Dear Friend,

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Education Through this Pandemic

Our nation’s students have been through a lot this year. From transitioning to virtual learning, to not being able to participate in normal school activities, this year’s students have endured new trials every day. I am thankful for the parents who have sacrificed so much to keep their students safe and healthy throughout this difficult time. We are all blessed to have amazing teachers and professors who are on the front lines, educating children and helping them to learn despite the pandemic. 

School choice is something I continue to champion, and with the new needs that our students are facing now, this seems a more pressing issue than ever. Education is the key to a successful life, and school choice is a significant part of ensuring a good education for our children. 

I will continue to fight for equal and fair education for all Americans regardless of age, color, and socio-economic status. If you are interested in knowing more about my involvement with education, sign up for my education newsletter here. A new one is coming out tomorrow!

Fairness for Crime Victims Act

Also last week, Senator Pat Toomey and I introduced The Fairness for Crime Victims Act. The purpose of this bill is to ensure that the money, which is allocated to victims of crimes, is actually received by the victims. This funding is the result of the 1984 Crime Victims Fund, in which the federal government collected money from those convicted of crimes. These funds were then slated to be distributed to the victims and victims’ service groups, such as Child Advocacy Centers, rape crisis centers, and domestic violence shelters. 

If this legislation passes, it will bring about 2.9 billion dollars into the hands of these victims to help them deal with the tragedy and challenges that occur in the aftermath of crime. Senator Toomey and I want to ensure that these available resources go specifically and directly to the victims as often as we can. 

Fair Access to Banking

Under the Obama Administration, “Operation Choke Point” pressured financial institutions to stop doing business with companies like payday lenders and firearms dealers. The OCC has guidance that tells banks to evaluate customers individually, as opposed to making large, sweeping decisions affecting a range of customers. We cannot allow banks to play policymaker by punishing industries just because they disagree with them politically. 

There is no place for discrimination in the financial services industry, and I am proud of the OCC’s recent decision to clear up the language. These changes have made it clear that a bank’s business should be to make quality decisions based on a customer’s credit and not on their ideas of what services or products should be available to consumers. 

Turkey Drop

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of handing out Thanksgiving turkeys and other food to people in North Charleston! Although things are different this year, the spirit of giving back has not changed. 

Sincerely,