Mar 06 2003

Graham Votes to End Miguel Estrada Filibuster

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today voted to end debate on the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The voted failed by a 55-44 margin. Under Senate rules, it takes 60 votes to end debate on an issue. All 51 Republican Senators along with 4 Democratic Senators – Zell Miller of Georgia, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida, and John Breaux of Louisiana voted to end the filibuster which has now lasted four weeks. “Needless to say, I’m disappointed the U.S. Senate has failed to end the partisan filibuster on this very qualified nominee,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Miguel Estrada is being opposed because he is a conservative and the liberal left of the Democratic Party has declared war upon him. Requiring 60 votes to confirm a judge will lead us down a very destructive path.” “A person with Mr. Estrada’s qualifications and experience seemingly would be a shoe-in for a speedy confirmation,” said Graham. “Unfortunately, partisan Senate Democrats are holding the Estrada nomination hostage and are engaged in a filibuster to prevent the issue from coming to a vote. The tactic is without precedent as the Senate has never blocked – by partisan filibuster – any judicial nominee.” Born and raised in Honduras, Estrada immigrated to the United States at age 17. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia College and magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the law review. He’s argued numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and served in the U.S. Justice Department under both Democrat and Republican presidents. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Estrada would become the first Hispanic ever to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit, often considered the second most important federal court behind the Supreme Court. Graham noted the attacks on Estrada include: Myth: Estrada lacks the proper qualifications. Reality: Senate Democrats have admitted he is a brilliant lawyer, but say he lacks experience. This overlooks the fact two Supreme Court justices – Byron White and Chief Justice William Rehnquist – appointed by a Democrat and Republican president, had no experience prior to their serving on the highest court in the land. Also, the American Bar Association, referred to as the “gold standard” by many Senate Democrats, unanimously conferred on Estrada their highest rating of “well qualified.” Myth: We haven’t had enough time to question the nominee. Reality: Estrada testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee for five hours. After the hearing was complete and he answered the questions asked of him, only 2 Democratic Senators submitted additional questions. In addition, President Bush nominated Estrada in May 2001 when Democrats controlled the Senate. Had they seen fit, and being in complete control of the Judiciary Committee, they could have held multiple hearings and questioned him for hours on end. They chose not to. Myth: Estrada is too conservative. Reality: Part of the filibuster revolves around the fact Senate Democrats have little tolerance for placing a qualified, conservative Hispanic on the bench even though seven former Solicitor Generals who represented the U.S. government before the Supreme Court, 3 Democrats and 4 Republicans, have all recommended his nomination be approved. Graham also noted Estrada also worked for the Clinton Justice Department, hardly a bastion of conservatism. Seth Waxman, President Clinton’s Solicitor General, called him a “model of professionalism and competence” and said of his beliefs, “In no way did I ever discern that the recommendations Mr. Estrada made or the views he propounded were colored in any way by his personal views – or indeed that they reflected anything other than the long-term interests of the United States.” “I hope the Senate will eventually end debate and allow a vote on this qualified judicial nominee,” said Graham. “We owe it to Mr. Estrada and to the nation to give this public servant his day in court, or in this case, the U.S. Senate.”

Mar 04 2003

Graham Wants Human Shields and Those Impeding American Military Action to Face Prosecution

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-Seneca) has requested the U.S. Justice Department review whether American citizens traveling to Iraq to act as ‘human shields’ or ‘voluntarily engage in conduct designed to impede military action’ could face trial in American courts for violation of federal law. In a letter to United States Attorney General John Ashcroft, Graham also requests information on whether the Justice Department has considered “formally notifying Americans engaged in such conduct of the legal risks they are about to assume” and asks whether the department “will be aggressive in prosecuting such individuals and groups.” “I strongly believe efforts to impede a potential military operation against Iraq should be strongly dealt with and I am seeking your assistance in this matter,” wrote Graham, a member of both the Armed Services and Judiciary committees in the U.S. Senate. “It is my opinion that any American who voluntarily engages in conduct to impede a potential military operation, and who thereby endangers the lives of our nation’s men and women in uniform, is participating in a program designed to weaken the power of the United States to wage war successfully.” Article III, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution defines the act of treason. It reads, “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.” Congress has also passed the Trading with the Enemy Act which restricts economic activities, including those associated with travel. Current restrictions are in place for Cuba, North Korea, Libya, and Iraq. “It goes without saying that Americans enjoy the right to challenge their government and protest in a variety of lawful ways,” said Graham. “However, our constitution and federal legal structure do not allow Americans to actively aid nations or groups engaged in hostilities with the United States.” Graham noted American John Walker Lindh was recently convicted and sentenced to prison for his relation with the Al-Qaeda terrorist network and Taliban. “I, along with many other Members of Congress, strongly believe the full force of the law should be applied to those American citizens who give aid and comfort to our enemies,” concluded Graham.

