rely on plasma donation by people who have recovered to develop these treatments.
As you are aware, the Mayo Clinic is leading a national Expanded Access Program that collaborates with the American Red Cross to coordinate the collection and distribution of convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to people in need across the country. This convalescent plasma contains antibodies that could help other patients struggling with the illness caused by the coronavirus. As of May 4, over 2,000 sites and 9,000 patients have participated in the Expanded Access Program. Johns Hopkins University is leading another investigational treatment using a biological product from convalescent plasma known as hyperimmune globulin to help reduce the severity of coronavirus infections.
Investigational therapies  which often lead to promising and even life-saving treatments  are being evaluated for their effectiveness in COVID-19 cases and rely on sufficient supplies of convalescent plasma from donors. Shortages of convalescent plasma have left some families in areas with fewer COVID-19 cases in search of possible donors on their own. Expanding the number of people who volunteer to donate plasma is especially important in light of recent accounts highlighting eligibility requirements and screening protocols that have reportedly limited the number of volunteers who actually qualify to donate.
We understand that FDA and CDC have taken initial steps to encourage plasma donation by partnering with outside organizations, issuing guidance on plasma collection, and developing an informational webpage. We encourage FDA and CDC to take additional steps to effectively share these resources with the public, people who have recovered from coronavirus, and hospitals and health systems caring for patients with the virus.  
We also respectfully request your answers to the following questions:
 How are patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and hospitals and health systems that treat COVID-19 patients made aware of the FDA and CDC's existing resources on plasma donation? Other than the efforts outlined above, are there additional ways in which the FDA and CDC have communicated the scientific importance and benefits of donating plasma?
	Do the FDA and CDC have the authorities to widely publicize the need for plasma donation during this pandemic as part of, or in addition to, any existing partnerships through social media and other platforms?
	What additional resources or authorities do the FDA and CDC need from Congress to ensure that health professionals and the public are aware of the heightened importance of donating plasma during this time?
 Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter. We look forward to working with you to increase awareness of the importance of donating plasma to advance our understanding of the coronavirus pandemic.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-sc-legislature-make-elections-safer-during-covid-19-crisis,Cunningham Calls on SC Legislature to Make Elections Safer During COVID-19 Crisis,2020-05-12,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C. Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today called on the South Carolina Legislature to take further action to keep voters safe in upcoming elections during the COVID-19 crisis. Congress appropriated $400 million for states to protect their election in the Coronavirus Aid Response and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In a letter to South Carolina Speaker JayLucasand Senate President Harvey Peeler, Cunningham expressed his support fora provisionin the emergency budget legislation under consideration in the state house this weekthatprovides $15 million toprotect voters and poll workers inSouth Carolina's election, as well as the additional $6.3 million of CARES Act election assistance funding requested by the South Carolina Election Commission (SEC).
Cunningham highlighted the SEC's proposals to expand absentee ballot access and allow for early voting as important measures the Legislature should consider taking. Mail-in and early voting options would go a long way in reducing congestion at polling locations on election day and safeguarding the health of our constituents,Cunningham wrote.But, given the time it would take to implement these changes, it is imperative that we act now. And I urge the Legislature to take swift action during this week's emergency session.
  Cunningham offered his support as a federal representative to South Carolina to ensure the state has access to the federal resources and funding necessary to implement these solutions effectively, efficiently, and securely.
Full text of the letter can be found online and below:
Dear Speaker Lucas and President Peeler,
Thank you for your work to keep the people of South Carolina safe through this unprecedented global crisis. As the General Assembly comes into session today to address the state's budget and coronavirus spending, I write to you today to extend my support for further action to keep voters safe in the coming 2020 elections.
As a devoted adherent to our nation's Constitution, I acknowledge and respect that the framers intended that the responsibility of administering South Carolina's elections lay principally on the state's legislature. However, as Alexander Hamilton noted in The Federalist No. 59, they also empowered the federal government to intercede when extraordinary circumstances deem it necessary. It is in that spirit that Congress appropriated $400 million for states to protect their elections and that I offer my commitment to ensuring South Carolina has any further resources it may need.
The coronavirus pandemic threatens our citizens, economy, and way of life, including our election process. Social distancing guidelines have proven essential in slowing its spread, but they also pose a unique challenge to election administration. And while many states, including South Carolina, have already begun the process of easing these restrictions, it is impossible to predict what position we will be in come November. 
As you are well aware, South Carolina's current voting laws makes our state's election process particularly vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus. That is why I was encouraged to see that the emergency budget legislation under consideration this week includes $15 million to secure our election, as well as the additional $6.3 million of CARES Act election assistance funding requested by the South Carolina Election Commission (SEC). 
I also strongly support the SEC's proposals outlined in their March 30th letter to state leadership, including expanding absentee ballot access and allowing for early voting. Mail-in and early voting options would go a long way in reducing congestion at polling locations on election day and safeguarding the health of our constituents. But, given the time it would take to implement these changes, it is imperative that we act now. And I urge the Legislature to take swift action during this week's emergency session. 
I appreciate that implementing such wide-scale changes will be costly and that many in our state have reasonable concerns about the effects these changes might have on the security of our elections. That is why, as a federal representative to the state, I pledge to do everything in my power to ensure South Carolina has access to the federal resources and funding necessary to implement these solutions effectively, efficiently, and securely. Accordingly, in order to aid in my efforts to advocate on behalf of our state, I request your response to the following:
 What is the State of South Carolina's plan to protect voters and poll workers if a reemergence of the coronavirus in the fall necessitates social distancing protocols?
	Do you support expanding absentee ballot access, including by allowing no-excuse absentee voting, allowing applications to be submitted electronically, or removing the witness signature requirement? If not, why?
	Do you support allowing voters to cast ballots in person at designated polling places prior to the date of the election? If not, why?
	Would the state require additional federal resources to implement the proposals outlined in the SEC's March 30th letter to state leadership, if they were enacted by the Legislature?
	Would the state require additional resources to ensure the security of the election if any of these proposals were enacted, including funding for physical security of ballots, chain of custody procedures, and election law enforcement?
 Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical issue and I look forward to your reply. We cannot and must not ask our constituents to choose between their health and their right to vote.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-and-torres-small-lead-effort-give-businesses-more-flexibility-spend,Cunningham and Torres Small Lead Effort to Give Businesses More Flexibility to Spend PPP Funds,2020-05-08,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Reps. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02) today led a bipartisan effort to give businesses more flexibility to spend Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds as they respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Congress created the PPP to address the immediate needs of small businesses and allow them to maintain their workforce as stay-at-home orders shuttered businesses. However, some of the guidelines for spending have put undue strain on these vulnerable businesses, creating additional roadblocks instead of providing relief. 
Current guidelines state that the entirety of the loan must be spent within an 8-week window, and require businesses to rehire employees and return to full staffing levels by June 30, 2020. These requirements do not reflect the current state of the crisis and many businesses are finding it impossible to do so while meeting other stipulations of the loan program. If businesses cannot meet every requirement, their loan will not be forgiven, thrusting them into debt without any revenue source to pay it back.
Businesses are acting in good faith to keep their businesses operational and their employees on payroll, the lawmakers wrote. While it is essential that we implement accountability measures and guidelines on how these loans must be spent, it's important that we give businesses the flexibility to spend these funds over a longer time period given the scale of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and if we allow them to fail now, our local economies will take years to fully recover. 
Full text of the letter can be found online and below: 
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer:
As Congress continues to respond to the threat of the novel coronavirus across the country, it is essential that we institute policies that address the needs of our most vulnerable small businesses. We must reconsider the initial timelines and limitations put in place for our small business assistance programs as the extent of this crisis becomes clearer each day.
The idea behind the Paycheck Protection Loan Program (PPP) was simple. We wanted to cover the immediate needs of small businesses and allow them to maintain their workforce to pre-pandemic levels while national emergency and state stay home orders persisted. However, as applicants have started to receive their loans from the first round of PPP funding, it is clear the guidelines for spending are putting undue strain on these businesses, and in many cases creating additional roadblocks instead of providing much-needed relief.
Both Congress and the Department of Treasury established guidelines to ensure that PPP funds are used appropriately and within a reasonable timeframe. Among these guidelines is the requirement that the entirety of the loan must be spent within the 8-week window immediately following receipt of the loan. This requirement makes it impossible for businesses to responsibly pace their spending in order to keep their businesses open in the long-term, as many will not have revenue after that 8-week period if stay home orders and business closures persist. Consequently, this could mean many employees who have been brought back on payroll through the PPP loan will not be maintained. This would defeat the objective of the PPP, which is to keep people on payroll and off unemployment for the extent of this crisis.
Additionally, the requirement put on businesses to rehire employees and return to full staffing levels by June 30, 2020 does not reflect the current state of the crisis. We commend this attempt to offer flexibility as businesses slowly work to get back on their feet, while recognizing the importance of returning to full staffing levels as quickly as possible. However, it will be impossible for many businesses to continue working toward full employment by the end of June, especially under the expectation that the economy will not fully reopen until after the summer. June 30th is simply too soon to expect businesses to return to normal operations.
Businesses that have received PPP loans are trying hard to meet these requirements, but many are finding it impossible to do so while meeting the other requirements of the loan program. And if businesses cannot meet every requirement, their loan will not be forgiven, thrusting them into debt without any revenue source to pay it back. By providing employers flexibility to utilize PPP payroll funds over a longer time period, many employees will be retained through the most severe period of revenue loss and small businesses will be able to return to full time employment once demand returns.
Businesses are acting in good faith to keep their businesses operational and their employees on payroll. While it is essential that we implement accountability measures and guidelines on how these loans must be spent, it's important that we give businesses the flexibility to spend these funds over a longer time period given the scale of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and if we allow them to fail now, our local economies will take years to fully recover.
Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-more-aid-lowcountry-fisheries,Cunningham Calls for More Aid for Lowcountry Fisheries,2020-05-06,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Following a listening session with the Lowcountry fishing community arranged by the South Carolina Aquarium's Good Catch Program, Rep. Joe Cunningham called for more aid for Lowcountry fisheries impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Cunningham joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to call on Congressional leadership to provide $20 billion dollars in support for America's domestic fisheries in any forthcoming coronavirus response legislation.
The COVID-19 virus has resulted in the near total closure of the hospitality and tourism industry both domestically and overseas, the lawmakers wrote. Domestic fisheries support more than 1.7 million jobs in the United States and create more than $64 billion dollars in economic activity annually. America's fisheries are amongst the most sustainable in the world and are the way of life for countless families from Dutch Harbor to New Bedford, Morro Bay to Chatham, Honolulu to the Florida Panhandle. 
The full text of the letter can be found online and below: 
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy: 
As you consider the many industries that have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 in forthcoming stimulus legislation, we would like to single out America's domestic commercial fisheries and seafood industry for special consideration. While we were pleased to see that you were able to work with our Senate colleagues to include $300 million dollars to support our domestic fisheries in the CARES Act, this number is insufficient to the task of supporting this essential, iconic and sustainable industry as the crisis continues. 
The COVID-19 virus has resulted in the near total closure of the hospitality and tourism industry both domestically and overseas. With nearly 70% of seafood produced in the United States being consumed in restaurants, coupled with traditional export markets being eliminated by travel and trade restrictions, America's domestic fisheries face a time of unparalleled uncertainty. 
Domestic fisheries support more than 1.7 million jobs in the United States and create more than $64 billion dollars in economic activity annually. America's fisheries are amongst the most sustainable in the world and are the way of life for countless families from Dutch Harbor to New Bedford, Morro Bay to Chatham, Honolulu to the Florida Panhandle. 
To meet the unprecedented challenges facing America's domestic fisheries after the near total collapse of traditional markets, we are asking you to provide $20 billion dollars in support for America's domestic fisheries in any forthcoming stimulus legislation. 
A significant part of this funding should be immediately prioritized to augment the initial $300 million in direct fishery disaster assistance to fishing families and their communities as they attempt to recover from the COVID pandemic. We must also utilize this funding to direct the Department of Commerce to coordinate with individual States to identify and purchase surplus seafood products for donation purposes to provide a safe protein source for our citizens in need; and fund the development of markets and advertising campaigns to increase seafood consumption in the near-term. 
In addition, we are also presented with a unique opportunity to make a down payment on the future stability and development of the American fisheries industry. The COVID pandemic has provided clear evidence that the United States needs to start building the resilient infrastructure that will prepare America's fishermen for the future.
To meet these needs, we believe funding from a future stimulus should be used to help our domestic commercial fishing and seafood industry in the following prioritized areas: 
 Substantially increasing the monies available for fishery disaster assistance with an emphasis on timeliness and fairness across all regions and States.
	Working with States and fisheries stakeholder groups to identify products currently available for purchase/donation and develop seafood marketing opportunities for domestically produced fisheries commodities in the US.
	Creating regional advertising campaigns to educate consumers on how to cook more seafood at home. 
	Expanding the Fisheries Finance Program (FFP) to create more opportunity to finance and refinance existing businesses while protecting the Traditional program uses. 
	Modernizing NOAA Fisheries data collection and publication system.
	Where appropriate, increasing funding for electronic monitoring to reduce reliance upon on-board, at-sea observers, to protect human health while still adequately monitoring fisheries. As well as funding or subsidizing human observer programs in fisheries which would be otherwise unviable. 
	Reinvigorating NOAA fisheries stock assessment systems, particularly in areas where traditional surveys will be disrupted by the development of offshore wind. 
	Updating the physical infrastructure of the NOAA Fisheries Service, by rebuilding NOAA's Science Centers and Regional Fisheries offices.
	Ensuring tribal and subsistence fisheries are fully are fully supported.
	Expanding the Sea Grant College Program.
 The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many underlying weaknesses in the global economy, which has highlighted the importance of taking steps now to not only shore up the economic health of fishing families and their communities, but also to put the infrastructure in place to ensure long-term success and sustainability of America's fisheries. We again respectfully request that any additional stimulus or infrastructure package continue to support America's fishermen in the amount of $20 billion dollars.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/fisheries-letter,Fisheries Letter,2020-05-06,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"710 Boundary Street, Suite 1D",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-more-oversight-sba-eidl-program,Cunningham Calls for More Oversight of SBA on EIDL Program,2020-05-05,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Joins his colleagues on calling for the SBA to continue to process EIDL applications
Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham joined a group of nearly 100 lawmakers to call on the Small Business Administration (SBA) to accept new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applicants and provide current applicants with an update on their loan status.
The EIDL program can offer a vital lifeline for many struggling small businesses in the Lowcountry, providing a way for them to keep their businesses afloat through working capital, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. But I have heard from far too many business owners who have waited weeks to hear from the SBA about their application, at a time when uncertainty and poor communication is the last thing they need. The SBA must immediately provide these applicants with an update on the status of their application and continue to process new applications as they make their way through the backlog.
The oversight letter called on the SBA to enact a queue for new applicants to the EIDL program to ensure all small businesses can make use of new Congressionally-enacted funding; a mechanism to update EIDL applicants on the status of their loan application; daily updates on loan data to Congress; and, to communicate with Congress about the technical strains on funding disbursement.
While the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) strives to help workers and businesses weather the near-term economic consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, the EIDL program is meant to equip businesses with the necessary working capital to plan for their long-term financial future. These loans, with long-term repayment options, provide America's small businesses with the financial wherewithal to ensure they can outlast the immediate economic uncertainty and make the necessary investments towards long-term success.
Full text of the letter is online and below:
Dear Administrator Carranza,
Thank you for your work assisting small businesses during these unprecedented times. We appreciate the challenges posed by the magnitude of the crisis and the scale of the Congressionally authorized response. We also know how hard you and your team are working to address the issues confronted by many of our local small businesses.
We write to you about the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the urgent need for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide a means for our constituents to check on the status of their applications and for the SBA to keep Congress informed.
As you well know, the EIDL program has long been a vital lifeline for millions of small businesses around the country in times of emergency. Thanks to the long-term repayment options and flexible use of funds, EIDLs have been helpful for small businesses navigating their long-term financial future.
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have been heartened to hear that, with the additional funding Congress has provided, SBA will now ensure that individuals left out of the first round of funding will hold their original place in the queue and do not need to reapply. However, many of our constituents who applied for this program have yet to hear about the status of their application. In fact, many small businesses have been without meaningful information from the SBA for weeks.
Additionally, the WashingtonPostreported that as many as 8,000 EIDL applicants may have had their personal information  including Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information  inadvertently exposed. While the SBA notifying potentially exposed applicants and offering a year of credit monitoring is a start, we believe the SBA must do more to ensure data security for all SBA loan applicants. Furthermore, we believe SBA must assure Congress the back-end components to EIDL, like server capacity and data integrity, are operating effectively and efficiently.
In response to these concerns, and in order to inform Congressional oversight of the EIDL program, especially as the SBA makes use of a new round of funding, we ask for your timely response to the following requests:
 Create an EIDL application queue: SBA has stated that it will not be opening the EIDL program to additional applications until it has processed its existing backlog. This is an unacceptable plan. While we understand the SBA's desire to clear the applications it currently holds, refusing to accept new applications leave countless businesses still out in the cold. Only by soliciting all applications can the SBA and Congress have a comprehensive understanding of the demand by small businesses for this program and then make the necessary decisions to address any gaps.
 
