Dear fellow South Carolinians,

Thank you for subscribing to my weekly e-newsletter, and please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also listen and subscribe to my new podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Broadband, A Key to Success:
With the increase in virtual classes, business meetings, telemedicine, and more, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored both the importance of broadband technology and the wide disparities in its availability.  

That is why I recently introduced two bills to expand access to broadband in rural and underserved communities across the nation. The Connecting Minority Communities Act would provide grants to HBCU’s and other minority-serving institutions to expand their internet access, and the Governors Broadband Development Fund would prioritize funding for areas of the country that lack broadband. These bills serve as beacons of hope to communities that have been overlooked for too long, by equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in our digital world. To read more about the bills, click here.

My Protecting Nonprofits Act Signed Into Law:
The Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act, which I introduced along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), was signed into law on Tuesday. This bipartisan bill allows nonprofits to receive their CARES Act relief funds ahead of their unemployment payments, rather than being reimbursed afterward. 

Reducing financial hardships for the organizations that serve the American public is a commonsense, win-win solution. We rely on many of our nonprofit organizations now more than ever, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this law in communities across the country. You can read more about the bill here.

Addressing Health Disparities:
Last Tuesday, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and I introduced the REACH Act, legislation that would codify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) REACH program, which combats health disparities across the country. This bill would provide the program with $70 million for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, enabling it to distribute grants for local projects aimed at enhancing health outcomes, managing chronic conditions, and responding to infectious disease outbreaks. These steps will ensure that our underserved communities are not left behind in the midst of the pandemic. More information about the bill can be found here.

COVID-19 Resources:
As our students head back to schools and universities in many parts of the state, we must all remember that the virus is not yet defeated. Please remember to stay six feet away from others and wear a mask when out, sanitize and wash your hands thoroughly, and – critically – stay home if you are feeling ill.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, click here for information from the South Carolina Department of Health on tele-health consultation options, which are free with the promo code COVID19. A full schedule of locations for popup testing sites around the state is also available here.

Sincerely,

Tim