Blog
Dec 18 2015
Graham Backs Year-End Spending Bill
Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972
Dec 16 2015
Graham Secures Major Funding for MOX at Savannah River Site
Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972
Dec 16 2015
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today secured millions in funding in the year-end appropriations bill to help cover losses associated with the historic October flooding in South Carolina. The funds could be used for unmet housing needs and to help the state’s agricultural industry which suffered tremendous losses.
“While the flood rains have stopped, the devastation still cripples and haunts many South Carolinians,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Families whose homes were devastated by the flood will now have an opportunity to seek housing assistance and remediation for their homes. To our farming community, I strongly support the ability of farmers to access disaster relief funds for non-covered losses. I believe farmers are critical to the sovereignty and security of our Nation. They should at a minimum have the same access to relief funds as any other small business or homeowner.”
Graham noted South Carolina farmers would be eligible for funds secured for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, the Emergency Forestry Restoration Program, and the Emergency Conservation Program.
“Finally, South Carolina Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers, the Clemson Extension Service, and the newly elected South Carolina Farm Bureau President, Harry Ott, have been an invaluable source of support,” said Graham. “I will continue to work hand-in-glove with them to find a solution for our farmers. Without their efforts and those of individual South Carolina farmers, we would not have even seen modest success in securing recovery funds.”
“I truly appreciate my Senate colleague Tim Scott and House Colleagues Jim Clyburn and Tom Rice for their passion and leadership, and also the Senate Appropriations Committee for hearing our concerns and answering our calls for assistance,” concluded Graham.
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Dec 15 2015
Graham On President Obama's Meeting with National Security Council
Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972
Dec 10 2015
Graham Questions Secretary of Defense, FBI Director about Terrorism, Plans to Destroy ISIL
Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972
Dec 08 2015
Graham Calls On Obama To Support AUMF
Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972
Dec 03 2015
Graham to Introduce Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ISIL
Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972
Dec 03 2015
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a leading proponent and one of the most outspoken supporters of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, said he was pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are sending legislation which puts the bank back in business to President Obama.
Graham noted South Carolina and the United States were hurt on the job front for the more than five months as the EXIM Bank was closed for business. In September, General Electric said it would locate 400 jobs in France instead of its power turbine plant in Greenville and two other locations in the United States because of the lack of availability of EXIM financing. (http://grnol.co/1QEnvYD)
"I don’t think there is any doubt that the shutdown of EXIM cost us jobs in South Carolina and across the nation,” said Graham. “This wasn't an academic debate. There were real people holding real jobs who were hurt by the closing of EXIM. It was irresponsible for the United States to unilaterally disarm while other nations with export credit agencies, many of them much larger than ours, took advantage of our unforced error. We should never make that mistake again.”
Graham noted the Bank’s reauthorization provides South Carolina an opportunity to expand its robust manufacturing sector. The Bank’s reauthorization signals to exporters and their suppliers, the United States is committed to ensuring a level playing field and international competitiveness. This certainty allows our manufacturing sectors and future investors to continue job growth in South Carolina.
Graham played an instrumental role in putting the bank back in business. Graham forced Senate votes which would put the body on record in support of the bank, paving the path for eventual reauthorization.
“Today is good news for both small and large businesses in South Carolina who use EXIM financing to sell their goods and services overseas” said Graham. “Whether it’s Boeing building 787 Dreamliners in North Charleston, General Electric building gas turbines in Greenville, or one of the many small manufacturers across our state, this is a good day for job creation. American businesses will now once again be competing on a level playing field in the international marketplace. It's long overdue."
Established in 1934, EXIM is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM is an independent, self-sustaining agency with a mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating the export of U.S. goods and services. The Bank guarantees loans and credit to businesses otherwise unable to operate through private lenders. Nearly 90 percent of the Bank's transactions each year directly benefit small businesses, and the Bank supports more than 205,000 American jobs.
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