 Provide EIDL applicants with an updated status of their applications: Many EIDL applicants have waited weeks for a response from the SBA and are now facing the reality they must plan their financial future in absence of SBA assistance. It is vital that SBA provide these applicants with an update on the status of their application. The current online portal does not provide meaningful information on the status of an application. Provision of needed information  including place in the queue and confirmation that all necessary paperwork has been received  can take the form of an automated email to all applicants or an electronic portal for applicants to check their status; however, simply deferring these applicants to the SBA Customer Service hotline is not an adequate response to the millions of applicants without answers
 
 Provide Congress with daily updates on EIDL processing: In order to effectively exercise oversight over the SBA's processing of EIDL, it is critical that the agency provide daily updates to Congress on how it is administering the program. The sporadic and incomplete data thus far provided to Congress has been woefully insufficient, making it impossible to conduct proper oversight and keep our constituents informed, Congress needs regular, timely, and complete data from the SBA about pending and approved applications, zip code-by-zip code and state-by-state breakdowns of funding, and a better understanding of how SBA is ensuring its capacity is meeting demand for the program.
 
 Communicate with Congress on the steps SBA is taking to ensure back-end capacity: Amid regular reports of SBA's EIDL web-portal crashing, constituents waiting hours to connect with SBA customer service representatives, and the recent news of the inadvertent exposure of personally identifiable information, it is critical SBA routinely brief Congress on the work it is doing to ensure the back-end integrity of the EIDL program. We recognize the historic demand for this program, and we commend the SBA for its work to meet the challenges this crisis poses. But we must work together to address the ways in which SBA's back-end capacity has fallen short  and that starts with keeping Congress fully apprised of SBA's efforts. We request a briefing within the next two weeks by SBA on the steps it is taking the address these concerns.
 Thank you, again, for your work to assist small businesses amid this unprecedented public health and economic crisis. We look forward to working together to ensure the effective administration of the EIDL program in service to our constituents.
 Given the urgency of these concerns, we request your response to these requests by May 8.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-eidl-oversight-letter,Cunningham EIDL Oversight Letter,2020-05-05,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"710 Boundary Street, Suite 1D",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-announces-plan-to-connect-all-south-carolinians-to-affordable-high-speed-internet/,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CONNECT ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET,2020-05-01,2020,2020-05,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn, Chair of the House Democratic Rural Broadband Task Force, along with 11 other Democratic colleagues working on the issue of universal broadband deployment, announced their plan to connect all Americans to affordable broadband internet. Their announcement outlined an updated and expanded version of the broadband provisions of House Democrats’ Moving America Forward Framework.

Congressman Clyburn has been the leading voice in Congress on making high-speed internet accessible and affordable for all Americans. The current pandemic crisis has highlighted the digital divide and the need to ensure all Americans have the ability to work, learn and receive health care via the internet.

“Speaking to a gathering in a small rural Tennessee church in the early 1940s, a farmer proclaimed, ‘Brothers and sisters: I want to tell you this. The greatest thing on Earth is to have the love of God in your heart. And the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.’ Just as the Great Depression made clear to all that electricity was the ‘next greatest thing’ in the 20th century, the coronavirus pandemic is making clear to all that broadband is the ‘next next greatest thing’ in the 21st century,” said House Majority Whip Clyburn. “Just as the Rural Electrification Act made electricity accessible and affordable to all Americans, the plan we are announcing today will make broadband accessible and affordable to all Americans. As we see millions of our fellow Americans unable to telework, learn remotely, or access telehealth because they lack broadband, now is the time to act.”

As a member of the House leadership, Congressman Clyburn championed a provision in the recent COVID-19 relief legislation that provides $200 million for a pilot program to help health care providers receive necessary broadband connectivity and devices for telehealth, provides $25 million to expand investments in distance learning and telemedicine, and allows both community health centers and rural clinics to be reimbursed for telehealth services during this time of emergency. His support of the CARES Act also provided nearly $500 thousand to the South Carolina State Library Agency to aid students in distance learning.

In addition to his Congressional efforts, Congressman Clyburn has spearheaded connectivity efforts by facilitating strategic partnerships between community leaders and service providers and by supporting funding to ensure accessible and affordable broadband for all South Carolinians. He has been working with wireless providers in the state to offer discounted rates to educational tech companies allowing the states to serve more students. He has also engaged with providers to encourage them to do more to support South Carolina during this public health crisis when access is crucial for services like virtual learning and telehealth.

These efforts build on Congressman Clyburn’s efforts to work with industry experts to ensure South Carolina has the best, most accurate, and most current broadband maps in the nation. Through this initiative, custom maps have been created for each county, electric cooperative, and South Carolina Telecommunications and Broadband Association member allowing these entities to more successfully target state and federal resources.

Last year, Congressman Clyburn also started a pilot project in Clarendon County working with school district and county leaders to survey students on internet access and adoption rates. This will provide necessary data to identify solutions to connect every student in the county to internet access.

