Joe Wilson

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Congressman Rich McCormick's resolution of censure. Enemies of civilization are gruesomely bold and clear on their murderous intentions. A heinously revealing declaration of their barbaric intentions by the Iranian puppet Hamas is detailed in the Hamas Covenant of August 18, 1988. In the midst of insane provisions is article 7: ``The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: `O Muslim, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.''' They are very clear. What they are talking about is death to Israel and then death to America. The New York Post is correct in warning last week that we in America are subject to another 9/11 attack being imminent by such people. The goal of Hamas puppets of Iran is to murder the Jews worldwide. It is fake news about caring for the Palestinian people. This is not about territory. Suffering by the Hamas-oppressed people of Gaza is solely Hamas dictated. We know the duplicitous wording of ``from the river to the sea'' is nothing more than a call of mass murder to Jewish people and will then lead to mass murder in America. Hamas, Houthis, and also Hezbollah are puppets of Iran with their intent, and we are actually in a war we did not choose between dictators with rule of gun attacking democracies with rule of law. This began with the war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and led to the Hamas invasion of Israel on Putin's birthday, October 7. Over 30 missile attacks have already seriously injured American troops who are serving in this war. Bold and clear are the dictators with Putin's treatise of July 2021 that Ukraine does not exist; that the Chinese Communist Party that threatens the 24 million people of Taiwan, they don't exist; and Iran chants in English, ``death to Israel, death to America.'' It is sad to hear how the Iranian propaganda is being promoted by our media and colleges. As the grateful father of four sons who have served in Iraq, Egypt, and Afghanistan, I appreciate the Israeli and Ukrainian troops for their courage. Democracies will prevail by building peace through strength.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in opposition to this amendment by my good friend, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi. I am grateful to see Chairman Fleischmann working with Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur as we oppose this amendment. This is a time when the Chinese Communist Party is conducting the largest nuclear buildup in world history. War criminal Putin is invading Ukraine and threatens nuclear weapons. The dictatorship in Tehran is invading Israel; it is developing nuclear weapons while chanting, ``Death to Israel, Death to America.'' In defense, we should be modernizing America's nuclear arsenal. We did not choose the war of dictators with the rule of gun who are invading democracies with rule of law, but we are in this. Ukraine has been invaded, Israel has been invaded, and they threaten Taiwan. Plutonium pit production is among the most critical national security needs. As with every weapon, we must continue to invest in improvements to our nuclear inventory to achieve peace through strength in the tradition, as the chairman has so correctly said, of Ronald Reagan. Sadly and incredibly, last night, BBC News broadcast a report: Russia has just rehearsed a massive nuclear strike capability. This was presented on Russian Putin's state TV last night as the defense minister reviewed with the war criminal Vladimir Putin of how current this is. The United States currently has a statutory requirement of producing 80 plutonium pits per year, as close as we can to 2030. Of those 80, the Savannah River Site will be responsible for producing 50. As the only Member of Congress who has actually worked at the Savannah River Site, I know of the competence and capabilities of people at this site.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, what an extraordinary day that we have, the beginning of the speakership of Mike Johnson of Louisiana. I hope everyone will see his acceptance speech last night. They need to look at that. It was a conservative, very clear voice calling for limited government, expanded freedom, and reduced regulations to provide for a strong America. It is such a positive message. He promised to be with the people, and he is so much with the people, he is sitting in the front row. No Speaker has ever sat in the front row. This is another first. In addition to that, Speaker Mike Johnson is going to address Bidenomics, the most extraordinary inflation in 40 years, where American families have lost $7,000. He is going to stop the war on fossil fuels so that we have fuels and energy independence. He is going to be for a strong America, and that is how we are going to deter the dictators around the world who have invaded Ukraine, who have invaded Israel, who threaten the people of Taiwan. America will be strong. We will have a dynamic Speaker. We look forward to his leadership, and again, America is back on track.