Blog
Oct 20 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Richland County will receive more than $2.2 million in housing grants. Richland County will receive a $1,562,996 Community Development Block Grant, $619,548 for the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and $28,529 for the American Dream Down Payment Initiative.- The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) develops communities and provides housing by expanding economic opportunities for low and moderate income households.
- The HOME Investment Partnership Program creates affordable housing by allowing communities to design and implement strategies tailored to their own needs and priorities.
- The American Dream Down Payment Initiative promotes homeownership opportunities by providing necessary resources for down payment and closing cost assistance to lower-income and minority households.
Oct 19 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Winchester Conservation Museum in Edgefield will receive $497,050 in federal funds to expand the museum. Graham secured the funds in the fiscal year 2004 appropriations process and was recently notified of the forthcoming delivery of funds. The funds will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ####Oct 18 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement after President Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2006 into law. Graham attended the White House ceremony that took place earlier this afternoon. Graham said: “The Homeland Security bill includes real changes that will help secure our border. As a result of this legislation, we’ll be hiring 1,000 new border agents, expediting the return of illegal immigrants further from our southern border, and increasing the penalties for employers and those involved in smuggling illegal aliens.” “The bill authorizes billions of dollars for improved border security through better technology, a larger border control force, and the building of additional physical barriers all of which should contribute to better border security. It’s the first step in a long process to secure America’s borders.” ####Oct 18 2005
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) made the following statement after President Bush signed the Department of Homeland Security Act of 2006 into law. Graham attended the White House ceremony that took place earlier this afternoon. Graham said: “The Homeland Security bill includes real changes that will help secure our border. As a result of this legislation, we’ll be hiring 1,000 new border agents, expediting the return of illegal immigrants further from our southern border, and increasing the penalties for employers and those involved in smuggling illegal aliens.” “The bill authorizes billions of dollars for improved border security through better technology, a larger border control force, and the building of additional physical barriers all of which should contribute to better border security. It’s the first step in a long process to secure America’s borders.” ####Oct 17 2005
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Old Exchange Commission in Charleston will receive a $250,000 grant and the Historic Beaufort Foundation will receive $230,000. The Old Exchange Commission will use the funds to support the repair of cracked and delaminated stucco and masonry at the Old Exchange and Provost. The Historic Beaufort Foundation will use the funds to repair damaged exterior stucco at the Beaufort Arsenal. The Save America’s Treasures grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service. #####Oct 17 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Old Exchange Commission in Charleston will receive a $250,000 grant and the Historic Beaufort Foundation will receive $230,000. The Old Exchange Commission will use the funds to support the repair of cracked and delaminated stucco and masonry at the Old Exchange and Provost. The Historic Beaufort Foundation will use the funds to repair damaged exterior stucco at the Beaufort Arsenal. The Save America’s Treasures grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service. ####Oct 17 2005
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint announced the Senate approved $131 million in South Carolina related defense projects. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill. “South Carolina is one of the most patriotic states in the nation,” said Graham. “The men and women of this state give their time and talent to defend our nation and help ensure the armed forces have the most state-of-the-art equipment. I am pleased so many South Carolina related projects have been recognized for the contributions they make to our war-fighting capability. South Carolina is truly a leader in helping win the War on Terror.” “South Carolina has always played a vital role in keeping our nation free,” said DeMint. “I'm proud that our courageous men and women in uniform will be properly equipped to fight the War on Terror and to protect the homeland.” Projects funded in the bill include: Lowcountry- $28 million for the purchase of two C-17 Maintenance Training Systems produced in Summerville.
- $6 million for the purchase of Quadruple Specialty Containers produced in Charleston.
- $6 million for the development of the Joint Threat Warning System, an air communication surveillance system that provides direct warning to aircrafts operating over hostile territory, enhancing situational awareness and increasing aircrew survivability and the probability of mission success. Development is based in Charleston.
- $4.5 million for the South Carolina Research Authority to support the Lean Munitions program in Charleston. Lean Munitions will result in ammunition being produced in a timelier and cost efficient manner.
- $4 million for the development of an automated container and cargo handling system. The Autolog System will be able to transfer containers from ship-to-ship or ship-to-lighter/dock. Development is based in Charleston.
- $3.5 million for the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center in Charleston.
- $3 million for the development of vaccines for multivalent dengue viruses in Charleston.
- $4 million to upgrade Combat Casualty Care Equipment, including personnel kits and on-board kits for tactical vehicles. The main production facility is located in Greenville.
- $3.5 million for the South Carolina Research Authority to research and develop an active coating technology that adapts in real time to the surrounding situation and environment. The program will be based at Clemson University.
- $3.5 million for development of the Advanced Warfighter Sustainment Systems for the 21st Century (AWSS-21). AWSS-21 will provide better packaged and more nutritious food to our soldiers in the field. Research is conducted at Clemson University and in Gray Court.
