|
April 7, 2023
Friends,
I hope you and your family are well! I’m reaching out to provide some highlights and a summary of many of the most important recent events in the Third District and in Washington, D.C.
H.R. 1 Passes the House!
Last month, I was focused on passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. Last Thursday morning, H.R. 1 passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support on a 225-204 vote!
H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, will take bold action to unleash our nation’s energy potential and reverse the Biden Administration’s anti-domestic energy policies. This legislation is a win for all Americans and will address the nation’s energy crisis by reestablishing American energy leadership. Lowering energy costs is a leading priority because energy is the foundation of everything in American life—when the cost of energy goes up, everything else does too.
H.R. 1 will cut excessive bureaucratic red tape, help to lower global carbon emissions with cleaner American liquefied natural gas (LNG), and increase domestic production to lower costs and restore American energy dominance.
H.R. 1 includes my bill, the Protecting American Energy Production Act as part of sixteen pieces of legislation from the Energy and Commerce Committee. Of the sixteen bills from the Energy and Commerce Committee, there were nine bills from the Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee, where I serve as Chairman. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation to lower energy costs and improve the standard of living for Americans. Click HERE and HERE for more discussion on H.R. 1.
Honoring Specialist Four Charles Johnson Jr.
Last month, we honored Vietnam War soldier, Specialist Four Charles Johnson Jr. of Pickens, with a post office dedicated in his memory.
Charles Johnson was one of three brothers to serve in Vietnam at the same time, and he lost his life in the Pleiku Province in 1966. Charles Johnson is an American hero, and his name will now live in perpetuity in his community. It was an honor to play a role in ensuring he is remembered for generations to come through passing H.R. 92 last Congress.
God Bless his family and the loved ones of our fallen soldiers. John 15:13- “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Click HERE for more coverage of our dedication ceremony.
Thanking First Responders and Law Enforcement
Last month, I had the opportunity to meet with First Responders and Law Enforcement across the Third District as part of my annual First Responders Tour to show my appreciation and support for these brave men and women. Thanks to First Responders from Anderson, Edgefield, Laurens, Pickens, and Saluda counties for hosting me!
We discussed what they are facing each day, including the rise of fentanyl and drugs in our communities and how I can assist them on the federal level. Click HERE to see my interview this week on our nation's fentanyl crisis.
I am so thankful for the great job they do in making the Third District a great place to live and raise a family. God Bless the good work you do to keep our communities safe!
Vets Helping Vets
It was great meeting with Vets Helping Vets while in Anderson last month. We discussed the group’s plan to help Veterans in the Upstate, as well as legislation impacting the Veteran community. I am grateful for how this organization seeks to support one another through the community they have built. Thank you for your service!
Meeting with Governor McMaster on Energy and Economic Growth
I had a great meeting with Governor Henry McMaster in Columbia last month to discuss energy, economic development, and the nexus between the two. Thank you, Governor, for the work you do to make our state strong!
Testifying Before South Carolina General Assembly
It was great to be back at the South Carolina General Assembly last month to testify before the House Economic Development and Utility Modernization Ad Hoc Committee on expanding affordable and reliable energy production in South Carolina. Reliable baseload power is essential for the Palmetto State's continued economic growth. I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this issue and welcome the discussion! Click HERE to see my remarks before Ad Hoc Committee.
Dominion Energy Control Room
Last month, I visited Dominion Energy in South Carolina to tour their Transmission Operations Center control room where we discussed the importance of energy reliability and increased grid strength to keep the state safe and secure. In the control room, Dominion employees work to ensure the system is balanced and that the energy produced is meeting the current demand. Dominion Energy maintains approximately 10,330 miles of natural gas pipelines in South Carolina and provides natural gas service to a combined one million people across the Carolinas. I will continue my work in Congress as Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair to deliver reliable and affordable energy to South Carolinians.
Parents Bill of Rights Passes the House!
Parents, not the government, know what’s best for their children and are the primary stakeholders in their education. The Parents Bill of Rights, H.R. 5, affirms parental rights and restores the voice of parents, and I was excited to see it pass the House last month!
