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Joe Wilson Sr.

R

Won the General, 2024 South Carolina U.S. House District 2

Won the Primary, 2024 South Carolina U.S. House District 2, Primary Election

Won the General, 2022 South Carolina U.S. House District 2

South Carolina U.S. House, District 2 (2001 - Present)

Quick Facts
  • Full Name:
    Addison 'Joe' Graves Wilson, Sr.
  • Gender:
    Male
  • Birth Date:
    07/31/1947
  • Birth Place:
    Charleston, SC
  • Home City:
    Springdale, SC
  • Religion:
    Presbyterian
  • Family:
    Wife: Roxanne; 4 Children: Alan, Addison, Julian, Hunter
Personal Details

Caucuses/Former Committees

Co-Chair, Afghanistan Caucus

Member, Air Force Caucus

Co-Chair, Americans Abroad Caucus

Member, Army Caucus

Republican Vice Chair, Boy Scout Caucus

Co-Chair, Bulgaria Caucus

Former Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs, United States House of Representatives

Co-Chair, Composites Caucus

Member, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

Former Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

Member, Congressional Coastal Caucus

Member, Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Member, Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Member, Congressional Rural Caucus

Member, Death Tax Elimination Caucus

Former Vice Chair, Education and the Workforce Committee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, House Cancer Caucus

Member, House Oceans Caucus

Former Member, Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Kurdistan Caucus

Member, Mongolia Caucus

Member, Navy-Marine Caucus

Member, Republican Israel Caucus

Member, Reserve Components Caucus

Member, Special Operations Caucus

Former Member, Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Taiwan Caucus

Member, Tea Party Caucus

Former Member, Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Co-Chair, Victory in Iraq Caucus

Education

  • JD, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1972
  • BA, Political Science, Washington and Lee University, 1969

Professional Experience

  • JD, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1972
  • BA, Political Science, Washington and Lee University, 1969
  • Founding Partner/Attorney, Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor and Thomas
  • Colonel, South Carolina Army National Guard, 1975-2003
  • Second District Chair, George W. Bush Presidential Campaign, 2000
  • Vice Chair, Strom Thurmond Senate Campaign, 1996
  • Second District Chair, George Bush Presidential Campaign, 1988, 1992
  • Second District Chair, Strom Thurmond Senate Campaign, 1990
  • District Chair, Governor Carroll Campbell, 1986
  • Campaign Manager, Congressman Floyd Spence, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1982
  • Deputy General Counsel, United States Department of Energy, 1981-1982
  • Judge, Springdale Town, South Carolina, 1977-1980
  • Second District Chair, Ronald Reagan Presidential Campaign, 1976
  • Served, United States Army Reserves, 1972-1975

Political Experience

  • JD, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1972
  • BA, Political Science, Washington and Lee University, 1969
  • Founding Partner/Attorney, Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor and Thomas
  • Colonel, South Carolina Army National Guard, 1975-2003
  • Second District Chair, George W. Bush Presidential Campaign, 2000
  • Vice Chair, Strom Thurmond Senate Campaign, 1996
  • Second District Chair, George Bush Presidential Campaign, 1988, 1992
  • Second District Chair, Strom Thurmond Senate Campaign, 1990
  • District Chair, Governor Carroll Campbell, 1986
  • Campaign Manager, Congressman Floyd Spence, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1982
  • Deputy General Counsel, United States Department of Energy, 1981-1982
  • Judge, Springdale Town, South Carolina, 1977-1980
  • Second District Chair, Ronald Reagan Presidential Campaign, 1976
  • Served, United States Army Reserves, 1972-1975
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, South Carolina, District 2, 2001-present
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, South Carolina, District 2, 2018, 2020
  • Assistant Republican Whip, United States House of Representatives, District 2, 2007
  • Senator, South Carolina State Senate, 1984-2001

