Blog
Jan 27 2009
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on news the South Carolina unemployment rate for December has risen to 9.5 percent.
“These are not just numbers on a piece of paper. These are real people – our friends, neighbors, family members who are suffering in these difficult economic times. We see the signs of the economic slowdown in our towns and communities as businesses both big and small, lay off workers or simply shut their doors.
“The current recession is as painful as any we have faced in decades. Our economy, both in South Carolina and across the nation, continues to shed jobs at an alarming pace. In December another 22,000 South Carolinians lost their jobs and for the first time in our state’s history more than 200,000 people are now out of work.
“Just yesterday, over 65,000 jobs cuts were announced by some of the most respected and well-known companies in our country. It seems hardly a day goes by when some company does not announce additional layoffs and I fear the end is not yet in sight.
“So where do we go from here? I don’t believe Congress and the President can solve all of our economic problems nor should we try. But I do believe we can get the ball moving in the right direction with the passage of a responsible stimulus package that contains the appropriate mix of tax cuts and spending on infrastructure projects. If the tax cuts or spending do not create jobs in the near term, they should not be in the stimulus package.
“South Carolinians expect their elected officials to stand up and address the most difficult issues facing our nation. Today, none are more pressing than the current economic situation.
“I have made it clear I am ready to work in a bipartisan fashion to get our economy moving again. I will continue to speak with and work with Obama Administration and my Senate colleagues on an economic stimulus package that creates jobs and puts people back to work. South Carolinians expect and deserve nothing less.”
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Jan 22 2009
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and John McCain (R-Arizona) today issued the following statement regarding the executive order put forth by President Obama calling for the closure of the prison at Guantanamo:
“We support President Obama’s decision to close the prison at Guantanamo, reaffirm America’s adherence to the Geneva Conventions, and begin a process that will, we hope, lead to the resolution of all cases of Guantanamo detainees,” said Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator John McCain. “The executive orders issued today constitute an important step in the right direction but leave several major issues unaddressed.”
“Numerous difficult issues remain,” Senator Graham and Senator McCain continued. “Present at Guantanamo are a number of detainees who have been cleared for release but have found no foreign country willing to accept them. Other detainees have been deemed too dangerous for release, but the sensitive nature of the evidence makes prosecution difficult. The military’s proper role in processing detainees held on the battlefield at Bagram, Afghanistan, and other military prisons around the world must be defended, but that is left unresolved. Also unresolved is the type of judicial process that would replace the military commissions. We believe the military commissions should have been allowed to continue their work. We look forward to working with the President and his administration on these issues, keeping in mind that the first priority of the U.S. government is to guarantee the security of the American people.”
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Dec 19 2008
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on President Bush’s plan to offer $17.4 billion to General Motors and Chrysler.
Graham said:
“I’m disappointed with President Bush’s decision in many respects.
“I do not believe it’s appropriate to use the TARP (Troubled Asset Recovery Program) funds to bail out the automotive companies. These funds were supposed to be used to stabilize financial institutions. The TARP legislation would certainly not have passed it we had known it was going to be used for this purpose.
“The plan announced by the President today will not lead to the necessary reforms which will make these companies profitable. The only viable solution is for them to enter Chapter 11 reorganization.
“There the companies would be able to renegotiate their labor and health costs to make them competitive in the global marketplace. It would also allow the reorganization to be accomplished without political considerations. Presidential or congressional restructuring will end up being a political exercise more so than a business exercise to make these companies profitable.
“If we continue down this road, I expect this will be the first of many government payments to the Big 3 automotive companies.”
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Dec 11 2008
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made this statement on the auto bailout plan that passed by the House of Representatives yesterday. The plan is scheduled to come before the Senate in the next few days.
Graham said:
“I oppose the current auto bailout plan.
“Simply put, the model Detroit has created will not sustain itself in the global economy. They need to make significant, structural changes before they receive federal assistance and those changes should be made in the private sector.
“No one wants to see these companies fail and workers displaced. I feel for the car dealers and their employees who are being hurt by years of bad decisions made by the leadership of the Big 3. But I also realize that unless major, fundamental changes are made in the way the Big 3 operate, they will likely find themselves right back in the same situation.
