Mar 25 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Beaufort County will receive $1 million in federal funds to enter into an encroachment partnership. The funds will allow the partnership to purchase restrictive easements from willing owners of agricultural land near the Station to ensure future development does not encroach on military property or training activities. “This is a unique partnership that demonstrates how a military installation and the community can work together for mutual benefit,” said Graham. “These funds will help preserve open space in the community, and address an issue important to the Air Station, encroachment.” The funding comes from the U.S. Marine Corps. ####

Mar 25 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced colleges and universities throughout South Carolina will receive more than $7 million dollars in TRIO Student Support Services grants. The funds are used to offer support services to increase the retention and graduation rates of low-income and first generation college students, and college students with disabilities. Award recipients include: Central Carolina Technical College- $220,000 Claflin University- $267,986 Clinton Junior College- $123,750 Florence-Darlington Technical College- $220,000 Greenville Technical College- $372,365 Lander University- $220,000 Midlands Technical College- $267,986 Morris College- $268,570 Northeastern Technical College- $241,668 Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College- $278,292 Piedmont Technical College- $271,074 South Carolina State University- $235,689 Spartanburg Methodist College- $236,967 Spartanburg Technical College- $263,283 Technical College of the Lowcountry- $267,986 Tri-County Technical College- $285,169 Trident Technical College- $314,273 University of South Carolina/Beaufort- $265,711 University of South Carolina/Salkehatchie- $228,531 University of South Carolina/Columbia- $318,380 University of South Carolina/Lancaster- $244,650 University of South Carolina/Spartanburg- $267,986 University of South Carolina/Sumter- $267,986 University of South Carolina/Union- $234,229 Voorhees College- $234,229 Williamsburg Technical College- $220,000 Winthrop University- $220,000 York Technical College- $271,062 The grants are awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. ####

Mar 24 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) today announced Florence-Darlington Technical College will receive a $2,173,113 million grant for construction of the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SIMT). “The SIMT will be one of the premier industrial training facilities in the country,” said Graham. “It will help promote the future economic development of Florence, Darlington and Marion counties and help ensure that South Carolina remains competitive in the global economy.” "I'm excited about the impact the institute will have on the Pee Dee area,” said DeMint. “This is exactly the kind of investment we need to make South Carolina one of the best places in the world to do business. Building a top-notch workforce will help attract prospective companies to our state and provide existing companies with a 'go-to' resource to improve training and productivity." The funds will be used for infrastructure improvements and site preparation to accommodate the Phase I building. The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. ####

Mar 22 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will receive more than $3.3 million in federal funds for transportation projects throughout the state. Aiken County $661,333 for Phase 2 construction of the Palmetto Parkway. Lee County $992,000 for construction of the Bishopville Bypass. Pickens County $132,266 for replacement of the Old Central Bridge. Statewide $1,514,732.00 for the InRoads Intelligent Transportation System. SCDOT was awarded funding for each of these projects in the Fiscal Year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. These awards are a partial release of that funding. The funds are awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. ####

Mar 21 2005

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Medical University of South Carolina will receive a $320,220 grant to conduct heart and vascular disease research. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####

Mar 16 2005

Statement from U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham

Social Security Amendments to FY06 Budget

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement in response to Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) comments about the amendment offered by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) to the budget resolution. Graham voted for the resolution. He said: “Senator Harry Reid does not speak for me regarding my vote for Senator Nelson’s resolution. “I personally believe the deficit effects of personal accounts can be solved and should be. Personal accounts are a vital part of the solution mix for Social Security reform. They should be on the table and I intend to keep them there. I also do not intend to oversell or demagogue them either. “I am trying to show bipartisan support for those Senators who are willing to express themselves about Social Security. My vote yesterday was an effort to show support to a Democratic colleague. It should not be turned into opposition to President Bush who I am very proud of in leading this debate. “I completely disagree with Senator Reid’s demagoguery of the personal account issue and hope the spin machine will stop. “Senator Reid seems to be intent on chanting slogans. Some of us in the Senate are intent on finding common ground. “The President is doing the right thing in leaving options on the table while Senator Reid is doing tremendous damage to Social Security reform by taking options off.” #####