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to support this bipartisan resolution, which has been offered by our chairman Mike McCaul and our ranking member Greg Meeks. I was born with an appreciation for the people of Jewish faith. My birthplace of Charleston, South Carolina, at the time of the American Revolution had the largest Jewish population in the New World who had come here to escape oppression and to achieve freedom, which they achieved in America. I am grateful today to be the chairman of the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Central Africa and co-chairman of the Israel Caucus. Just 7 weeks ago today, I met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is so courageous and is serving there in Jerusalem. I pledged then my support of Israel to defend itself from a nuclear Iran, which also includes, of course, support of Israel from the barbaric invasion of Hamas, the puppets of Iran who have conducted murder, killing hundreds of persons, 1,200 at least, and even possibly more that, indeed, are puppets of Iran to kill people in Israel. Sadly, we are in a conflict we did not choose with dictators with rule of gun invading democracies with rule of law. On October 7, which is the Israeli equivalent of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, I was grateful to be attending the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, where with Finland and Sweden, Western civilization has never been more united to defend Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. America's resolve for Israel I saw firsthand on May 14, 2018, leading a House delegation to fulfill President Donald Trump's opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem with the extraordinary Ambassador David Friedman. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues of both parties to support the resolution.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, the Energy and Water Appropriations bill is critical for national security, energy security, and creating jobs. I congratulate Chairman Chuck Fleischmann for his extraordinary success in developing this legislation, which is so crucial to achieve peace through strength. I respect but disagree with Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur. On passing H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, earlier this year, House Republicans have shown dedication to lead in a way that will secure America's energy independence. I am grateful for the strong actions taken to lower costs for families through deregulation. Biden's disastrous war on fossil fuels has helped war criminal Putin to finance his mass murder in Ukraine. Increasing domestic energy production is the best way to combat the dangerous dependency on Chinese-made or -supplied electric vehicle batteries and solar panels that further enrich the Chinese Communist Party. The green energy spending has been diverted into unsustainable boondoggles wasting taxpayers' money. I appreciate that this legislation supports critical missions at the Savannah River Site, which I am grateful to represent. As the only Member of Congress who ever worked at the Savannah River Site, I know firsthand of its importance and dedicated personnel. In South Carolina, nuclear energy has provided over 60 percent of the energy matrix, and I am grateful to Governor Henry McMaster, a champion for small modular reactors. Mr. Chair, I urge passage of the bill.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, enemies of civilization are gruesomely bold and clear on their murderous intentions. A heinously revealing declaration of their barbaric intentions by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is detailed in the Hamas Covenant of August 18, 1988. In the midst of insane provisions is Article 7: ``The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will cry out: `O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.'' The goal of Hamas, financed by Iran, is murder of Jews worldwide. It is fake news they care about the Palestinian people. This is not about territory. Suffering by the Hamas-oppressed people of Gaza is solely Hamas-dictated, and a two-state solution without non-terrorist domination is not possible. Hamas and also Hezbollah is Iran in a war we did not choose between Dictators With Rule of Gun attacking Democracies With Rule of Law. Active war began with war criminal Putin's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and led to the Hamas invasion of Israel on Putin's birthday, October 7th. Bold and clear are the dictators with Putin's treatise of July 2021 that Ukraine does not exist. The Chinese Communist Party threatens Taiwan does not exist, and Iran chants in English, ``Death to Israel, Death to America.'' Democracies will prevail building Peace Through Strength.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, this past weekend, I was grateful to participate with the U.S. Delegation for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, led by Delegation Chairman Mike Turner and Assembly former President Gerry Connolly. On Friday, the focus was on war criminal Putin's murderous invasion of Ukraine. NATO and the European Union have surpassed America with aid for Ukraine and incredibly Finland is now a NATO member with an 830- mile border with Russia, as Sweden gives up 200 years of neutrality to stop dictators. The West is united as never before in history to protect democracies. On Saturday, with the sadistic invasion of Israel, there was extraordinary unanimity supporting Israel's territorial integrity. Clearly the axis of dictatorships of Putin, the regime in Tehran, and the Chinese Communist Party, had