Joe Wilson RSS Articles

Barr, Fleming, and Wilson Introduce "Live by the Laws You Write Act"

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Andy Barr (KY) joined Congressman John Fleming, MD (LA) and Congressman Joe Wilson (SC) today to announce the introduction of H.R. 2010, the Live by the Laws You Write Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. This simple, two-page legislation aims to close Obamacare’s congressional loophole and ensure that Congress is not exempt from the laws that it writes.

“While full repeal of Obamacare remains the only solution for this flawed law, we can at least make sure that Congress lives by the laws it writes,” said Congressman Andy Barr. “It is wrong for the people who wrote Obamcare to have exempted themselves, so today we are fixing that to ensure that there is no special treatment for the people who wrote this legislation.”

“When Obamacare was being rammed through the House of Representatives, I called on Congress to agree that we would all live under the same kind of health care that was being imposed on the American people,” said Congressman John Fleming, M.D. “Somehow exemptions for a select few in Congress were tucked in the bill. Until we are able to exempt every American from Obamacare by repealing it, no one in Congress should be allowed to escape its onerous burdens.”

“Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi was absolutely correct when she told the American people that they would find out exactly what was in Obamacare after it became law,” said Congressman Joe Wilson. “Unfortunately, we now know that leadership and committee staff were carefully exempted out of it. Political games such as these are a disservice to the Body we proudly serve. If the American people will be forced to suffer under Obamacare, the individuals responsible for writing the legislation must abide by it as well.”

The Live by the Laws You Write Act would amend the definition of “congressional staff” in Section 1312 of the Affordable Care Act to make sure that it does not continue to exempt committee staff and leadership staff in the House and Senate.

A PDF of the H.R. 2010, the Live by the Laws You Write Act can be found here.

Wilson Pleased With Passage of Obamacare Repeal

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) made the following speech on the House Floor today in support H.R. 45, legislation that repeals the President's government takeover healthcare bill. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 229-195:

“Thank you Ma’am Speaker and thank you Dr. Roe for yielding.

Today, House Republicans will vote for the 37^th time to repeal or defund Obamacare. Prior to its deal-making passage in 2010, the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s largest organization of small businesses, warned that implementation of the government healthcare takeover would destroy 1.6 millions jobs due to mandates and tax increases, crippling small businesses.

To make matters worse, at a time when our nation is experiencing record unemployment, President Obama has called on the IRS, an agency currently in the midst of scandal, to create thousands of new agents to enforce Obamacare. Based on the recent reports, it is clear that the IRS should not be expanded to include the authorization of controlling healthcare for the American people.

Today’s vote will give us an opportunity to repeal a crucial job-destroying law that in turn will provide small businesses the certainty they need to begin hiring again and put American families back to work.

As a proud cosponsor, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the Aisle to vote in favor or this bill,” Congressman Wilson stated.

The speech can be found here: http://bit.ly/16CHrap

Congress approves funding to avoid SRS furloughs

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A $79 million federal funding request for Savannah River Site could receive expedited final approval from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to halt employee furloughs, according to U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

The money requested by the Department of Energy was approved Wednesday by two House and two Senate committees. The proposal, which would reassign funding from other projects to SRS, was delayed more than a month until the White House office gave its first OK this month.

“In eight days, Congress took the right steps to reprogram funding,” Wilson said. “Now, this should be expedited.”

Thousands of SRS employees face an imminent threat of reduced working hours, and hundreds of jobs could be eliminated under widespread federal budget cuts known as sequestration.

“Everyone understands the effect on a family of a 20 percent pay reduction,” Wilson said.

The Energy Department said Thursday that the reassigned funds will ensure high-priority activities continue at SRS.

“While the impacts of sequestration cannot be completely mitigated, this is an important step to ensuring the cleanup mission makes as much progress as possible with the available resources,” department spokeswoman Lindsey Geisler said in an e-mail.

Wilson credited a town-hall meeting in Aiken this month and teamwork from area chambers of commerce with pressuring Congress to take action.

Forty delegates representing the Greater Aiken, Augusta Metro, Columbia County and North Augusta chambers of commerce traveled to Washington last week and met with lawmakers, said David Jameson, the president and CEO of Greater Aiken chamber.

“I am hopeful this work will be complete,” Jameson said. “It will be a great relief for so many people, and we couldn’t be happier. These are our friends and neighbors, and we care about their financial well-being.”

He said the area’s economy has already suffered because of work schedule reductions that went into effect soon
after sequestration began in March.

“Two months of furloughs has meant about $15 million lost to this community, and we don’t need that to continue,” Jameson said.

http://bit.ly/14bMDy5

Wilson: Approval of SRS’s reprogramming request is a tremendous victory for the people of Aiken County, Barnwell County, the Palmetto State, and our Nation

Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement after Congress approved the reprogram request submitted by the Savannah River Site:

Wilson stated, “The Congressional approval of SRS’s reprogramming request is a tremendous victory for the people of Aiken County, Barnwell County, the Palmetto State, and our Nation. Throughout this entire process, I served as SRS’s positive proponent by encouraging the appropriate government channels to take immediate action. However, the true champions of this success are the dedicated and hard working people of Aiken County, who demanded that the government do its job and approve this request.