“I will continue to be open to proposals which help return the auto companies to profitable enterprises and protect the taxpayer. The current plan does not meet those standards.”
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Nov 17 2008
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after meeting with President-elect Barack Obama.
“We had a productive discussion with President-elect Obama and I appreciate the opportunity to meet with him. I believe there will be opportunities to find common ground on the many difficult issues facing our nation. Everyone at the meeting was committed to reducing government waste, reducing bitter partisanship, and reforming our government to make it work better for the American people.
“Where possible, the American people want us to work in a bipartisan fashion to address their problems. I think today’s meeting was a positive step forward.”
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Nov 17 2008
Due to the limited number of tickets allocated to each office, requests to Senator Graham’s office have exceeded his allotment and Senator Graham is not able to take ticket requests at this time. There will be a public viewing area on the National Mall for those constituents who wish to attend but were unable to obtain tickets to the inaugural ceremony.
For more information about Inauguration Day, please visit the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies website.
Nov 06 2008
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the news Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel has accepted the job as White House Chief of Staff. Graham spoke by phone with Emanuel earlier today.
Graham said:
“This is a wise choice by President-elect Obama.
“Rahm knows Capitol Hill and has great political skills. He can be a tough partisan but also understands the need to work together. He is well-suited for the position of White House Chief of Staff.
“I worked closely with him during the presidential debate negotiations which were completed in record time. When we hit a rough spot, he always looked for a path forward. I consider Rahm to be a friend and colleague. He’s tough but fair. Honest, direct, and candid. These qualities will serve President-elect Obama well.
“Rahm understands the challenges facing our nation and will, consistent with the agenda set by President-elect Obama, work to find common ground where it exists. I look forward to working with him in his new position and will continue to do everything I can to help find a pathway forward on the difficult problems facing our nation.”
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Oct 08 2008
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has been recognized as a True Blue member of the Senate for his unwavering commitment to the family. The award was presented by FRC Action, the legislative arm of the Family Research Council, and Focus on the Family Action.
The award honors member of the House and Senate who have exhibited extraordinary leadership and commitment to the defense of family, faith, and freedom. The scorecard covers Senate votes during the two-year 110th Congress. Recipients of the award voted consistently for pro-life and pro-family issues.
The votes included efforts to:
- Defend grassroots organizations rights to influence public policy
- Provide health care for unborn children
- Confirm Judge Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals
- Oppose Embryonic Stem Cell Research
- Oppose Funding for International Coercive Abortion and Sterilization Programs
- Oppose Federal Thought Crimes Bill
- Prevent Abortion Funding in Indian Health Services
“The Members of the 110th Congress who received this award have been consistent, stalwart allies of American families,” said FRC Action President Tony Perkins. “These Members are to be commended for supporting public policy that values human life, protects our religious liberties, and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family.”
“I applaud these Members for defending pro-family and pro-life policies that have been under attack this past year,” said Perkins. “Values voters should be encouraged by these Members who have shown a commitment to protecting and strengthening the family.”
To order a copy of the Vote Scorecard, visit FRC Action’s website at http://www.frcaction.org.
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Oct 07 2008
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) responded to news that U.S. District Court Judge Ricardo M. Urbina today ordered 17 Chinese Muslims being held at Guantanamo Bay military prison to be released into the United States. The detainees may be released as early as this Friday, October 10.
Graham noted in 2001 most of the Chinese Uighurs (Wee-gurs) were in Taliban terrorist camps in Afghanistan. They have been detained at Guantanamo Bay since 2002.
“The court’s decision is unprecedented,” said Graham. “I believe the judge’s decision to release these individuals into the United States sets a dangerous precedent in the War on Terror. Our nation needs clear policies dealing with detainees who are ordered to be released. Simply opening the courthouse door and letting them roam free on the streets of our nation is not sound policy.”
Graham, along with U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-Connecticut) has introduced legislation, the Enemy Combatant Detention Review Act, which addresses situations such as these.