collaborated again with the invasion from Gaza. Sadly, the war we did not choose, Dictatorship with Rule of Gun against Democracies with Rule of Law, is proceeding and must be faced with Peace Through Strength. On Sunday, Resolutions were presented from the five standing committees with amendments to be considered with debate. Parliamentarian Michal Szczerba of Poland presented Towards Reconstruction of Ukraine emphasizing payment by seized Russia assets, while Parliamentarian Njall Fridbertsson of Iceland explained Enhancement of Protection of allied critical maritime infrastructure. Senator Rodrigue Demeuse of Belgium proposed the resolution on Protecting Allied Democracies from Disinformation with provisions for addressing war crimes. Assemblyman Utku Cakirozer of Turkiye explained implementing NATO's new Deterrence and Defense Baseline. It is crucial we continue to stand with Turkiye as it is attacked by terrorists, just as we defeat the barbarian terrorists of Gaza. MP Alec Shelbrooke of Britain presented a Resolution Strengthening Stability and Security to the Black Sea Region following Russia's invasion, emphasizing grain deliveries for Egypt and African countries which are being destroyed by war criminal Putin. On Monday, unanimously provided statements were issued supporting Israel as Iran's chants of Death to Israel, Death to America unfolded. Resolutions previously presented unanimously of 27 countries present were inspiring for the courageous citizens of Ukraine and Israel. There was unprecedented solidarity for freedom, democracy, and rule of law. Stirring addresses were made of determined support for Ukraine and Israel for territorial integrity by NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Michal Szczerba, Danish Parliamentary Speaker Soren Gade compared the Hamas attack to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern that many are naive as to Russia and China, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Israel's resolve and thanked all for help to Ukraine, Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana cited Europeans killed by Iran proxy Hamas in Israel, with NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Philippe Lavigne emphasizing importance of all countries to reach two percent for defense to achieve Peace Through Peace. The sessions concluded with presenting the 2023 `Women for Peace and Security' award to Leader of Democratic Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya who courageously works for a democratic Belarus and political prisoner release including her husband.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, the murderous invasion of Israel by Iran proxies is the latest step of the war we did not choose between Dictators with Rule of Gun opposing Democracies with Rule of Law. The dictators are murderously united, and it is encouraging to see democracies stand with Ukraine and now Israel, as I personally saw this weekend attending the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen. Conflict began with war criminal Putin murderously invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and now Iran proxy Hamas is heinous in its October 7th mass murder of Israelis and other nationalities being American, Thai, German, and French, as the Chinese Communist Party awaits its time threatening the 24 million people of Taiwan. Iran is actually attacking Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Iran's proxies are murdering today to stop Saudi Arabia from extending the Abraham Accords which have been so successful for prosperity with Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco. The regime in Tehran is sabotaging the billion-dollar efforts by Qatar for a functioning civil society in the Gaza Strip. Tehran's aggression is a direct threat from the Middle East to India with disruption of supply lines causing chaos. Last month I was grateful to visit with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh to see their world-class developments in tourism and golf which Iran seeks to destroy, putting all tourists at risk of kidnapping. The mass murdering terrorists of Iran must be stopped, as should war criminal Putin who have declared their insidious goals of Death to Israel, Death to America, and the re-creation of the Evil Soviet Empire. Every effort by democracies must be made for the courageous Ukrainians and Israelis to win territorial integrity. Peace through strength must be established as Putin threatens the existence of Moldova, Georgia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia today with more murderous invasions later. Iran must be stopped from death to Israel and America as the Chinese Communist Party is to be deterred from mass murder. The proven Reagan success is Peace Through Strength.