Feb 27 2003

Federal Grant Aids Disabled Workers

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced South Carolina will receive a $500,000 grant to increase services for workers with disabilities and help others return to work without risking the loss of their health benefits. The funds are part of a $2.5 million package the Department of Health and Human Services awarded to five states, including Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The funds can be used to build programs that allow people with disabilities to purchase affordable health coverage through Medicaid, support programs that provide personal assistance in the home or office, train workers, improve transportation for people with disabilities, or aid other programs that facilitate integrating people with disabilities into the workforce. “We have a responsibility to ensure that every South Carolinian who wants to work has the opportunity to do so, and is not penalized for contributing to the economy,” Graham said. “I think this demonstrates a commitment from the Bush Administration and the Congress to assist every American and ensure people are given every opportunity to succeed.” The grants support President Bush's New Freedom Initiative to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities. It also helps advance the goals of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 to ensure people with disabilities can retain their Medicare, Medicaid or similar health benefits if they return to work.

Feb 14 2003

Senate Passes Spending Bill Containing Projects for South Carolina

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said the $397.4 billion spending plan funding nearly all non-defense federal government operations in the coming year will directly affect South Carolina. The legislation passed the Senate yesterday by a vote of 76-20 and President Bush is expect to sign it into law in the coming days. “This bill isn’t perfect, but it’s a good compromise between many varied interests. President Bush deserves credit for helping push the process along,” said Graham. “We still need to make structural reforms to how the Congress spends money and until we do the process is always going to be very messy. “I’m very proud of my Republican colleagues for having the discipline to pass last years’ appropriation bills which Democrats were unable to complete,” said Graham. “At the end of the day the new Republican majority was able to complete the appropriations process in a little over a month – a task Senator Daschle and his Democratic colleagues were unable to do in an entire year. “We demonstrated we're capable of leading the country,” continued Graham. “I'm very proud of my Republican colleagues for sticking together to vote down almost all attempts to add additional spending measures.”

