Tom Rice

Hugh Thompson Rice Jr. (born August 4, 1957) is an attorney and the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 7th congressional district. The district serves most of the northeastern corner of the state and includes Myrtle Beach, the Grand Strand, Florence, Cheraw, and Darlington. A Republican, Rice was first elected in 2012 and was a member of the freshman class chosen to sit at the House Republican leadership table. He was chair of the Horry County Council until he resigned from the position on December 31, 2012.[1]

For other people named Tom Rice, see Thomas Rice.
Tom Rice
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 7th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded byConstituency reestablished
Chairman of the Horry County Council
In office
2010 – December 31, 2012
Personal details
Born
Hugh Thompson Rice Jr.

(1957-08-04) August 4, 1957
Charleston, South Carolina
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Wrenzie Calhoun
​
(m. 1982)​
Children3
EducationUniversity of South Carolina (B.S., M.S., J.D.)
WebsiteHouse website

Rice was reelected in 2014, defeating Democratic nominee Gloria Bromell Tinubu in a rematch of the 2012 election.[2][3]

Rice was one of ten Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump for the second time.[4][5] In January 2021, the South Carolina Republican Party censured him for voting for the impeachment.[6]

Early life, education, and pre-congressional career

Rice was born in Charleston on August 4, 1957. He was four years old when his parents divorced, and his mother, a teacher, took him and his brother Clay to Myrtle Beach. Rice's first job was a busboy when he was 12, and he was variously a night shift fry cook, a grocery store bag boy and miniature golf course manager while still in high school. Rice was 16 when his father died.

Rice was offered a scholarship to Duke University but enrolled at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a master's degree in accounting in 1979. In 1982, he earned a J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

After college, Rice worked at the accounting/consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche in Charlotte, where he earned his CPA certificate. In 1985 he returned to Myrtle Beach to practice tax law with the law firm Van Osdell, then established his own practice, Rice & MacDonald, in 1997. He was elected chair of Horry County Council in 2010.

U.S. House of Representatives
Main articles: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina and 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Elections

Rice was elected to the U.S. House in 2012 as the first representative for the newly created 7th district. He defeated Jay Jordan, Randal Wallace, Dick Withington, James Mader, Chad Prosser, Katherine Jenerette, and Renee Culler in the June 12 Republican primary to advance to a runoff. In the June 26 runoff he defeated Andre Bauer. Rice defeated Gloria Bromell Tinubu in the November 6 general election.[7][8]

Rice was reelected in 2014, defeating Bromell Tinubu again, with 60.15% of the vote to her 39.85%.[2]

Tenure

Rice has co-sponsored several pieces of legislation including Safe Schools Act of 2013, a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and others.[9]

Rice has pushed changes to port funding,[10][11] offered victims help to replace Social Security cards, and other federal documents after massive fire destroys 26 condo buildings,[12] made statements on President Obama's press conferences,[13] made a statement on the passage of the Require a PLAN Act,[14] and made a statement on the President's State of the Union Address.[15][16]

Rice is a member of the Republican Study Committee[17] and the United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus.[18]

In December 2020, Rice was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[19] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[20][21][22]

On January 13, 2021, Rice was one of ten Republicans who voted to impeach Trump a second time.[23] As late as two days before the impeachment debate, he opposed impeaching Trump.[24] But Rice told The Post and Courier that Trump's response to the storming of the Capitol changed his mind. He criticized Trump for not offering condolences to those who were injured, or the two police officers who died. In a press release, Rice also upbraided Trump for his lack of contrition. Ultimately, Rice said, Trump's "utter failure" in the matter forced him to vote for impeachment.[25][26] He did so later that day, alongside nine other Republicans.[5]

On January 30, 2021, The South Carolina Republican Party voted to formally censure Rice for his impeachment vote.[27]

Committee assignments

United States House Committee on Ways and Means

In early November 2015, the House appointed Rice to the Ways and Means Committee. On November 18, 2015, Congressman Kevin Brady appointed Rice to the Oversight, Social Security, and Human Resources subcommittees.[28][29]

Past Committee assignments

In December 2012, the House appointed Rice to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Small Business of the 113th Congress.[30][31]

On January 8, 2013, Congressman Sam Graves appointed Rice chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access. Graves said that Rice would be a "great fit" because of his knowledge of the challenges facing small business owners. Rice said he would "work to limit government overreach, enact serious tax reform, and lower the cost of doing business in America, so our small business owners—America’s economic engine—can compete in our economy and the global marketplace."[32]

On January 22, 2013, Rice was appointed to the following subcommittees: Highways and Transit, Water Resources and Environment, and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. He said the appointments would allow him to work for the funding and construction of Interstate 73 as well as the dredging of the Georgetown Port.[33][34]

On November 11, 2013, Rice was appointed to the water resources conference committee, which helped resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013. The version that passed the House would allow for the dredging of the Georgetown port, a $33 million project, and would bring an estimated $30 million annual economic boost to the local economy. In a press release, Rice wrote, "My district sent me to Washington to work on our infrastructure needs and the needs of the state" and, "Since joining the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have made it my goal to do whatever it takes to champion South Carolina's ports."[35][36][37][38]

