Biden is heading to South Carolina to show his economic agenda is keeping even red states humming

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President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit South Carolina on Thursday to highlight the success of his economic agenda, even in traditionally Republican states. Despite losing the state by a significant margin in the 2020 election, the Biden administration argues that the economic measures implemented under his leadership have brought substantial benefits to South Carolina and other states that supported Donald Trump.

White House officials emphasize that if Republicans had their way, South Carolina and other Republican-controlled states would have missed out on billions of dollars in investments and the creation of thousands of jobs. To demonstrate these achievements, Biden’s visit will showcase a new clean energy manufacturing partnership between Enphase Energy, a solar firm, and manufacturer Flex Ltd. This partnership is expected to generate 600 jobs in South Carolina and an additional 1,200 jobs nationwide.

Enphase’s investment of $60 million, which includes the opening of six new manufacturing lines (including two in South Carolina), has been made possible by tax incentives provided in Biden’s $370 billion Inflation Reduction Act passed last August. The White House criticizes Republicans for voting against this legislation and subsequent efforts to revoke the tax incentives included in the bill.

The president’s visit coincides with recent news in South Carolina, such as a tragic plane crash and criminal incidents. However, the focus remains on Biden’s economic agenda and its impact on the state.

Republican Representative Joe Wilson, whose area will benefit from Enphase’s investment, expressed his opposition to the legislation on Twitter, stating that it was detrimental to American families and a wasteful use of money. Wilson also voted to overturn the clean energy tax credits in the bill that incentivized Enphase’s investment. Similarly, Republican Representative Nancy Mace, despite voting against the $1 trillion infrastructure legislation, congratulated the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority for securing nearly $26 million for clean energy transportation projects.

Senator Tim Scott, a contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, also voted against the infrastructure bill, citing concerns about reckless spending on unrelated projects. These instances highlight the partisan divisions surrounding Biden’s economic policies.

Biden’s decision to visit South Carolina, a traditionally Republican state that has not supported a Democratic candidate in a general presidential election since 1976, comes shortly after former President Trump’s rally in Pickens, which attracted a large crowd. By showcasing how his policies benefit even those who do not support him politically, Biden aims to appeal to swing voters in the state.

The White House is making a concerted effort to demonstrate progress under “Bidenomics” as inflation subsides, unemployment remains low, and the president’s reelection campaign gains momentum. Despite facing criticism from Republicans regarding inflation and spending, White House officials take pride in the legislative achievements of the Democratic administration, which they believe have contributed to a robust economy, despite external challenges such as the conflict in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that further growth can be achieved if voters grant Biden a second term.

Since taking office, private companies have committed over $500 billion in manufacturing investments across the country. South Carolina, with its low unemployment rate of 3.1%, has received $11 billion in new investments in manufacturing and clean energy during the Biden administration’s tenure.

Although South Carolina has predominantly Republican representation at the federal and state levels, Biden holds personal and political significance for the state. The Biden family has vacationed on Kiawah Island, near Charleston, and the state played a crucial role in his 2020 presidential campaign, with Representative Jim Clyburn’s endorsement boosting Biden’s momentum during the primaries. South Carolina’s prominence within the Democratic Party has grown, as evidenced by its position as the first voting state on the 2024 presidential primary calendar designated by the Democratic National Committee.

Chairwoman Christale Spain of the South Carolina Democratic Party reaffirms Biden’s commitment to represent all Americans, regardless of their political affiliation,President Joe Biden is set to visit South Carolina to showcase the positive impact of his economic agenda, even in traditionally Republican states. Despite losing the state in the 2020 election, the Biden administration argues that his economic measures have benefited South Carolina and other states that supported Donald Trump.

White House officials argue that Republican opposition would have resulted in the loss of billions of dollars in investments and thousands of jobs for South Carolina and other Republican-controlled states. During his visit, Biden will highlight a new clean energy manufacturing partnership between Enphase Energy and Flex Ltd., which is projected to create jobs both in South Carolina and throughout the country.

Enphase’s $60 million investment, including the opening of new manufacturing lines in South Carolina, was made possible by tax incentives in Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. The White House criticizes Republicans, including South Carolina representatives, for voting against the legislation and attempting to revoke the included tax incentives.

Despite other news in South Carolina, such as a plane crash and criminal incidents, the focus of Biden’s visit remains on his economic agenda.

Republican Representative Joe Wilson, whose district will benefit from Enphase’s investment, criticized the legislation on social media, considering it detrimental to American families and a waste of money. He also voted against the clean energy tax credits in the bill. Similarly, Republican Representative Nancy Mace, who voted against the infrastructure legislation, commended the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority for securing funding for clean energy transportation projects.

Senator Tim Scott, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, also voted against the infrastructure bill due to concerns about reckless spending. These instances highlight the partisan divide on Biden’s economic policies.

Biden’s decision to visit South Carolina, a traditionally Republican state, aims to showcase the benefits of his policies to swing voters. The White House is determined to demonstrate progress under “Bidenomics” as inflation eases, unemployment remains low, and the president’s reelection campaign gains momentum. Despite criticism from Republicans, the White House takes pride in the legislative achievements that have contributed to a strong economy despite external challenges.

Private companies have invested over $500 billion in manufacturing since Biden took office, with South Carolina receiving $11 billion in manufacturing and clean energy investments. Although South Carolina is predominantly Republican, Biden has a personal and political connection to the state. South Carolina played a crucial role in his 2020 campaign, and it holds significance for the Democratic Party as the first voting state on the 2024 presidential primary calendar.

Chairwoman Christale Spain of the South Carolina Democratic Party emphasizes Biden’s commitment to represent all Americans, regardless of their political affiliation.

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More about economic agenda

• Biden to visit South Carolina to tout economic success despite Republican opposition
• Enphase Energy and Flex Ltd. clean energy manufacturing partnership
• Details of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act
• Republican opposition to Biden’s economic legislation
• South Carolina’s economic progress under Biden
• Analysis of Biden’s economic policies and their impact
• Significance of Biden’s visit to South Carolina