Dear fellow South Carolinians,

Thank you for subscribing to my weekly e-newsletter, and please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also listen and subscribe to my new podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Be sure to check out last Friday’s episode on COVID-19 with two brilliant experts, Dr. Linda Bell and Dr. Stephen Hahn.

Community Dialogue with Attorney General Barr:
Last Wednesday, I welcomed U.S. Attorney General William Barr to the Palmetto State, where we held open conversations with both community leaders and law enforcement officials in Columbia. Nearly 30 community and faith leaders and a similar number of law enforcement officers shared their thoughts and concerns with us regarding justice in America. To read more about this event, click here.

As I told both of these groups last week, I remain fully committed to finding solutions that protect and support both communities of color and the many great law enforcement officers that serve our nation. Although the Senate Democrats blocked conversations about my Justice Act, I will continue the fight until the American people get the results they deserve.

The State Newspaper Panel:
On the fifth anniversary of the Confederate flag’s removal from South Carolina’s capitol grounds, I joined a panel with The State Newspaper to discuss racial progress in our state and beyond. While the events of the past few months – initiated by the 8 minutes and 46 seconds of excessive force inflicted on George Floyd – have grieved us all to watch, I am also hopeful about our response as a nation. Unlike five years ago when I first proposed legislation for increased body cameras and more, this issue now has nationwide support from people of all races and political ideologies. I remain optimistic that, together, we can create positive change and move our nation forward. A clip from the interview can be found on my Facebook or Twitter page.

COVID-19 and Resources:
As the weeks of COVID-19 drag on, I am familiar with the temptations of wanting to return to normalcy – to hug our friends, or even just to remove our masks in the summer heat. But as I often say, the steps we take to protect one another today will not only save lives in the coming weeks, but they will also determine whether our kids return to school – and our favorite teams return to the field – in the fall. So again, please remember to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines when out, sanitize and wash your hands thoroughly, and – critically – stay home if you are feeling ill. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, click here for information from the South Carolina Department of Health on tele-health options and testing locations. More information on resources for South Carolinians is also available on my website. 

As with social justice, COVID-19 is a battle that has to be fought not just in Congress, but also on the ground, by each member of our South Carolinian community. Let’s all make the choices today that will lead to a better future. 

Sincerely,

Tim