Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Beech Island Rural Community Water District will receive a $2.9 million loan for water infrastructure improvements. The funds will be used to install approximately 2,896 radio-read meters, a new office building, a new well and treatment building, approximately 4,800 feet of six-inch water main. “Infrastructure improvements help provide better service to the residents of Beech Island and make the area more attractive for future economic development,” said Graham. The loan was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on York County and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “I am disappointed that any portion of the county was considered to be out of attainment. I think we made a strong case as to why we should not have been lumped in with Charlotte-Mecklenburg. However, I also understand the EPA’s decision could have been worse and am glad they chose not to place the entire county in non-attainment. “The county and state, on their own initiative, have put in place air quality remedies. It’s my hope and belief this will achieve the goal of providing better air quality and minimize further action by the EPA. “Over the coming days and weeks, we’ll study this decision and see what it holds for the future. I will continue to closely monitor this situation and see what further steps, if any, can and should be taken. Needless to say, I remain concerned that today’s decision will have a negative impact on future economic development efforts in the county.” #####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s long, nearly five year effort to make it a crime at the federal level for a criminal to attack a pregnant woman and do harm to her unborn child is now law. At a White House East Room ceremony attended by Graham, President Bush today signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (UVVA). “Regardless of pro-life or pro-choice feelings, almost 80 percent of Americans want separate prosecutions of criminals who attack pregnant women and injure their unborn child,” said Graham. “When a woman chooses to have a child, no criminal should take that right away.” “Unfortunately, pregnant women are often attacked for the purpose of injuring or killing the unborn child,” said Graham. “It would be a grave injustice for the law to only recognize one victim in such cases.” Graham twice pushed the legislation through the House in a bipartisan manner, but until last week it never came up for debate or a vote in the U.S. Senate. That changed last Thursday, when as a U.S. Senator, Graham played a leading role along with Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) in pushing the legislation through the Senate. UVVA closes the gap in federal law by allowing two prosecutions for more than 60 federal crimes of violence including crimes committed on federal property, crimes against federal personnel, and crimes committed on military bases. “The Laci Peterson case is a clear example of a situation where two victims were involved,” said Graham. “Under California law, separate prosecutions are allowed for death or injury to the unborn child or mother. There is no such provision in federal law dealing with federal crimes of violence.” As an example, Graham noted a situation where a pregnant woman visiting the U.S. Capitol is assaulted and loses her unborn child. Since the Capitol is under Federal jurisdiction and there is currently no law on the federal books, the assailant could only be held accountable for the crime against the mother. The assailant would face no charge or receive no punishment for the harm done to the unborn child. The UVVA specifically exempts abortions from the list of prosecutable offenses. The bill does not permit prosecution: (1) for conduct relating to an abortion for which the consent of the pregnant woman has been obtained or for which consent is implied by law in a medical emergency; (2) for conduct relating to any medical treatment of the pregnant woman or her unborn child; or (3) of any woman with respect to her unborn child. “UVVA recognizes that families have suffered two traumatic events when a pregnant woman is attacked and allowing separate prosecutions is what justice demands,” said Graham. “It is a strong bipartisan statement to criminals who choose to attack pregnant women and their unborn children – you do so at your own peril.” #####

Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will receive a $35,138,000 grant to help combat and respond to terrorism at the local and regional level. SLED can use the funds for costs related to homeland security preparedness activities associated with implementing the State Homeland Security Strategy. The Homeland Security Grant Program is designed to enhance the coordination of regional efforts to prevent, respond to, and recover from incidents of terrorism involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive weapons and cyber attacks. “Securing the homeland and protecting American citizens is our top priority,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “State and local law enforcement is the first line of defense against acts of terrorism and these funds will help ensure that South Carolina has the resources necessary to implement our Homeland Security Strategy.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Domestic Preparedness. ####