Weekly Newsletter   Official Newsletter This week in Washington, D.C., we've been hard at work introducing three pieces of legislation that reflect our unwavering commitment to putting the Lowcountry first. We had several meetings and hearings this week as well. Also, as a reminder, the 2024 Congressional Art Competition is coming down to its final two weeks. Make sure your high schooler submits their art! You can visit here to find out more information about the competition. We can’t wait to see your work! Are your neighbors aware of everything our team is doing in DC and in the district? Be sure to share our newsletter with them! They can sign up for it by visiting Mace.House.Gov or by clicking here. Our ACCESS Act Passed Committee Unanimously: This week we introduced the bipartisan ACCESS Act, which has successfully passed out of committee with unanimous support. This legislation will remove degree barriers in government contracting jobs, putting expertise over degrees! Nearly 62% of Americans lack a college degree, and education requirements have prevented us from tapping into the full potential of the great American workforce. By removing unnecessary degree requirements, we're ensuring equal opportunities for all Americans to contribute to our nation's innovation.   IBM Supports Our ACCESS Act: IBM has released a statement supporting our ACCESS Act and recognizing the importance of a skills-first approach in hiring. This bipartisan legislation aligns with IBM's advocacy for a more diverse and talented workforce in critical sectors such as IT and cybersecurity. By removing unnecessary degree requirements, we're creating more opportunities for federal contractors to contribute to our nation's innovation and economic growth. You can read IBM’s full statement here. Workday Endorses our ACCESS Act: We appreciate Workday's endorsement of The ACCESS Act. Workday's support for a skills-first approach in hiring is exactly what the ACCESS Act will do. It will address the pressing need for talent and experience in cybersecurity and IT modernization within the federal government. It’s time to unlock the full potential of the great American workforce. You can read Workday’s full statement here.   We Stand with Coastal Members to Introduce the Bipartisan Save Our Shrimpers Act: Thank you to the South Carolina Shrimpers Association for the wonderful letter of support! We've joined bipartisan colleagues in introducing the Save Our Shrimpers Act of 2024. By prohibiting federal funds from being usaed to finance foreign shrimp farm operations, we're standing up for our domestic shrimping industry and safeguarding American jobs. Federal law USC 262(h) ensures that the U.S. Department of the Treasury advises U.S. Executive Directors at International Monetary Institutions to oppose any aid facilitating an export commodity surplus that harms U.S. producers, directly aligning with the goals of the Save Our Shrimpers Act to protect our domestic shrimping industry from unfair competition.   Legislating for the Lowcountry: We Introduced H.R.7909, the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act: We've unveiled the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act to address safety concerns posed by violent illegal aliens. This legislation aims to protect women from harm by implementing stricter measures for aliens convicted of sex offenses or domestic violence. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of American women, we're sending a clear message that such violence will not be tolerated in our communities. We introduced the PAAW Act:  We've introduced the Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act (PAAW Act) to protect animals and taxpayer dollars. This bipartisan legislation prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or funding research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs or cats. By advocating for higher standards of animal welfare in biomedical research, we're promoting ethical practices and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Our full press release can be found here.   In Case You Missed It: Rep. Nancy Mace reacts to Iran's latest threat: US has a 'moral obligation to support Israel' Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., joined 'Fox & Friends First' to discuss her take on the looming threat from Iran as it threatens Israel again and why she voted no on a House bill to renew the FISA spy program. Rep. Nancy Mace on CNN: Standing Up for Women "In the post-Roe v. [Wade] era, the government needs to listen to the people," Mace said on CNN. "Every state should put this issue on the ballot. It is in the hands of the people. Let the people decide for themselves what they want to do and how they want to do it." We Did Not Support the FISA Reauthorization: While we acknowledge the vital role of the intelligence community in combating international terrorism and ensuring the safety of Americans, it's crucial to exercise caution with regards to granting extraordinary surveillance powers. The scope of today’s FISA reauthorization is excessively broad, often leading to violations of constitutional principles. Notably, an amendment was passed to extend FISA searches to encompass drug-related cases, beyond just terrorism investigations. We supported an amendment advocating for a warrant requirement for queries involving