Joe Wilson

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, this month, Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute addressed ``The Top Myths about US Aid to Ukraine,'' revealing: ``Every dollar spent in support of Ukraine is authorized by Congress and used for a specific purpose.'' ``As of September 2023, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with $101 billion, or about 0.43 percent of America's GDP.'' ``The vast majority of this money never leaves the U.S. and instead supports American jobs.'' ``There has likely never been more accountability in place for U.S. foreign assistance,'' with the U.S., ``Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group. More than 160 officials across 20 Federal oversight agencies monitor U.S. aid to Ukraine.'' ``According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine aid tracker, total European commitments are now more than double those of the U.S.'' ``Russia is China's junior partner. A defeated Russia means a weaker China.'' Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, ``The security of the Indo-Pacific region cannot be separated from the European security.'' I support the proven Republican policies of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan of why not victory over dictators.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Bulgaria. I will always cherish serving as an International Republican Institute election observer welcomed to Sofia by Professor Stefan Stoyanov for the first post-communist election on June 10, 1990. Arriving in communist Bulgaria was shocking to step back into the 1930s of pathetic economic development and now it is energizing to visit modern Bulgaria with opportunities for all succeed. Today, the U.S. Department of State issued the following statement: ``On September 19, 1903, John B. Jackson, Minister to Greece, Romania, and Serbia, presented his credentials to serve as the first U.S. Diplomatic Agent to Bulgaria--six years prior to Bulgaria's proclamation of full independence from the Ottoman Empire. Today, we celebrate the one hundred and twentieth anniversary of that act and the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two great nations. Our relationship as bilateral partners, and our friendship as members of the transatlantic family of nations, has never been stronger. ``The United States and Bulgaria work closely together on a multitude of issues. Our shared commitment to provide military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russia's brutal war of aggression remains firm. We continue to deepen our collaboration on vital regional and global security issues as NATO Allies, working side by side in the NATO battlegroup hosted by Bulgaria and training together on a regular basis. Our nations are expanding cooperation on economic and energy issues to increase prosperity . . . and reduce Bulgaria's reliance on Russian energy sources. Together, we are working to strengthen the rule of law and to boost democratic resilience against state- sponsored disinformation and malign influence. We also partner to promote innovation and economic opportunity through academic and professional exchanges and robust commercial relationships. ``People-to-people ties have been the bedrock of our a Bulgarian-American, began serving as the first U.S. Consular Agent in Bulgaria in 1912. Today, there are nearly 250,000 Bulgarians living in the United States, and nearly 90,000 Americans living in or traveling to Bulgaria every year. The warm relationship between our nations, based on shared transatlantic values, relationship since even before Asen Kermekchiev common interests, and family and cultural ties, continues to grow. We look forward to another one hundred and twenty years of friendship.'' Bulgaria is a valued ally in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism and now, sadly with the murderous invasion by war criminal Putin of Ukraine, Bulgaria is a stalwart for Democracies Rule of Law opposing Dictators with Rule of Gun. There is a bipartisan appreciation of Bulgaria where I am grateful to co-chair the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus with Representatives Brad Schneider (IL), Richard Neal (MA), and Neal Dunn (FL). Bulgaria has been professionally represented by talented ambassadors such as Elena Poptodorova, Tihomir Stoytchev, and now Georgi Panayotov. America wants the best for Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and President Rumen Radev for the citizens of Bulgaria.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, sadly, the world is in a conflict we did not choose, between dictators with rule of gun opposing democracies with rule of law. War criminal Putin began the current murderous conflict invading Ukraine in February 2022, shocked to find that the Ukrainians courageously resisted. President Donald Trump provided Javelin missiles and tried to deter Putin with troops in Poland. Today, the West is united, with Sweden and Finland joining NATO, as the European Union surpasses American aid for Ukraine. Simultaneously, the Chinese Communist Party denies Taiwan's existence and the regime in Tehran continues nuclear missile development to achieve death to Israel, death to America. Fellow dictators clearly see the conflict as dictator or democracy as North Korean Kim Jong-un joins Putin. Supporters of democracy must remain united as there is no third side to achieve peace through strength. The choice is clear: Dictators or democracy. In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues, moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with Biden's open borders.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the irresponsible policies of Biden and the liberal Democrats have caused a 40-year high inflation, leaving American families in financial distress and jobs destroyed. Bidenflation has affected the cost of everyday goods and services and limited the annual purchasing power of families by thousands of dollars. Worse, Biden does not seem to comprehend the reality of these decisions, proven when recently describing his economic policies. Biden said, I don't know what Bidenomics is, but it is working. Among the most damaging effects on families is the highest seasonal gas price in more than a decade, with the national average at over $3.80 a gallon. Sadly, American autoworkers are being sacrificed to create dependency on Chinese batteries. The Republican House majority is working to correct this, having recently passed the Lower Energy Costs Act to streamline the permitting process and reduce energy costs to achieve energy independence, which President Donald Trump had achieved in his administration. In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues, moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with Biden open borders.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, I am grateful to recognize the third anniversary of the successful Abraham Accords on September 15. Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, this historic agreement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and later Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan represents the most significant step toward a stable and positive Arab-Israeli relationship in modern history. It marked the first public normalization of relations between an Arab country and Israel since Jordan in 1994. In June, I led the bipartisan U.S.-Israel Partnership and Abraham Accords Enhancement Act of 2023, which reauthorizes key cooperative programs between the United States and Israel and fosters the utilization of existing programs to help expand the Abraham Accords. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morocco in earthquake recovery. In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with the Biden open borders.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the Biden war on fossil fuels has already caused a 40-year high of inflation, harms families, and continues to enrich war criminal Putin and force dependency on the Chinese Communist Party for batteries. Now the threat to American families has intensified, as explained in a September 8 editorial by The Wall Street Journal. ``Oil prices have climbed this week after Saudi Arabia and Russia extended their production cuts. The Biden administration's response? Restrict U.S. oil and gas development. ``The Interior Department . . . canceled seven oil and gas leases in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge . . . ``Its climate agenda is also the most lawless and economically destructive in history. ``Russia is drilling in the Arctic and using it as a shipping route to deliver oil to China. The administration's restrictions on U.S. Arctic oil and gas development amount to unilateral energy disarmament.'' In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open Biden borders. We also extend our sympathy to the great people of Morocco.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the Republican Study Committee's Senior Policy Counsel, Omar Hossino and his wife Leen, on the birth of their first child, a boy. Hatem Hossino, named after his paternal grandfather, was born at 8:29 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in Arlington, VA. The name `Hatem' is Arabic for ``decisive,'' ``determined,'' and ``judge.'' The Hossino family traces its lineage to Syria, through the village of Salamiyeh. As Chairman of the RSC's National Security Task Force, I have long valued Omar's strategic advice. He has been instrumental in moving forward important policy legislation through the House and continues to be integral to the Committee's congressional staff as it advances policies on behalf of the American people. Best wishes to Omar, Leen, and all their families on the newest addition to the Hossino family.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Stuart MacVean, president and CEO of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, who will be retiring today. Stuart has led SRNS since 2016, and since that time has overseen numerous successes and unprecedented growth at the Savannah River site. Under his leadership, SRNS has made significant strides in its development of the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, the American plutonium pits for nuclear deterrence. The site has also begun shipping downblended surplus plutonium to achieve progress in its environmental remediation and cleanup activities. His contributions have made South Carolina, and our neighbor Georgia, safer. I offer best wishes to Stuart and his wife, Kelly, for continued success. Welcome to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of our valued ally Italy to Washington. In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open Biden borders.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as the Senior member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness I am grateful to recognize the historic significance of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program. The Department of Defense State Partnership Program was established in 1993 and has evolved from a program designed to assist countries emerging from behind the Iron Curtain to one that now involves 88 partnerships with 100 nations, and the National Guard of every state and territory of the United States. Every year, members of the National Guard typically engage in more than 1,000 events during which they work with partner militaries to bolster capabilities, improve interoperability, and enhance principles of responsible governance. The State Partnership Program delivers a significant return on investment by broadening the pool of security partners who are willing and able to support defense and security cooperation objectives around the world. In fact, most of the earliest State Partnership Program partner countries in Europe have gone on to become United States allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and many of them credit the State Partnership Program and their National Guard State partners with helping to make that possible. Last year, with the leadership of Adjutant General Van McCarty continuing the tradition of Adjutant General Bob Livingston, the South Carolina National Guard celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our State Partnership with the Republic of Colombia. Since the launch of our mutually beneficial partnership, we have assisted in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, jointed combined training, and the internal transformation of civilian and military systems. The California National Guard has been instrumental in assisting the military of Ukraine and now is effectively facing War Criminal Putin, the monstrous dictator. Being a father to four sons who have served overseas in the military and a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves and the South Carolina Army National Guard, I am appreciative of the rich military tradition held within the Second