Joe Wilson

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. 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. 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 yield myself the balance of my time for closing. The bipartisan opposition to this resolution is significant. Lifting the national emergency of economic authorities with regard to Syria would immediately line the pockets of chemical weapons manufacturers, terrorists, and drug traffickers who have committed horrific crimes against humanity. We must work together to oppose the Hezbollah murderers who attack Israel from Lebanon. These economic sanctions keep terrorists from using the financial networks of the free world to enrich themselves and plan attacks against America and our allies. Democracies must stand together to respond to the dictators' rule of gun opposing democracies' rule of law. The world is in a competition we did not choose. Democracies are under attack by dictators such as war criminal Putin, the Chinese Communist Party, and the regime in Tehran. Ronald Reagan was absolutely correct, and that is we must have peace through strength. 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, pursuant to the order of the House of July 13, 2023, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 71) relating to a national emergency declared by the President on May 22, 2003, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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. 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. 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. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, June 20th every year marks World Refugee Day, an international day organized by the United Nations to raise awareness of the plight of refugees around the world. The UN defines refugees as ``people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.'' The Rohingya are an ethnic Muslim minority who practice a Sufi- inflected variation of Sunni Islam throughout Southern Asia. The Rohingyas trace their roots back for many centuries predominantly to the Rakhine State in Burma. The United Nations has described the Rohingya as ``the most persecuted minority in the world'' due to the actions taken against them by the Tatmadaw. Discriminatory policies of the Burmese government since the late 1970s have compelled hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya to flee their homes. In 2017, the Tatmadaw renewed and increased violence, including reported rape, murder, and arson, triggered an exodus of Rohingya from Burma. The majority of those Rohingya who have been able to flee have found refuge in Bangladesh. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates the population of Rohingya in Bangladesh at close to one million. The largest exodus of Rohingya began in August 2017 after a massive wave of violence broke out in the Burmese Rakhine State. It is estimated that 730,000 Rohingya fled from the 2017 genocide seeking refuge in Bangladesh. With half of those able to flee to safety in Bangladesh being women and children. In honor of the annual World Refugee Day, the American people commend Bangladesh for providing safety for the Rohingya refugees from the Tatmadaw. Today 17 countries are home to significant populations of Rohingya refugees, including the United States. The Rohingya deserve to live safely anywhere in the world without fear of persecution. We are grateful for the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. The people of Bangladesh are well represented in Washington, D.C., by Ambassador Muhammad Imran.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, last Friday, I was grateful the House passed the 63rd annual National Defense Authorization Act, led by Chairman Mike Rogers and Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This is legislation that advances national security with peace through strength, supporting servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Congress has a duty to support the Armed Forces of America as a primary function of the Federal Government, to provide for the common defense, which we cannot do for ourselves. Highlights in this particular bill include: Promoting missions of the Savannah River Site for nuclear capability and deterrence, advancing the defense research projects at universities across the country, increasing servicemember pay by 5.2 percent, and supporting National Guard operations with border deployment. As a 31-year veteran and father of four sons who have served overseas in the military, I am committed to work for the security of our country, its servicemembers, and their families. 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. Our sympathy to Dr. Eddie Floyd of Florence, South Carolina, upon the death of his beloved wife, Kay. They are champions of the University of South Carolina.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chair, indeed, there should be a strategy of U.S. support to defeat war criminal Putin, and it should be clarified. Sadly, we are in a worldwide conflict that we did not start. It was Putin, on February the 24, 2021, that invaded Ukraine. This began an active conflict and a worldwide competition that we are having, and that is with authoritarians, with Putin in control of the Russian Federation and abusing the people of Russia. We have the authoritarians of Beijing, the Chinese Communist Party threatening the people of Taiwan. Clearly, we also have the regime in Tehran that pledges death to America, death to Israel, the vaporization of the people of Israel. This is a worldwide conflict that needs to be addressed. We should have a strategy, and that is why I have introduced legislation, bipartisan, H. Res. 332, to define victory as restoration of Ukraine's 1991 internationally recognized borders. This is territory integrity for the people of Ukraine, NATO membership, as agreed to with the 2008 Bucharest Declaration, and justice and accountability for war crimes committed by Putin's murderous invaders. The Biden administration, sadly, has not been clear with Congress. We can be clear because we have got to stand together. War criminal Putin needs to know that his violations of nine different agreements is simply not going to be allowed or recognized, that we should have, in the tradition of Ronald Reagan, peace through strength. Mr. Chair, I urge that we have bipartisan support to encourage the President to clarify the American strategy for Ukrainian victory, which is peace through strength.