Former Committees/Caucuses

Co-Chair, Afghanistan Caucus

Member, Air Force Caucus

Co-Chair, Americans Abroad Caucus

Member, Army Caucus

Republican Vice Chair, Boy Scout Caucus

Co-Chair, Bulgaria Caucus

Co-Chair, Composites Caucus

Member, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

Former Co-Chair, Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

Member, Congressional Coastal Caucus

Member, Congressional Diabetes Caucus

Member, Congressional Fire Services Caucus

Member, Congressional Rural Caucus

Member, Death Tax Elimination Caucus

Former Vice Chair, Education and the Workforce Committee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, House Cancer Caucus

Member, House Oceans Caucus

Former Member, Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Kurdistan Caucus

Member, Mongolia Caucus

Member, Navy-Marine Caucus

Member, Republican Israel Caucus

Member, Reserve Components Caucus

Member, Special Operations Caucus

Former Member, Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, United States House of Representatives

Former Member, Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Member, Taiwan Caucus

Member, Tea Party Caucus

Former Member, Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives

Co-Chair, Victory in Iraq Caucus

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Armed Services Committee

Member, Education & Labor Committee

Member, Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism

Member, Subcommittee on Readiness

Member, Subcommittee on Strategic Forces

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • JD, University of South Carolina School of Law, 1972
  • BA, Political Science, Washington and Lee University, 1969
  • Founding Partner/Attorney, Kirkland, Wilson, Moore, Taylor and Thomas
  • Colonel, South Carolina Army National Guard, 1975-2003
  • Second District Chair, George W. Bush Presidential Campaign, 2000
  • Vice Chair, Strom Thurmond Senate Campaign, 1996
  • Second District Chair, George Bush Presidential Campaign, 1988, 1992
  • Second District Chair, Strom Thurmond Senate Campaign, 1990
  • District Chair, Governor Carroll Campbell, 1986
  • Campaign Manager, Congressman Floyd Spence, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1982
  • Deputy General Counsel, United States Department of Energy, 1981-1982
  • Judge, Springdale Town, South Carolina, 1977-1980
  • Second District Chair, Ronald Reagan Presidential Campaign, 1976
  • Served, United States Army Reserves, 1972-1975
  • Representative, United States House of Representatives, South Carolina, District 2, 2001-present
  • Candidate, United States House of Representatives, South Carolina, District 2, 2018, 2020
  • Assistant Republican Whip, United States House of Representatives, District 2, 2007
  • Senator, South Carolina State Senate, 1984-2001
  • Member, South Carolina Republican Party, present
  • Member, Advisory Board, Nations Bank Lexington
  • Member, Advisory Council, Sheriff's Department Law Enforcement
  • Member, Air Force Association
  • Member, Airport High School Parent-Teacher Association
  • Member, Alston-Wilkes Society
  • Member, American Heart Association
  • Member, American Legion
  • Member, American Legislative Exchange Council
  • Member, American Veterans
  • Member, Association of the United States Army
  • Member, Boy Scouts
  • Member, Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce
  • Director, Cayce-West Columbia Jaycees
  • Chair/President/Member, Cayce-West Columbia Rotary Club
  • Member, Chapin Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Columbia World Affairs Council
  • Member, County Community and Resource Development Committee
  • Member, Falmer Middle School, Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
  • Member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Member, First Tuesday Republican Club, Lexington
  • Member, First Tuesday Republican Club, Richland
  • Member, Fourteenth Air Force Association
  • Member, Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Kidney Foundation
  • Associate, Lexington and Dutch Fork Republican Women's Club
  • Member, Lexington Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Lexington County Historical SocietyMember, South Carolina Republican Party, Lifetime Member
  • Member, Masons
  • Member, Mid-Carolina Mental Health Association
  • Member, Military Order of the World Wars
  • Participant, Morton Blackwell's Leadership Institute
  • Member, National Guard Association
  • Member, National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Member, Navy League
  • Member, Republican Policy Committee
  • Member, Republican Study Committee
  • Member, Reserve Officers Association
  • Member, Shriners
  • Member, Sinclair Lodge 154
  • Member, Sons of Confederate Veterans
  • Member, South Carolina Homebuilders' Association
  • Member, South Carolina Lung Association
  • Member, Springdale Elementary, Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
  • Member, Welfare Reform Task Force
  • Member, West Metro Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Woodmen of the World
  • Member, Yorktown Association
  • Member, State Development Board, 1975-1980
  • Vice Chair, County Registration and Elections Commission, 1973-1974