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, America is sadly in a conflict of dictators with rule of gun opposing democracies with rule of law. This conflict, we did not choose, was begun by war criminal Putin on February 24, 2022, invading Ukraine, in the murderous tradition of Hitler invading Poland on September 1, 1939, and Stalin invading Poland 2 weeks later on September 17. In 5 weeks, over 70,000 Poles were killed in 1939 by the Nazis and Communists, and now thousands of Ukrainians have been killed by Putin. I am grateful to have read the book by Senator Barry Goldwater in May 1963, ``Why Not Victory?'', proposing the ultimate achievement of democracy over Communism. The Goldwater Presidential campaign led to the hallmark speech, ``A Time for Choosing,'' by Ronald Reagan in 1964. This led to the Reagan Presidency and hundreds of millions of people being liberated from totalitarian communism. More countries today live in freedom and democracy than in the history of the world due to American military strength defeating Communism. The Russian Embassy in Berlin, Germany, which I visited outside on May 1 this year, clearly reveals Putin's murderous goal of recreating the evil Soviet empire. The hammer and sickle communist symbol is maintained over the massive building, revealing that the Russian people are still being oppressed by a despotic dictator. With the invasion of Ukraine, Putin now has troops in Moldova and Georgia with direct threats to Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and even Poland to realign international boundaries. The murderous conquest of Ukraine would be a green light for more conquests putting American families at risk of attack. It is reassuring that NATO has never been stronger with Finland and Sweden joining the alliance. Finland has an 830-mile border with Russia, and Sweden has given up 200 years of neutrality to stop dictators. The European Union has doubled the aid correctly provided by America, according to analyst Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute. Additionally, more than 160 officials across Federal oversight agencies monitor the U.S. aid to Ukraine. Democracies must continue to stand together to support the brave Ukrainians to restore peace through strength. Goldwater was correct in his book, ``The only alternative to victory is--obviously defeat.'' Putin can end this war today by living up to the agreements that Russia has already signed for Ukrainian territorial integrity. The Chinese Communist Party is watching as it plans world domination by 2049, with the largest peacetime military build-up in world history. The regime in Tehran continues its chants of death to Israel, death to America with drones to Putin to murder Ukrainians. The axis of evil is clear: you have dictator Putin, dictator Xi, dictator Raisi. They must be stopped now, or every American family will be threatened by murderers, which I have seen when I saw the murders that were conducted in Bucha, Ukraine, where innocent civilians, with their hands tied behind their backs, were brutally executed and buried by the Putin troops. As a teenage Republican supporter myself of Barry Goldwater, who attended the National Draft Goldwater Rally in Washington on July 4, 1963, I will always be grateful for his vision for freedom. 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. Border security is national security for America.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, yesterday, Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, revealed that Biden was accelerating poverty. The recent Census Bureau report on income and poverty in 2022 was god-awful. The supplemental poverty rate rose in 1 year by nearly a record amount. The child poverty rate doubled. Almost every income group--old people, young people, males, females, and residents of our region of the country--lost ground. Meanwhile, median income fell by 2.2 percent. The average family is roughly $2,000 poorer than when Biden entered office, following more than a $6,000 raise in the middle-class incomes under Trump. Instead of the JFK aspiration of the rising tide lifting all boats, we now have a falling tide that is capsizing all boats. Biden's failures are a useful reminder that putting equity over prosperity leads inevitably to equal misery. I am very grateful for the leadership of Speaker Kevin McCarthy promoting border security as national security. 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, tragically, beloved South Carolinian, Stanley L. Myers, passed away last Wednesday. As a founding partner of what is now Moore Bradley Myers, I especially appreciated his service and his remarkable life. I also want to express sympathy to his family and his senior law partner, Jake Moore, who correctly recognized him as a son. His obituary: Moore Bradley Myers partner, Stanley Myers, died at age 47. MBM managing partner Christian Spradley asked that the community members turn their attention to praying for Stanley's wife, Tashia, and their two young children. As a Citadel alumnus and 4-year starting quarterback for the Bulldogs, Myers was elected to the Citadel Board of Visitors. He also served on the Lexington Medical Center Board of Directors and founded the Swansea Mentoring Program. Every Christmas, Stanley proudly hosted the town of Swansea's Bike Bonanza. Myers opened Countryside BBQ restaurant in Swansea in 2022. His service and spirit of giving back to the community was unparalleled. As an attorney, Myers was selected as a 2023 Leadership in Law honoree by the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. Myers deployed as a captain with the 218th Infantry Brigade to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a lieutenant colonel who served as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 59th Troop Command at McEntire Joint National Guard Base. Stanley Myers passed away unexpectedly on September 27, 2023. May God bless his memory.