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, it is so important with lend-lease that we make every effort to provide the people of Ukraine, who are fighting so valiantly with equipment. Many of us thought that they simply couldn't resist, but they are. They are resisting because they are getting the equipment. The quickest way to get the equipment is through lend-lease. I am very grateful that last year, as has already been identified, we voted here in Congress 417-10 to provide for the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act. It provides for great accountability. Ironically, I have actually seen success of lend-lease. I was in St. Petersburg, Russia, to place a wreath at the world's largest open cemetery for the victims of the siege of Leningrad. The only reason that the Russians were successful in stopping Hitler was because the equipment was provided by the United States through lend-lease. It is now ironic that we need to be providing lend-lease equipment to Ukraine to stop war criminal Putin.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as a 31-year Army veteran myself, and a grateful father of four sons who have served overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Egypt, I believe very much in the principles of Ronald Reagan, peace through strength. I am very grateful that, in fact, President Donald Trump was the first person to recognize and try to stop the war in Ukraine. He sent javelin missiles to stop Putin, war criminal Putin. He put American troops in Poland, which had the effect of stopping war criminal Putin. He also warned the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and others that Nord Stream 2 should be closed and stopped to avoid the funding of any war by war criminal Putin. So in that tradition, I would oppose any cutting of the defense because we know this is a worldwide war that we are in of authoritarians versus democracies. This is not a war we chose. War criminal Putin is the person who started the war February 24.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chair, Congresswoman Victoria Spartz is correct. We can learn from the lessons of World War II. There was weakness, and with that weakness, Imperial Japan attacked China. Then, ultimately, on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. We must be resolved to resist by having peace through strength. I personally can identify. My father served in China and India during World War II with the Flying Tigers to stop the tide of imperialism at that time. Today, we can learn from history. Today is the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Guam. We don't need to repeat the weakness that has occurred. We need to stop our enemies today. These authoritarians have plans to dissolve the United States, and we need to stop it now.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, 6 months ago, the American people elected a Republican House majority to deliver the Commitment to America. On behalf of American families, we will fight to tackle inflation, lowering the cost of living. We are promoting peace through strength, making America energy independent again, securing the southern border, preserving our constitutional freedoms, and creating jobs, with the leadership of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Accomplishments thus far include: defunding Biden's Army of 87,000 IRS agents, eliminating the military vaccine mandate, establishing the bipartisan committee to strengthen America against threats from the Chinese Communist Party, establishing a subcommittee on the weaponization of the Federal Government, and protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 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. Congratulations for the wreath laying today in honor of the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Guam, hosted by Congressman James Moylan and the Guam Society.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chair, I oppose this amendment. As a 31-year Army veteran myself and a very grateful dad of four sons who served in Iraq, Egypt, and Afghanistan, I want to reestablish peace through strength as developed by President Ronald Reagan. We must support Ukraine to end criminal Putin's war of aggression as quickly as possible and stop the carnage with Putin's mass murder of innocent civilians. Putin's forces are bombing civilians, kidnapping children to Russia, raping and torturing, and have mined a nuclear plant and blown up a dam. In light of Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive, which is pitting Ukrainian defenders against dug-in Russian soldiers, cluster munitions are an effective new weapon for Ukraine's arsenal. These weapons will be effective against fortified Russian trenches and concentrated troops of Putin's soldiers who are being sacrificed to death by Putin for his own personal gain of oil, money, and power. The Wall Street Journal has editorialized that Biden is right on cluster bombs for Ukraine. Cluster bombs are an antipersonnel weapon that ejects multiple bomblets over a large area. They can be very effective to promote the Ukrainian cause. Ukraine is not seeking to use these bombs against civilians. There is a moral distinction between Russia's aggression and Ukraine's use of cluster bombs for defense. Those best suited to make the tradeoff between risks are the Ukrainians whose lives are on the line every day. Mr. Chair, I urge opposition to the amendment.