Notable Projects in South Carolina Receiving Funding

Anderson County
  • $3 million for South Carolina transit system.
  • $1.5 million for Brown Road Bridge.
Barnwell County
  • $166,000 to the County Government Health Services Facility.
Berkeley County
  • $1 million for Railroad Avenue extension.
  • $450,000 for extension of water lines to Cross Community schools.
Beaufort
  • $2 million for 278 corridor improvements.
Charleston / North Charleston
  • $3.5 million for the MUSC Oncology Center.
  • $1.9 million for United States Vegetable Lab.
  • $1.8 million increase to College of Charleston School of Science and Mathematics.
  • $1.2 million for John F. Limehouse Bridge.
  • $1 million for biological and environmental research at MUSC.
  • $900,000 for the Commission of Public Works for wastewater tunnel replacement.
  • $810,000 for the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporation for job training.
  • $630,000 for pre and post homeownership classes.
  • $500,000 to Trident Technical College.
  • $500,000 for North Charleston Regional Intermodal Transportation Center.
  • $416,000 for the Advanced Technical Institute Telehealth Deployment Center.
  • $202,500 to Housing Foundation, Inc for construction of the Lincolnville Community Center.
  • $180,000 to the country for wastewater infrastructure improvements.
Columbia
  • $1.8 million increase to the South Carolina Association of School Administrators for the Blue Ribbon School Reform Project and Interactive Library.
  • $1.5 for Columbia Metropolitan Airport ATC Tower relocation.
  • $1 million for Assembly Street railroad consolidation and grade crossing elimination.
  • $990,000 for facilities construction and redevelopment of the Drew Park Wellness Center.
  • $500,000 for the South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education for distance learning programs.
  • $450,000 for the University of South Carolina for geological study for uranium groundwater contamination.
Clemson
  • $700,000 for Call Me Mister program at Clemson University.
Eastover
  • $225,000 for water infrastructure improvements.
Florence
  • $500,000 for swine lagoon alternatives research.
  • $450,000 for continued construction of a regional surface water plant.
  • $250,000 for Cotton Genetics Research.
  • $100,000 to ScienceSouth for science education programs, science traveling exhibits and outreach activities.
Georgetown
  • $2 million for Highway 17/521 improvements.
  • $360,000 for Five Rivers Community Development Corporation for economic development and affordable housing.
Greenville
  • $900,000 for city water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
Greer
  • $250,000 for master plan relocation study.
Jackson
  • $171,000 for removal of radium from water supply.
Jefferson
  • $600,000 for the Sandhills Medical Foundation.
Mount Pleasant
  • $900,000 for the Waterworks Commission for the Snowden Community Wastewater Collection project.
Marion County
  • $50,000 for the county library.
Myrtle Beach
  • $3 million for I-73 from North Carolina state line to Myrtle Beach.
  • $1.125 million for regional multimodal transit center.
  • $450,000 for South Carolina Downtown Redevelopment Corporation for storm water infrastructure improvements for the Pavilion Area master plan.
Orangeburg
  • $4.144 million for the Orangeburg Substation Phase II.
  • $550,000 to South Carolina State University of Southern Rural Transportation Center.
  • $400,000 to the County Rural Transit Demonstration Project at South Carolina State University.
Spartanburg
  • $1 million for the Arkwright Connector.
  • $1 million for runway extension at downtown airport.
  • $283,500 to the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind for facilities construction.
Rock Hill
  • $270,000 for a feasibility study and physical assessment for the redevelopment of the Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company Textile mill site.
Sumter
  • $5 million for Intermodal Transportation Center.
  • $4.6 million for the Broad River Corridor.
Walhalla
  • $198,000 for water infrastructure improvements.
Williamsburg
  • $180,000 for Boys and Girls Club of Williamsburg country for construction related to facilities expansion.
Army Corp of Engineers- General
  • $575,000 for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
  • $200,000 for the Broad River Basin.
  • $135,000 for Charleston Harbor.
  • $100,000 for Pawley’s Island.
  • $50,000 for the Reedy River.
  • $50,000 for the Santee Delta Environmental Restoration.
  • $25,000 for the Waccamaw River.
Army Corp of Engineers- Construction
  • $5.5 million for Charleston Harbor Deepening and Widening.
  • $3.2 million for Hartwell Lake Upper and Lower Diversion.
  • $1.862 million for Lakes Marion and Moultrie.
  • $400,000 for Myrtle Beach Storm Damage Reduction.
Army Corp of Engineers- Operations and Maintenance
  • $10.516 million for Charleston Harbor.
  • $6.89 million for the Cooper River.
  • $3.7 million for Georgetown.
  • $3 million for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
  • $1 million for Port Royal Harbor.
  • $816,000 for Shipyard River.
  • $396,000 for Town Creek.
  • $257,000 for Folly River.
Savannah River Site
  • $93 million for the construction of the MOX fuel fabrication facility.
  • $33 million for pit disassembly and conversion.
  • $14.87 million for High Level Waste Removal.
  • $10.48 million for modernization of the Tritium Extraction Facility.
  • $2 million for Plutonium Packaging and Stabilization.
  • $198,372 for fissile material disposition.
Other Projects of South Carolina Interest
  • $10 million for the National Textile Center.
  • $7 million for South Carolina vehicles and facilities.
  • $5 million for the Forest Legacy Coastal Forest Ecological Restoration.
  • $2.5 million for land acquisition at the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.
  • $2 million for the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center.
  • $2 million for the Francis Marion National Forest.
  • $2 million for the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.
  • $1 million for the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor.
  • $1 million for intermodal/inland port terminal.
  • $1.5 million for South Carolina statewide ITS as part of South Carolina Department of Transportation.
  • $4 million for Bonneau Ferry.
  • $1.5 million for South Carolina shrimper assistance.
  • $1 million for South Carolina Oyster Recovery.
  • $800,000 for study to characterize land use change while preserving natural resources in cooperation with Clemson University.
  • $650,000 for a new maintenance facility at the Congaree Swamp National Monument.
  • $500,000 for high speed rail corridor in South Carolina.
  • $500,000 for South Carolina Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education / Distance Learning.
  • $500,000 for interchange improvements at Little Mountain exit on I-26.
  • $500,000 for South Carolina Taxonomic Center.
  • $500,000 for South Carolina seafood marketing.
  • $450,000 for shrimp pathogens.
  • $450,000 for Charleston Bump.
  • $262,000 for Peach Tree Short Life.
  • $166,000 for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
  • $150,000 for the Cape Romain National Wildlife Reserve.


    Note: Please note the list is a guide and there may be other projects not included on the current list.

Feb 07 2003

Graham Represents United States at European Conference on Security

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina) along with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and a bipartisan group of lawmakers will be in Munich, Germany this weekend to attend the 39th Munich Conference on Security Policy. The major topics of discussion will be the conflict with Iraq and the continuing war on terrorism. The annual conference on global security brings together government and private sector experts from the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. “Our allies and the world will see our elected leadership is united in the goal of disarming Iraq and are prepared to use whatever means are necessary,” said Graham, a member of the Armed Services Committee. “It’s my hope this trip will help solidify support for any future action that might be taken to disarm Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction.” Conference attendees will hear from Secretary General of NATO Lord George Robertson, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Joschka Fischer, German Minister of Defense Peter Struck, Russian Minister of Defense Sergey B. Ivanov, French Minister of Defense Michele Alliot-Marie and others. Before arriving in Munich, the congressional delegation will attend a briefing at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Feb 07 2003

Harborwalk Marina to Receive $323,000 Federal Grant

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina) announced today the Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $323,070 boating infrastructure grant to the Harborwalk Marina in Georgetown. The funds will be used to remove an existing pier, and install new docks and fixed piers that can accommodate up to thirteen boat slips. This upgrade will provide transient boaters with greater access to the city’s historic district. “South Carolina’s waterways are one of our state’s greatest resources,” said Graham. “Recreational boaters are attracted to the historic sites and beautiful scenery along our coastal waterways. We need to provide safe and easy access from water to land.”