U.S. citizens; regrettably, this amendment failed, leading us to withhold our support for the final passage. United States Military Quality of Life Press Conference: As a member of the bipartisan Quality of Life Panel led by Rep. Don Bacon and Chairman Mike Rogers, the House Armed Services Committee recently held a press conference to announce the release of a significant report outlining our findings and recommendations to improve housing, access to child care, and to end food insecurity for our servicemen and women and their families. As we all know, the cost of living in the Lowcountry is increasing, and we need to take aim at alleviating financial burdens and providing vital support to our military families. We remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing their needs and ensuring their well-being remains a top priority. Meetings and Events: Meeting with the President of University of South Carolina We had a productive meeting with Dr. Michael Amiridis, the president of the University of South Carolina. We spoke about how we can continue supporting USC and the future of their programs. Of course, we couldn't miss congratulating them on their championship win! Event with Citadel Students and Alumni We had a productive meeting with Dr. Michael Amiridis, the president of the University of South Carolina. We spoke about how we can continue supporting USC and the future of their programs. Of course, we couldn't miss congratulating them on their championship win!   Our Votes This Week: H.R. 6655 – A Stronger Workforce for America Act We supported H.R. 6655, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which passed with a decisive vote of 378 to 26. This bill aims to amend and reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, demonstrating our commitment to strengthening the great American workforce. S. 2051 (House Amendment)– Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act We voted in favor of the House Amendment to S. 2051, the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act, which passed unanimously with a vote of 406 to 0. This legislation reaffirms our dedication to protecting and supporting missing children and their families. H.R. 3250 – National Museum of Play Recognition Act We supported H.R. 3250, the National Museum of Play Recognition Act, which passed with a significant majority of 385 votes in favor and 31 against. This legislation recognizes the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum in Rochester, New York, emphasizing the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. S. 382 – Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act, Our vote in favor of S. 382, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Confirmation Act, contributed to its passage with a vote of 401 to 15. This bill enables the trust status of certain lands in the State of Washington for the benefit of the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation. H.R. 2560 – Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act We supported H.R. 2560, the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act, which passed with a vote of 332 to 82. Our office co-sponsored this bill because South Carolina is home to 6,500 sea turtles. This legislation mandates the establishment of the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program by the Secretary of Commerce. AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 7888 – Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act: We supported Amendment No. 1 to H.R. 7888 proposed by Representative Biggs (R-AZ), which aimed to prohibit warrantless searches of U.S. person communications in the FISA 702 database under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, the amendment failed with a tied vote of 212 to 212. Because it was tied, this amendment failed to get adopted. Our vote in favor of Amendment No. 2 to H.R. 7888, introduced by Representative Roy (R-TX), resulted in its adoption with a vote of 269 to 153. This amendment requires the FBI to report quarterly to Congress on U.S. person queries conducted and grants specific congressional leaders access to attend certain proceedings, prioritizing transparency and oversight. We supported Amendment No. 4 to H.R. 7888, proposed by Representative Crenshaw (R-TX), which aims to enhance targeting of international narcotics trafficking operations with Section 702. This amendment was adopted with a vote of 268 to 152, despite our dissenting vote. Our votes against Amendments No. 5 and No. 6 to H.R. 7888, introduced by Representatives Waltz (R-FL) and Turner (R-OH) respectively, reflected our concerns about the scope and implications of the proposed changes to electronic communication services and the use of Section 702 information. Both amendments were adopted, despite our opposition. Finally, we voted against the final passage of H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, which ultimately passed with a vote of 273 to 147. Our decision reflects our concerns about certain provisions of the bill and our commitment to ensuring that any reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act prioritize the protection of American rights and interests. 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 us!  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. 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