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, last week I was grateful to serve as part of the leadership of the U.S. delegation to the 30th Annual Session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in Vancouver, Canada. There, I was joined by several of my Helsinki Commission colleagues, including Co-Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin and Ranking Members Rep. Steve Cohen and Sen. Roger Wicker. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) is a forum that gathers hundreds of parliamentarians from 56 participating States of the OSCE several times a year to discuss the most pressing issues facing the transatlantic community. The Annual Session is the centerpiece of the Assembly's work and is the one time a year when parliamentarians meet to debate, amend, and adopt resolutions on a range of topics as well as elect the Assembly's leadership. Participating in the OSCE PA is an opportunity to demonstrate the American leadership on the world stage. Over the course of this Annual Session, we shared our diverse views, but our overwhelming message was about the unified, bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for Ukraine in its fight to defend its democracy and sovereignty against flagrant Russian aggression. Our friends in Canada and Europe deeply appreciated this reassurance of America's resolve. The U.S. delegation participated in bilateral meetings with parliamentary delegations from Ukraine, Canada, and Germany, as well as a visiting delegation of legislators from the Western Hemisphere. My colleagues and I introduced amendments and resolutions encouraging our friends and allies to adopt specific policies that reflect our work in the U.S. Congress. Among these were texts based on the Ukraine Victory Resolution and the Holding Accountable Russian Mercenaries Act, both which I have sponsored in the House. Furthermore, I introduced a resolution with Congressman Chris Smith on addressing the phenomena of abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking of Ukrainian women and children stemming from Russia's war. The AssembJy overwhelmingly adopted all these U.S.-led initiatives. Looking forward, I would like to congratulate those in the recent OSCE PA elections who will be assuming leadership duties for the coming year, while also thanking those who have ended their mandates. First, I want to applaud the election of Mrs. Pia Kauma of Finland as President of the Assembly. Mrs. Kauma has a long history of important contributions and strong relationships within the Assembly that will serve her well in this critical role. Additionally, I believe it is fitting that the PA should be led someone from NATO's newest allied nation, galvanized by aggression to assume greater responsibility for European security. I also congratulate the Assembly's three newly elected Vice Presidents: Mrs. Daniela De Ridder of Germany, Mr. Mykyta Poturaiev of Ukraine, and Mr. Kyriakos Hadjiyianni of Cyprus. I am especially delighted by the selection of Mr. Poturaiev whose voice has become the conscience of the Assembly since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of his country last year. It is important to have greater Ukrainian representation in the Assembly's upper ranks. I also extend my congratulations to the newly elected Treasurer, Mr.Johan Buser of Sweden, and officers of the three general committees: First Committee Chair, Mr. Richard Hudson of the United States, First Committee Vice-Chair Mr. Costel Neculai Dunava of Romania, First Committee Rapporteur Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas of Lithuania, Second Committee Chair Mr. Azay Guliyev of Azerbaijan, Second Committee Vice- Chair Mr. Artur Gerasymov of Ukraine, Second Committee Rapporteur Mrs. Gudrun Kugler of Austria, Third Committee Chair Mrs. Lucie Potuckova of the Czech Republic, Third Committee Vice-Chair Mr. Sargis Khandanyan of Armenia, and Third Committee Rapporteur Mr. Malik Ben Achour of Belgium. Finally, I thank outgoing President Margareta Cederfelt of Sweden for her two years of tireless service to the Assembly, which involved capably leading the organization through the twin crises of COVID-19 and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This team of elected officers that span the European continent and the political spectrum are assuming office at a critical time for transatlantic and global security. I look forward to cooperating with them closely in the coming year, particularly as I assume the responsibility of Head of Delegation for the United States in 2024. I want to express my deep appreciation to our Canadian hosts at the Annual Session in Vancouver, British Columbia, especially Dr. Hedy Fry, Head of the Canadian Delegation, who demonstrated tremendous hospitality and outstanding organization in orchestrating this large and complex event. The natural beauty, personal warmth, and cultural diversity we experienced in Vancouver made for an ideal setting for our meeting.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the dynamic Republic of Bulgaria is leading the way in energy independence, eliminating intimidation by the war criminal Putin who is sacrificing young Russians to death for his personal gain of money and power. Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov is a vrsionarv, meeting last week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Sofia and facilitating Bulgaria selling two Russian-made nuclear reactors and other critical equipment to Ukraine. It is inspiring that the National Assembly on July 6th voted for Bulgaria to benefit from the sale. This corrects failed efforts from the 1980s of a technically and commercially flawed project, as identified by the Wall Street Journal on July 7th. ``The deal shows how Russia's energy influence in Europe is diminishing fast,'' said Martin Vladimirov, Director of the Energy Program at the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia. The people of Bulgaria and Ukraine mutually benefit as clearly explained by Assembly Member, Delyan Dobrev ``After the start of the war in Ukraine, building a power plant with that equipment became [politically] impossible. Ukraine needs the equipment that we have. It is a perfect match.'' The association of Bulgaria and Ukraine for energy liberation is another extraordinary example of the war criminal Putin's miscalculation of the courageous people of Ukraine who have resisted valiantly for freedom. In America, Republicans and Democrats have united to support Ukraine with 100 billion dollars in aid. The European Union of 27 nations is reaching 100 billion dollars in aid. Germany has reversed neutrality to unprecedented support of Ukraine as NATO has achieved the remarkable inclusion of Finland and imminently Sweden with strong support from Japan, Republic of Korea, and Australia. This year marks 120 years of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and America. Americans are so appreciative of the friendship with the talented people of Bulgaria as we rally together for mutual economic and security benefit. Bulgaria is well represented in Washington with Ambassador Georgi Panayotov as South Carolina appreciates the honorary Bulgarian Consul Don Tomlin of Columbia. The bi-partisan Bulgaria Caucus in Congress promotes warm relations with Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider and me as Republican Co-chairman.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the irresponsible decisions of Biden and the liberal Democrats have caused inflation to reach a 40-year high, leaving American families in financial distress and jobs lost. Bidenflation has increased the cost of everyday goods and services, reducing the annual purchasing power of families. Worse, Biden unintentionally revealed the reality of these policies. Recently, describing his economic policies, Biden said: I don't know what Bidenomics is, but it's working. The facts are inflation has caused costs to increase over the year. Lunch meats are up 6.2 percent. Margarine is up 23 percent. Flour is up 17 percent. Cereal and bakery products are up over 11 percent. The Republican House majority is working to correct this by having recently passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act to rein in government overreach and limit inflationary spending, creating 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, sadly, Biden wants Americans to believe his policies are working, but his borrow, tax, and spend Bidenomics created a 40-year-high inflation, causing families to suffer from skyrocketing energy and grocery costs and from discouraging increases in rent and mortgages. While Biden says that his hourly wages have increased, the reality is that prices have risen faster and incomes have actually reduced. According to the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the number of hours worked per week has declined. This amounts to the average family losing $5,600 in annual purchasing power. The Republican House majority is working to correct this, having recently passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act to rein in government overreach and limit inflationary spending, creating 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, 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. 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. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the failure to lawfully secure the border by Biden and liberal Democrats have encouraged dangerous surges in crossings of illegal aliens. This invasion exposes families to potential terrorists, human trafficking, and dangerous drugs. The intentional failure at the border will be further documented on July 4th with the release of the movie ``Sound of Freedom'' at theaters nationwide. In it, Americans can see the true story of the rescue of children from sex traffickers, directed by Alejandro Monteverde with cast of Jim Caviezel, Mira Servino, Kurt Fuller, Bill Camp, Jose Zuniga, Scott Haze, Gerardo Taracena, and Eduardo Verastegui. Since Biden took office, over 5.2 million illegal aliens have crossed the Southern Border and 1.5 million aliens have evaded apprehension. Among these numbers include over 200 on the terrorist watchlist, putting families everywhere at risk of mass murder. Rule of law is subverted benefiting illegal aliens and the Biden Family with the Hunter Biden plea deal as President Trump is targeted with fabricated hoaxes. Over 100,000 Americans die annually by drug overdose, including those affected by materials supplied by the Chinese Communist Party. In the last six months, over 19,000 pounds of the deadly drug fentanyl have been seized at the border. 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, appeasing Iran endangers America and the world, according to Matthew Continetti of the American Enterprise Institute, as reported in the June 17 edition of National Review. ``For President Biden is on the verge of betraying Congress and the American people by rewarding the Islamic Republic of Iran for various misdeeds. ``According to news reports, Biden is prepared to authorize billions of dollars in payments to Iran in exchange for the release of U.S. prisoners. . . . Biden will say this perverse arrangement is necessary to free innocents. . . . What he won't be able to do is call it a deal. ``Biden can't call the agreement a deal because he wants to avoid congressional review. The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 forbids the President from relieving nuclear-related sanctions . . . without congressional approval. ``Notice that the deal-that-is-no-deal says nothing about Iran's deadliest proxy, Hezbollah, or about Iran's drone traffic,'' to attack Israel and murder Ukrainian civilians. In conclusion, sadly, the insulting plea deal for Hunter Biden exposes the Biden crime family has shamefully corrupted the Federal judicial system.