In addition, Congressman Clyburn is working with South Carolina providers, including electric cooperatives, to help them compete for an estimated $350 million in funding available in the upcoming rural broadband auction at the FCC. This funding will allow providers who are ready to build now, to provide high-speed internet across South Carolina. The South Carolina electric-cooperatives who have committed to build high-speed fiber internet networks as soon as they receive federal funding include Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, York Electric Cooperative, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Santee Electric Cooperative, Newberry Electric Cooperative, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:07:19Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-announces-plan-connect-all-south-carolinians-affordable-high-speed,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CONNECT ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO AFFORDABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET,2020-04-30,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn, Chair of the House Democratic Rural Broadband Task Force, along with 11 other Democratic colleagues working on the issue of universal broadband deployment, announced their plan to connect all Americans to affordable broadband internet. Their announcement outlined an updated and expanded version of the broadband provisions of House Democrats' Moving America Forward Framework.
	Congressman Clyburn has been the leading voice in Congress on making high-speed internet accessible and affordable for all Americans. The current pandemic crisis has highlighted the digital divide and the need to ensure all Americans have the ability to work, learn and receive health care via the internet.
	Speaking to a gathering in a small rural Tennessee church in the early 1940s, a farmer proclaimed, Brothers and sisters: I want to tell you this. The greatest thing on Earth is to have the love of God in your heart. And the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.' Just as the Great Depression made clear to all that electricity was the next greatest thing' in the 20th century, the coronavirus pandemic is making clear to all that broadband is the next next greatest thing' in the 21st century, said House Majority Whip Clyburn. Just as the Rural Electrification Act made electricity accessible and affordable to all Americans, the plan we are announcing today will make broadband accessible and affordable to all Americans. As we see millions of our fellow Americans unable to telework, learn remotely, or access telehealth because they lack broadband, now is the time to act.
	As a member of the House leadership, Congressman Clyburn championed a provision in the recent COVID-19 relief legislation that provides $200 million for a pilot program to help health care providers receive necessary broadband connectivity and devices for telehealth, provides $25 million to expand investments in distance learning and telemedicine, and allows both community health centers and rural clinics to be reimbursed for telehealth services during this time of emergency. His support of the CARES Act also provided nearly $500 thousand to the South Carolina State Library Agency to aid students in distance learning.
	In addition to his Congressional efforts, Congressman Clyburn has spearheaded connectivity efforts by facilitating strategic partnerships between community leaders and service providers and by supporting funding to ensure accessible and affordable broadband for all South Carolinians. He has been working with wireless providers in the state to offer discounted rates to educational tech companies allowing the states to serve more students. He has also engaged with providers to encourage them to do more to support South Carolina during this public health crisis when access is crucial for services like virtual learning and telehealth.
	These efforts build on Congressman Clyburn's efforts to work with industry experts to ensure South Carolina has the best, most accurate, and most current broadband maps in the nation. Through this initiative, custom maps have been created for each county, electric cooperative, and South Carolina Telecommunications and Broadband Association member allowing these entities to more successfully target state and federal resources.
	Last year, Congressman Clyburn also started a pilot project in Clarendon County working with school district and county leaders to survey students on internet access and adoption rates. This will provide necessary data to identify solutions to connect every student in the county to internet access.
	In addition, Congressman Clyburn is working with South Carolina providers, including electric cooperatives, to help them compete for an estimated $350 million in funding available in the upcoming rural broadband auction at the FCC. This funding will allow providers who are ready to build now, to provide high-speed internet across South Carolina. The South Carolina electric-cooperatives who have committed to build high-speed fiber internet networks as soon as they receive federal funding include Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, York Electric Cooperative, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Santee Electric Cooperative, Newberry Electric Cooperative, Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Pee Dee Electric Cooperative.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-calls-kiawah-island-community-association-return-1-million,Cunningham Calls on Kiawah Island Community Association to Return $1 Million Coronavirus Loan,2020-04-30,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C. Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today called on Kiawah Island Community Association to return the $1 million coronavirus loan they obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Congress established the PPP as part of the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to aid small businesses in weathering this crisis and retaining their workforce.
I am incredibly disappointed that Kiawah Island Community Association took advantage of a program that was designed to offer a lifeline to struggling small businesses. When Congress approved spending billions of dollarsof taxpayer money to help small businesses and their workers survive this crisis, it wasn't meant for giant corporations with deep pockets or wealthy community associationswith millions of dollars in reserve funds.
""Every week, I talk to countless Lowcountry small business owners who desperately need relief and have not yet been able to receive it, folks like the Lowdown Oven and Bar on James Island or Church Mouse Thrift Shop on Hilton Head. We are a close-knit community here in the Lowcountry, and so when one of us suffers, we all suffer. Kiawah Island Community Association should return this loan immediately so that this relief can go where it was intended, to a struggling small business trying to keep the lights on and paychecks going to their employees.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-statement-kiawah-island-community-associations-decision-return-1,Cunningham Statement on Kiawah Island Community Association's Decision to Return $1 Million PPP Loan,2020-04-30,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mount Pleasant, S.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham released the following statement after the Kiawah Island Community Association announced its decision to return the $1 million coronavirus loan they obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Cunningham called on the community association to return their loan earlier today:
I'm glad to see Kiawah Island Community Association do the right thing and return the $1 million PPP loan they received. Congress approved the spending of billions of dollars in taxpayer money to help small businesses weather this storm and keep paychecks going to their employees, not pad the pocketbooks of giant corporations or wealthy community associations that have millions of dollars in reserve. We must now get this money into the hands of the Lowcountry small businesses and workers who desperately need relief.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-announces-more-than-750-thousand-in-scholarship-funds-for-south-carolina-state-university/,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $750 THOUSAND IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY,2020-04-25,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"Columbia, S.C. – Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced that South Carolina State University has received $752,632 in National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funding from NIFA’s 1890 Scholarships Program. The program was founded in 2018 and provides scholarships at 1890 land-grant colleges and universities to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of undergraduate students.

South Carolina State University was one of 19 grant recipients. The funding will support SC State’s 1890 Research and Extension Agriculture Innovation Scholars by providing scholarships to encourage outstanding students to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields. By developing a highly skilled workforce, the 1890 Scholarships Program helps facilitate rural prosperity and economic development aligning with USDA’s strategic goals.

“I am pleased that South Carolina State University and other land-grant institutions will be receiving funding to support their exceptional students,” said Congressman Clyburn. “These scholarships ensure South Carolina State bulldogs continue to become leaders in agriculture by relieving the financial burden on students while providing them with career development opportunities and preparing them for future careers. This funding is an investment in the future of agriculture.”

NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:02:07Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-announces-more-750-thousand-scholarship-funds-south-carolina-state,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $750 THOUSAND IN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY,2020-04-24,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Columbia, S.C.  Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced that South Carolina State University has received $752,632 in National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funding from NIFA's 1890 Scholarships Program. The program was founded in 2018 and provides scholarships at 1890 land-grant colleges and universities to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of undergraduate students.
South Carolina State University was one of 19 grant recipients. The funding will support SC State's 1890 Research and Extension Agriculture Innovation Scholars by providing scholarships to encourage outstanding students to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields. By developing a highly skilled workforce, the 1890 Scholarships Program helps facilitate rural prosperity and economic development aligning with USDA's strategic goals.
I am pleased that South Carolina State University and other land-grant institutions will be receiving funding to support their exceptional students, said Congressman Clyburn. These scholarships ensure South Carolina State bulldogs continue to become leaders in agriculture by relieving the financial burden on students while providing them with career development opportunities and preparing them for future careers. This funding is an investment in the future of agriculture.
NIFA's mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA's investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-announces-more-than-1-million-in-african-american-civil-rights-historic-preservation-fund-grants-for-south-carolina/,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND GRANTS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA,2020-04-08,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced that South Carolina has received $1,043,897 in National Park Service (NPS) funding from African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund grants dedicated to preserving the sites and history related to the African American struggle for equality in the 20th century. The three grants will support projects, educational programming, and the rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings at Allen University, Benedict College, and the University of South Carolina.

“The preservation of these projects is an invaluable investment in the campuses, communities and individuals they serve,” said Congressman Clyburn. “I am pleased that these funds will continue to allow our communities to learn from the Civil Rights Movement and the important role that South Carolina played in making America’s greatness apply more fairly and equitably to all of its citizens.”

Allen University will receive $43,897 to develop programming to promote knowledge about the vital role that African-American newspapers played in South Carolina’s civil rights movement. The project will develop educational and interpretive materials and public programming related specifically to The Lighthouse and Informer, which was published in Columbia, South Carolina from 1941 to 1954. Edited by outspoken civil rights advocate John Henry McCray, the newspaper broke news stories about watershed civil rights issues frequently overlooked by the state’s white owned newspapers. This grant will support research by six undergraduate students from regional HBCUs that will explore and interpret existing issues of these historical newspapers currently archived in the University of South Carolina’s Caroliniana Library and collect oral histories from members of the Waverly community who were alive when the paper was published. Research activities will culminate in a symposium hosted at Allen University in February 2021 focusing on civil rights and the African-American Press. The symposium will feature prominent scholars and professionals in the field of journalism who will address the significance of African-American journalists in motivating civil rights activism and legislation, and it will also provide student researchers with a forum to present their research projects to a broader public audience.

Benedict College will receive $500,000 to renovate the Starks Center to preserve the historic building that played a significant role in the African American Civil Rights Movement. This project will also serve as an educational tool for students, employees and the community on the role Benedict College played during the Civil Rights Era. The Starks Center was the hub for organizations to host planning sessions for Civil Rights activities during the late 1930s and the mid-1970s. On November 10, 1939, eight chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people met in the building to organize the South Carolina Conference of Branches of the NAACP. It was also one of the meeting places for Benedict College students Charles Barr, Milton Greene, James Edwards and Talmadge Neal who spearheaded demonstrations and protests in downtown Columbia and whose arrests resulted in the iconic cases of Edwards v. South Carolina and Barr v. City of Columbia. It set the precedence for legal gathering and illegal charges of trespassing.

