Will Andrews protect Parris Island? I will keep fighting for it and all our military in SC

Recently, I debated my opponent for Congress, Annie Andrews. She was asked a simple question — will she protect Parris Island? Even I was surprised that in her 60 second answer she never actually said yes, no matter what she would fight for the Lowcountry and for Parris Island.

Of course, that’s because she’s beholden to national liberals and extreme climate special interests, and therefore, she can’t. You see, she chose instead to agree with Washington bureaucrats that climate change will doom Parris Island. Therefore, unless we change the weather, she won’t lift a finger to help.

I’m a conservationist. I care about the environment and have a 100 percent rating from conservation groups. But I’m also a realist and a fighter, and I won’t let extremism doom our base.

That is why I will continue to do everything I can to protect Joint Base Charleston, Naval Hospital Beaufort, MCAS Beaufort, and of course, MCRD Parris Island. From listening and engaging with military leaders and local officials on ways to strengthen our communities, to promoting environmental resilience measures that will protect them from severe weather outcomes, and of course, introducing legislation to prevent future BRACs from impacting Parris Island, I have made it my mission in Congress to see that our military family here has every tool necessary to thrive well into the next decade and beyond. Our National Security depends on it.

We make Marines in Beaufort, and we have since 1915. We are proud of that tradition, of our contribution to our Country, and in return, of the economic impact it has on our community. We are going to keep making them here if I have anything to say about it.

Some people choose to accept things as “the way they have to be.” Some people choose to follow the extremes in their party. Neither of those are me. I’m a hard-working, independent voice for the Lowcountry and for Parris Island.

I won’t sugarcoat it.

I’m sure y’all all are aware, there is a fight here in Congress and at the Pentagon to move or consolidate operations.

I saw this last year when a Senator from the West Coast tried to add language in the NDAA that would place unfair and burdensome gender integration deadlines on Marine recruit depots – language that would have impacted only Parris Island it turns out – and not the California based San Diego depot. I, along with our South Carolina Senators, fought to have this successfully removed from the final version.

Regrettably, I expect similar legislative shenanigans again this year, which is why in the coming weeks, as DC “time” winds down, I will continue to fight for Parris Island and all our military communities in the Lowcountry and South Carolina. It’s the least the Representative from the First District can do.

Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace represents South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District which includes Charleston and Beaufort. She served in the South Carolina State House in the House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020.