Representative Ralph Norman

Update from Congressman Ralph Norman

February 2025

In this email newsletter:

USAID Corruption
Around SC-05
Fentanyl Seize
How Can I Serve You?

USAID Corruption

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been betraying the American taxpayer by grossly misusing funds for far too long. This is why the Trump Administration has been taking decisive actions to implement reforms to increase oversight as soon as possible.

Earlier this month, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) reviewed USAID's funding records, it uncovered an alarming level of wasteful spending. The President cannot fully abolish USAID because it was created by Congress, and only Congress can dissolve it. However, the President does have some flexibility to restructure the agency, but major changes like moving USAID to State Department purview will require an act of Congress.

In the meantime, it is necessary to highlight some of the most egregious programs USAID has spent taxpayer dollars on:

$3 billion in unaccounted cash disbursements made through the United Nations.
$520 million for consultant-driven (environmental, social, and governance) ESG investments in Africa.
$2 million to promote "LGBT equality through entrepreneurship" in Latin America.
$8.3 million for "USAID Internal Education: Equity and Inclusion."
$20 million for a new Sesame Street TV show in Iraq.
$25 million for Deloitte to promote "green transportation" in the country of Georgia.
$45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma.
$7.9 million to teach Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid "binary-gendered language."
$2 million for sex changes and "LGBT activism" in Guatemala.
$10 million worth of meals which went to an al Qaeda-linked terrorist group.
$5 million to EcoHealth Alliance, an organization that funded COVID research at the Wuhan lab.
$3.9 million for "LGBT causes" in the western Balkans.

Folks, if you can believe it, these are just a few examples of USAID's woke funding that was uncovered last week. There's a lot more where that came from. The DOGE ought to uncover every last penny.

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January Around SC-05

Last month was a monumental month for our Nation! As you can imagine, there were many exciting moments in D.C. However, I was able to attend some great events in the district as well!

I had the honor of attending an Eagle Scout ceremony. I continue to be amazed by the hard work and dedication these young men portray in working to receive their Eagle Scout.

I was thrilled to speak at the South Carolina Bankers Association Conference, where shared my hopes of what can be accomplished during the Trump Administration. I was able to hear from many attendees on what regulations would or would not be helpful for local community banks in SC.

I met with Carolinas Credit Union League Advocacy in Rock Hill, where we spoke about the importance of Federal Credit Unions in local communities. I appreciate all the support they provide to our community.

To end the month of January, I attended the Miracle Park groundbreaking ceremony in Rock Hill. This park has served as a great asset to York County, especially for those who have disabilities. I look forward to seeing the final product in the future!

HALT Fentanyl Act

According to a Washington Post analysis of death data for 2021, fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-49 and affects every income level in every corner of our country. This is why securing our southern border is so important - every state is a border state.

Last week, I voted to pass H.R. 27, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or HALT Fentanyl Act, to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Schedule I drugs are substances with a high potential for abuse and are not accepted for medical use. If this bill gets signed into law, it will protect American citizens, specifically women and children, against the very real threat posed by lethal fentanyl-related substances (FRS).

This legislation could not come soon enough. This deadly drug is already in our SC-05 community! In fact, on Monday, Chester County law enforcement conducted a historic drug raid, seizing more than 3 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill over 680,000 SC-05 residents! It’s time to make the class-wide scheduling order for FRS permanent and stop the continued abuse of such lethal drugs around our communities.

Every single life lost to the fentanyl crisis is more than just a statistic. House Republicans are committed to ensuring we have strong border control and crack down on traffickers. Despite 108 liberals voting against this, I am proud to help pass this common-sense legislation!

How Can I Serve You?

If you or someone you know needs assistance with any branch of the federal government, my congressional office in Rock Hill is here to help. Whether it's the IRS, Social Security, immigration, passports, veterans’ affairs, or anything else related to the federal government, please give us a call at (803) 327-1114.

Meanwhile, if you have questions about legislation or my votes in Congress, my office in Washington, D.C. can answer those. You can reach my D.C. office at (202) 225-5501.

The most important job I have in Congress is to help folks here at home in South Carolina. Please don't hesitate to call my offices at the numbers listed above. You can also reply to this email or click here to contact me online anytime.

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