The legislation prohibits the release of detainees into the United States. Detainees ordered released by federal judges would be transferred to the custody of Department of Homeland Security and be housed separately while the State Department secured release into their home country or other appropriate location in accordance with U.S. law prohibiting the return of individuals to a country where they may be mistreated.
“I understand some detainees will not be able to be repatriated to their native countries for fear of reprisal,” said Graham. “Some nations will choose not to accept their citizens. But the last thing our own nation needs is the unconditional release of former enemy combatants into American communities. It is not a good situation for our citizens or the detainee who may be at risk. Congress needs to address this problem as soon as possible.”
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Oct 05 2008
Why the Rescue Plan was Necesary
The following op-ed began appearing in South Carolina newspapers on October 5, 2008.
Congress faced an unpleasant but necessary choice of approving the financial rescue plan. We did not have the luxury of kicking the can down the road like we’ve done with Social Security and entitlements. We could not hope somebody braver than us would come along and have courage that we could not muster. This was on our watch and time was of the essence.
The conservative Heritage Foundation said it was, “only a matter of time” before the fallout hit Main Street “with potentially devastating economic effects for typical American households.” I agreed with their analysis but they were not saying anything people in
The credit crisis gripping our nation was already having a negative impact on Main Street. I heard from the retirement communities where retirees rely on dwindling 401(k)’s and the plumber who is worried he can’t get a short-term loan to make payroll. I heard from the restaurant owner who wants to expand and the college student and parents who were worried college loans were drying up. And I heard from the homeowner who fears for her job and the auto dealer who is about to close because customers cannot get credit.
A primary motive was to act and ensure credit was available at reasonable rates and near-collapses leading to fire-sale prices like Wachovia did not spread throughout the nation. Banks and lending institutions -- the financial engines of our economy -- are at tremendous risk.
For the common good, we had to find a solution to this problem before more people lost their homes, businesses shut their doors, college dreams were dashed, and additional jobs were lost. Simply put, my support for the financial rescue plan was about helping the people I grew up with and the people I represent – not Wall Street.
Major Revisions in the Law
The bill that passed the Senate had dramatically changed since it was first introduced.
One common misconception is the plan will cost taxpayers $700 billion. Over time and as the economy improves, the taxpayer will recoup money from the sale of troubled assets.
Warren Buffett, one of the most respected business leaders in our nation’s history, even thinks that after all is said and done taxpayers will actually make money. Buffett said, “If we could do the deal that is available to the
Either way, the costs to the taxpayer will be less than $700 billion and significantly less than the costs of a deep, severe, long-lasting recession.
A major improvement was an increase from $100,000 to $250,000 in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance on bank accounts and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revision of ‘mark to market’ accounting practices.
Another important change was that all funds collected will go toward retirement of our national debt – not shady groups like ACORN pushing a far left political agenda.
The legislation also contains important safeguards such as an oversight board to review the governments acquisition of troubled assets, limits on executive compensation packages and a prohibition on ‘golden parachutes’ for failed executives. A ‘clawback’ provision allows the government to recover bonuses and incentive compensation paid to a senior executives based on materially inaccurate information.
Financial Rescue One Piece of the Puzzle
Unfortunately, we have many difficult days ahead as our economy tries to regain its footing. Just last week jobless claims reached a seven year high and August factory orders fell by the largest amount in two years. It’s a clear sign that the manufacturing sector – which is a major driver of our state’s economy – is already feeling the effects of the credit crunch.
This package won’t solve all of our problems, but without it the American taxpayer faces even greater exposure.
Where From Here?
I remain committed to making sure the root cause of the problem -- mortgages being given to people who never should have had them -- does not happen again. It is obvious lending standards and procedures were compromised.
I support the FBI and federal agencies looking into Wall Street firms, mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and other financial institutions at the core of this disaster. We must find out what happened and hold the appropriate people and companies responsible.
As we learn more about how the house of cards was constructed and eventually came tumbling down, we must put better regulations and oversight in place. Failure to act only lays the groundwork for similar disasters in the future.
The financial rescue plan will prove to be the first step – not the last – in cleaning up our financial mess.
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