You don't want to miss this.   Official Newsletter   First Town Hall in Mt. Pleasant  We had a packed calendar of events across the Lowcountry, speaking with people like you about the issues which impact all of us. We had 80+ proud residents of Beaufort County attend our first town hall in Mt. Pleasant. Thank you to everyone who came and spoke about the future of SC-01! Top issues of concern were the border and our economy. Our team is working hard to make sure our district gets the resources and support we need to be stronger than ever.     Boating Season is upon us! We attended the 43rd Charleston Boat Show, an event that kicks-off the Lowcountry's boating season. We had a blast getting to see all the boats, and meeting incredible people who are passionate about South Carolina and our maritime community! Official Designation of Charleston as a United States Coast Guard Community Charleston celebrates its official designation as a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Community! Boasting eight major commands, Charleston is a vital hub for the USCG, contributing significantly to our district's economic growth. This achievement marks a substantial victory for the Lowcountry, underscoring the crucial role the USCG plays in our community. As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering and strengthening our relationships with the USCG, ensuring continued collaboration and positive impacts for Charleston and the surrounding region. Good News Also in our district, the Coast Guard held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new base located in North Charleston last Friday. The base is expected to be fully operational by 2026 and is set to become the largest base for training and global operations. The Charleston Region contains the largest military presence in South Carolina, with an annual economic impact of approximately $12.7 billion that is supported by over 78,000 jobs. Updates from Washington   The Bipartisan Tax Bill is a Win for the Lowcountry We voted yes to the bipartisan tax package because it is a crucial step toward supporting families in the Lowcountry. The temporary expansion of the child tax credit is a significant component of the bill, providing much-needed relief to low-income families with children. With an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 357 to 70 in the House, including support from sides of the aisle, the bill demonstrates a rare unity in recognizing the importance of this measure. The enhanced child tax credit is projected to benefit approximately 16 million children from families that currently do not receive the full credit due to their low earnings. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that this move would lift at least half a million children out of poverty and improve the financial situation of around 5 million more children. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to provide tax relief to businesses, temporarily restoring important benefits that had lapsed. Overall, this comprehensive package addresses the needs of both families and businesses in the lowcountry, paving the way for positive economic and social impacts in our community. Protecting Animals and Cutting Taxes We have been steadfast in championing animal rights, advocating for fiscal responsibility, and ensuring government accountability. Since 2021, we have passionately fought for the lives of Morgan Island's monkeys, commonly known as 'Monkey Island,' situated in Beaufort County. This island, home to over 3,500 rhesus monkeys and off-limits to the public, prompted us to take a decisive step. Recently, we addressed a letter directly to the National Institute of Health (NIH), urging transparency regarding its funding of alleged animal experiments at Rocky Mountain Laboratory on the island. Our concerns about the safety of these monkeys have deepened with the emergence of "disturbing" videos, photographs, and documents related to these experiments. This effort builds on our previous initiative in 2021 when we collaborated with the White Coat Waste Project, a taxpayer watchdog group, to send a letter to Dr. Anthony Fauci. Through this collaboration, we exposed that around 600 monkeys are annually removed for these alleged experiments, funded by a substantial $20 billion in taxpayer money. Emphatically condemning these experiments as "disgusting, barbaric, and cruel," we demand accountability and transparency for the public about the conditions and fate of these animals. Justin Goodman, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at the White Coat Waste Project, echoes our sentiments, shedding light on the distressing conditions the monkeys endure. Despite our attempts to seek a response from the NIH, there has been no communication at the time of reporting. Our dedication to exposing and challenging such practices underscores our shared commitment to animal welfare, fiscal prudence, and holding institutions accountable for their actions.   Town Hall Series We are doing a Town Hall series! Our next tele-town hall is coming up on 2/7 for Charleston County and there will be plenty more in-district. We want to make sure we hear all of your concerns, comments, and stories. Yours in Service, Congresswoman Nancy Mace   Need Help with a Federal Agency? Call us today. If you or someone you know ever needs assistance with a federal agency, we are just a phone call away and are ready to help you! Please contact my Beaufort Office at (843) 521-2530, my Mount Pleasant Office at (843) 352-7572. You can also file a case online here. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you. Have news or updates to share? Email me!  If you have updates regarding events in the community or other news to share from across Lowcountry, please visit here. Love sunsets and dogs? Us too. Be sure to submit your favorite Sunset photos here or a photo of your dog here. Our team will try to include as many of your updates from around #SC01 as we can each week Our Company | Contact Us | FAQs | Privacy Policy   Rep. Mace | 1728 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]