For over two years, South Carolina has spent millions of dollars on this political stunt.
But this same governor says we don’t have money to feed our kids.
For over two years, South Carolina National Guard troops have been deployed along the Southern Border. And we will keep sending them until the border is secure.
I said that surpassing 10,000 COVID deaths was a “failure of leadership” and I was criticized for it.
Let me be clear: if you consider 10,000 dead a success of your leadership, then do the people of South Carolina a favor and get a new job.
The students, faculty, and alumni of our state’s flagship university deserve better.
I will file a bill to remove the governor from his role as an ex officio member of the
@UofSC
Board of Trustees. In order to take the politics out of it, we must take the politician out of it.
Paper ballots are the smartest, safest way to conduct secure elections and protect from voter manipulation. Russia can’t hack a piece of paper. Our nation needs to be ready to protect our election systems against attacks by foreign powers. Now is the time to prepare.
Yesterday a Republican member of the House called women - including victims of rape and incest - who choose to get an abortion "murderers." I was disgusted.
Watch my full remarks here:
SC Public schools are not funded at an even “adequate” level & Gov McMaster allocated $32 million, 66% of the CARES Act education fund, to private schools. This, at a time where public schools are faced with unprecedented challenges. Today, and everyday, I stand with our teachers
It is unacceptable that Republicans would rather focus on restricting women’s rights with an absurd abortion ban than address the COVID pandemic that has killed more than 8,000 people in our state.
No one should be in prison for merely possessing marijuana. Following President Biden’s announcement today, it is time for South Carolina to act. Prosecutors should dismiss these charges now and lawmakers should take these laws off the books, once and for all.
Today I filed a bill to lower the drinking age to 18. If you’re old enough to fight for our country, old enough to vote, old enough to take out student loans — then you’re old enough to have a drink.
The attacks on the LGBTQ community from some in the legislature are unacceptable. All people deserve dignity and the equal protection of the law. Let me be clear: I stand for trans rights, I stand for gay rights, and I ask that my colleagues do the same.
#ProtectTransKids
After watching the debate, it's clear that Henry McMaster is past his prime, bless his heart. John Warren isn't ready for prime time — no clue! SC needs real, experienced leadership. Vote
@JamesSmithSC
in November!
Free testing for the coronavirus is available at Eau Claire High School today until 3pm and tomorrow from 10am to 3pm.
Walks ups are welcome. Anybody who wants a test can get one. This is a great opportunity to get tested in the Columbia area. Please help spread the word!
What we’re doing isn’t working. SC has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. Ohio saw demand for the vaccine skyrocket with their lottery. I don’t care if it’s “goofy,” I care if it gets results!
.
@henrymcmaster
reiterates that he does not support a vaccine lottery as proposed by
@RepRutherford
, saying he thinks some of the incentives other states have tried are “a little bit goofy.”
“Give them the information and let them make up their own minds.”
#scpol
In a time when COVID is spreading uncontrollably across our state, the effort by the GOP to restrict the rights of women is disgusting, unconstitutional, and an abdication of their duty to serve the people of South Carolina.
6 years ago today, the Confederate flag was removed from the grounds of our State House. 6 years ago, we chose to look toward the future and start to heal from a dark past. I’ll never stop fighting to ensure that these boys, and all of SC’s Black children, grow up safe + loved.
It’s unacceptable that people waited over 4 hours to vote in Richland County yesterday. This never should have happened and we need new leadership to make sure it never happens again.
A federal judge has already blocked the SC abortion ban. This is what the SC House Democrats were trying to express on Wednesday. The fetal heartbeat bill was a reckless waste of time and money that cost this state lives.
Better headline: *Republican* legislators find a scapegoat.
The buck stops at the State House. We need to pay our teachers. We need to fund our schools.
Not 1 Dem quoted in this article. The P&C ran GOP talking points and called it news. Embarrassing.
I had the opportunity to go to Robben Island and see where Nelson Mandela was held for years. It was a deeply moving experience. As we reflect on Madiba’s life, let us work to craft a more peaceful, equitable world.
#MandelaDay
It is an excellent choice by Democrats to put South Carolina first in the primary process. From the diversity of our people and economy to the strength of our culture and values, the Palmetto State is the ideal testing ground for presidential candidates.
The Attorney General’s office said COVID was “not a political matter.” This is the same Attorney General who sent out a solicitation asking for campaign contributions bashing the CDC and saying no masks in school?