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. Chairman, 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, shocked to find that the Ukrainians courageously resisted. The brave Ukrainian people are an inspiration to the world, as they know Putin falsely claims Ukraine does not exist as Putin is trying to reassemble the evil empire of the Soviet Union. Fellow dictators clearly see the conflict as dictator or democracy, as North Korean Kim Jong-Un joins Putin. The Chinese Communist Party is conducting the largest peacetime military buildup in world history. The regime in Tehran builds drones for Putin to murder Ukrainian civilians as they plan death to America, death to Israel. We must stop the dictators today or they will be a direct threat to American families tomorrow. We must always remember, of all things, Pearl Harbor. We must remember 9/11. For these reasons, I oppose the amendment.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as a 31-year Army veteran myself, and the grateful father of four sons who have served overseas, I want America to maintain peace through strength. As a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I know firsthand we have the capability of drawdown not reducing our capabilities. When concerns were expressed over providing 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine would reduce our defense, I quickly researched and found that we have 8,000 tanks available, and actually, the 31 were in excess. I support the proven Republican policies of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan of: Why not victory over dictators? Peace through strength with American leadership has led to the largest number of nations living in democracy in world history as fascism was defeated and communism crushed. Ukraine should receive the weapons it needs to achieve victory of restoring Ukrainian territorial integrity. The alliance of war criminal Putin, the Chinese Communist Party, and the Tehran regime must be stopped before they achieve death to Israel, death to America. I urge as quickly as possible that we provide the equipment that can bring peace to the region by bringing equipment to the people of Ukraine, who are so bravely fighting back against the war criminal Putin. Therefore, I oppose this amendment.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as we are here today, we appreciate so much the leadership of Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart. He was so correct earlier to identify the appeasement of Afghanistan has endangered all American families in the continuing global war on terrorism, with Afghanistan sadly now becoming a safe haven for terrorists. As the chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I strongly support the continuation of its very meaningful work. For nearly 50 years, the U.S. Helsinki Commission, uniquely made up of Senators and Members of Congress, with rotating chairmanship of House and Senate Members, has worked to promote American values in Europe and the former Soviet Union. Its small, professional staff support bicameral, bipartisan commissioners to advance American national security and national interests in human rights, military security, and economic cooperation in 57 countries. It is the fulfillment of the dream of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan of ``Why Not Victory?''. The Commission has worked with fellow legislative members from each country to ensure respect for freedom of religion, to defend those persecuted from criticizing dictatorships to fight against corruption and to prevent human trafficking. It is a vital forum in the ongoing worldwide conflict between dictators with rule of gun who are opposing democracies with rule of law. We must stand and meet the challenge of power coming from the barrel of a gun. Commissioners have worked with countries to update their religious laws to allow smaller Christian and other groups to practice freely. Commissioners have put together numerous legislative proposals to counter corruption, including by highlighting the priority of anticorruption in U.S. foreign policy, providing further authorities to end the impunity enjoyed by kleptocrats and preventing them from entering the United States, and highlighting the work of U.S. law enforcement to recover stolen money hidden in America. Commissioners have authored much of the antihuman trafficking legislation here with the leadership of Chairman Chris Smith and set standards for preventing human trafficking internationally. Most recently, the Commission has focused on supporting Ukrainian children who have been forcibly relocated by kidnapping or who have experienced extreme trauma due to war. With only a small staff, the Commission has had a large impact. It is crucial that this important work continues and the Commission be funded for its future.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, America is grateful for the leadership of Chairman Mike Rogers of Alabama for his vision and persistence to support the creation of U.S. Space Command along with President Donald Trump. This recognizes the threats of dictators, war criminal Putin and the CCP who have developed capabilities in space to threaten American families--we can achieve peace through strength. It is sad when political interference controls basing, not first the priority of national security. In South Carolina, we experienced this as the Charleston Naval Base was re-located to New Hampshire. The obvious advantages of Charleston with a temperate climate of unlimited operations was ignored as the then Senate Majority Leader was from Maine with his constituents commuting to New Hampshire. Congressman Austin Scott is correct. Now Politics determines where the missions go. This is a dangerous game, with national security to suffer.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the supplemental appropriations act. This month, Luke Coffey of the Hudson Institute addressed ``The Top Myths about U.S. 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 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 European security.'' War criminal Putin started this conflict of dictators with rule of gun, opposing democracies with rule of law, declaring their goal of death to Israel, death to America. We should support the supplemental for peace through strength in the spirit of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan: Why not victory?