Feb 05 2003

Senator Graham's Statement on Colin Powell's Presentation to the U.N.

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement on Secretary of State Colin Powell’s presentation to the United Nations Security Council. “Secretary Powell presented to the nation and world a strong case that Saddam Hussein and Iraq continue to deceive about their weapons of mass destruction. He also presented some of the clearest links yet between the Iraqi regime and the al-Qaida terrorist network. The evidence was very compelling. “There’s no question that Iraq and Saddam Hussein aren’t telling the truth. Iraq had hundreds of artillery shells with chemical weapons, thousands of liters of anthrax, and hundreds of tons of nerve agents in their inventory. Now they are not accounted for. The Iraqi response of ‘we have no weapons of mass destruction,’ is a flat-out lie. “I hope the world will get behind President Bush in making sure this man cannot continue his weapons program. He either needs to be disarmed or replaced.”

Feb 03 2003

President Bush’s Budget Fully Funds Plutonium Mission at SRS

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) said President Bush’s budget submitted to Congress today is another sign the Administration intends to aggressively push forward with the mixed oxide fuel (MOX) mission at Savannah River Site. President Bush requested Congress devote $402 million in the coming year for construction of the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility at SRS. Under MOX, surplus weapons-grade plutonium from the U.S. nuclear arsenal will be converted into fuel to power a commercial nuclear reactor to produce electricity. “President Bush’s budget shows his commitment to moving forward on the MOX mission at SRS,” said Graham. “It’s a very important mission, not only for the country, but for the world.” Graham, along with the man he succeeded in the U.S. Senate, Strom Thurmond, authored legislation signed into law by President Bush that prevents the state from becoming the permanent storage site for plutonium. The federal government faces millions of dollars in fines and a legal obligation to remove plutonium from South Carolina if the MOX mission doesn’t go forward in a timely manner. Graham also noted the president’s budget contained good news on cleanup efforts at the Site. Among the notable items in President Bush’s request to Congress: A $124 million increase for DOE spending in South Carolina bringing the total to $1.8 billion; An additional $109 million for accelerated cleanup at SRS. DOE will now spend $1.35 billion on cleanup at the Site. “I’m pleased the President has kept his word and continues to put forward budgets and policies that help us clean up the Cold War legacy materials on the site while moving forward with important programs, like MOX, that will help make the world a safer place,” said Graham. “We’ve still got a long way to go in the budget process, but I think the President is getting us off to a good start.”

Jan 30 2003

USC receives $200,000 Grant for Cancer Research

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina) today announced the Department of Health and Human Services National Cancer Institute has awarded $207,100 to the University of South Carolina for cancer research. “Cancer is one of the nation’s leading killers,” Graham said. “We have a responsibility to do all that we can to eradicate this deadly disease. I’m glad to see our state playing an important role in the battle against cancer.” The funds will be used for the University’s Selective Induction of Estrogen Conjugative project. The grant will help support research through 2007.

Jan 30 2003

Graham Backs Estrada Nomination in Judiciary Committee

Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today supported the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The 10-9 vote in committee was along party lines as Republicans supported and Democrats opposed the nomination. President Bush nominated Estrada in May 2001 but the nomination was blocked by the Democratic majority on the Judiciary Committee. “Mr. Estrada has unbelievable academic credentials and outstanding work experience,” said Graham. “He’s a solid person and a solid pick for the position. “The special interest politics of the left have great sway over many Senators in the Democratic party,” said Graham, noting the long delay in moving the nomination forward. “His critics rely on people in the shadows and on the fringe whose biggest objection to Mr. Estrada is he doesn’t see life their way. It’s unfortunate that liberal special interest groups and many Democratic Senators are opposing this qualified nominee.” Born in Honduras, Estrada came to the United States when he was 17 years old. He spoke only rudimentary English yet within five years he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia College in New York. He went on to earn his law degree, with honors, from Harvard University. Estrada worked at the U.S. Justice Department under both Democrat and Republican presidents and is a member of one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Estrada has also won 10 of the 15 cases he argued before the Supreme Court. “His nomination to the Circuit Court is another example of the promise America holds to immigrants,” said Graham. “This fine man entered the United States as a teenager and has soared. He will bring honor to the bench.”
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