Electoral history
2014 general election [39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 102,833 59.95
Democratic Gloria Bromell Tinubu 68,576 39.98
Independent Write In 115 0.07%
Total votes 171,524 100
2012 U.S. House of Representatives District 7 Republican Primary [40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andre Bauer 12,037 32.13
Republican Renee Culler 279 0.74
Republican Katherine Jenerette 1,457 3.89
Republican Jay Jordan 8,107 21.64
Republican Jim Mader 180 0.48
Republican Chad Prosser 3,824 10.21
Republican Tom Rice 10,252 27.36
Republican Randal Wallace 691 1.84
Republican Dick Withington 641 1.71
Total votes 37,468 100
2012 U.S. House of Representatives District 7 Republican Primary – Runoff [41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 16,844 56.11
Republican Andre Bauer 13,173 43.89
Total votes 30,017 100
2012 U.S. House of Representatives District 7 general election[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Rice 153,068 55.51
Democratic Gloria Bromell Tinubu 114,594 41.56
Working Families Gloria Bromell Tinubu 7,795 2.83
Independent Write In 281 0.10
Total votes 275,738 100

Personal life

Rice and his family live in Myrtle Beach. He married his wife Wrenzie in 1982 and they have three adult sons.

In late May 2020, Rice announced that he refused to wear a face mask in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States while in Congress; in mid-June, he announced that he, his wife, and his son, had all been infected with COVID-19.[43]

References
  1. Hinnant, Lauren. "Horry County Chair seat empty Dec. 31, filing opens mid-January". WBTW News 13. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  2. Jones, Steve. "Rep. Tom Rice declared victor in bid for 7th District". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  3. "Associated Press, "2012 Primary Results"". The Associated Press. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  4. "10 GOP lawmakers vote to impeach Trump, trial moves to Senate". FOX 35. 13 January 2021.
  5. "These 10 House Republicans voted to impeach Trump on Wednesday". CNN. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  6. Axelrod, Tal (30 January 2021). "South Carolina GOP votes to censure Rep. Rice over impeachment vote". TheHill. Retrieved January 30, 2021. Congressman Rice’s vote unfortunately played right into the Democrats’ game, and the people in his district, and ultimately our State Executive Committee, wanted him to know they wholeheartedly disagree with his decision.
  7. WYFF News-2012 Primary Results
  8. SC Now "Tinubu wins Democratic runoff; Rice beats Bauer for GOP spot," June 26, 2012
  9. "Tom Rice: Bills Co-Sponsoring". US House of Reps / Library of Congress. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  10. "Rice pushes change in port funding". Georgetown Times. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  11. "Port critical to economy". Greenville Online. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  12. Jones, Steven (18 March 2013). "Rice offers victims help to replace Social Security cards, other federal documents". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  13. "Rep. Rice: Mr. President, we cannot afford continued deficit spending". Rep. Tom Rice / US House of Reps. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  14. "Rep. Rice: We Will #RequireAPlan from the President". Rep. Tom Rice / House of Reps. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  15. "Rep. Rice's Statement on the State of the Union Address". Rep Tom Rice / US House of Reps. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  16. "Rep. Tom Rice Press Releases". Rep.Tom Rice / US House of Reps. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  17. "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  18. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  19. Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  20. Liptak, Adam (2020-12-11). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  21. "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. 2020-12-11. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  22. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  23. Cai, Weiyi; Daniel, Annie; Gamio, Lazaro; Parlapiano, Alicia (2021-01-13). "Live House Vote: The Second Impeachment of Donald J. Trump". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  24. Braley Dodson (January 13, 2021). "'This utter failure is inexcusable': Republican Rep. Tom Rice of Myrtle Beach votes to impeach Trump". WBTW.
  25. Thomas Novelly; Tyler Fleming (January 13, 2021). "In a stunner, SC GOP Rep. Tom Rice votes to impeach President Trump after Capitol riot". The Post and Courier.
  26. Rep. Tom Rice Votes To Impeach President Trump
  27. "SCGOP Formally Censures Congressman Tom Rice". Twitter. January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  28. "Rice Appointed to Ways and Means Subcommittees". Congressman Tom Rice. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  29. "Congressman Rice Named to House Committee on Ways and Means". Congressman Tom Rice. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  30. Jones, Steve (December 12, 2012). "Rice appointed to House transportation committee". The Sun News. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  31. "Rep. Tom Rice committee appointments". WBTW. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  32. "Rep. Rice Named Small Business Subcommittee Chairman". US House of Representatives. January 8, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  33. "Rep. Rice Appointed Transportation Subcommittees". US House of Representatives/Rep. Tom Rice news release. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  34. Jones, Steve (January 25, 2013). "Rice appointed to key subcommittees for 7th District". The Sun News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  35. Jones, Steve (15 November 2013). "Rice named to Water Resources conference committee". The Sun News. Archived from the original on 18 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  36. "Rice named to Water Resources conference committee". Congressman Tom Rice. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  37. "Speaker Boehner Appoints Negotiators to Water Resources Reform Conference Committee". Speaker of the House John Boehner. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  38. "WRRDA Moves Forward with House Conferee Appointments". transportation.house.gov. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  39. 2012 South Carolina Statewide General Election Results
  40. 2012 South Carolina U.S. House of Representatives District 7 Republican Primary Election Results
  41. 2012 South Carolina U.S. House of Representatives District 7 Republican Primary Runoff Results
  42. 2012 South Carolina U.S. House of Representatives District 7 General Election Results
  43. Republican congressman who just announced he has the coronavirus refused to wear a face mask on the House floor 2 weeks ago by Eliza Reiman; in Business Insider; published June 15, 2020; retrieved June 16, 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Constituency reestablished		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 7th congressional district
2013–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Mark Pocan		 United States Representatives by seniority
189th		 Succeeded by
Raul Ruiz
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