Dear Friend,

Welcome back to my Week in Review newsletter. In addition to these weekly updates, you can sign up to receive other issue-specific newsletters here. Also, please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!  

Standing Against Religious Discrimination

Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) denied tax-exempt status to Christians Engaged, a faith-based nonprofit. After outcry from the public, the IRS reversed its decision, but the question still remains: Why did this happen in the first place?

This week, I joined several of my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, urging him to investigate this apparent failure and to review IRS processes for making tax-exempt status determinations. We received a response last night, saying the IRS would conduct an audit of its tax-exempt determination process. No individual or organization should be treated unfairly on the basis of religion.

Expanding Education Opportunity

The Palmetto Promise Institute (PPI) recently launched its new Artis Ware Center for Education Opportunity. Named after my grandaddy Artis Ware, this center will work to provide hope to every South Carolina child through the power of a strong education. My grandaddy knew that education was the key to achieving the American Dream. That’s why he sat down with a newspaper every morning at our kitchen table, even though he couldn’t read. He was determined to set an example of the power of education for me and my brother. 

To celebrate the center’s launch, PPI President Ellen Weaver and I toured Five Oaks Academy in Simpsonville to see Montessori learning in action, and we participated in a zoom call with former Senator Jim DeMint to discuss the future of education.

Former Senator Jim DeMint, PPI President Ellen Weaver, and I discuss the future of education together

My Statement on Afghanistan

As the world watched in horror at the atrocities unfolding in Afghanistan this week, President Biden doubled down on his poorly-planned, chaotic withdrawal of troops. Click here to view my full statement on this completely preventable tragedy.

Sincerely,