Wilson, Joe

Joe Wilson is a Republican representative from South Carolina's 2nd Congressional District, serving since December 2001. Born in Charleston in 1947, Wilson earned his bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina. Before entering Congress, he worked as a real estate attorney and served 17 years in the South Carolina State Senate, where he was the first modern Republican elected chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and South Carolina Army National Guard, retiring as a colonel in 2003 after 31 years of military service.\n\nWilson holds senior positions on several key committees. He is the most senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, serving on the Subcommittees on Readiness and Strategic Forces. He also serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs as a senior member, and on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Additionally, he chairs the U.S. Helsinki Commission and serves as chairman of the National Security Taskforce on the Republican Policy Committee. His legislative focus centers on national security, foreign policy, and defense matters, with recent bills addressing subsea cable security, Russian mercenary accountability, and international governance issues.\n\nWilson is known for his strong advocacy on defense and security issues, reflecting his military background and his district's significant military presence, including Fort Jackson and nearby military installations. He co-chairs numerous congressional caucuses focused on international relations and security, including those for Bulgaria, France, the United Kingdom, and various other nations and regions. His work emphasizes promoting peace through strong national defense and addressing global security challenges.