Mar 16 2005

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on Senate passage of an amendment opening the door for energy exploration at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The U.S. Senate adopted the measure after years of debate. “ANWR is about the size of the state of South Carolina. The drilling footprint is about 2,000 acres, the size of a large airport. “New technologies in drilling and the need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil are among the reasons I support limited exploration in ANWR. I believe time will prove us right in voting to open ANWR to exploration.” #####

Mar 15 2005

WASHINGTON – By a vote of 100-0, the U.S. Senate today passed an amendment to the budget resolution sponsored by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) which details the problems facing Social Security. “The unanimous vote by the Senate today mirrors President Bush’s description of the problems facing Social Security and in that regard is a significant step forward,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Budget Committee. “In a unanimous vote, the Senate is now on the record in agreement that Social Security is facing major structural problems. If they are not addressed, it will result in massive tax increases or benefit cuts for younger Americans.” “My hope is that by commonly defining the problem, it will lead to common ground in terms of solutions,” continued Graham. The amendment lays out the priorities for the Senate when it comes to discussing Social Security reform. The Senate agrees that:
  • The President, Congress, and the American people including seniors, workers, women, minorities, and disabled persons should work together at the earliest opportunity to enact legislation to achieve a solvent and permanently sustainable Social Security system.
  • Social Security reform must protect current and near retirees from any changes to Social Security benefits, reduce the pressure on future taxpayers and other budgetary priorities, provide benefit levels that adequately reflect individual contributions to the Social Security system, and preserve and strengthen the safety net for vulnerable populations including the disabled and survivors.
According to the nonpartisan Office of Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration the number of workers paying taxes to support each Social Security beneficiary has dropped from 16.5 in 1950 to 3.3 in 2002. Within a generation, there will only be 2 workers to support each retiree. Without structural reform, in 2018 Social Security will being paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes and the Social Security trust fund will be exhausted in 2042 and only able to pay 73 percent of promised benefits. The resolution also notes Social Security is the foundation of retirement for most Americans and strengthening the system is a national priority. Without structural reform, future Congresses may have to raise payroll taxes 50 percent over the next 75 years to pay full benefits on time or lower Social Security benefit levels. “I firmly believe today was a move forward in the debate over how to save Social Security,” said Graham. “One hundred Senators came together to define the problem facing Social Security in real and honest terms, clearly demonstrating that doing nothing leads to massive taxes increases and/or benefit cuts for young Americans. “Reaching an agreement on the true nature of the problem facing younger Americans should allow for a more thoughtful and constructive debate over how to solve what we now have unanimously defined as a ticking time bomb.” ######

Mar 14 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced Sumter Family Health Center will receive a $644,800 Community Health Center grant. Community Health Center grants are designed to promote the development and operation of community-based primary health care service systems in medically underserved areas. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ####

Mar 10 2005

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced more than $220,000 in grants to fire departments in Landrum and Walterboro. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect others, and they deserve the best equipment and training available,” said Graham. “Firefighters are some of the heroes in our midst.” The Assistance to Firefighters Grants will help the fire departments improve their training, wellness and fitness programs; purchase new firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment; and, make modifications to fire stations and facilities. Landrum Gowensville Fire Department will receive $25,884. Walterboro Colleton County Fire & Rescue will receive $196,290. The Assistance to Firefighters grant program awards one-year grants directly to local fire departments, enhancing their ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards in the community. The program supports departments by providing them the tools and resources necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and their firefighting personnel. Grantees share in the cost of the funded project at a percentage based on the population of their respective jurisdiction. Grantees that serve jurisdictions of 50,000 or fewer residents are required to provide a non-Federal cost-share of 10 percent while grantees that serve jurisdictions of over 50,000 provide a 30 percent cost-share. The match must be in cash without the use of in-kind contributions. In addition, the maximum amount of federal funds that an applicant can be awarded is $750,000 during any fiscal year. The grants are made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ####