Political Roundup - Graham, DeMint, Gowdy and Haley

In concert with our ongoing coverage of the Republican Presidential Primaries, each Monday Mauldin Patch will take a look back at the last week of news for South Carolina's governor (Nikki Haley) its senators (Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint), and its congressman, Trey Gowdy who represents South Carolina's 4th district, of which Mauldin is part.

As with last week, much of the week at the federal level was spent discussing how to cope with th debt ceiling. For a bit of perspective, here is a blog pointing out the hypocrisy of the entire debt ceiling debate, as in the fact that both parties have raised the debt ceiling in recent years.

Haley

On Monday, Governor Haley was on hand as the new SLED Chief Mark Keel was sworn in.

When some media outlets questioned the number of jobs (10,000) that Haley was claiming she has brought to the state, the governor admonished the media for being negative.

On Tuesday, Haley signed into a law a bill that would allow the state to revoke hunting, fishing and trapping licenses of residents who commit violations in other states.

When Republican Presidential contender Michele Bachmann stayed overnight at the governor’s mansion, Haley said that the stayover should not be construed as an endorsement. She said the invitation is open to other candidates.

On Thursday, Haley was on hand to announce plant openings in Bamberg and Aiken Counties that created hundreds of jobs.

When dim unemployment statistics came out on Thursday, the governor’s office issued a statement saying the rise in unemployment should not be cause for fear.

On Friday, Haley was among five Republican governors who appeared at the Aspen Institute in Aspen, CO.

Haley also criticized President Obama for his handling of the debt crisis.

Graham

In an appearance on CNN, Senator Graham compared the United States’ economy to that of debt-ridden Greece.

Graham also welcomed the opportunity for the public to weigh in on the debt ceiling debate in a letter here.

Amid the spending debate, it was pointed out by several media organizations that Graham had lobbied heavily for federal funds to help a dredge project in Charleston.

Graham co-sponsored a successful bill with California Senator Barbara Boxer that would help improve Department of Defense-managed schools. Read details here.

Graham called on his fellow Republicans to work in unison during the debt-ceiling debate according to The Hill. He was one of 47 senators to vote in favor of the unsuccessful Cut, Cap and Balance Bill.

DeMint

While speaking at the Heritage Foundation, Senator DeMint criticized Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s deficit reduction plan. The full video is viewable here.

DeMint released this statement, calling for an end to “commissions” and for the passage of the Cut, Cap and Balance Bill.

On Wednesday, DeMint appeared on the Fox News show On the Record. Here is the transcript.

Gowdy

Congressman Gowdy’s first bill moved a big step towards passage this week. The bill would allow the FBI to provide assistance to local authorities in certain violent crime investigations.

On Monday, Gowdy was among a group of freshmen Congressman who appeared at the White House demanding to see a written debt ceiling plan from the Obama Administration.

On Monday, Gowdy proposed a bill that would ensure that certain groups—seniors, veterans and military personnel—maintain their benefits should the debt limit be reached.

On Tuesday, Gowdy voted in favor of the Cut, Cap and Balance Bill, helping it pass in the House of Representatives.

On Thursday, Gowdy appeared on CNBC to discuss a bill that would limit the influence of the National Labor Relations Board. The video can be viewed here.