In The News
Senate Unanimously Passes Bill Making Lynching a Federal Crime
Thursday | December 20, 2018by Mihir Zaveri
The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would, for the first time, explicitly make lynching a federal crime. "For over a century, members of Congress have attempted to pass some version of a bill that would recognize lynching for what it is: a bias-motivated act of terror," Senator Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat who introduced the bill, said in a statement. "Today, we have righted that wrong and taken corrective action that recognizes this stain on our country's … Continue Reading
Sen. Tim Scott: Passage of First Step Act a victory for criminal justice reform
Thursday | December 20, 2018GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - Republican senator Tim Scott is counting the recent passage of new legislation as a win for criminal justice reform. On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at curbing recidivism and, in Scott's words, aiding those behind bars by helping them transition back into civilian life. Scott, the junior senator from South Carolina, was an original cosponsor of the bill. "Today the Senate took a great step forward in building … Continue Reading
SC Sen. Tim Scott’s bill making lynching a federal hate crime passes Senate
Thursday | December 20, 2018by Caitlin Byrd
More than a century after an anti-lynching bill was first proposed by a black congressman, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime. Introduced this summer by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and two Democratic colleagues, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, the bill defines lynching as the "willful act of murder by a collection of people assembled with the intention of committing an act of violence upon any … Continue Reading
Landmark criminal justice reform
Wednesday | December 19, 2018The U.S. Senate took a major step toward prison and sentencing reform Tuesday night with the passage of the First Step Act. The welcome and much-needed changes represent the most sweeping revamp of the federal criminal justice system in decades. The measure garnered strong bipartisan support as both Republicans and Democrats understood the need for an overhaul of the federal criminal justice system. The bill now heads to the House, where it also has the backing of both parties. President … Continue Reading
Senator Tim Scott Talks About Victory For Criminal Justice Reform
Wednesday | December 19, 2018Watch full video at the link below! The White House claimed a major legislative victory after the Senate on Tuesday night overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill backed by President Trump. Lawmakers approved the bill 87-12, after defeating three amendments pushed by conservative Republicans. The measure now goes to the House, where it is expected to be approved quickly. Its passage would mark a significant win for Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared … Continue Reading
Farm Bill OK gives S.C. position on U.S. peanut board
Thursday | December 13, 2018The South Carolina Peanut Parity Act has been approved as part of the 2018 Farm Bill OK'd by Congress. Sponsored in the Senate by South Carolina Republican U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, and in the House by 2nd District Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, the act will put an individual from South Carolina on the Peanut Standards Board at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The legislation will now go to President Donald Trump's desk, where it is expected to be signed into … Continue Reading
Trump creates council to boost 'opportunity zones' in depressed areas
Wednesday | December 12, 2018by Steven Nelson
President Trump created a new White House council on Wednesday to help economically depressed areas, including the "opportunity zones" created by last year's tax reform legislation. Trump signed an executive order creating the Opportunity and Revitalization Council alongside a group including Democratic activist Van Jones and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. It will be led byHousing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. He called the council a "very big thing" and said it would feature "efforts … Continue Reading
Sickle Cell Treatment Act of 2018 Passed in Congress, Now Awaits President’s Signature
Wednesday | December 12, 2018On December 10, 2018, S.2465 - The Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2018 - was passed by the Congress and now moves forward for the President to sign into law. The bill represents a commitment by the government to continue much-needed research geared towards increasing the understanding of prevalence, distribution, outcomes, and therapies associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). It also reauthorizes SCD … Continue Reading
Sen. Tim Scott’s provisions in approved federal farm bill to aid SC heirs’ property owners
Wednesday | December 12, 2018by David Slade
Tucked in the $867 billion farm bill approved by Congress this week is a provision meant to help owners of heirs' property obtain farm loans, tap in to federal programs and get assistance in resolving land ownership issues. Advocates have called the provisions co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., "a watershed moment" and "a game changer" for owners of heirs' property, who historically have been excluded from federal programs that assist farmers and foresters. Heirs' property is common … Continue Reading
The Significance Of Investing In Opportunity Zones
Friday | December 7, 2018by Elie Rieder
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created quite a stir when it was first drafted and eventually passed, with all sides of the political spectrum arguing for and against the proposed changes. It is unfortunate, but commonplace now, that within Congress there are tremendous divides on just about every major issue. On taxes alone, the estate tax, pass-through business taxation, certain personal tax matters, acceptable deductions and the various waivers, each and collectively, are lauded or criticized. … Continue Reading