I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill that will empower parents and protect students and was glad to see it cross the finish line in the House. I also support multiple amendments to H.R. 5 and, even though not all the amendments passed, I wanted to highlight a few of them:
-Rep. Thomas Massie’s amendment to abolish the bureaucratic Department of Education by the end of this year (an effort I have supported since coming to Congress). The less government in education, the better.
-Rep. Lauren Boebert’s two amendments to require parents to know if their child’s school allows biological males to use the women’s restroom or participate in women’s sports (these amendments passed by voice vote).
-Rep. Chip Roy’s amendment to allow federal educational funds to follow students whether they are public, private, or homeschooled.
-Rep. Rich McCormick’s amendment that clarifies parents will be permitted to address the school board regarding a violation of their parental rights.
It is time we restore parental rights in education. This legislation empowers parents, and in turn, will improve educational outcomes for students.
Calling for the Declassification of COVID Origins Documents
I was glad to see the COVID-19 Origin Act, which declassifies information on COVID-19 origins, passed the House with bipartisan support last month and was later signed into law by President Biden. The American people have been in the dark for too long and deserve to know the full truth about COVID origins. After years of being kept in the dark, we are calling on the Biden Administration to declassify ALL COVID-19 origins reports. Click HERE for our full statement on this.
In the Media
Last month, I was the first guest on Bill Frady's new show on 106.3 WORD, Straight Talk, and you can listen to our conversation HERE. I also joined "In Focus" with Addison Smith on One America News Network where we discussed Joe Biden's climate agenda and H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. Click HERE to watch my OAN interview. Click HERE to see my conversation with Fox Carolina discussing the passage of H.R. 1 in the House and what this means for South Carolinians.
Legislative Action
Here are some more of the pieces of legislation I have cosponsored this Congress. Click HERE to see more of the bills I have cosponsored during the 118th Congress.
I cosponsored H.R.935, Rep. Mary Miller’s Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act of 2023, which protects biological girls under Title IX within athletic and educational facilities such as bathrooms and locker rooms.
I cosponsored Rep. Dan Newhouse’s H.R.809, Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act, which would prevent nonresidents, foreign businesses, and any other agents associated with the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing land within the United States.
I cosponsored H.R.1010, Rep. Drew Ferguson’s Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act, which would protect Americans’ financial privacy by preventing the implementation of new requirements for individuals to report bank account deposits and withdrawals.
I cosponsored Rep. Dan Bishop’s H.R.991, COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act, which would prevent organizations that refuse to provide care based on COVID-19 vaccination status from receiving Federal funds.
I cosponsored Rep. Jim Bank’s H.R.989, Build the Wall Now Act, which would aid in the construction, development, and ultimate completion of a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
I cosponsored H.R.1130, Rep. Bill Johnson’s Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023, which would repeal restrictions on the export and import of natural gas.
I cosponsored H.J.Res.38, Rep. Debbie Lesko’s proposed amendment to the Constitution to protect parental rights and enshrine their right to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.
I cosponsored Rep. Dan Bishop's H.R. 1229, the Stop CRT Act, to prevent the use of federal funds to further the teaching or advancement of Critical Race Theory in our schools and communities.
I cosponsored Rep. August Pfluger’s H.R. 1143, the Prohibiting Federal Emergencies for Abortion Act, which prohibits the executive branch from declaring a national emergency to promote access to abortion. It also prohibits the executive branch from taking action against states that prohibit or limit abortion.
2023 Congressional Art Competition
If you're a high school student in South Carolina's Third District and would like your artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol, I encourage you to enter the 2023 Congressional Art Competition! The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 and allows Members of Congress to showcase the artistic talent of students across the country. Click HERE for more information.
Finally, I'd like to wish you all a Happy Easter. On Good Friday, we Christians remember the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as we prepare for Sunday when we celebrate His glorious Resurrection that brings us salvation. He is Risen, indeed! Have a blessed Easter weekend.
1 Peter 2:24- "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
It is an honor to serve the Third District of South Carolina. Should you or your family need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office directly.
Blessings and Liberty,
Jeff Duncan
Member of Congress |