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Joe Wilson, Sr.'s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Joe Wilson, Sr. did not provide voters with positions on key issues covered by the 2022 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart and voters like you.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • Voted in favor of HR 4712 - Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by National Right to Life Committee. (votesmart.org)
  • "This week, I cosponsored the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Research shows that unborn babies can feel pain at 20 weeks and this life-saving legislation would ensure that abortions at 20 weeks or more will never take place." (twitter.com)
  • ""Every life is precious, has value, and is blessed by God," said Congressman Wilson. "Working together with pro-life leaders such South Carolina Citizens for Life -- and its executive director Holly Gatling -- I have fought to protect unborn babies, and I will continue to do so, because those who can't speak for themselves deserve a voice."" (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Every life is precious, has value, and is blessed by God," said Congressman Wilson. "Working together with pro-life leaders such South Carolina Citizens for Life -- and its executive director Holly Gatling -- I have fought to protect unborn babies, and I will continue to do so, because those who can't speak for themselves deserve a voice." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Signed Letter to Administrator Verma: "For plan year 2020, we urge the Administration to continue its efforts to promote flexibility and innovation, support value-based arrangements with health care providers, and ensure that any substantive changes to the Medicare Advantage program provide plan sponsors with sufficient time for thorough evaluation and implementation. We also encourage the Administration to build on the enhanced supplemental benefits that were offered this plan year by providing additional flexibility to help drive the next generation of innovative approaches in Medicare to improve health outcomes, while also maintaining robust beneficiary protections." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against S 610 "Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 6% by Alliance for Retired Americans. (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Today is #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay, I am grateful to these men and women who keep our families safe, locally, and around the country. I am committed to firmly support our nation’s police officers." (twitter.com)
  • "Grateful to cosponsor the companion bill in the House to @SenatorTimScott 's #JUSTICEAct. This is the most significant police reform in 25 years and offers real solutions so our law enforcement officers are better prepared to protect and care for the communities they serve." (twitter.com)
  • "I am grateful to be a co-sponsor of the House companion bill to the JUSTICE Act. The JUSTICE Act includes meaningful reforms to law enforcement that will allow for more training, transparency, and accountability, and will lead to real reforms in the system because it will enable communities and police departments to better work together." (www.facebook.com)
  • Voted against HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "This year's NDAA represents the ongoing commitment my colleagues and I have for our national security, servicemembers, veterans, and their families. As a Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and the Second District of South Carolina on this critical legislation that advances peace through strength. Enactment of this bill would be the 61st consecutive fiscal year that the NDAA has passed, exhibiting the truly bipartisan nature of the process." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by Center for Security Policy. (votesmart.org)
  • "This year's National Defense Authorization Act reaffirms Congress's commitment to our men and women in uniform. Through modernization of the nuclear triad, supporting military families, taking action against the Biden administration's defense budget cuts, making improvements to mission readiness, and demanding answers from the Biden administration on Afghanistan, this bill advances peace through strength." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 1605 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "I am grateful to our President for his plan to continue promoting safe and legal immigration, rebuilding America's infrastructure, working closely with our global partners, defending Israel, lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, and providing our military with the resources needed to be successful in defending our nation, among many other things." (votesmart.org)
  • "It is sad to me that throughout his two terms, the President has never proposed a budget that balances. The President's record $4.1 trillion budget grows our national debt and passes the buck to our children and grandchildren. We need meaningful reforms that will create jobs and support national defense--not new taxes which would increase the gas tax by 24 cents a gallon." (votesmart.org)
  • "Annual rate of inflation on track to be highest in 40 years. Biden & Democrats making things worse with $3 trillion spending bills. Prices rising: 49.6% increase in gas, 20.2% for bacon, 11.6% for eggs, 7.9% for baby food. Americans afford less under Biden. Jobs being destroyed." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 266 "Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today, I spoke on the House Floor in favor of the CARES Act. I am grateful to stand by President Trump in support of this Act to help American families recover from the coronavirus pandemic." (twitter.com)
  • "During a time when our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis, I am grateful to join President Donald Trump in supporting the CARES Act to provide American families recovery from the coronavirus." (twitter.com)
