Going to the Southern Border

February 16, 2024

Dear Friend,

Welcome back to my Week in Review newsletter. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!

This week started off in the nation’s capital, where Congress voted on an additional supplemental funding package. As the Senate prepared to vote, I offered three amendments to the bill to prioritize border wall construction at our southern border, abolish the U.N. agency complicit with terrorism and antisemitism, and establish greater oversight of foreign land purchases near U.S. military bases and other sensitive sites.

Ultimately, I voted against the final passage of the package. I have always stood by our greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel, especially in the face of unspeakable atrocities at the hands of Hamas terrorists. And I have consistently supported providing Israel with the resources it needs to defend itself and defeat Hamas. But Democrats are using the crisis Israel faces to fund their preferred priorities.

To address the many national security challenges we face, we should first secure our southern border, second provide resources to Israel, third assist our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, and fourth make sure we have additional accountability woven into the resources we provide Ukraine. This bill falls far short of that standard.

Read more about the supplemental funding bill here.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalms 27:13-14

Week In Review

Going to the Border

Click here to watch my remarks at the border.

Earlier today, I was in Eagle Pass, Texas, to take a first-hand look at the crisis at our wide-open southern border. Alongside my friend and fellow South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, I met with Border Patrol agents and federal officials to hear how they have been dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants under President Biden’s open border policies. We also toured the border and the federal facilities in this area. Anyone who denies there is a crisis at our border has not seen the reality of what’s happening down here and the strain it has put on the local officials and communities.

Senator Graham and I called on the Biden administration to stop the largest invasion in American history. President Biden is the one who opened up our country to millions of illegal immigrants, and it’s up to him to stop playing politics and put Americans first.

Read more about our visit here.

Bringing American Hostages Home

During its brutal October 7 attack, Hamas murdered over 1,200 people and took at an estimated 240 people hostage. Hamas is still holding at least six Americans hostage in Gaza, where they continue to use innocent civilians as human shields.

Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) joined me in introducing a resolution reminding the President that he has the constitutional authority to use military force to secure the release of the U.S. hostages, if necessary. The president has the responsibility to consider the use of all appropriate tools at his disposal to safely bring Americans home, and we urge him to use that authority.

Read more about our resolution here.

Celebrating Black History Month

Watch my part of my video series on Black History Month here!

February is Black History Month, a time for us to celebrate the role African Americans have played in writing the American story. I was proud to lead my Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution commemorating Black History Month. The opportunity to reflect on the resilience and contributions of Black Americans past and present gives us the strength to build on the tremendous progress we’ve made and continue to work toward creating a more perfect union.

Read more about the Black History Month resolution here.

Recognizing America’s Entrepreneurs

The entrepreneurial spirit is the foundation of the American Dream. As a former small business owner, I understand the hard work and dedication the American people put in every day to make their dreams a reality. As co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Entrepreneurship Caucus, I was proud that the Senate passed a resolution I introduced celebrating our incredible entrepreneurs and their unrelenting commitment to creating economic opportunity.

Making Waves

POLITICO: National Security Daily: Sense of the Senate

Reporting for POLITICO, Alexander Ward and Matt Berg write, “Three Republican senators want to remind Biden he can use military force to rescue America’s six hostages in Gaza. Sens. Tim (R-S.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Tuesday introduced a resolution stating Article II of the Constitution gives Biden the authority to use force without needing Congress’ prior approval. ‘The president has the authority — and the responsibility — to consider the use of all appropriate tools at his disposal to secure their safe release. It is past time to bring them all home,’ said Scott, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”

Jewish Insider: Daily Kickoff

Jewish Insider’s Daily Kickoff writes that, “Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced a resolution declaring that President Joe Biden already has the authority necessary to use U.S. military force to liberate American hostages held in Gaza.”

Palmetto Pride

This week, I’m spilling the sweet tea on North Charleston’s first two Black police officers. In 1978, Frank Noble and Harry B. Smith joined the Lowcountry’s police department, the start of a rich path of public service. During Black History month, I’m proud to showcase the path they paved to creating a brighter future here in South Carolina!

Read more about these officers here!

This Week on Social Media

Sincerely,

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