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 151st Anniversary of Greater Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Columbia, South Carolina. I am grateful for the strong leadership at Greater Saint Paul AME Church, including Reverend Dr. Tobie H. Pollock, Reverend Rosalyn G. Coleman, Mrs. Phyllis N. Green, and Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. I appreciate their dedication to spreading the word of God in our community, making an impact in the lives of so many people. Established in 1816, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church holds the distinction of the inaugural African American denomination organized in the United States. The church played a significant role in the African American community, championing civil rights and evangelizing. Over 200 years later, the AME Church continues to serve many people throughout our communities. Greater Saint Paul will be celebrating their anniversary on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to have spoken with Sheikh al-Aql Hikmat Alhajiri, one of the three senior most Druze religious leaders in Syria, to discuss his impactful work at the forefront of the mass mobilization of Druze against the Assad regime. The Druze is a religious sect that grew out of Islam a thousand years ago, with a population of 1.5 million, living mostly in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. Due to the courageous leadership of Sheikh Alhajiri, thousands of Druze residing in the southeast province of Swaida, adjacent to Jordan and Israel, have rallied together demanding the downfall of the current regime. Unfortunately, last week marked a tragic turn of events, following weeks of extensive protests, as the regime fired at Druze demonstrators, further adding to the grim toll of over half a million Syrians who have been killed by the criminal Assad regime. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, I am proud to have led H.R. 3202, the Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act, which places responsibility on the Bashar al-Assad regime, supported by war criminal Putin and the terrorist Mullahs in Tehran, for its crimes against the Syrian people and highlights the significant consequences of governments considering normalization with the Assad regime. This bill successfully passed the committee, reinforcing the bipartisan commitment to punish offenders, while enhancing protection for humanitarian organizations serving the Syrian people. I am grateful for the great leadership and strength of Sheikh Alhajiri and the Druze, and look forward to continuing to work together in the fight for a free and democratic Syria.

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, 8 months into the newly elected House Republican majority, led by our Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, we are delivering on the Commitment to America. On behalf of American families, we are fighting to tackle inflation and lower the cost of living, defending national security, making America energy independent, securing the southern border, preserving constitutional freedoms, promoting fiscal responsibility, and much more. Highlights of the accomplishments so far include defunding the Biden army of 87,000 IRS agents, eliminating the military vaccine mandate, establishing the bipartisan committee to strengthen America against the threats of the Chinese Communist Party, passing the Secure the Border Act to address the chaos at the border, passing the largest deficit reduction package in American history, passing the Parents' Bill of Rights, passing the Lower Energy Costs Act. 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, 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, Stephen Moore of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity provides a daily Hotline (steve@committeetounleashprosperity.com) with very informative research on economic issues facing American families. A very thoughtful analysis was distributed on September 18, 2023. ``House Budget Committee Chair Jody Arrington's [. . . fiscal plan] won't solve our financial problems--but it will stop the bleeding. `The plan reaches a balanced budget in 10 years without a penny of new taxes,' said Arrington. `We grow the economy and cut spending.' ``The Democrats and Biden are hysterical and threatening to shut down the government to keep the current runaway train of spending over the cliff. ``To get a sense of the stakes here, consider that the fastest growing component of the budget over the next decade--other than the Green New Deal--is interest on the . . . national debt. Interest payments, which will soon reach $1 trillion, will be like a Pacman swallowing up more and more of the entire budget. ``Our ace economist EJ Antoni highlights a troubling trend. Almost $8 trillion of low-interest-rate debt will roll over at much higher rates. Instead of paying 2 and 3% interest on bonds, we will be paying close to 5% and maybe more if the Fed has to raise interest rates again. Biden has created a fine fiscal mess, and it will take years to get out of it. Arrington is right: let's start right now.'' 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.