The University of South Carolina will receive $500,000 to continue renovations on the historic Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building, which will become the permanent space for the University of South Carolina’s Center for Civil Rights History and Research’s exhibit: “Justice for All: South Carolina and the American Civil Rights Movement.” The Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building is the only surviving building from Booker T. Washington High School and is one of the last remaining original structures within the historic Ward One and Wheeler One communities that were displaced during urban renewal. Initially founded in 1916 as an elementary school, in 1918 Booker T. Washington became the first public high school for African American students in Columbia. Civil rights leaders J. Andrew Simmons, Septima Clark and Modjeska Simkins taught at the school in the 1930s, and NAACP attorneys Matthew Perry (class of 1939) and Lincoln Jenkins (class of 1936) attended the school as students, along with many other individuals who became important members of the African American community in Columbia. In 1956, the auditorium building was constructed as part of a campaign to “equalize” school facilities in an attempt to stave off desegregation (buildings now known as “equalization schools”). The Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 due to its historic significance as a vital educational, social, and economic cornerstone of the African American community in Columbia as well as its significance as part of the equalization program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-28T00:02:07Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-announces-more-1-million-african-american-civil-rights-historic,CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND GRANTS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA,2020-04-07,2020,2020-04,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"COLUMBIA, S.C.  Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced that South Carolina has received $1,043,897 in National Park Service (NPS) funding from African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund grants dedicated to preserving the sites and history related to the African American struggle for equality in the 20th century. The three grants will support projects, educational programming, and the rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings at Allen University, Benedict College, and the University of South Carolina.
	The preservation of these projects is an invaluable investment in the campuses, communities and individuals they serve, said Congressman Clyburn. I am pleased that these funds will continue to allow our communities to learn from the Civil Rights Movement and the important role that South Carolina played in making America's greatness apply more fairly and equitably to all of its citizens.
	Allen University will receive $43,897 to develop programming to promote knowledge about the vital role that African-American newspapers played in South Carolina's civil rights movement. The project will develop educational and interpretive materials and public programming related specifically to The Lighthouse and Informer, which was published in Columbia, South Carolina from 1941 to 1954. Edited by outspoken civil rights advocate John Henry McCray, the newspaper broke news stories about watershed civil rights issues frequently overlooked by the state's white owned newspapers. This grant will support research by six undergraduate students from regional HBCUs that will explore and interpret existing issues of these historical newspapers currently archived in the University of South Carolina's Caroliniana Library and collect oral histories from members of the Waverly community who were alive when the paper was published. Research activities will culminate in a symposium hosted at Allen University in February 2021 focusing on civil rights and the African-American Press. The symposium will feature prominent scholars and professionals in the field of journalism who will address the significance of African-American journalists in motivating civil rights activism and legislation, and it will also provide student researchers with a forum to present their research projects to a broader public audience.
	Benedict College will receive $500,000 to renovate the Starks Center to preserve the historic building that played a significant role in the African American Civil Rights Movement. This project will also serve as an educational tool for students, employees and the community on the role Benedict College played during the Civil Rights Era. The Starks Center was the hub for organizations to host planning sessions for Civil Rights activities during the late 1930s and the mid-1970s. On November 10, 1939, eight chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people met in the building to organize the South Carolina Conference of Branches of the NAACP. It was also one of the meeting places for Benedict College students Charles Barr, Milton Greene, James Edwards and Talmadge Neal who spearheaded demonstrations and protests in downtown Columbia and whose arrests resulted in the iconic cases of Edwards v. South Carolina and Barr v. City of Columbia. It set the precedence for legal gathering and illegal charges of trespassing.
	The University of South Carolina will receive $500,000 to continue renovations on the historic Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building, which will become the permanent space for the University of South Carolina's Center for Civil Rights History and Research's exhibit: Justice for All: South Carolina and the American Civil Rights Movement. The Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building is the only surviving building from Booker T. Washington High School and is one of the last remaining original structures within the historic Ward One and Wheeler One communities that were displaced during urban renewal. Initially founded in 1916 as an elementary school, in 1918 Booker T. Washington became the first public high school for African American students in Columbia. Civil rights leaders J. Andrew Simmons, Septima Clark and Modjeska Simkins taught at the school in the 1930s, and NAACP attorneys Matthew Perry (class of 1939) and Lincoln Jenkins (class of 1936) attended the school as students, along with many other individuals who became important members of the African American community in Columbia. In 1956, the auditorium building was constructed as part of a campaign to equalize school facilities in an attempt to stave off desegregation (buildings now known as equalization schools). The Booker T. Washington Auditorium Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 due to its historic significance as a vital educational, social, and economic cornerstone of the African American community in Columbia as well as its significance as part of the equalization program.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-announces-over-500000-in-coronavirus-supplemental-funding-for-sixth-district-community-health-centers/,"Congressman Clyburn Announces Over $500,000 in Coronavirus Supplemental Funding for Sixth District Community Health Centers",2020-03-26,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced more than half a million dollars in coronavirus supplemental funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the sixth congressional district. These funds are part of the total $100 million appropriated for CHCs in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was Congress’ first response to COVID-19, enacted on March 6th.

“The first COVID-19 response package provided $8.3 billion in supplemental grants and expanded telemedicine services to CHCs for the development of treatments and prevention, preparedness, and response measures. Congress passed a second package, which was enacted on March 18th, that ensures free coronavirus testing, increases support for Medicaid, provides for two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of family and medical leave, enhances unemployment insurance, and strengthens nutrition initiatives including SNAP.

“I am pleased these discretionary funds are being disseminated quickly. Community Health Centers are on the front lines of the current crisis and their infrastructure is being strained beyond capacity. This vital funding is a good first step in aiding health care providers as they continue to serve rapidly increasing medical needs.

“Last night, the Senate agreed to a third round of funding. I plan to vote for the agreement and will continue to advocate in Congress for additional support to health care providers so that they are prepared to treat each patient in need of medical care. Community Health Centers have always been an effective means to reach underserved communities, and their service is needed now more than ever.”

Here is a list of the current grant recipients.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:56:21Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-announces-over-500000-coronavirus-supplemental-funding-sixth,"Congressman Clyburn Announces Over $500,000 in Coronavirus Supplemental Funding for Sixth District Community Health Centers",2020-03-25,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn announced more than half a million dollars in coronavirus supplemental funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the sixth congressional district. These funds are part of the total $100 million appropriated for CHCs in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was Congress' first response to COVID-19, enacted on March 6th. 
The first COVID-19 response package provided $8.3 billion in supplemental grants and expanded telemedicine services to CHCs for the development of treatments and prevention, preparedness, and response measures. Congress passed a second package, which was enacted on March 18th, that ensures free coronavirus testing, increases support for Medicaid, provides for two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of family and medical leave, enhances unemployment insurance, and strengthens nutrition initiatives including SNAP.
	I am pleased these discretionary funds are being disseminated quickly. Community Health Centers are on the front lines of the current crisis and their infrastructure is being strained beyond capacity. This vital funding is a good first step in aiding health care providers as they continue to serve rapidly increasing medical needs.
	Last night, the Senate agreed to a third round of funding. I plan to vote for the agreement and will continue to advocate in Congress for additional support to health care providers so that they are prepared to treat each patient in need of medical care. Community Health Centers have always been an effective means to reach underserved communities, and their service is needed now more than ever. 
Here is a list of the current grant recipients.
GRANT NAME
LOCATION
AWARDAMOUNT
FETTER HEALTH CARE NETWORK, INC.
Charleston, S.C.
$77,588
GENESIS HEALTHCARE, INC.
Columbia, S.C.
$56,185
EAU CLAIRE COOPERATIVE HEALTH CENTER
Columbia, S.C.
$110,318
SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
Columbia, S.C.
$57,322
LOW COUNTRY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, INC.
Fairfax, S.C.
$65,889
FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, INC.
Orangeburg, S.C.
$70,910
TANDEM HEALTH SC
Sumter, S.C.
$68,135
TOTAL

