| Dear Friend,
Welcome back to my Week in Review newsletter. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!
Last Saturday, our ally Israel was brutally attacked by Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization. Over 1,200 Israelis and 27 Americans have been killed, with many more injured, missing and taken hostage. This week, our nation gathered in solidarity with the Jewish community, standing with them against the waves of hate devastating their homeland. As my team assists South Carolinians in Israel and provides critical resources to Americans in harm’s way, I’ve continued to work to hold the Biden administration accountable for releasing billions in frozen assets to Iran – Hamas’ primary financial backer and the world’s largest state sponsor of terror. While we continue to grieve with the people of Israel and the entire Jewish community, I echo the Psalmist’s prayer “for the peace of Jerusalem.” My commitment to Israel has never been stronger – we must stand shoulder to shoulder with her people as they fight for their existence. Meeting the Israeli Ambassador
This week, I had the honor of meeting with Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., to express my support for the State of Israel and offer my condolences for the terror his people have experienced. Our discussion was a critical step in ensuring there is no daylight between the United States and the people of Israel.
Read more about our meeting here.
Freezing Billions To Iran
In the face of evil, we must use every tool available to provide for our nation's security and the security of Israel. Unfortunately, the Biden administration’s recent release of $6 billion to Iran, Hamas’ primary financial backer, undermined America’s national security, put a price tag on American lives and abandoned critical allies—including Israel—in the Middle East.
In my role as top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, I called for the Committee to hold a hearing with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and open a Senate investigation into what led the Biden administration to transfer $6 billion to Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terror. I’m also working on a bill which would freeze the $6 billion transfer and require the Treasury to examine Iran’s global assets so Congress can restrict its access to funds in the future. With 27 Americans slaughtered by Iranian-backed Hamas, we deserve answers and change.
Read more about my work to hold Iran accountable here.
Fighting to Hold Iran Accountable
As Iran continues to support acts of terror across the Middle East—including through its proxy Hamas, who carried out the brutal attack against Israel—it is imperative that the United States hold the regime accountable for its continued violations of international nuclear agreements. The Biden administration’s failure to do so only serves to embolden Iran in its effort to undermine the United States and our allies.
That’s why I joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and other Senate Republican colleagues in demanding an update from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his department’s efforts to hold Iran accountable for its dangerous nuclearactivities. We cannot stand by and watch the White House put more American lives in harm's way because of its weak leadership.
Read more about our letter here.
Spilling the #SCSweetTea on Supporting Israel
South Carolinians proudly stood in solidarity with Israel this week, coming together with Charleston’s Jewish community to reject hate. The “Stand with Israel” rally was a testament of our special commitment to supporting the right of the Israeli people to defend their homeland from terrorism. Although we are shaken by Hamas’ atrocities, the Palmetto State will never falter in standing with the people of Israel and supporting the Jewish community across South Carolina.
Read more about this story here!
Sincerely, | 