- $9 million for the purchase of M249 SAW machine guns for the (Army or Marines) and $5 million for the (Army or Marines). The M249 is produced in Columbia.
- $2.5 million for the University of South Carolina to conduct brain imaging and deception detection research.
- $2.5 million for the development of high modulus carbon fibers in Rock Hill.
- $2 million to purchase portable tent lighting produced in Clover.
- $20 million to support the Up-Armored HMMWV and Tactical Truck Crew Trainer Program in the Army National Guard.
- $7 million for the purchase of All Terrain Military Utility Vehicles (M-Gator) for the Army National Guard.
- $5 million for the purchase of All Terrain Military Utility Vehicles (M-Gator) for the Army.
- $5 million for research and development of high temperature superconducting generators. Research is being conducted at the University of South Carolina and in Greenville.
- $4.5 million for further deployment of the South Carolina Army National Guard’s Vibration Management Enhancement Program, a maintenance diagnostic system, on Guard helicopters.
- $4 million for research and development of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier for out-of-hospital resuscitation of patients with severe hemorrhagic shock.
- $3.5 million for the development of an advanced electric drive system for military vehicles. Development is done at facilities throughout South Carolina.
Oct 15 2005
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
Aside from fighting the War on Terror, President Bush’s appointment of judges to the federal bench -- including two Supreme Court justices -- will be the defining legacy of his time in office. Like President Bush, I want judges who make good decisions based upon the law as written. I don’t want them to make new laws or take the law into their own hands. That role should be left to elected representatives in Congress and the President. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the past three years, I’ve had a front-row seat in the confirmation process of judges and I’m very concerned about what I see happening. The Senate seems to be getting away from judging a nominee’s experience, ethics, character, temperament and qualifications. We increasingly want to administer political allegiance tests to judicial nominees. This new standard wants potential judges to agree with a Senators values and beliefs in return for a vote for confirmation. The Senate didn’t always operate this way. Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative nominated by former President Reagan, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, a liberal nominated by former President Clinton, are both examples of nominees who were qualified for their positions and received overwhelming votes (98 for Scalia, 96 for Ginsberg) -- even though may Senators did not agree with their legal philosophies. A prime example of our new standard was the recent confirmation of John Roberts as the 17th Chief Justice of the United States. There’s no doubt President Bush chose wisely when he nominated him for the position as Roberts was a well-qualified nominee who may be the best legal mind in the country today. However I was greatly concerned by the fact he did not receive an overwhelming, near-unanimous vote in the Judiciary Committee (13-5) or on the Senate floor (78-22) like previous nominees. What was equally disturbing was some of the comments made by Senators who voted against him. He was called “incredible, probably one of the most schooled appellate lawyers at least in his generation,” “well qualified, well-spoken, unflappable,” “an outstanding lawyer, well educated and serious,” “obviously qualified in his legal education and litigation experience,” “Earnest, incredibly intelligent, a superb lawyer,” “brilliant, accomplished,” and “a judge who will be loyal and faithful to the process of law.” If being intelligent, brilliant, a superb lawyer, the greatest legal mind of your generation, personally decent and well qualified for the position is not enough then what is? There’s no doubt this new standard some Senators are adopting is bad for the judiciary and will prove to be bad for the country.Oct 11 2005
Senate Approves $79 Million for South Carolina Military Construction Projects
South Carolina National Guard Readiness Center in Charleston to Receive Nearly $10.3 Million
Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint secured more than $79 million for military construction projects in South Carolina in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2006 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill. “As we have recently witnessed, the men and women of our armed forces have a dual role in protecting this nation,” said Graham. “They defend our interests abroad and are called upon to respond in times of crisis at home. The projects funded in this bill recognize the dual nature of our military and demonstrate a commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for training and medical care.” "South Carolina is the best place in the nation for the military to live, train, and support our global war on terror and this bill helps ensure we continue this tradition," said Senator DeMint. "Our men and women in uniform risk their lives to protect us, and they deserve our highest support." The bill provides $10,298,000 for the South Carolina National Guard Readiness Center in Charleston. This project will be constructed in partnership with The Citadel and will be located on its campus. The Center will serve as the headquarters of the 218th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) and will serve as an emergency operations center in the event of a hurricane or flood. The Citadel will contribute 25 percent of the total project cost. Other projects in the bill include:- $35,000,000 for a consolidated medical clinic in Charleston.
- $15,524,000 for the Army Reserve Center in Greenville.
- $9,730,000 for the U.S. Central Command Air Forces Communications Squadron Facility at Shaw Air Force Base.
- $6,424,000 for the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Charleston.
- $2,583,000 for the fitness center at Charleston Air Force Base.