$506,347.00",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-advocates-lowcountry-coastal-priorities-testimony-interior,Cunningham Advocates for Lowcountry Coastal Priorities in Testimony Before Interior-Environment Subcommittee,2020-03-10,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Asks Subcommittee to restrict funds for offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting activity 
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment to advocate that the Subcommittee restrict funding for dangerous and unwanted offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting.
Cunningham, advocating for the Lowcountry's coastal priorities, said, I am here to relay my district's concerns about the Administration's proposals to bring both offshore drilling and harmful seismic airgun blasting to Atlantic watersincluding those off my districtas well as those of the Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico, which together support over 2.6 million American jobs and roughly $180 billion in GDP through tourism, fishing, and recreation.
Cunningham urged the Subcommittee to restrict funding on offshore oil and gas leasing in the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriation bills, noting that, through the appropriations process, we have the power to block funding for this risky offshore development and prevent another large-scale spill before it happens Please back our coastal communities, which have voiced consistent opposition to dangerous oil and gas activities.
View the video of the testimony here.
--
Cunningham's remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
Good morning. Thank you, Chair McCollum, Ranking Member Joyce, and members of the Subcommittee for the opportunity to speak before you today. As you know, I represent South Carolina's first districta district blessed with an incredible coastline, good fishing and clean waterways. I am here to relay my district's concerns about the Administration's proposals to bring both offshore drilling and harmful seismic airgun blasting to Atlantic watersincluding those off my districtas well as those of the Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico, which together support over 2.6 million American jobs and roughly $180 billion in GDP through tourism, fishing, and recreation.
Beginning in 1982, and for nearly three decades, Members of Congress listened to the concerns of the people they served, and restricted funding for federal offshore oil and gas leasing and drilling activities via the appropriations process. Thank you for working with me and our colleagues to reestablish similar provisions through amendments to the FY2020 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill to limit spending on offshore oil and gas leasing along the aforementioned coasts. I urge you to include offshore drilling and exploration moratoria again as you craft the FY2021 base bill. It is vital that we engage the Senate to ensure these provisions are included in the final package. Without these moratoria provisions, we relinquish our role in influencing the future of offshore drilling to the executive branch. 
Across the board, the expansion of offshore drilling is a threat to hardworking Americans, coastal economies, and marine life. When oil companies drill, they spill. Oil spills can have lasting consequences as we well know from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy, which claimed the lives of 11 rig workers and spewed more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico as engineers tried and failed to cap the blowout. Oil exposure destroyed fragile marine ecosystems, tourism dropped throughout the region alongside beach closures and fishing restrictions, and real estate value declined in several Gulf Coast communities. Next month marks the 10-year anniversary of this terrible accident, yet the dirty and dangerous culture of offshore drilling remains largely unchanged. In fact, last year the Trump administration took a step backward by weakening one of the few rules that had been implemented to prevent another Deepwater Horizon-like disaster. Through the appropriations process, we have the power to block funding for this risky offshore development and prevent another large-scale spill before it happens. 
Despite the Administration's stated abandonment of its five-year OCS plan, harmful oil exploration is imminent in the Atlantic Ocean if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issues final permits to seismic companies. Seismic airgun blasting in search of oil goes directly against the interests and wishes of my constituents. Creating one of the loudest manmade sounds in the ocean, noise from seismic airguns can disturb, injure, and even kill animals across the entire marine ecosystem. This unnecessary harm to the environment stands to threaten Atlantic marine resources that support over 1.5 million jobs and generate nearly $108 billion in GDP each year, mainly through tourism, fishing and recreation. Any potential benefits of oil exploration are far outweighed by the stable, recurring revenue and jobs our communities receive from healthy oceans.
Exposing our vibrant ocean resources to incredibly loud seismic airgun blasting and dangerous offshore drilling is simply not worth the risk. We are depending on your support again this year as you write and negotiate the FY2021 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill. I ask that you make it a priority to restrict funding for any new offshore oil leasing or related activitiesincluding seismic airgun blastingin the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Please back our coastal communities, which have voiced consistent opposition to dangerous oil and gas activities. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-introduces-medicaid-reach-report-expansion-access-coverage-health,Cunningham Introduces the Medicaid REACH (Report on Expansion of Access to Coverage for Health) Act,2020-03-09,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation would require non-Medicaid expansion states to publish a yearly report on access to affordable health care coverage
Washington, D.C.- Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today introduced legislation that would require South Carolina and other states that have not expanded Medicaid to publish a yearly report on access to affordable health care coverage in their state.
The Medicaid REACH Act would require any state that has rejected federal funding available to expand Medicaid, by January 1st of each year, to post on a public, state website the following:
 the estimated number of individuals who were uninsured for at least six months, broken down by age group;
	the estimated number of uninsured individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid if the state were to expand Medicaid;
	a comprehensive listing of all income eligibility criteria for state Medicaid plan eligibility groups;
	the total amount of hospital uncompensated-care costs and a breakdown of the source of such costs, as well as a breakdown for rural and non-rural hospitals.
 In other states, Medicaid expansion has helped increase access to care and improve health outcomes; promote financial security by reducing medical debt and protecting people from medical bankruptcy; and lower uncompensated care costs for hospitals, allowing rural hospitals to stay afloat. Moreover, federal taxes collected from South Carolina households and businesses are being used to finance Medicaid expansion other states, but not in South Carolina.
Right now, South Carolinians' tax dollars are being used to pay for Medicaid expansion in other states, without receiving any of the benefits. Meanwhile, South Carolina has one of the highest uninsured rates in the nation, the second highest medical debt rate in the country, and is more vulnerable to a public health crisis because of the number of uninsured individuals, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. We have an opportunity here to bring high quality, affordable health care to many people in our state, keep rural health clinics open, and reduce costs for hospitals; all while taking advantage of what we're already paying for. This legislation will help provide us with the data necessary to make the best possible decision for South Carolina.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-introduces-bipartisan-bill-help-va-tackle-prostate-cancer,Cunningham Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help VA Tackle Prostate Cancer,2020-03-05,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Today, Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) and Rep. Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL) introduced the Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act (H.R. 6092). Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in the Veterans Health Administration, with over 489,000 veterans undergoing treatment. This bill will a national clinical pathway for prostate cancer, a standardized system of care for the treatment of what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the veterans' health system.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among veterans, and more prevalent among African American veterans than anyone else  one of the many health disparities that African Americans face, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. This bipartisan legislation will go a long way toward improving health care outcomes for our veterans by standardizing treatment options and expanding access to cutting-edge clinical trials.
After everything our veterans experience while serving, the last thing they should be faced with is yet another enemy  prostate cancer, said Dr. Dunn. The key to overcoming prostate cancer is early detection. Veterans deserve a system that streamlines the pathway from early detection to successful treatment. This bill is a solid first-step forward to save fellow veterans lives and defeat this deadly adversary.
Veterans who have been in contact with toxins, such as Agent Orange, are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Establishing a clinical pathway will standardize treatment options and result in improved outcomes for these patients. Additionally, this bill will create a real-time registry to track patient progress and will allow patients greater access to cutting edge clinical trials.
Cunningham has made caring for veterans exposed to toxic substances a top priority in Congress. Last year, he introduced the Keeping our Promises Act, which would add to the VA's list of covered illnesses nine medical conditions already recognized by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) as having evidence of being linked to exposure to Agent Orangeincluding prostate cancer. He also helped to finally pass the Blue Water Navy Veterans Act, which extended benefits to veterans that served in the territorial waters off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War and veterans who served in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone and were exposed to Agent Orange.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-helps-pass-emergency-coronavirus-supplemental-funding-bill,Cunningham Helps Pass Emergency Coronavirus Supplemental Funding Bill,2020-03-04,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan legislation provides coordinated, effective, and comprehensive response to protect Americans 
Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today joined the overwhelming majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. This bipartisan legislation provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the spread of coronavirus and keep Americans safe.
Today, Democrats and Republicans in the House proved that we can work together to launch a coordinated, effective, and comprehensive response to the coronavirus  just what the American people expect out of their leaders, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I know that the Senate will quickly pass this bipartisan legislation and I thank the President for his eagerness to sign it into law and get this critical funding out the door. South Carolinians should rest assured that their state, local, and federal governments, as well as their hospitals and health care providers, are fully prepared and up to the task. 
Among its provisions, the legislation includes:
 More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
	Nearly $1 billion for state and local preparedness and response  half of which will go to states and cities within 30 days;
	Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;
	$61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;
	$1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home; and;
	$300 million so the government can purchase vaccines at a fair and reasonable price and ensure they are affordable.
	It also ensures that state and local governments are reimbursed for costs incurred while assisting the federal response.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/2020-art-competition-student-release-form,2020 Art Competition Student Release Form,2020-03-02,2020,2020-03,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"710 Boundary Street, Suite 1D",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-invites-president-trump-tour-lowcountry-coastline-during-friday-s,Cunningham Invites President Trump to Tour Lowcountry Coastline during Fridays Visit to Charleston,2020-02-27,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today invited President Trump on a tour of the Lowcountry coastline while the President is in Charleston this Friday, February 28, to see firsthand why South Carolinians are united in opposition to offshore drilling.
In his letter to the President, Cunningham referenced the Lowcountry's vibrant natural resources, thriving economy, and unique way of life; all of which would be in jeopardy if the Administration conducted dangerous and unwanted offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting.
He said, Tourism is a $22.6 billion industry in South Carolina and supports one in every ten jobs in our state Not only does offshore drilling and seismic testing put the health of our ocean and our coastal economy at risk, it is a massive gamble on a future of dirty and dangerous oil exploration that the people of the Lowcountry overwhelmingly oppose.
The Fiscal Year 2021 budget recently released by the White House placed a hold on the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. Cunningham expressed his optimism in the Administration's decision, saying, I'm proud to know South Carolina's bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling played a crucial role in the hold. I am hopeful that upon touring our Lowcountry coastline, you will see why there is such united opposition to offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting along the coast of South Carolina.
In September of last year, the House of Representatives passed Cunningham's bipartisan legislation to permanently ban offshore drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Read Cunningham's letter to Trump
Dear Mr. President:
I write to welcome you to our beautiful state of South Carolina in advance of your trip this Friday and invite you to join me on a tour of the Lowcountry coastline during your visit.
As the Lowcountry's Representative in Congress, I am humbled by the opportunity to be a steward of our vibrant natural resources, unique way of life, and thriving economy. Tourism is a $22.6 billion industry in South Carolina and supports one in every ten jobs in our state. Keeping our ocean healthy and our coastline free of oil rigs is critical for tourism, fishing, and recreation, which are crucial drivers of South Carolina's strong coastal economy. Not only does offshore drilling and seismic testing put the health of our ocean and our coastal economy at risk, it is a massive gamble on a future of dirty and dangerous oil exploration that the people of the Lowcountry overwhelmingly oppose.
I was optimistic when I saw that the White House's FY21 budget placed a hold on the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, and I'm proud to know South Carolina's bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling played a crucial role in the hold. I am hopeful that upon touring our Lowcountry coastline, you will see why there is such united opposition to offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting along the coast of South Carolina.
I look forward to the possibility of touring my beautiful district with you, and I hope you can find time to join me. If such a meeting is possible, please have your staff reach out to my district office directly for scheduling at 843-352-7572.
With kind regards, I remain
Very truly yours,
Joe Cunningham",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-advocates-lowcountry-coast-guard-expansion-testimony-homeland,Cunningham Advocates for Lowcountry Coast Guard Expansion in Testimony Before the Homeland Security Subcommittee,2020-02-26,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security to advocate for the funding necessary to fulfill important Lowcountry Coast Guard priorities.
The brave men and women of the Coast Guard have the courage and conviction to live a life of service, and I am excited to have the opportunity to welcome more of them to their new homes in the Lowcountry in the coming years, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. And, as their Representative in Congress, I am responsible for ensuring that they have the resources they need to do their job; a responsibility that I do not take lightly. 
Cunningham noted that the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Karl Schultz, had announced the Coast Guard would be substantially increasing its presence in the Lowcountry at the State of the Coast Guard in Charleston last week. Cunningham urged the Committee to fully fund the construction projects necessary for the Coast Guard's planned expansion in Charleston.
Cunningham also advocated for a new scholarship program for Coast Guard spouses as well as an expanded Coast Guard Junior Reserve Officer Training program. This follows President Trump's signing of two of Cunningham's Coast Guard-related measures into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA included his amendment that made Coast Guard spouses eligible for Defense Department scholarship and tuition assistance opportunities. It also included his amendment establishing a new Coast Guard JROTC program in high schools across the country, including Mt. Pleasant's Lucy Beckham High School. Cunningham urged the committee to fund the implementation of both programs.
Cunningham also brought up the struggles faced by members of the Coast Guard in his community during the last government shutdown, when they went without a number of paychecks. He said, Their government let them down. Ensuring all of our servicemembers are paid on time is one of our most basic responsibilities as their representatives. Anything less is irreconcilable with our oaths to support and defend the constitution and an insult to our men and women in uniform.
Ranking Member Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) commended Cunningham for his support of the Coast Guard and agreed with Cunningham's sentiment, saying, These men and women did suffer through some very difficult times in that very difficult government shutdown I thank you for your advocacy.
View the video of the testimony here.
--
Cunningham's remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
Thank you, Madame Chairwoman, Ranking Member Fleischmann and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee. 
I appreciate your invitation to appear before the Subcommittee today. It's an honor to be here in person to advocate for my district's priorities in this year's Homeland Security Appropriations bill.
Last week, I had the privilege of hosting the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Karl Schultz, in the Lowcountry for his annual State of the Coast Guard address. In his remarks, he announced that the service will be substantially increasing its presence in the Charleston area, potentially growing into the largest concentration of Coast Guard assets and personnel in the country.
The brave men and women of the Coast Guard have the courage and conviction to live a life of service, and I am excited to have the opportunity to welcome more of them to their new homes in the Lowcountry in the coming years.
And, as their Representative in Congress, I am responsible for ensuring that they have the resources they need to do their job; a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
One of my very first official visits as a United States Congressman was to a local Coast Guard station in Charleston, in the midst of the longest government shutdown in American history. 
These heroic young Americans hadn't been paid in weeks and were struggling to make ends meet. I had to look them in the eye and promise them I would do everything I could to end the shutdown and get them backpay as soon as possible.
Their government let them down. Ensuring all of our servicemembers are paid on time is one of our most basic responsibilities as their representatives. Anything less is irreconcilable with our oaths to support and defend the constitution and an insult to our men and women in uniform. 
We must also make sure Coast Guard servicemembers, and their families, have access to the benefits and support equal to those available to their counterparts in the other military services. Last year, we took an important step in the right direction in the FY20 NDAA, which contained my amendment expanding access to the DoD's My Career Advancement Accounts scholarship program if the Coast Guard reimburses DoD.
The MyCAA program assists military spouses to pursue licenses, certifications, or associate degrees necessary to start a new career. This program is critical because, not only does it improve employment outcomes for participating spouses, it also serves as an important tool to boost retention. A 2018 study conducted by RAND found that servicemembers who used the program were up to eight percent more likely to stay in the military. 
To ensure Coast Guard spouses, and the Coast Guard as a whole, are able to benefit from this vital program, I ask that the committee provide the service with the funding necessary to participate. 
This year's NDAA also included my amendment authorizing the Coast Guard to establish and maintain their own Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program. As you know, prior to the enactment of the FY20 NDAA, the USCG did not have the authority to create new JROTC programs without an explicit authorization by law, depriving students across the country of the opportunity to learn valuable life skills.
An expanded Coast Guard JROTC program will serve as a valuable recruiting tool and instill the service's core values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty in thousands of our nation's young men and women, regardless of their plans after graduation. Accordingly, I urge the committee to ensure they have the resources and funding necessary to implement this program.
I also want to offer my support for funding included in the President's Budget towards personnel increases and infrastructure improvements at Base Charleston to homeport a fifth National Security Cutter. The Lowcountry is slated to become a center of gravity in the Coast Guard's homeland security and national defense missions. So, it is imperative we provide them the funding they need to renovate and enhance existing facilities to expedite their planned expansions in Charleston.
Finally, I want to thank each of you again for your important work as Members of this Subcommittee. I look forward to working with you to ensure our homeland security agencies have the resources they need to keep us safe.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-tours-turning-leaf-charleston-non-profit-focused-reducing-recidivism,"Cunningham Tours Turning Leaf, Charleston Non-Profit Focused on Reducing Recidivism",2020-02-14,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mt. Pleasant, S.C. - Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today toured Turning Leaf, a Charleston non-profit that helps reduce recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals through job placement, education, and behavioral therapy. Turning Leaf has had incredible success in keeping formerly incarcerated individuals out of prison. Over the last 3.5 years, 60 men have graduated from the program and 80% of them have never been re-arrested. Nationally, only 33% of people are not re-arrested within three years.
A critically under-looked and underfunded part of our justice system is making sure that folks have the tools necessary to become self-sufficient, functioning members of the community upon completion of their sentence, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I'm thankful for the opportunity today to learn about Turning Leaf's successes in reducing recidivism and am committed to supporting similar efforts in Congress. 
For photos from his visit, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-facilitate-ratification-equal-rights-amendment,Cunningham Votes to Facilitate Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment,2020-02-13,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) today voted to pass H.J. Res. 79, bipartisan legislation that would remove the 1982 deadline Congress previously set for the States to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), ensuring recent ratifications by Nevada, Illinois, and Virginia are given full effect and paving the way forward for passage of this historic amendment.
The ERA would enshrine the fundamental principle that equality of rights under the law should not be denied or abridged on account of sex. It would provide additional tools to help reach the goal of equal status for women under the law and provide a single, national baseline protection against sex discrimination. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced a companion joint resolution in the U.S. Senate.
Nearly a full century after the ERA was first proposed, American women are still subject to pay disparities, pregnancy discrimination, and uneven protections against other forms of discrimination. It is long past due that our Constitution recognize women are equal to men under the law, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. A vote for the ERA is a vote for equality, and I'm proud to help pass this resolution to facilitate the ratification of the ERA.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-applauds-more-than-5-million-in-funding-for-lake-marion-regional-water-system-reach-to-winding-woods-commerce-park/,Congressman Clyburn Applauds More Than $5 Million in Funding for Lake Marion Regional Water System Reach to Winding Woods Commerce Park,2020-02-12,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. – U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn released the following statement in response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2020 Work Plan released yesterday that includes $5.12 million to complete the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency’s reach to the Winding Woods Commerce Park near St. George.

