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Jay Stamper on Homeland Security
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NSA domestic spying included innocent U.S. citizens
In response to new NSA disclosures detailing privacy violations, Jay Stamper today called on Senator Lindsey Graham to apologize to the people of South Carolina for misleading them about the NSA's record of domestic spying.In June, Senator Graham
defended NSA surveillance practices, saying they are "limited to tracking people who are suspected to be terrorists."
The NSA has now disclosed that one of its programs illegally intercepted thousands of domestic emails and communications annually for
at least three years before informing the FISA court. "Lindsey Graham was aware of NSA privacy violations and deliberately misled South Carolinians," said Stamper. "Accordingly, I call on Senator Graham to apologize to the people of
South Carolina."
Graham said back in June: "I'm glad the NSA is trying to find out what the terrorists are up to overseas and in our country. I'm glad that activity is going on, but it is limited to tracking people who are suspected to be terrorists."
Source: DailyKos.com on 2014 South Carolina Senate race
, Aug 22, 2013
Increase funding for veterans' benefits; we need to do more
In 2010, Congress passed a comprehensive veterans' benefits package and expanded education and training opportunities for veterans, and provided tax credits for employers who hire disabled veterans. We need to do more. With advances in battlefield
medicine and body armor, our soldiers are surviving serious injuries during their service, and many face a long and difficult recovery. Others are returning home with post-traumatic stress that requires specialized mental health counseling, too often in
short supply.The Veterans Administration is over-extended and unprepared for this huge influx of veterans. I support increasing funding for and access to veterans' health care and benefits and will demand accountability from the V.A.
Nearly 900,000 veterans' claims are stuck in a VA backlog, with some veterans waiting months or even years to see the benefits they are entitled to receive. I will do everything I can to fix the claims system and reduce wait times for pending claims.
Source: 2013 Senate campaign website, jaystamper.com, "Issues"
, Jul 2, 2013
SC's military bases contribute $16B and 11,000 jobs
South Carolina's eight major military bases contribute almost $16 billion annually to the state's economy. The 11,000 Department of Defense workers statewide will likely face furloughs, removing close to $60 million in gross pay from the state's economy.
The Charleston region could be hit hardest, affecting the large Department of Defense civilian workforce based in and around North Charleston.
In Northern Beaufort County, over 8,400 military and civilian personnel are employed by the three military installations.
With a total economic impact of more than $1.4 billion on the local economy, the military is a major force in that region.
Source: 2013 Senate campaign website, jaystamper.com, "Issues"
, Jul 2, 2013
Page last updated: Aug 27, 2017