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!  

Bolstering the Future of Education

South Carolina is home to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have provided pipelines to opportunity for thousands of students over the years. They continue to produce top-notch graduates that make enormous contributions to our workforce. In fact, half of all Black professionals in this country were educated at HBCUs. But despite their instrumental role in society, these institutions continue to be under-resourced, making it difficult for them to compete with top universities in research, government contracts, and more.

This week, I joined Bloomberg and the United Negro College Fund for a conversation about how we can level the playing field for HBCUs, enabling them to continue to expand their transformational work.

Click to watch my full conversation with Bloomberg’s David Westin 

Protecting the American Dream

Fifteen years ago, it typically cost $15-20 to make a trade in the marketplace. Today, it’s free! As someone who grew up in poverty, I know just how much of a game-changer that can be. For the first time, folks of lower income levels are able to invest, opening the door to limitless financial opportunity.

Tragically, the Biden administration’s policies could put that crucial path to achieving the American Dream at risk. In a Senate banking committee hearing, I questioned U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler on this and more.

Click to watch my questions for Chairman Gensler

Standing Up To Scams and Fraud

As we grapple with many unknowns in the age of the pandemic, there has been a heartbreaking uptick in fraud and scams against our older population. Since January 2020, the Federal Trade Commission estimates that seniors have lost $100 million to COVID-19-related fraud.

As ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, I’m holding a hearing next week with Chairman Casey on how we can help our seniors protect themselves and their finances from these criminals. You can watch the hearing Thursday, September 23rd, at 9:30 a.m. on www.aging.senate.gov.

Sincerely,