District of South Carolina. Our district is home of Fort Jackson in Columbia, while Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter and Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, are located just outside the District. I am grateful to see the National Guard working with the commanders of the combatant commands and the Department of State to increase State Partnership Program partnerships by 2 nations per year for the next 15 years. The outsized influence of the program in developing and supporting enduring relationships around the world serves both the interests of the partner nation and the United States. Last, and most importantly, I want to express my deep gratitude for the continuing service by members of the National Guard in support of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, President Biden has continued his fabricated excuses for Bidenomics. His message is not reality understood by American families. According to the New York Post op-ed by Brian Riedl, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute: `` `Bidenomics' is a record of failure,'' and the President will spend $5 trillion over the next decade. This spending is ``driving prices upward by more than 16 percent . . . since the President took office, at a cost of more than $10,000 for the typical household,'' and hourly compensation has fallen by 5 percent. ``When incomes cannot keep pace with inflation and families are falling behind, few other economic variables matter.'' Biden fails to recognize that inflation reached the highest rate in 40 years under his watch of borrow, tax, and spend, and it is failing families and destroying jobs. In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open Biden borders.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently cast a ``NO'' vote for House Amendment No. 36 to H.R. 3935, but I intended a ``YEA'' vote on Roll Call No. 346.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of July 17, 2023, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 79) relating to a national emergency declared by the President on May 11, 2004, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution. The Syria National Emergency is the basis for sanctions against the regime of the murderous dictator Assad and his comrades. For over a decade, the Assad regime, war criminal Putin, and the terrorist regime in Tehran have committed brutal atrocities against the people of Syria. The civilian mass murder in Aleppo should never be forgotten, which was facilitated by war criminal Putin. In the last 5 years, sanctions issued pursuant to this authority have prevented over $100 million from reaching more than 100 dangerous entities and individuals affiliated with the Assad regime and its backers, including ISIS middlemen. This murderous regime has supported international terrorism, committed innumerable atrocities against civilians, assisted with the manufacture of ballistic missiles, and developed weapons of mass destruction. Let me be clear: Some of the people sanctioned under this national emergency quite literally developed chemical weapons, and we know when President Donald Trump determined that chemical weapons were used, he immediately responded with a direct attack on the Assad regime. If we overturn this national emergency, those sanctions will automatically and immediately disappear. The criminals behind Assad's weapons of mass destruction program should not be able to access credit cards to do business with Americans. These sanctions are more than just an essential tool in countering the war criminal Bashar Al Assad. As previously mentioned, most of the proceeds from violations of the sanctions, including these sanctions on Syria, go directly to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism fund, which benefits American victims of terrorism, including our Nation's 9/11 families. In addition, this resolution would terminate sanctions on people like George Haswani, who the U.S. Treasury has named, and I quote: ``A Syrian businessman who serves as a middleman for oil purchases by the Syrian regime from ISIL.'' It would also lift sanctions on a number of Assad officials who support Hezbollah terrorists who threaten daily the people of Israel from Lebanon. Today, Assad is not only a war criminal, but also the head of a narco-state. His regime spreads both the malign influence of his Iranian puppet masters and the scourge of drugs throughout the region. The Assad regime is a critical player in the growth of regional and global trade of the narcotic Captagon. Removing these sanctions would be a gift to Assad, Putin, and the Iranian regime, as the civilized world confronts the unprovoked attacks on democracies which have rule of law being attacked by the dictators with rule of gun. Terminating this national emergency would immediately terminate sanctions on hundreds of Assad cronies and financiers, developers of Syria's chemical weapons, terrorist-supporting middlemen who threaten America and Israel, and drug traffickers involved in the Captagon trade. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose the Assad regime, its dictatorship, and support the people of Syria to oppose this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the resolution. This Yemen national emergency is the basis for sanctions against Iran-backed Houthi leaders, who have spent the past decade waging a deadly, murderous, and destructive civil war in Yemen. The extremists sanctioned under this emergency have destabilized the Middle East and threaten the security of tens of thousands of Americans who reside or work in or near Yemen, throughout the Persian Gulf, and our great ally Saudi Arabia. If we overturn this national emergency, those sanctions will automatically and immediately disappear. The Iranian-backed Houthis sanctioned under this emergency proudly chant the slogan, ``Death to America. Death to Israel.'' They recruit and indoctrinate thousands of Yemeni youths into their extremist ideology through schools and summer camps, all while committing murderous human rights abuses every day. The Houthis are a key part of Iran's strategy to undermine the stability of the United States and its partners. Thanks to years of support from Iran, the Houthis now have advanced indigenous lethal weapons capabilities while continuing to receive shipments of weapons from the Iranian regime, which threaten Americans in the Middle East and global commerce in the Red Sea. Sanctions issued pursuant to