Dear Friends,

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Transferred Gitmo Detainees have killed Americans
By law, President Obama does not have the power to transfer terrorists housed at Gitmo to facilities on American soil. This has been acknowledged by both his Defense Secretary and Attorney General; however, this has not stopped the President from trying to fulfill this dangerous campaign promise. 

This past week, Paul Lewis-the Department of Defense Special Envoy for Guantanamo Detention Closure-confirmed that Americans have already been killed by Gitmo detainees. According to the Associated Press, Mr. Lewis stated, "What I can tell you is unfortunately there have been Americans that have died because of (Guantanamo) detainees.” 

The President must rescind his Guantanamo plans, and instead begin detaining captured ISIS fighters at the facility. This is bigger than politics, and the President must stop putting campaign promises first and American lives second.

Standing with the Little Sisters of the Poor
The Little Sisters of the Poor is a group of Catholic nuns that since 1839 have served elderly poor. Today, they serve 13,000 residents and operate 30 homes in the United States. When Obamacare passed, it created new requirements that religious nonprofits, like the Little Sisters, change their healthcare plan to offer services that directly contradict Catholic teachings on life.

The Little Sisters tried to find ways to comply with the healthcare law and not violate their faith, but the Obama administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) left them with only two options — defy their faith or pay up to $70 million a year in fines. It’s outrageous that the Obama administration would target these selfless women and other religious nonprofits like them.

As the Supreme Court takes up their case, I’m proud to stand with the Little Sisters against Obamacare’s unfair mandate. That’s why I joined 206 other Members of Congress — from both parties — to send a brief to the Supreme Court supporting the Little Sisters and religious liberty.

I will continue to work to repeal and replace Obamacare, and to fight the negative effects it is having on the American people, because every year we see reason after reason why it’s bad for South Carolina and bad for the country.

Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act
Over the past seven years, the Obama Administration has continuously ignored the real world consequences that come along with the endless red tape created by big government regulations. Last week I introduced the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act to stop one of the Administration’s newest proposed rules from potentially raising the cost of higher education, making it harder for charter schools to get off the ground, start a small business, and dozens of other unintended effects.

My work in the Senate has been centered on ensuring that every man and woman across the country has the opportunity to succeed. The federal government’s role in this should be limited — the goal is to empower individuals, not bureaucracies, and to make it easier, not harder, for folks to reach their goals. Unfortunately, as the Department of Labor (DOL) continues their efforts to update rules surrounding federal wage and hour standards, they are preparing to make it harder for workers to earn promotions and taking away flexibility for employees and their employers.

That’s why I have introduced the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act to stop this burdensome new rule. The new overtime rule creates more red tape, and is another one size fits all rule, that will make life harder for American families. It must be reconsidered and reworked — plain and simple.

Palmetto Wednesdays
Every Wednesday when the Senate is in session, I invite South Carolinians to come to my office in Washington at 11 AM for great conversations and some southern hospitality. We make plenty of real sweet tea, put out some Lay’s potato chips that were proudly made in South Carolina, and look forward to meeting constituents.  Please contact my office at (202) 224-6121 for more information or to let us know you’ll be joining us!

Sincerely,

Tim