Other Info

Astrological Sign:

Leo

— Awards:

  • Friend of the Taxpayers, Americans for Tax Reform

Jefferson Award, U.S. Food Retailers Association

Spirit of Enterprise Award, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

  • Hugh de Veaux

  • Wray (Graves) Wilson

  • 8

Policy Positions

2021

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

21 Quotes

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

2. Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare?
- Unknown Position

20 Quotes

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Unknown Position

2 Quotes

Crime

Do you support the protection of government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct?
- Unknown Position

4 Quotes

Defense

Do you support increasing defense spending?
- Yes

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19?
- Yes

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- No

20 Quotes

Energy and Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

10 Quotes

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

2. Do you support requiring businesses to provide paid medical leave during public health crises, such as COVID-19?
- No

21 Quotes

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- Yes

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- Yes

3 Quotes

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a weapon of mass destruction (for example: nuclear, biological, chemical)?
- Unknown Position

2. Do you support reducing military intervention in Middle East conflicts?
- No

Trade

Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
- Yes

South Carolina Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

21 Quotes

Afghanistan

1. Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
- Yes

2. Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?
- No

Budget

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing the federal budget.In order to balance the budget,

1. do you support reducing defense spending?
- No

2. do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

3. do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
- No

4. do you support reducing Medicare spending?
- No

5. Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
- Yes

20 Quotes

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- No

2 Quotes

Capital Punishment

Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
- Yes

3. Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
- No

4. Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
- No

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
- No

20 Quotes

Energy

Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
- Yes

Environment

1. Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
- No

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- No

Guns

1. Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
- No

10 Quotes

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
- Yes

2. Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
- No

21 Quotes

Immigration

1. Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- Yes

2. Do you support allowing illegal immigrants, who were brought to the United States as minors, to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin?
- No

3. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
- Yes

3 Quotes

Marriage

Do you support same-sex marriage?
- No

National Security

1. Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
- Yes

2. Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Yes

Social Security

Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?
- Yes

10 Quotes

Spending and Taxes

SpendingIndicate what federal spending levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.TaxesIndicate what federal tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one number per category; you can use a number more than once.

