Did a Republican budget chairman sponsor an SC resolution honoring Kamala Harris?
A proposed House resolution honoring former Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to South Carolina this week, received ire because the Republican Ways and Means Committee chairman was listed as co-sponsor.
But state Rep. Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, never signed onto the resolution welcoming the 2024 Democratic standard-bearer to the state.
A scrivener’s error initially listed Bannister as a sponsor with several Democrats.
According to photos of documents obtained by The State newspaper, the original bill jacket, with lawmakers signing onto the resolution, did not included Bannister’s name. A sheet with a list of all House members names had the initials “JB” listed next to Bannister. But above Bannister’s name is “Bamberg” for state Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg.
Still the initial listing of Bannister received outcry on social media from former state Rep. Adam Morgan, the first chairman of the hard-line conservative Freedom Caucus.
“SC House set to vote on resolution honoring Kamala Harris ‘on her noteworthy book tour.’” Morgan posted on social media. “1, Republican Bruce Bannister (Greenville) co-sponsored this ridiculous drivel. He is Chair of Ways & Means and #2 in GOP Leadership. Why do we have such terrible Republicans?!”
Bamberg on social media defended Bannister.
“Y’all in #SCPolitics please help me #FreeBannister from this week’s political chaos. That man innocent. Serving a bid for a Republican crime he ain’t commit,” Bamberg posted. “I CAN’T LET THE INJUSTICE STAND!! Big Bamberg was the co-sponsor. Not him.”