“When I began working on the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency (LMRWA), I did so because then-South Carolina Commerce Secretary Bob Royall advised me that we would never be able to attract industry or significantly improve the quality of life in the Sixth Congressional District until we solve the water problem.

“For more than 25 years, I have doggedly sought funding to create and expand the LMRWA. After years of laying the groundwork, today we are beginning to realize the promise of this regional water agency.

“This new Army Corps funding is the latest investment to help people along the I-95 enjoy the successes found in other regions because we are overcoming historic neglect and now have the infrastructure to be competitive. The Winding Woods Reach will help attract commercial development to the upper part of Dorchester County, which already enjoy access to highways, railway, and the Charleston port, but lack sufficient water infrastructure. This latest round of funding comes on the heels of the Dorchester Reach and Berkeley extension that will provide water for the expansion of the Volvo Plant and the Ridgeville Industrial Campus in Dorchester County, scheduled to come on line in May.

“The local community will benefit as well with access to reliable, safe drinking water and a dependable source of water for fire hydrants and the local fire departments.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:52:46Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/congressman-clyburn-hosts-savannah-river-site-hbcu-partnership-summit/,Congressman Clyburn Hosts Savannah River Site-HBCU Partnership Summit,2020-02-11,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 5, 2020

Columbia, S.C. – On Monday, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn was joined by Savannah River Site (SRS) officials and representatives from all eight of South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to discuss existing and potential partnerships. The goal for the gathering was to ensure the growing workforce at SRS reflects the diversity of our state by creating and strengthening meaningful partnerships between public and private entities at SRS and South Carolina’s HBCUs. The summit’s speakers discussed developing talent in South Carolina, professional recruitment and training, and existing partnerships. The event concluded with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing between Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, South Carolina State University, and Claflin University.

“There are students from rural communities who are gifted and want to learn, but with no opportunity,” said Congressman Clyburn. “We’ve got to be a little more innovative and what better way than to start right here at this facility. Let’s decide that we are going to devise the ways and means to make it work. All we need is a chance for these young people and they are relying on us to help them.”

The MOU outlines opportunities for scholarships, curriculum development, faculty engagement, and pathways for employment that will be provided to qualifying students and schools.

“These are specific about what we’re going to do and what we could use from the universities to be able to make these partnerships work,” said Stuart MacVean, President and CEO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. “I’m looking forward to kicking things off and making them work for students.”

Denmark Technical College signed an MOU with Savannah River Remediation in October that provided a formal avenue for collaboration as well as opportunities to expose students to career opportunities at SRS.

“Beyond giving our students an opportunity to be here we’ve had an opportunity to have a faculty member work on our campus to help train our students,” said Dr. Willie Todd, President of Denmark Technical College. “They have assisted us in purchasing equipment for our campus which has been very beneficial. This is really a good opportunity for our students.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:52:46Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-applauds-more-5-million-funding-lake-marion-regional-water-system,Congressman Clyburn Applauds More Than $5 Million in Funding for Lake Marion Regional Water System Reach to Winding Woods Commerce Park,2020-02-11,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2020
COLUMBIA, S.C.  U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn released the following statement in response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 2020 Work Plan released yesterday that includes $5.12 million to complete the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency's reach to the Winding Woods Commerce Park near St. George.
	When I began working on the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency (LMRWA), I did so because then-South Carolina Commerce Secretary Bob Royall advised me that we would never be able to attract industry or significantly improve the quality of life in the Sixth Congressional District until we solve the water problem.
	For more than 25 years, I have doggedly sought funding to create and expand the LMRWA. After years of laying the groundwork, today we are beginning to realize the promise of this regional water agency.
	This new Army Corps funding is the latest investment to help people along the I-95 enjoy the successes found in other regions because we are overcoming historic neglect and now have the infrastructure to be competitive. The Winding Woods Reach will help attract commercial development to the upper part of Dorchester County, which already enjoy access to highways, railway, and the Charleston port, but lack sufficient water infrastructure. This latest round of funding comes on the heels of the Dorchester Reach and Berkeley extension that will provide water for the expansion of the Volvo Plant and the Ridgeville Industrial Campus in Dorchester County, scheduled to come on line in May.
	The local community will benefit as well with access to reliable, safe drinking water and a dependable source of water for fire hydrants and the local fire departments.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-clyburn-applaud-dot-grant-south-carolina-ports-authority,"Cunningham, Clyburn Applaud DOT Grant for the South Carolina Ports Authority",2020-02-11,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Majority Whip James Clyburn and Rep. Joe Cunningham today applauded the announcement that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award the South Carolina Ports Authority a $19.986 million Port Infrastructure Development Grant.
The grant will help construct a toe wall and deepen three berths at South Carolina's busiest container terminal, the Wando Welch Terminal in Mt. Pleasant. The work complements adjacent recently completed wharf upgrades, that support larger cranes and accommodate larger container ships. This project also supports the Charleston Harbor Deepening project, currently underway, by stabilizing the Wando Welch Terminal's wharf structure, retaining sediment and preventing material from migrating into the waterway.
Cunningham and Clyburn wrote to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in September of 2019 with the rest of the South Carolina delegation, encouraging DOT to make this critical investment.
This is fantastic news for the Charleston Port and our state's economy. Improvements to the Port of Charleston, including the Wando Welch Terminal, are absolutely vital to ensuring long-term economic growth in South Carolina and throughout the Southeast, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. I will always fight to make sure our Port has the resources it needs to continue to be an engine of economic development in our state.
I'm proud of the work we have done to secure this grant which is an important step to ensuring the ongoing success of the South Carolina Ports Authority, said Majority Whip Clyburn. Once the deepening project is completed, the Charleston Harbor will become the deepest harbor on the East Coast, which will have a transformative impact on South Carolina and the region.
Our ports are an integral component of our Nation's economic success, said Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. As the Administration continues to invest in America's infrastructure, this program will further modernize and improve the efficiency of our waterways.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/congressman-clyburn-hosts-savannah-river-site-hbcu-partnership-summit,Congressman Clyburn Hosts Savannah River Site-HBCU Partnership Summit,2020-02-10,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 5, 2020
Columbia, S.C.  On Monday, U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn was joined by Savannah River Site (SRS) officials and representatives from all eight of South Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to discuss existing and potential partnerships. The goal for the gathering was to ensure the growing workforce at SRS reflects the diversity of our state by creating and strengthening meaningful partnerships between public and private entities at SRS and South Carolina's HBCUs. The summit's speakers discussed developing talent in South Carolina, professional recruitment and training, and existing partnerships. The event concluded with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing between Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, South Carolina State University, and Claflin University.
There are students from rural communities who are gifted and want to learn, but with no opportunity, said Congressman Clyburn. We've got to be a little more innovative and what better way than to start right here at this facility. Let's decide that we are going to devise the ways and means to make it work. All we need is a chance for these young people and they are relying on us to help them.
The MOU outlines opportunities for scholarships, curriculum development, faculty engagement, and pathways for employment that will be provided to qualifying students and schools.
These are specific about what we're going to do and what we could use from the universities to be able to make these partnerships work, said Stuart MacVean, President and CEO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. I'm looking forward to kicking things off and making them work for students.
Denmark Technical College signed an MOU with Savannah River Remediation in October that provided a formal avenue for collaboration as well as opportunities to expose students to career opportunities at SRS.
Beyond giving our students an opportunity to be here we've had an opportunity to have a faculty member work on our campus to help train our students, said Dr. Willie Todd, President of Denmark Technical College. They have assisted us in purchasing equipment for our campus which has been very beneficial. This is really a good opportunity for our students.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-opposes-reinstating-earmarks,Cunningham Opposes Reinstating Earmarks,2020-02-07,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Rep. Joe Cunningham released the following statement in opposition to the proposal to reinstate earmarks, which further encourages reckless spending. Earmarks  more commonly known as pork projects  are directed spending items inserted into the budget by members of Congress that target a specific entity in a specific congressional district. 
I've expressed to leadership my opposition to reinstating earmarks and sincerely hope the House does not go down this road.When done properly, congressionally-directed projects can help guide federal funding to worthy projects back at home. But we've seen that more often than not, this policy encourages reckless spending and is easily abused by special interests,said Rep. Joe Cunningham. At a time when our national debt just hit $22 trillion, it is incredibly irresponsible for Congress to reinstate pork-barrel spending. I was sent to Congress to reform the status quo and rein in our out-of-control spending. Reinstating earmarks will only make it harder to get our fiscal house in order.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-veterans-affairs-committee-holds-hearing-cunningham-bill-help-veterans,House Veterans Affairs Committee Holds Hearing on Cunningham Bill to Help Veterans in the Wake of Natural Disasters,2020-02-06,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Today, the House Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on Rep. Joe Cunningham's bipartisan legislation that would help veterans in the wake of a major natural disaster. Veterans and servicemembers are eligible for VA home loans that are backed by the federal government and subject to lower interest rates than traditional mortgages. The Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act would reduce loan fees for veterans who have been affected by presidentially-declared natural disasters by enabling them to qualify for a second home loan using the initial VA funding fee, instead of the higher subsequent-use fee. The legislation has earned the support of three high-profile veteran service organizations: the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Current VA Funding Fee Structure:
South Carolina is no stranger to natural disasters and Lowcountry veterans do not deserve to be penalized for living in the path of hurricanes, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. When disaster strikes, every American  especially our veterans and servicemembers  deserve to know that their country is there for them. The bipartisan Veteran Home Loan Disaster Recovery Act helps veterans recover and rebuild by reducing unnecessarily-high loan fees. I'm glad to see the House Veterans Affairs Committee consider such important legislation today.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/house-passes-congressman-clyburns-priorities-in-appropriations-packages/,House Passes Congressman Clyburn’s Priorities in Appropriations Packages,2020-02-04,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James E. Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,clyburn,https://clyburn.house.gov/press-releases/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2019

COLUMBIA, SC – Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) hailed passage of two appropriations packages today that will fund the government through Fiscal Year 2020.

