Representative Ralph Norman

Update from Congressman Ralph Norman

August 2024

In this email newsletter:

Secure Elections in South Carolina
An Update on Appropriations
Community Forum on Silfab Solar
DC Visitor Guide
How Can I Serve You?

Secure Elections in South Carolina

As a result of this administration's disastrous border policies, America is facing the greatest immigration crisis the world has ever witnessed, and the likelihood and volume of noncitizen voting has never been higher.

While only U.S. citizens can legally vote in federal elections, it is nearly impossible to enforce - since the National Voter Registration Act effectively prohibits states from asking for documentary proof to verify citizenship when registering voters. This loophole, combined with the Biden administrations' failed border policies, gives me great concern that illegal aliens may be able to vote in our elections.

To try to keep our elections secure, I have been working with the South Carolina State Election Commission (SEC) to send a letter to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to request assistance in making sure that individuals who have registered to vote in South Carolina are only citizens of the United States who are eligible to vote in our elections.

A federal statute that has been on the books for nearly three decades allows states to obtain information about the citizenship or immigration status of any individual for any lawful purpose.

This statute says says that DHS "shall respond to an inquiry by a federal, state, or local government agency seeking to verify or ascertain the citizenship or immigration status of any individual within the jurisdiction of the agency for any purpose authorized by law, by providing the requested verification or status information."

Given the unprecedented amount of illegal immigration that the United States has experienced under the Biden Administration, the time is now for responsible election officials to do everything that they can under existing law to protect the integrity of our selections.

I am proud of the state of South Carolina for proactively working to ensure our voter rolls are accurate and contain only eligible citizens. South Carolina is doing election security right. Other states should follow suit.

Read the Letter

An Update on Appropriations

Each year, Congress has a responsibility to craft 12 separate appropriations bills – each one covering a different function of the federal government. These bills appropriate (i.e. provide) money for the federal government to operate.

Passage of these bills can seem like a dysfunctional process. It is a common occurrence for leaders bundle together multiple appropriations bills into one massive "omnibus" bill – often many thousands of pages long. Amidst the chaos, there's usually little regard for our deficit spending and national debt, which most of you know are among my biggest concerns in Congress. In my view, this is no way to run the federal government.

Current funding for the federal government is set to expire at the end of September. This means in the coming weeks, you're likely to hear more news about these appropriations bills as the House and Senate work through this important process.

If we fail to pass each of the 12 appropriations bills individually by the September funding deadline, it is inevitable that Congress will consider a Continuing Resolution (CR). If Republicans must vote on a CR, I am calling for it to run through early next year with the SAVE Act attached (see July Newsletter for more on that).

There are a significant number of hurdles to overcome in pursuit of this year's appropriations bills. There are also major differences between conservatives and liberals in Washington when it comes to federal spending, our national debt, and the ultimate role of government in our lives. These appropriations bills will be among the most important endeavors Congress will undertake this year, so I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my social media accounts as well as future email newsletters.

Community Forum on Silfab

On Tuesday, August 27th, I will be holding a Community Forum addressing concerns surrounding the Silfab Solar manufacturing company with current plans to open a facility in Fort Mill, using funds from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act.

This event will take place at Catawba Ridge High School, 1180 Fort Mill Pkwy in Fort Mill.

Members of the panel will include representatives from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, South Carolina Department of Transportation, and South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (formerly known as DHEC), who will be joining virtually.

Residents of Fort Mill have expressed concerns about the impacts of potential safety risk, property value, and water usage in the area surrounding the facility. This open forum is intended for community members to ask questions, address concerns, and clear up any misconceptions with members of the panel.

Many of you have reached out to me personally to share your concerns and I am looking forward to getting your questions answered by a panel of state agencies. I encourage attendees to ask questions, but disruptive and disorderly behavior will not be tolerated. I want to ensure that everyone may get a chance to share their concerns in a respectful and organized environment.

Questions may be submitted ahead of time through this link or by clicking the button below.

Submit Question

Washington D.C. Visitor Guide

If you plan to visit Washington DC in August, you can expect record breaking temperatures to continue. We recommend that you beat the heat with a staff-led tour of the US Capitol! Your tour will be comfortable, thanks to the Capitol Power Plant that has provided over a century of service to keep everyone on the Hill cool, calm, and collected.

Congress authorized power plant construction in 1904, and by 1935 plans were in place to install equipment that would circulate chilled water throughout the various buildings and cool spaces, allowing Congress to work during the hottest months. By 1938, the system was in full operation, and it now serves all House and Senate offices, the Library of Congress, Supreme Court, as well as the Capitol.

During August recess, SC-05 constituents have a cool opportunity to visit the House Chamber of their tour of the Capitol. It is a unique chance to experience firsthand where the President's State of the Union is delivered, legislation is presented, and votes are taken. The House Chamber has come a long way since first convening in the "Oven," the temporary meeting place for Representatives authorized by President Thomas Jefferson in 1801. Just let us know if you are interested in adding a stop to the House Chamber on your Capitol tour.

Other "Cool Facts":

John Gorrie (1802-1855), a physician practicing in Florida, "advocated for the cooling of sickrooms to reduce fever and to make patients more comfortable." His experiments to make "artificial ice" led to the first modern ice machine, a device he patented in 1851. You can see John Corrie at the Capitol - one of Florida's state statues located in the Hall of Columns.

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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