2018 Bloomberg 50
Friday | December 7, 2018Senator, South Carolina - Politics Thanks to him, about 8,700 low-income census tracts are now designated as "opportunity zones," and they've become the next big investing fad as Wall Street discovers the potential tax savings. Last year, when Republicans rammed through a controversial tax package stuffed with big cuts for corporations and the wealthy, Scott's contribution to the overhaul barely drew notice. He'd managed to codify an idea that Silicon Valley luminary Sean Parker and a … Continue Reading
Analysis: Scott has ideas to help disadvantaged communities
Wednesday | December 5, 2018Editor's Note: The following is from an interview of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott by POLITICO's chief economic correspondent. It was first published on Nov. 20 at politico.com. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) sat down with POLITICO's Chief Economic Correspondent, Ben White for a conversation about bringing development to America's most disadvantaged communities. The $100 Billion Dollar Question As the American economy has grown more unequal, with urban areas thriving and rural areas falling behind, … Continue Reading
S.C. plans Opportunity Zones Summit in January
Sunday | December 2, 2018COLUMBIA -- Led by Gov. Henry McMaster and in partnership with the Office of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and the Council of Development Finance Agencies, the State of South Carolina will present the Governor's Opportunity Zones Summit on Jan. 25, 2019, in Columbia. Taking place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, the full-day event will allow attendees to learn how to maximize the positive impacts of Opportunity Zones. "We're proud to partner with Sen. Scott and Gov. McMaster to … Continue Reading
One GOP senator’s plan to save rural America
Wednesday | November 28, 2018by Ben White
A little-noticed element of the 2017 tax cut law now rolling out across the U.S. would allow investors to defer capital gains taxes for up to a decade if they invest their cash in rural and small-town communities largely left behind in the recovery from the Great Recession. And at least one Republican senator believes the program, known as Opportunity Zones, could make lives better for as many tens of millions of Americans. "In the Opportunity Zones, the poverty rate is over 30 percent," … Continue Reading
Sen. Scott on Criminal Justice Bill, China, Auto Tariffs
Tuesday | November 27, 2018Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, discusses the outlook for passage of criminal justice overhaul legislation, President Donald Trump's planned negotiations with China's Xi Jinping, and the impact of proposed U.S. automobile tariffs on his state. He speaks with Bloomberg's Kevin Cirilli on "Bloomberg Markets: European Close." (Source: Bloomberg) Watch full video at … Continue Reading
Charleston deepening project allocated $41M
Monday | November 26, 2018by Liz Segrist
The S.C. Ports Authority has been allocated $41.1 million in federal funds to continue dredging work in the Charleston Harbor deepening project, which will yield the deepest harbor on the East Coast. The Army Corps of Engineers set the money aside in its Fiscal Year 19 Work Plan. The next opportunity for funding will be through President Donald Trump's budget in the first quarter of 2019. The S.C. Ports Authority is in the midst of deepening Charleston Harbor from 45 feet to 52 feet. Port … Continue Reading
The $100 Billion Question
Tuesday | November 20, 2018by Ben White
As the American economy has grown more unequal, with urban areas thriving and rural areas falling behind, free-market Republicans have generally stayed away from the debate about potential government solutions. That is, until Tim Scott came along. Scott, the first African-American senator from South Carolina since the end of Reconstruction, grew up in working-class poverty. And he's championed essentially the only congressional effort to close this economic divide during Donald Trump's … Continue Reading
Senators Scott, Graham speak out on planned overhaul of the Federal Criminal Justice System
Thursday | November 15, 2018by Tim Renaud
WASHINGTON (WCBD) - President Donald Trump is throwing his support behind a bill that would overhaul the federal criminal justice system. "The First Step Act" reduces prison time for some non-violent offenders. It also helps inmates learn skills to succeed as law-abiding citizens once they are out of jail. "We want to be smart on crime and also fair, and some of the laws that are on the books have dis-appropriately impacted certain races and groups of people," said Ja'Ron Smith, Special … Continue Reading
Senator Tim Scott honors women veterans ahead of Veterans Day
Saturday | November 10, 2018by Jenna Cisneros
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Senator Tim Scott hosted a ceremony to recognize South Carolina Women Veterans Saturday morning at First Baptist Church of Columbia. Alongside Scott, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran also attended the ceremony and spoke about the sacrifice. "Women gave up their families, they gave up life on the home front to join those ranks to provide a great service to our nation," Ernst said. "When they first started joining ranks in the military they were … Continue Reading
Sen. Tim Scott honors women veterans at Columbia church
Saturday | November 10, 2018by Kristen Schneider
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) - South Carolina Senator Tim Scott celebrated Veterans Day in the Midlands, along with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst. Sen. Scott held a special ceremony honoring women veterans at First Baptist Church of Columbia Saturday morning. Sen. Ernst, who joined him, served in the Iowa Army National Guard for 18 years. Sen. Scott used the event to surprise Sen. Ernst; he brought in her daughter Libby, who is currently studying at the United States Military Academy in West Point. The … Continue Reading
