RPC Blog

Our nation is free and prosperous because millions of Americans have fought to protect and defend our liberties and our lives.  On this day, we honor those who have worn the uniform and served this nation at home and abroad.  They have fought bravely and selflessly, and far too many have paid the ultimate sacrifice to help preserve peace and humanity around the world.  It is in acknowledgement and gratitude for their dedication and duty that we stand with our American veterans today and everyday.

American taxpayers are justifiably outraged when on the one hand they are asked to stomach billions in federal assistance for companies and then have to watch as corporate executives at those same companies spend thousands of dollars on lavish junkets for themselves.  Recent reports have cited a $440,000 weekend getaway held by AIG executives after they received $85 billion in taxpayer dollars.  This is unacceptable.  South Carolina families deserve accountability.  They deserve to know that their tax dollars are not paying for this type of extravagance.

From the beginning, Congress was delivered a flawed proposal.  The initial Paulson plan lacked sufficient transparency, accountability, and protections for taxpayers.  I was proud to stand with many of my colleagues as we worked to improve this legislation and keep our word to the citizens we represent.  They sent us here to make these tough decisions.

Lifting the ban on off-shore deepwater drilling is an important first step in breaking our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  But, it is just a first step.  Our nation’s short-term and long-term energy needs must be met with an all-of-the-above strategy which includes sound conservation incentives and alternative energy resources.  Additionally, as a native of Charleston and someone who has the privilege to represent coastal communities in South Carolina, I am deeply aware of the importance of our world-class beaches to our state’s tourism industry.  Any off-shore exploration should be deepwater and well beyond our shores, in the realm of 25 miles or more.

The cost of doing nothing during this economic crisis threatens the retirements and jobs of the people of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina.  This is not about Wall Street.  It is about Main Street.  It’s the community banks that provide loans to the small businesses of this nation or student loans to families struggling to afford a quality education for their children.  It’s those small businesses that create jobs – the very foundation of commerce that drives our economy.  A systemic failure of this size in our complex economy would harm not just the market but the individuals who I have the privilege of representing.  It has made the option of doing nothing unacceptable.