Columbia, South Carolina has been shaken by this horrible tragedy. My thoughts and my prayers are with Ms. Josephson's family and loved ones. Thank you to the Columbia Police Department — their hard work led to the arrest of the suspect. Justice will be done.
A few have asked what my thoughts are on the fetal heartbeat bill. Let me be clear, I will not stand by as the GOP once again works to restrict women’s rights.
The University of South Carolina must recognize the importance of keeping Coach Staley here, before it is too late.
Read my op ed in the Post and Courier this morning and let me know what you think:
Make no mistake: the GOP is not pro-life. They are pro-birth. We will not vote for this blatantly unconstitutional bill and call on our Republican colleagues to denounce it.
#StopTheBanSC
5 years ago the Confederate Flag was taken down from the SC States House. 5 years SC chose to do better. My boys and I were able to witness what I had been fighting so hard for, not only for them, but future generations.
10,000 people in SC have died from COVID. This is the result of a failure in leadership.
These deaths are preventable, if we put public health over politics. Instead, our Governor & AG are ignoring the science and fighting with schools & local govts taking action to save lives.
Beautiful Sunday brunch with Minority Leader
@RepRutherford
, Megan Pinckney, and their family. Really inspired by their leadership, strength, and vision as they bring change to South Carolina by bringing the people of South Carolina together to achieve it.
We lost a giant in Sen. John Scott. I’m lifting his family in prayer in the wake of his passing.
John’s legacy speaks for itself, and his service made South Carolina a better place.
Today, the loss of those nine beautiful lives at Mother Emanuel weighs heavily on my heart. May we always keep them in our hearts, cherish their memory, and continue to fight for justice. Gone but never, ever forgotten.
#Emanuel9
In today’s
@thestate
,
@TheSCEA
@PSTANews
put the General Assembly on notice: we must increase SC teacher pay in next year’s budget. We grossly underfund our educators, a direct cause of our teacher shortage. House Dems will fight w our teachers in 2019!
@MaayanSchechter
#scpol
Enough is enough — we have to take action to stop these horrific school shootings. I’m filing a bill to block individuals under the age of 20 from buying an AR-15. It’s a first step toward keeping our children safe.
I opposed the permitless carry bill, but I worked to improve it. I offered an amendment to stop law enforcement from using open carry as grounds for reasonable suspicion or probable cause. This protects everyone, especially people of color, from unjustified searches and seizures.
The House budget debate was hijacked by attempts to defund SC colleges.
A small group of radicals filed amendments to reduce funding going to schools like Clemson.
It was an attack on students with disabilities, veterans, & countless others who should be supported on campus.
No child should go hungry.
No one in a position of power like Governor McMaster should refuse to feed hungry children when they have the opportunity to do so.
Now our taxpayer money is going to other states while our kids go hungry.
The USDA estimates up to 20 million American kids will be better able to access food this summer through a new, federal program.
But kids in South Carolina won’t be among them — here’s why ⬇️
Joe Cunningham should be the next Governor of South Carolina.
He’ll put South Carolina first above politics and he knows how to work with everyone to get things done. I’m proud to endorse him.
I spoke with the governor’s office yesterday and there is NO truth to the rumors that the state of South Carolina is preparing to enforce a stay-inside order or a statewide curfew.
When America loses great patriots we all feel it in our hearts & souls. Sen John McCain’s service to our country is untouchable. I honestly think if we had more McCains in public service, our politics would be better. Prayers to his loved ones. Godspeed sir!
#RIPJohnMcCain
I don’t know why
@RepAdamMorgan
didn’t want to talk to me!
I’ve been in the State House a long time and I’ve never seen someone quit in the middle of a question.
ICYMI:
@RepRutherford
argues
@dawnstaley
deserves a pay raise. “The University of South Carolina must show its commitment to keeping this world-class talent as coach.”
Today we remember the Emanuel 9. The 9 individuals that were at a bible study and welcomed a newcomer in open arms. The same 9 people killed in cold blood by the new comer in order to start a race war. We stood together as a state and country that day. We will not forget.
Today we remember the life of Fritz Hollings. He was a visionary leader and a one-of-a-kind statesman whose impact on SC is immeasurable.
His compassion, intellect, and sharp wit will be dearly missed. My prayers are with the Hollings family and all those mourning this loss.
With mask ordinances taking effect in SC, I want to stress the importance of taking added safety precautions. SC is facing a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases & hospitalizations. Unless we get a handle on this surge now, experts say we may face a serious crisis during flu season.
Walking while black is not a crime, but assault and battery is. Thankfully, a bystander recorded a video of the incident — without it, justice may not have been done here.