Dear fellow South Carolinians,

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New Legislation

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Act:

My Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Act was approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources last Thursday. The legislation will revamp the protections overseeing some of South Carolina’s most historic locations. South Carolina’s history is an essential chapter of our American story, and today we are one step closer to helping preserve some of our state’s most important and historic sites. By officially classifying Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie as nationally recognized historical parks, we can rest assured these areas will continue to be enjoyed by local residents and visitors for years to come.

Making Online Banking Initiation Legal and Easy (MOBILE) Act:

Last Tuesday, along with Sen. Cortez Masto, I introduced the Making Online Banking Initiation Legal and Easy (MOBILE) Act, legislation that will allow consumers to open a bank account online using a copy of the individual’s driver’s license or personal identification card. An estimated 68 million people in the U.S. are currently unbanked or underbanked. The bipartisan MOBILE Act represents an important step in helping hardworking Americans gain financial stability. We want to make sure that every American has the opportunity to open up a bank account and the ability to save for a better future, and this important bipartisan legislation will help millions more families sign up for banking services online.

Promoting Flood Risk Mitigation Act:

On Thursday, along with Rep. Sanford, I helped introduce legislation that would help more vulnerable homeowners move out of dangerous flood zones. The bipartisan bill calls for a comprehensive review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) program to reduce flood risk and taxpayer exposure by buying homes from property owners in flood-prone areas. As a South Carolinian who grew up on the coast, I know well the devastation floods can bring without warning. Unfortunately, many of our communities have flooded repeatedly over the years, leaving families facing the constant fear of flooding and rebuilding their homes over and over again. The bipartisan Promoting Flood Risk Mitigation Act will create better ways of helping people stuck in repeatedly flooded areas while putting the NFIP on stronger financial footing so it’s around for future generations.

IIOA & Opportunity Zones

Last Thursday, I testified before the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) on the benefits that opportunity zones, passed in last year’s tax reform bill, will have on distressed communities across the country. More than 52 million Americans live in distressed communities, and the potential in those opportunity zones is incredibly high. The goal of the legislation is to make sure that those residents living in the opportunity zones, those businesses located in the opportunity zones, and the property that can be rehabilitated in the opportunity zones all benefit from a long-term view of making a community better. You can watch all of my remarks here.

Armed Services Day

On Saturday, we celebrated 2018’s Armed Services Day. I would like to offer my gratitude and salute those men and women who serve our country in our nation’s Armed Services. Thank you to all of those who protect our freedom!

Sincerely, 

Tim