“The fact that the Administration delayed the approval process for over a month and a half shows that defending our national security is not one of the President’s top priorities. As a Member of Congress who serves on one of the four Committees given jurisdiction over the approval process, I commend the House and Senate for taking action quickly to ensure that our nation’s nuclear facilities are capable of completing vital missions with an appropriate workforce. The President’s Office of Management and Budget must do its job and begin implementation by reallocating the previously appropriated resources as soon as possible. Our national security depends on it.”

Wilson Statement on Sexual Misconduct Allegations in the Military

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02) issued the following statement regarding allegations of criminal behavior against a sexual assault prevention and response coordinator stationed at Fort Hood:

Wilson stated, “The recent report out of Fort Hood is inexcusable. Actions such as these will not be tolerated and have no place in our Armed Forces. Sexual abuse of any nature is a demoralizing challenge facing our brave men and women in uniform. The military must ensure the personnel they select to oversee sexual assault prevention efforts are of the highest moral character. Recently, some of these personnel decisions have been called into question by the despicable acts of a few. I encourage Secretary Chuck Hagel to review the screening processes for these positions so that only the highest quality service members are given the opportunity to serve in such leadership roles. Additionally, members of our military who condone these crimes both actively and passively should be held responsible, appropriately prosecuted, and promptly removed from our Armed Forces.

“For the past several years, I have worked diligently with House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon to make substantial progress on this issue. Based on recent events, it is obvious that more progress must be made to better protect our service members. I will continue to work closely with the House Armed Services Committee by exercising oversight so that we can get to the bottom of this disgusting incident. We must do everything in our power to prevent instances like these from occurring again.”

Wilson Pleased with Passage of Full Faith and Credit Act

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 807, the Full Faith and Credit Act. This piece of legislation requires the Treasury to follow through with debt payments, removes the threat of national default, and protects our seniors and those with disabilities by granting the authority to continue extending benefits, even if the debt ceiling is not increased.

Wilson stated, “It’s no secret that the federal government spends substantially more than it brings in. Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. As our $17 trillion dollar debt inches closer and closer to our debt limit, House Republicans are determined to rein in spending, while also ensuring the American people and the world economy that defaulting on our loans is not an option.

“Over the past four years, the world has watched as the President waits until he is forced to negotiate with Congressional leadership at the very last minute to address spending cuts. Not only does this habit create more economic uncertainty for job creators during an already sluggish economy, it also creates unnecessary stress for American families.

“The passage of today’s legislation provides security for American families, our economy, and our nation’s seniors. House Republicans understand the necessity of being proactive about our out-of-control national debt, rather than being reactionary and risking default. As a cosponsor of this bill, it is my hope that the President and Senate leadership will begin to make this issue a priority and allow this legislation to become law.”

Wilson: "Congress is placing the power back where it belongs: Into the hands of the American workforce"

Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1406, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013. This piece of legislation removes an outdated federal law that prevents private-sector employers from offering employees the option to accrue paid time off or “comp time” for working overtime hours:

Wilson stated, “The challenges facing our working mothers and fathers to provide for their families are substantial. Our current workforce restrictions, imposed by the federal government on the private sector, are outdated. Washington has developed a habit of restricting an employee’s ability to autonomously determine what is best for their families.

“If today’s legislation becomes law, American families’ lives will be enhanced as work environments will become more flexible to provide balance between job and family. By taking control away from the federal government, Congress is placing the power back where it belongs: Into the hands of the American workforce. As a proud cosponsor of this bill, it is my hope that the Senate will take immediate action to ensure that our mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers can appropriately make their own decisions regarding overtime-working hours.”

Wilson Statement on DOD FY12 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Chairman Joe Wilson (SC-02) of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel issued the following statement after receiving the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military:

“The recent findings from the Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military are extremely disheartening. I am outraged to see that the estimated number of sexual assaults and misconduct in the military have increased from 19,300 in FY10 to 26,000 in FY12. Sexual assault and misconduct in the military must be eliminated entirely. It is clear that this is an issue that the Military and Congress must continue to work together to solve. The current status is simply unacceptable. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I have worked with House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon and the Department of Defense to combat sexual assault and misconduct by promoting reporting, prosecution, and preventing retaliation. Based upon these new estimates, more progress must be made to better protect all of the brave women and men who selflessly serve on behalf of our nation. In the future, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to address this very important issue.”

Wilson: "Concerned citizens' voices have been heard"

Sat, 04 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) sent the following statement after learning that the Savannah River Site's reprogramming request had been received by both Houses of Congress:

Wilson stated, "This morning's announcement that the Savannah River Site's reprogramming request has been submitted to Congress is proof that concerned citizens' voices have been heard. Yesterday's town hall discussion was attended by hundreds of constituents and has proven to be beneficial. As promised, I will remain committed to fulfilling my obligations and work with House and Senate Members to ensure the request is approved expediently. SRS must be given the resources needed to complete its vital missions."

Wilson Sends Second Letter to OMB in Support of SRS

Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) along with Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-03) and Congressman Tom Rice (SC-07) sent a letter to the President’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Sylvia Burwell encouraging immediate action on the Savannah River Site’s reprogramming request. This is the second written appeal Congressman Wilson has made to OMB on behalf of the Savannah River Site’s request to transfer previously appropriated funds to different accounts. Once approved, the Site will revert back to normal operations with a full dedicated workforce in tact. To find a copy of the letter, please click here.