February 11, 2022
Friends,
I hope you and your family are well! I wanted to provide you with a few updates –
Combatting the Drug and Fentanyl Crisis
Enough fentanyl was seized by CBP last year to kill every American nearly 7 times over, and fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45. Not cancer, not car wrecks, not COVID, but fentanyl, an illicit, and highly potent substance surging past the southern border. President Biden and the Democrats’ open border policies allow deadly substances like fentanyl to flow through our borders and ravage our communities.
This week, I co-sponsored the HALT Fentanyl Act, which would make it illegal for this deadly drug to be used outside of research purposes and essentially ban the selling of the molecularly-altered fentanyl substance manufactured by criminals. This legislation would save lives, but Democrats have yet to allow it to come to the floor. For the sake of our children and communities, we must combat the fentanyl crisis and secure our borders.
Republicans Urge Biden to Undergo Cognitive Test
The president’s mental state is not a laughing matter but a matter of serious concern for our country. I’ve joined nearly 40 of my colleagues to push President Biden to follow the precedent set by President Trump and undergo a cognitive test. With the president’s behavior over the past year, there is reason to question his cognitive ability, and the American people deserve confidence in our president’s mental fitness. To read more, click HERE.
The Importance Protecting our Border from Invasion
I believe the immigration surge at our southern border constitutes an invasion of our nation, and the Attorney General of Arizona has reached the same conclusion. Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution states that the United States would protect all states joining the Union against invasion. Biden's border crisis undermines the tenets of the Constitution, and I have filed an article of impeachment against President Biden because of this. To read more, click HERE.
Biden Admin. Scrambles Following "Crack Pipe" Allegations
As you may have seen, the Biden Administration is now scrambling to deny credible accusations that they were going to provide CRACK PIPES to promote racial equity. To set the record straight, an HHS spokesperson allegedly told the Washington Free Beacon earlier this week that these kits would provide pipes to smoke crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and "any illicit substance."
The grant money these news articles are referring to is eligible for “safe smoking kits/supplies,” which often contain fresh smoking devices, i.e. CRACK PIPES. Even though the grant money could still go to CRACK PIPES, the Administration is now saying that they will not include them in the safe smoking kits. But don’t worry everyone, the grant money is still specifically eligible for syringes that can be used to “safely” shoot up heroine! Don't believe me? Take a look for yourselves HERE.
Inflation Reaches New Heights Under Biden
The last time inflation was this high in 1982, I was in high school (see the throwback below). Bidenflation is a tax on all Americans and has increased each month of Biden in office.
Inflation is at a 40-year high and will cost most American households an extra $3,500 in expenses this year (Penn Wharton Budget Model). Americans are paying more for everything from groceries to gas. This inflation rate (due to reckless government spending) is unsustainable. Americans cannot afford a Joe Biden presidency.
Bad Numbers for Biden
From Afghanistan and the southern border crisis to skyrocketing inflation and draconian mandates, it is no surprise over half of the country (56%) says they approve of “nothing” President Biden has done (per CNN).
Meeting with Rachel for the Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day
It is always great to meet with my friend, Rachel, for the Annual Special Olympics International Capitol Hill Day this week. Looking forward to when Rachel will get to visit us in person in Washington again, and I’ll be pulling for her as she competes as a swimmer in the Special Olympics USA Games in June! I’m thankful for what the Special Olympics does to serve these athletes and their families.
Remembering a Friend’s Life on the House Floor
It was a privilege to honor the life of a model American and South Carolinian on the House floor this week. Raymond G. “Jerry” Strawbridge, who passed away Monday, was chairman of the Saluda County Council and epitomized what it meant to be a public servant and true patriot, as he did so much to serve his church, his country, Saluda County, and South Carolina’s Third District. I was blessed to call him a friend.
Jerry was a family man, veteran, business owner, and chairman of the Saluda County Republican Party for eight years, as well as chairman of the Saluda County Water and Sewer Commission. He was also a Sergeant Major in the South Carolina National Guard, where he served for 40 years and received many accolades. I am praying for Jerry’s wife and family as they mourn the loss of a truly incredible person. He will surely be missed by his community, but his legacy will continue to have an impact for years to come.
Legislative Action
Here is a look into some of the legislative actions I have taken in Congress this week to push back against the Democrats' reckless agenda.
This week, I co-sponsored legislation (H.R.6702) led by Rep. Jackie Walorski to require more accurate reporting of abortion drug prescribing and related adverse events.
I also co-sponsored legislation (H. R. 6633) led by Rep. Brian Mast to reinstate a member involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces since he was not vaccinated against COVID.
I was also proud to co-sponsor the HALT Fentanyl Act to make it illegal for this deadly drug to be used outside of research purposes and virtually ban the selling of the deadly, molecularly-altered fentanyl substance.
I also signed a letter to Secretary Granholm responding to Senate Democrat misinformation and opposition to liquefied natural gas exports, as well as a letter to the President urging him to undergo a cognitive test to prove his mental fitness to serve in his office.
I also joined in calling out President Biden and Secretary Becerra requesting they submit a plan on the steps they plan to take in order to bring the country back to normal and unwind the public health emergency that sent us into ineffective, destructive lockdowns.
In the District
A “Welcome Home” party has been planned for Upstate Vietnam veterans at the Runway Café in Greenville on March 29. Greenville County Veteran Affairs and Miss Liberty Belle planned the party to honor the Vietnam veterans who never received a welcome home celebration upon returning from service in Vietnam.
Pine Gate Renewables has announced a new project in Saluda County, which will power about 23,000 homes. The project, Beulah Solar, aims to bring a maximum capacity of just under 75 megawatts alternating current to Batesburg-Leesville. The project comes through a 10-year power purchase agreement with Dominion Energy. The project will bring environmental benefits, dozens of jobs, and is expected to bring in $166,000 annually in revenue for Saluda and Lexington counties during its 40-year operation.
Blue Diamond Industries, a Swedish company, is set to open its first east coast operation in Clinton in July and is expected to hire around 90 people initially. Blue Diamond Industries manufactures materials for the protection of fiber optic, data, and power cables.
In 2021, the Abbeville Opera House brought significant money into the area through 43 shows last year that resulted in an estimated $300,000 in visitor spending. The overall impact that the Opera House had on the economy is an estimated $1 million, and more than 80% of the attendees of the Opera House came from outside of the 29620 zip code.
Update on Telephone Town Hall
To those of you expecting a call from me Tuesday for the Telephone Town Hall, I apologize this had to be postponed due to votes interfering. Stay tuned for a re-scheduled Telephone Town Hall in the next few weeks. If you want to make sure you are set to receive a call, sign up HERE.
Also, in case you missed my update earlier this week, click HERE to read my recent Fox op-ed on how I am combatting non-citizen voting in the U.S.
Should you or your family need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office directly.
Blessings and Liberty,
Jeff Duncan
Member of Congress |
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