“Congress is empowered with the power of the purse, and I am pleased we have reached a bipartisan agreement to fulfill our Constitutional duty to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year,” said Congressman Clyburn. “These appropriations packages grow our economy, protect our environment, repair our infrastructure, strengthen health care, invest in education, and set up rural communities for continued success while striving to make America’s greatness accessible and affordable for all.”

This legislation contains many priority projects for South Carolina sought by Congressman Clyburn and includes other initiatives he spearheaded.

Below are priorities from the Sixth District and across South Carolina that are included in these appropriations packages:

INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES

As part of the effort to invest in America’s infrastructure, the spending deal includes $15.5 billion in funding for new transportation and housing projects. Of this funding, South Carolina will receive an increase of $43 million in funding for highway and transit projects and an additional $2.3 million for Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnership Programs.

Charleston Harbor

This legislation includes full funding for the $138 million request for the Charleston Harbor deepening project, which was also included in the President’s budget request.

Lake Marion

This legislation includes $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account, which represents a $23 million increase over last year’s allocation. The Lake Marion Regional Water Agency is eligible to apply for these funds to extend its service area to provide potable water and sewage to communities in parts of the Sixth Congressional district.

Rural Energy Savings Program

Congressman Clyburn secured another $12 million for the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). He was the original sponsor of the legislation that established the RESP in 2010, which creates jobs, saves American families and businesses money on their electric bills, and reduces air pollution. This program enables electric cooperatives to offer low-interest micro-loans to residential and small business customers for energy-saving retrofit and structural improvements with borrowers paying the loans back on their monthly electricity bills.

ReConnect

This legislation also adds $555 million to the ReConnect program, which provides grants and loans to rural communities to improve broadband access. Congressman Clyburn wants to eliminate digital deserts and ensure all Americans have access to high-speed internet by 2025. This legislation is a good step toward reaching the estimated 162.8 million Americans who don’t have internet access at broadband speeds.

Persistent Poverty

The legislation applies Congressman Clyburn’s 10-20-30 formula—ensuring that at least 10 percent of funds are spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent over the last 30 years—to 15 spending accounts, an all-time high. In addition, this package takes important steps to help ensure that all high-poverty communities are able to access the federal investment they need to increase economic opportunity, including technical assistance for Transit Infrastructure Grants, language encouraging the CDFI Fund to prioritize awards to organizations that invest and lend in high-poverty areas, and reporting requirements so Congress can be fully informed about federal resources currently being spent in areas of greatest need.

FIXES TO THE GOP TAX BILL

Places of Worship, Charities, and Non-Profit Tax Fix

Language introduced by Congressman Clyburn in H.R. 1223 was included in the final appropriations package. This measure repeals the 21% tax on the value of “fringe benefits” at places of worship, charities, and non-profits that was imposed in the Republican-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Repealing this tax will save places of worship, charities, and non-profits nearly $1.7 billion over the next ten years in taxes on benefits such as parking and transit provided to their employees.

Co-Op Tax Exempt Fix

This legislation also fixes a glitch in the GOP tax bill that if left unaddressed before the end of the year could have caused non-profit phone or electric cooperatives that receive government grants to lose their tax-exempt status. Congressman Clyburn was a co-sponsor of the RURAL Act, that was included in the spending package, which no longer considers federal grants that support things like broadband deployment or disaster relief as taxable income so these non-profits can remain tax-exempt.

HEALTH CARE

Telehealth Centers

The legislation provides $29 million for telehealth projects, and $6 million of that amount will support Telehealth Centers for Excellence. The Medical University of South Carolina is one of those Centers, and it provides nearly a quarter million telehealth services to more than 200 sites in 27 counties, 28 hospitals, more than 100 community clinics and 50 schools.

Community Health Centers

This legislation provides an extension of funds for Community Health Centers (CHC) to keep their funding stable through May 2020. Congressman Clyburn will continue fighting in the new year to extend CHC funding long-term and increase their federal support. CHCs are critical to providing health care in underserved areas. Separately, the bill appropriates $1.6 billion in discretionary funds for Community Health Centers for fiscal year 2020.

SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities will benefit from several items in this appropriations legislation. Funding for the HBCU/MI program within the Department of Defense, which is dedicated to STEM education, is increased by more than $10 million. The bill allocates the full authorized amount of $10 million for the HBCU Historic Preservation Fund, which is Congressman Clyburn’s long-time priority to renovate historic structures on HBCU campuses nationwide. Also, the HBCU Excellence in Research Program administered by the National Science Foundation received $18 million, an increase of $3 million over last year.

Coastal Carolina University

The legislation also increases funding for the National Mesonet Program, which is critical for providing weather information for the National Weather Service. Coastal Carolina University operates one of the Mesonet facilities that collects data on Atlantic Coast hurricanes.

Denmark Technical College

Congressman Clyburn secured a legislative fix to prevent Denmark Technical College from losing its ability to provide financial aid to some of its most vulnerable students. This effort will provide needed and warranted relief for Denmark Tech, allowing them to avoid any penalties or sanctions for two years and ensure its students can continue to receive federal loans.

University of South Carolina

This appropriations package includes $9.5 million for workforce talent and technology development efforts in support of Navy power and energy systems, such as bridge-to-university programs for students and digital twin research. The University of South Carolina has indicated interest in securing these funds to prepare our students to protect national security.

The Citadel

The bill includes $5 million for cyber institutes, which will help train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to protect and defend industry and our critical infrastructure. Last year’s National Defense Authorization Act established these institutes and specifically directed the Secretary of Defense to consider senior military colleges like the Citadel in their selection.

Clemson

This legislation includes $10 million for prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems in next generation combat vehicle technology. These funds will help ensure that future ground vehicle systems are ready to respond to and overcome emerging threats. Clemson University is well-positioned to conduct this important research.

OTHER PRIORITIES

Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership

This legislation provides $146 million or the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is an increase of $6 million. The Hollings MEP is a nationwide network of centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that help manufacturers grow their businesses and maximize their potential.

South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

Congressman Clyburn successfully sought an increase in the budget cap for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. The Corridor, established by legislation authored by Congressman Clyburn, had reached the limit of federal funds established in the authorizing legislation. With the raised cap, the Corridor will be able to continue its popular programs that bring heritage tourists to the state.