this authority have blocked critical financial support from reaching these dangerous Iranian proxies. If we remove these sanctions, the Houthis will have more funds to develop weapons and threaten American citizens and international shipping interests. Terminating this national emergency would lift sanctions on the Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who oversees their campaign of terror. Al-Houthi is also responsible for the ongoing detention of former U.S. Embassy staff and the active occupation of the U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen. What message are we sending to our enemies around the world by arbitrarily terminating sanctions on this dangerous extremist? This radical group should not gain access to more cash to help fund its war machine. Being weak and lifting sanctions on Iran and its proxies is not an option. President Donald Trump agreed. His administration stood strong against Iran and renewed this Yemen national emergency on four separate occasions. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand against Iran and oppose this reckless resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of July 13, 2023, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 74) relating to a national emergency declared by the President on May 16, 2012, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank Ranking Member Dean Phillips for his bipartisan cooperation as we work together to strengthen our country and actually work together with all Members of Congress. The Yemen national emergency is the basis for sanctioning some of the Iranian regime's worst henchmen in Yemen. These terrorists are responsible for staging direct attacks on Americans and direct attacks on Saudi Arabia in Saudi Arabia and on our Middle Eastern allies, diverting critical aid away from the Yemenis who desperately need it. I have had the opportunity firsthand to see destroyed Iranian drones that had been used to kill Americans and Saudi Arabians. Clearly, they were marked very helpfully in English, ``Made in Iran.'' There is no question what was going on. War criminal Putin is using these same drones to murder civilians across Ukraine as war criminal Putin and the regime in Tehran as dictators with rule of gun attack democracies with rule of law worldwide. Again, this national emergency gives no authority to the President to pursue anything outside of economic sanctions. Mr. Speaker, I urge opposition to this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in opposition to the resolution. The Iraq national emergency we are discussing today is the basis for sanctions against Iranian and Iran-backed terrorists who killed Americans and partner forces in Iraq, as well as supporters of al-Qaida. If we overturn this national emergency, these sanctions will automatically and immediately disappear. This is especially and personally important to me. I am really grateful because my oldest son, Alan, served as field artillery in the Army in Iraq, and my second oldest son, Addison, was a Navy doctor serving in Iraq. They worked for the liberation of the people of Iraq. Between 2003 and 2011, Iran-backed militias killed over 600 American soldiers serving in Iraq. Since 2018, sanctions issued pursuant to this authority have blocked over $80 million from reaching more than 200 dangerous entities and individuals, including Iran-backed militias, their affiliates, and their supporters. If we remove these sanctions, that money will help arm the very same people responsible for murdering our troops. Our wounded and fallen soldiers deserve better. Our Gold Star families deserve better. They deserve thoughtful policies that carefully respond to dangerous threats and yield accountability. They do not deserve arbitrary decisions to recklessly overturn sanctions authorities. As we stand here today, Americans in the region are still on the front lines of Iran's dangerous and murderous aggression. Iran-backed militias are responsible for dozens of attacks against U.S. forces in the region in the past few years. Examples of individuals who would have sanctions on them removed if this resolution passed are Abu Mustafa al-Sheibani and Abu Dura, IRGC- backed militia leaders who have launched attacks on the United States and British forces in Iraq. It would also remove sanctions on Misha'an al-Juburi, a Syrian who, according to the Department of Treasury, worked with al-Qaida in Iraq's jihadist umbrella organization, the Mujahidin Shura Council, to fund Sunni extremist operations to kill Americans. Terrorist supporters should not have access to the U.S. financial system, and Americans should not be able to do business with these people who plan to kill Americans. There is a dangerous message being sent to our enemies if we terminate sanctions programs while those under sanctions openly attack Americans. President Donald Trump agreed. His administration stood against Iranian-backed terrorists threatening Americans and renewed the Iraq national emergency on four separate occasions. I urge the Biden administration to engage with Congress in a more open and forthcoming dialogue about its use of these emergency economic powers, and I urge my colleagues to stand up with our troops, with military families, and with Gold Star families to oppose this reckless resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time and the right to close.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the irresponsible Biden open border crisis has turned every State into a border State, and every house is at risk of intrusion. The failure to lawfully secure the border by Biden and liberal Democrats encourages surges in illegal alien crossings, exposing families to terrorists, human trafficking, and dangerous drugs. The incredibly successful movie ``Sound of Freedom'' is exposing human trafficking of children in America. Since Biden took office, over 5.2 million illegal aliens have crossed the southern border, and 1.5 million aliens have evaded apprehension. As an overflow factor, illegal aliens are now being housed in schools. Schools should be focused on helping students recover from devastating COVID-era learning loss. House Republicans are committed to securing the border and to providing for rule of law. One effort is the Schools Not Shelters Act, which prohibits the use of schools to provide shelter for illegal aliens. In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America with open Biden borders admitting terrorists.