1. Agriculture
- Greatly Decrease

2. Arts
- Greatly Decrease

3. Defense
- Slightly Increase

4. Education
- Slightly Decrease

5. Environment
- Greatly Decrease

6. Homeland Security
- Maintain Status

7. International aid
- Maintain Status

8. Medical Research
- Maintain Status

9. Scientific Research
- Slightly Decrease

10. Space exploration
- Slightly Decrease

11. United Nations
- Eliminate

12. Welfare
- Slightly Decrease

13. Other or expanded categories
- No Answer

14. Capital gains taxes
- Eliminate

15. Corporate taxes
- Greatly Decrease

16. Excise taxes (alcohol)
- Slightly Decrease

17. Excise taxes (cigarettes)
- Slightly Decrease

18. Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
- Slightly Decrease

19. Income taxes (low-income families)
- Eliminate

20. Income taxes (middle-income families)
- Greatly Decrease

21. Income taxes (high-income families)
- Slightly Decrease

22. Inheritance taxes
- Eliminate

23. Payroll taxes
- Maintain Status

2019

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

21 Quotes

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- No

20 Quotes

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Unknown Position

2 Quotes

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- No

20 Quotes

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Unknown Position

18 Quotes

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Unknown Position

10 Quotes

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- Yes

21 Quotes

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- Unknown Position

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- Yes

3 Quotes

Marijuana

Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Unknown Position

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- Unknown Position

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- Unknown Position

Congress Bills
Speeches

Letter to the Hon. Katherine Tai, US Trade Representative - DelBene, Kind, LaHood, Walorski Lead 100+ Bipartisan Lawmakers in Calling on USTR to Establish New Tariff Exclusion Process
Apr. 28, 2021Letter
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Congressman Wilson on Biden Decision to Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan
Apr. 13, 2021Press Release
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Letter to Hon. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State - Reps. Lieu, Deutch and Wilson Lead Bipartisan Letter to Sec Blinken on Ending Yemen Blockade
Apr. 13, 2021Letter
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Articles

The New Irmo News - Serving Our Veterans
Nov. 11, 2019

By Congressman Joe Wilson This Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize the men and women who sacrifice so much for our freedom. The recent operation in Syria to capture the murderous leader of ISIS shows the continued resolve our servicemembers have when protecting this country. We must honor these sacrifices, although this is a debt that cannot be repaid. While representing South Carolina's Second District in Congress, I will continue fighting to promote efforts that help and protect America's veterans. This Congress, I co-sponsored important legislation to support our veterans and their families. This includes the VA Hiring Enhancement Act, which enforces federal law that already establishes minimum requirements for VA physicians and the Homeless Veterans Families Act, which increases money for services to homeless veterans including money for minor dependents. American veterans deserve our support and I am grateful to fight for them. I also co-sponsored the Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act that required the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide financial assistance in support of veteran suicide prevention services. Additionally, I am supportive of efforts to cut red tape for military spouses when transferring professional licensing between states due to required moves. I recently met with representatives from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of South Carolina during their September visit. We know we must do better to combat veteran suicide and I am committed to working with the Veterans Administration to ensure access to care. This is a frightening trend and I urge my fellow South Carolinians to reach this Veteran's Day to any veteran experiencing hardship. My team was honored to host Veteran's Hiring Fairs for four consecutive years. We are seeing the dividends of those efforts now in a strong economy and a decrease in veterans unemployment rate. The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce cited data showing "the state's annual unemployment rate for veterans declined to 3.3 percent in 2018, down from 3.9 percent in 2017. This is a 15.4 percent drop in the rate year-over-year, and a considerable decrease from the 5 percent unemployment rate in 2016." This is good news for our veterans, our economy, and our state. Thank you to our small businesses and industry partners who value the work ethic of our veterans. I am grateful to be named as a Conferee for the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) where House and Senate members will adjudicate their respective National Defense Authorization Acts to send to the President. I will continue to fight for inclusion of the "Widow's Tax" reform in the final bill; I am determined for the surviving spouses to receive the benefits they deserve -- either through the NDAA or with a stand-alone vote on The Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. I first introduced this Act to repeal the "Widow's Tax" in 2011. Since then, my team partnered with Veterans Service Organizations and advocates who dedicate countless hours to fight for repeal of this unfair offset. I am grateful that my office is participating in the Veterans History Project, an ongoing effort by the Library of Congress to collect and preserve personal accounts of American war veterans. These narratives keep history alive and allow these important experiences to be accessible for future generations to know first-hand of wartime realities. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please reach out to our office. I also want to highlight the work of Kassy Alia of Serve & Connect and our first responders. Many veterans return to service as a first responder after separating from the military. As your member of congress, as a veteran, and as a father of four sons who have served in the South Carolina Army National Guard and the Navy overseas, I will continue to fight for and support our nation's veterans and their families.

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Tested positive for coronavirus on December 16, 2020
Jan. 1, 1900

Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryDaily updatesElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsSubmit On December 16, 2020, Wilson announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

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Electoral vote certification on January 6-7, 2021
Jan. 1, 1900

Congress convened a joint session on January 6-7, 2021, to count electoral votes by state and confirm the results of the 2020 presidential election. Wilson voted against certifying the electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania. The House rejected both objections by a vote of 121-303 for Arizona and 138-282 for Pennsylvania.

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