Fighting a Scourge of Crime Against Seniors



In the midst of the pandemic, there has been a heartbreaking increase in fraud and scams against our nation’s seniors. Last year alone, con artists stole $1 billion from older Americans online. 


Yesterday, I held a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing—along with Chairman Casey—on how to combat these heartbreaking crimes. We heard from several witnesses including South Carolina’s own Vee Daniel, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of the Upstate, who spoke on the increase in COVID-related fraud against seniors. Read more about the hearing here , and view the committee’s newly-released fraud book here .


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Click to watch my remarks at yesterday’s hearing


Equipping Educators to Lead with Excellence


The role that our nation’s educators play in shaping the next generation can’t be overstated. That’s why I introduced the Teacher and School LEADERS Act  with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle—to expand training programs for teachers who aspire to fill leadership roles in education.


I’m living proof that a few devoted teachers can change the trajectory of a kid’s life, and I look forward to seeing how this bill will equip more educators to lead the next generation with excellence. Learn more about the bill here .


An Update on Police Reform


After months of negotiations on policing reform, I was deeply disappointed this week to learn that my Democrat counterparts decided to walk away from the table—despite my offer to introduce a bill that included our areas of agreement. They walked away from a bill that could have done so much good for our nation.


Rest assured that I am not giving up. This is an issue I have been working on for years—since 2015, after the shooting of Walter Scott in my hometown of North Charleston. While I am frustrated that the Democrats abandoned such a critical issue at such a critical time, I will continue to work with anyone who is serious about finding bipartisan solutions that bring justice, fairness, and safety for the most vulnerable among us. 

Read my full statement here .

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