The two spending bills now go to the Senate for approval, and they are expected to pass and be signed into law this week.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:52:46Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-statement-president-trump-s-state-union,Cunningham Statement on President Trumps State of the Union,2020-02-04,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. In response to President Trump's State of the Union address this evening, Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) released the following statement:
I am gladPresident Trumpaddressed two key priorities for folks in the Lowcountry  lowering the cost of prescription drugs and supporting working families through paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and quality education. Last year,wepassed legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies. I am hopeful the Senate will follow our lead and take up this critical legislation.Supporting hardworking families through guaranteed parental leave and affordable childcare aren't just smartpolicies, they're personal. My guest at tonight's address, AlisonMartin, exemplifies the struggle that millions of hardworking Americans face. Alison, a pharmacist at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, is pregnant with her second child and will be forced to take leave without pay to stay home with her newborn. I was proud to work with the President to ensure that federal workers like Alison are guaranteed twelve weeks of paid leave in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was signed into law in December. I'm thrilled he called on Congress to pass the bipartisan bill I helped introduce, theAdvancing Support for Working Families Act, which helps new parents pay for leave and cover the cost of day care, baby supplies and other expenses associated with a new child.
Ialsoappreciate the President's commitment to rebuilding and strengthening our armed forces.I will continue towork with the Administration toensure that our Lowcountry servicemembers have the resources they need to keep our country safe.
""The President again proclaimed America's net energy independence. It is abundantly clear to me  and the people of South Carolina  that pursuing dangerous and unwanted offshore drilling off our coast is unnecessary. I hope the Senate respects the wishes of our coastal communities and passes my bipartisan legislation to permanently ban offshore drilling.
I was disappointed that President Trump did not lay out concrete plans for the infrastructure investment that areas like the Lowcountry desperately need. I stand ready to work with the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring our ailing infrastructure firmly into the 21stcentury.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-congressman-clyburn%E2%80%99s-priorities-appropriations-packages,HOUSE PASSES CONGRESSMAN CLYBURNS PRIORITIES IN APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGES,2020-02-03,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2019
COLUMBIA, SC  Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) hailed passage of two appropriations packages today that will fund the government through Fiscal Year 2020.
Congress is empowered with the power of the purse, and I am pleased we have reached a bipartisan agreement to fulfill our Constitutional duty to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, said Congressman Clyburn. These appropriations packages grow our economy, protect our environment, repair our infrastructure, strengthen health care, invest in education, and set up rural communities for continued success while striving to make America's greatness accessible and affordable for all.
This legislation contains many priority projects for South Carolina sought by Congressman Clyburn and includes other initiatives he spearheaded.
Below are priorities from the Sixth District and across South Carolina that are included in these appropriations packages:
INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
As part of the effort to invest in America's infrastructure, the spending deal includes $15.5 billion in funding for new transportation and housing projects. Of this funding, South Carolina will receive an increase of $43 million in funding for highway and transit projects and an additional $2.3 million for Community Development Block Grants and HOME Investment Partnership Programs.
Charleston Harbor
This legislation includes full funding for the $138 million request for the Charleston Harbor deepening project, which was also included in the President's budget request.
Lake Marion
This legislation includes $100 million for the Environmental Infrastructure account, which represents a $23 million increase over last year's allocation. The Lake Marion Regional Water Agency is eligible to apply for these funds to extend its service area to provide potable water and sewage to communities in parts of the Sixth Congressional district.
Rural Energy Savings Program
Congressman Clyburn secured another $12 million for the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP). He was the original sponsor of the legislation that established the RESP in 2010, which creates jobs, saves American families and businesses money on their electric bills, and reduces air pollution. This program enables electric cooperatives to offer low-interest micro-loans to residential and small business customers for energy-saving retrofit and structural improvements with borrowers paying the loans back on their monthly electricity bills.
ReConnect
This legislation also adds $555 million to the ReConnect program, which provides grants and loans to rural communities to improve broadband access. Congressman Clyburn wants to eliminate digital deserts and ensure all Americans have access to high-speed internet by 2025. This legislation is a good step toward reaching the estimated 162.8 million Americans who don't have internet access at broadband speeds.
Persistent Poverty
The legislation applies Congressman Clyburn's 10-20-30 formulaensuring that at least 10 percent of funds are spent in counties with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent over the last 30 yearsto 15 spending accounts, an all-time high. In addition, this package takes important steps to help ensure that all high-poverty communities are able to access the federal investment they need to increase economic opportunity, including technical assistance for Transit Infrastructure Grants, language encouraging the CDFI Fund to prioritize awards to organizations that invest and lend in high-poverty areas, and reporting requirements so Congress can be fully informed about federal resources currently being spent in areas of greatest need.
FIXES TO THE GOP TAX BILL
Places of Worship, Charities, and Non-Profit Tax Fix
Language introduced by Congressman Clyburn in H.R. 1223 was included in the final appropriations package. This measure repeals the 21% tax on the value of fringe benefits at places of worship, charities, and non-profits that was imposed in the Republican-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Repealing this tax will save places of worship, charities, and non-profits nearly $1.7 billion over the next ten years in taxes on benefits such as parking and transit provided to their employees.
Co-Op Tax Exempt Fix
This legislation also fixes a glitch in the GOP tax bill that if left unaddressed before the end of the year could have caused non-profit phone or electric cooperatives that receive government grants to lose their tax-exempt status. Congressman Clyburn was a co-sponsor of the RURAL Act, that was included in the spending package, which no longer considers federal grants that support things like broadband deployment or disaster relief as taxable income so these non-profits can remain tax-exempt.
HEALTH CARE
Telehealth Centers
The legislation provides $29 million for telehealth projects, and $6 million of that amount will support Telehealth Centers for Excellence. The Medical University of South Carolina is one of those Centers, and it provides nearly a quarter million telehealth services to more than 200 sites in 27 counties, 28 hospitals, more than 100 community clinics and 50 schools.
Community Health Centers
This legislation provides an extension of funds for Community Health Centers (CHC) to keep their funding stable through May 2020. Congressman Clyburn will continue fighting in the new year to extend CHC funding long-term and increase their federal support. CHCs are critical to providing health care in underserved areas. Separately, the bill appropriates $1.6 billion in discretionary funds for Community Health Centers for fiscal year 2020.
SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically Black Colleges and Universities will benefit from several items in this appropriations legislation. Funding for the HBCU/MI program within the Department of Defense, which is dedicated to STEM education, is increased by more than $10 million. The bill allocates the full authorized amount of $10 million for the HBCU Historic Preservation Fund, which is Congressman Clyburn's long-time priority to renovate historic structures on HBCU campuses nationwide. Also, the HBCU Excellence in Research Program administered by the National Science Foundation received $18 million, an increase of $3 million over last year.
Coastal Carolina University
The legislation also increases funding for the National Mesonet Program, which is critical for providing weather information for the National Weather Service. Coastal Carolina University operates one of the Mesonet facilities that collects data on Atlantic Coast hurricanes.
Denmark Technical College
Congressman Clyburn secured a legislative fix to prevent Denmark Technical College from losing its ability to provide financial aid to some of its most vulnerable students. This effort will provide needed and warranted relief for Denmark Tech, allowing them to avoid any penalties or sanctions for two years and ensure its students can continue to receive federal loans.
University of South Carolina
This appropriations package includes $9.5 million for workforce talent and technology development efforts in support of Navy power and energy systems, such as bridge-to-university programs for students and digital twin research. The University of South Carolina has indicated interest in securing these funds to prepare our students to protect national security.
The Citadel
The bill includes $5 million for cyber institutes, which will help train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to protect and defend industry and our critical infrastructure. Last year's National Defense Authorization Act established these institutes and specifically directed the Secretary of Defense to consider senior military colleges like the Citadel in their selection.
Clemson
This legislation includes $10 million for prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems in next generation combat vehicle technology. These funds will help ensure that future ground vehicle systems are ready to respond to and overcome emerging threats. Clemson University is well-positioned to conduct this important research.
OTHER PRIORITIES
Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership
This legislation provides $146 million or the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which is an increase of $6 million. The Hollings MEP is a nationwide network of centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that help manufacturers grow their businesses and maximize their potential.
South Carolina National Heritage Corridor
Congressman Clyburn successfully sought an increase in the budget cap for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. The Corridor, established by legislation authored by Congressman Clyburn, had reached the limit of federal funds established in the authorizing legislation. With the raised cap, the Corridor will be able to continue its popular programs that bring heritage tourists to the state.
The two spending bills now go to the Senate for approval, and they are expected to pass and be signed into law this week.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-congressman-clyburns-priorities-appropriations-packages,House Passes Congressman Clyburn's Priorities in Appropriations Packages,2020-02-03,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,James Clyburn,C000537,clyburn.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cunningham-bring-federal-worker-state-union-highlight-importance-parental,Rep. Cunningham to Bring Federal Worker to State of the Union; Highlight the Importance of Parental Leave,2020-02-03,2020,2020-02,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Today, Rep. JoeCunningham(SC-01) announced he was bringing Alison Martin, a pharmacist at the Ralph Johnson VA Medical Center, as his State of the Unionguest. Like many Americans, Alison had to use paid time off (PTO) and sick leave that had been accrued for years for maternity leave. When she came back to work, she was left with very little sick leave to use for illnesses, doctors' appointments, child care issues, and family emergencies. Alison is currently pregnant with her second child and will have to take leave without pay for her second maternity leave.
Guaranteeing access to paid parental leave isn't just good policy, it's personal. The birth of my son was one of the most joyous times in my life  and every parent deserves the chance to spend time with their newborn without being forced to forgo a paycheck or worry about making ends meet. Ensuring working families like Alison's have the resources, flexibility, and support they need to care for their children isn't a Democratic or Republican value, it's an American one. I'm proud we were able to work across the aisle to ensure federal workers will have twelve weeks of guaranteed paid leave and I won't stop advocating for commonsense policies that help Lowcountry families.
I am honored to be joining Representative JoeCunninghamat the State of the Union on Tuesday. As the mother to a young child, currently pregnant with my second, I appreciate that Rep.Cunninghamis a fighter for paid family leave,said Alison Martin.
In December of last year,Cunninghamvotedto pass theFiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report that includes twelve weeks of guaranteed paid parental leave for federal workers. It was signed into law by President Trump and will go into effect October 2020.
Cunninghamhelpedintroducebipartisan and bicameral legislation that provides resources to help new parents pay for leave and cover the cost of day care, baby supplies and other expenses associated with a new child, without raising taxes or creating new employer mandates.In December, heparticipatedin the White House Child Care and Paid Leave Summit.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-bill-protect-lowcountry-fisheries-impact-climate-change-passes,Cunningham Bill to Protect Lowcountry Fisheries from Impact of Climate Change Passes Committee,2020-01-29,2020,2020-01,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Natural Resources Committee voted to pass the Climate-Ready Fisheries Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation to help Lowcountry fisheries manage the current and anticipated impact of climate change. Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Francis Rooney (R-FL), and Jared Huffman (D-CA) are original cosponsors.
The Climate-Ready Fisheries Act of 2019 directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine what actions have already been taken by fishery managers, identify whether any knowledge or funding gaps are hindering action, and provide recommendations for how we can better adapt fishery management, and prepare fishing industries and communities for the impacts of climate change. It also directs the GAO to offer recommendations for how Congress can enhance our nation's science and management systems to better address climate change.
Lowcountry fishermen and women are some of the hardest working people in South Carolina, and climate change has put their way of life under direct attack. We know that well-managed fisheries are resilient fisheries. The Climate-Ready Fisheries Act gives our fishermen the tools they need to continue fishing sustainably for generations to come, said Rep. Cunningham. I'm proud this bipartisan legislation is now on its way to the House floor, so that we can learn what is working, what is not, and how we can be the best possible stewards of our natural resources. 
Healthy waterways are critical to our environment and economysupporting the businesses in our communities that rely on fishing and tourism to thrive, Rep. Mast said. I'm glad we were able to work together to get this bill passed out of committee, and I look forward to continuing the fight to protect our local fisheries and promote healthier ecosystems for generations to come.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-votes-pass-pfas-action-act,Cunningham Votes to Pass the PFAS Action Act,2020-01-10,2020,2020-01,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.  Today, Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) voted to pass the PFAS Action Act, bipartisan legislation that would designate all Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals as hazardous substances and allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up contaminated sites in South Carolina and across the country.
The EPA currently does not list any PFAS as hazardous substances under the Superfund program, which allows the EPA and federal agencies to clean up contaminated sites. By making this listing, the EPA will be able to direct federal resources to clean up contaminated sites and limit the spread of these dangerous substances.
There is no responsibility I take more seriously than ensuring the health and wellbeing of my constituents, said Rep. Joe Cunningham. Hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians have been unwittingly exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals for decades. PFAS contamination represents a clear and present danger to families across our state. This bipartisan legislation ensures we are treating PFAS with the seriousness it deserves and gives agencies the resources they need to clean up our communities.
Following an expos by the Post and Courier on the presence of PFAS in the groundwater at Joint Base Charleston and three other airbases in South Carolina, Cunningham urged the Air Force to take action.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-statement-opposition-war-powers-resolution-iran,Cunningham Statement in Opposition to War Powers Resolution on Iran,2020-01-09,2020,2020-01,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) released the following statement on his vote in opposition to the War Powers Resolution the House of Representatives passed today:
The safety and security of American lives at home and abroad is my top priority in Congress. The authoritarian regime in Iran is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American servicemembers and continues to provide critical support for terrorist groups that target Americans and make the world less safe. And while Qassem Soleimanithe architect of Iran's deadly campaignshas been killed, it is important that we acknowledge that his proxies are still at large and continue to pose a serious threat to America and our allies.
I support the President's decision to de-escalate tensions in the wake of Iran's retaliatory attack Tuesday night. This is the right outcome for all parties involved, and as long as this posture continues, we should avoid sending the message that Congress is not behind the Commander-in-Chief as he tries to prevent further escalation with Iran. This is why I voted in opposition to today's resolution.I also support the Administration's commitment to work with our allies to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and ceases its support of terrorist activities.
Congress and the American people still need to hear more from the Administration about the intelligence that led to the operation against Soleimani and how recent actions fit into our broader strategy in the region. No one wants another endless war in the Middle East. Over the last two decades, Congress has permitted the Executive Branch under three different administrations to use and abuse an 18-year-old Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) with no clear regional exit strategy. The time is long overdue for Congress to hold a robust, public debate with regard to whether we need an updated AUMF tailored to the current global threat landscape.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cunningham.house.gov/media/press-releases/cunningham-statement-death-qassem-soleimani,Cunningham Statement on the Death of Qassem Soleimani,2020-01-03,2020,2020-01,Democrat,House,SC,Joe Cunningham,C001122,cunningham.house.gov,,,legacy,"Mt. Pleasant, S.C.  U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) released the following statement in reaction to the death of Qassem Soleimani, who led the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
""Last night's airstrike was unprecedented with incalculable consequences that will play out over the coming days, weeks, and months. Given the immense gravity of this situation, Congress needs to hear from the Administration about the intelligence that led to this airstrike and how it fits into our broader strategy to counter Iran's destabilizing presence in the region, consolidate our gains in Iraq, and combat violent extremism. Soleimani was a brutal killer responsible for the death of hundreds of Americans, but his death is not a substitute for thoughtful foreign policy. Without a full account of the facts on the ground, whether or not the Administration acted within its authority in carrying out this strike remains in question. However, this much is clear: the Administration cannot take any action that will bring us closer to a conflict with Iran without the consent of Congress. Right now, our top priority must be preventing further escalation and protecting the lives of American servicemembers and diplomats overseas.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z