Joe Cunningham in 2022 SC Governor's race
On Abortion:
Fetal Heartbeat Bill is restrictive and draconian
If S.1 makes it into law, South Carolina's abortion laws will be among the nation's most restrictive and draconian. The so-called "Fetal Heartbeat Bill" would ban abortion once a heartbeat is detected--which can happen as early as six weeks into a
pregnancy. This sends a clear message to women across the Palmetto State that the overwhelmingly male politicians feel they should have more of a say in making these private, life-changing health care decisions than a woman and her doctor.
This bill is blatantly unconstitutional. These inevitable legal challenges will cost South Carolina millions in taxpayer money at a time when state and local governments are facing unprecedented budget shortfalls. In the middle of a deadly pandemic,
should South Carolina spend millions on vaccinating our people and keeping our businesses afloat, or should we spend that money defending a blatantly unconstitutional law in court that we already know will fail?
Source: The State on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
Feb 4, 2021
On Abortion:
Society benefits when women have autonomy over their bodies
The women of the Palmetto State deserve basic bodily autonomy and the right to make their own medical decisions in consultation with their doctor.
I heard stories from women across the Lowcountry who told me about how access to full medical care enabled them to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. When women are given full autonomy over their bodies, everyone in our society benefits.
Source: The State on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
Feb 4, 2021
On Environment:
Great American Outdoors Act sets funding for public land
President Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act, a measure that guarantees maximum annual funding for a federal program to acquire and preserve land for public use. The act, which allocates $900 million a year to the
Land and Water Conservation Fund and provides up to $9.5 billion over five years to begin clearing up a maintenance backlog at national parks, was approved on a 310-to-107 vote in the House. It was introduced by Representative Joe Cunningham.
Source: New York Times on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
Aug 4, 2020
On Government Reform:
Criticized state officials for challenging Trump's loss
[On the 2020 presidential election]: "I am appalled and embarrassed by the Republican leaders of our state who have decided to support this attempt to throw out votes in swing states that voted for Joe Biden," Cunningham said in a statement.
[South Carolina Attorney General Alan] Wilson is throwing support behind a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cunningham said the lawsuit has no basis in "actual law, common sense, or reality."
Source: WCSC Live 5 News on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
Dec 9, 2020
On Homeland Security:
COVID: provide healthcare benefits for National Guard
Reps. Joe Cunningham and Steven Palazzo (R-MS) introduced legislation that would provide healthcare benefits to National Guard members serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. National Guard service members serving on federal orders have transitional
healthcare coverage after they serve for six months, but the state service members currently activated during the pandemic are not eligible for healthcare benefits. The Support Our National Guard Act is trying to fix that oversight.
Source: ABC News-4 on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
Apr 21, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Pols more interested in keeping their jobs than doing it
In his final speech on the House floor, Cunningham slammed partisanship. He said he witnessed his colleagues "embracing conspiracy theories or arguments detached from reality while knowing better and sometimes admitting so privately."
He called it a form of "self-preservation" from people he says are "more interested in protecting themselves and their party than protecting our country, more interested in keeping their job than doing their job."
Source: WIS News 10 on 2022 South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
Apr 21, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023