Standing with Israel

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu shared a powerful message to a joint session of Congress with a call to continue standing with Israel against Hamas. After the address, I had the opportunity to chat with one of my summer interns, who is from Israel, about Bibi's mission to defend the Israeli people from terrorism. As Psalms 122:6 tells us, pray for the peace of Jerusalem and those who do will prosper.

Maximizing Domestic Growth, Economic Pain for Adversaries

As the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, I led a hearing focused on advancing national security through export controls, investment security, and the Defense Production Act. I stressed the importance of U.S. economic leadership and called out the Biden administration’s shortsighted policies that have damaged American competitiveness, security, and industry. The Biden administration’s export control policies, including the Commerce Department’s rule curtailing firearms exports, have had a disastrous impact on local economies in South Carolina and across the country.

Sanctioning Terrorist Sympathizers

I partnered with Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) to introduce legislation that would impose sanctions on foreign persons and entities that provide payments to terrorists. For years, the Palestinian Authority has incentivized brutal attacks against Israelis—and even American citizens—through its horrific ‘pay for slay’ policies. Strong words and failed negotiations aren’t enough to stop these acts of terror. We need to actually use the authorities at our disposal to end the “pay for slay” practice.

Read more about the legislation here!

Jewish Insider: Lawmakers push for new sanctions for Palestinian Authority’s terror payments

By Marc Rod
July 26, 2024

The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Tim Scott (R-SC), joined by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ted Budd (R-NC), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Rick Scott (R-FL). The House companion bill is being led by Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Doug Lamborn (R-CO) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).

“The Taylor Force Act was a noble effort to end ‘pay-to-slay’ terrorism in the Middle East,” Lawler said in a statement. “Unfortunately, years after its enactment, we still find ourselves in the vicious, ongoing cycle of ‘pay-to-slay’ terrorism. It must end. That’s why I’ve joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act, which will impose additional sanctions on individuals and entities that enable this horrific practice.”

Lawler said that he and his colleagues are committed to passing the bill, and hope to “receive near-unanimous support.”

Scott said, “Strong words and failed negotiations aren’t enough to stop these acts of terror. We need to actually use the authorities at our disposal to impose real economic pain against those who support and facilitate so-called ‘martyr payments.’”

Read the full article here!

With the Olympics kicking off, I’m spilling the #SCSweetTea on the Swim Association Invitational League (SAIL), which does amazing work to help kids in the Upstate stay active, become mentors, and build relationships in their communities.

Sincerely,

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