  • "I am grateful for all of the good that the Paycheck Protection Program has done for small businesses to maintain jobs in South Carolina and across the United States. Allowing flexibility to those who have been approved for these loans will make it easier for our small businesses to address the challenges faced due to the coronavirus pandemic. With this new flexibility, our communities will be one step closer to fully recovering from this pandemic." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Outrageous. Inflation is at a 40-year high and the White House continues its false assertion that the $$ multi-trillion dollar ‘Build Back Bankrupt’ spending plan will pay for itself." (twitter.com)
  • "Annual rate of inflation on track to be highest in 40 years. Biden & Democrats making things worse with $3 trillion spending bills. Prices rising: 49.6% increase in gas, 20.2% for bacon, 11.6% for eggs, 7.9% for baby food. Americans afford less under Biden. Jobs being destroyed." (twitter.com)
  • "Costs are rising and the American families are suffering. Inflation has increased every month since President Biden took office due to his and House Democrats' out-of-control spending, #inflationistaxation!" (twitter.com)
  • "House Democrats passed their ‘Inflation Expansion Act,’ much to the dismay & detriment of American families. We are already living with record inflation & high prices on daily items, now this bill will spend and waste $billions more. Biden and Democrats out of touch with reality." (twitter.com)
  • "A strong academic foundation paves the way for life-long success. Unfortunately, Americans currently hold more than $1.4 trillion in student loan debt, in part due to the lack of critical information provided to students about the long-term burden of unmanageable debt." (twitter.com)
  • "Thank you @realDonaldTrump for extending the moratorium on offshore drilling off the coast of SC. Energy security is crucial to national security and the Trump Admin has made tremendous efforts in using an all-of-the-above strategy for energy production." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1119 - SENSE Act. (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 100% by American Energy Alliance. (votesmart.org)
  • "Private-public partnerships are critical for innovation and development of new technologies to address the needs of America's energy industry," said Rep. Wilson. "I am grateful to partner with Congressman Ben Ray Lujan and Senators Chris Coons and Lindsey Graham to support The IMPACT for Energy Act to create an avenue for private investment and federal assistance for energy expansion." (votesmart.org)
  • "This week I cosponsored legislation authorizing the continued construction of the Keystone Pipeline. We need an all-of-the-above approach to establish energy independence. This Admin’s decision to end the Pipeline directly impacts our jobs, families, and national security." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 9 "Climate Action Now Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 0% by Environment America (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 2% by League of Conservation Voters. (votesmart.org)
  • "The federal government needs to take a page out of the South Carolina playbook. More stringent regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency will only drive up the cost of energy and kill jobs. I support President Trump in rolling back regulations the limit innovation in these emerging technologies. We have been blessed with ample resources here at home. It is of paramount importance that we utilize our proven reserves in addition to our exceptional minds as we develop the technologies of the future while harnessing the resources we have." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Rated 92% by National Rifle Association. (votesmart.org)
  • "I strongly oppose the restrictions on US servicemembers' 2nd Amendment rights included in the FY22 NDAA. This week, I sent a letter with my House colleagues to Armed Services Committee leadership urging them to strike this section from the final bill." (twitter.com)
  • "I will be voting against both pieces of gun-control legislation being voted on today. The best way to address gun violence is to hold actual criminals accountable, not punish law-abiding gun owners." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 2192 “McSally Amendment” (votesmart.org)
  • "@HouseGOP made a promise to #repealandreplace Obamacare, and we are doing just that with the American Health Care Act." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1628 “American Health Care Act of 2017” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 6201 “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against H.R. 3 “Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019” (votesmart.org)
  • "lowering the cost of healthcare & prescription drugs, and providing our military with the resources needed to be successful in defending our nation, among many other things." (twitter.com)
  • "The American people must see lower healthcare and prescription drug costs." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against H.R. 6833 “The Affordable Insulin Now Act” (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 93% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • "Enhanced border security is critical." (twitter.com)
  • "Our southern border is in peril and this issue has been wholly created by the destructive new policies of President Biden. This problem cannot be ignored, it’s time to call what is happening at our southern border what it is: a crisis. #BidenBorderCrisis" (twitter.com)
  • "President Biden has been in office almost 100 days and the crisis at our southern border has only gotten worse." (twitter.com)
  • Voted against HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 93% by NumbersUSA. (votesmart.org)
  • "Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is a victory for the Constitution. By declaring the President's plan to provide amnesty to illegal aliens unconstitutional and void, we have protected the separation of powers and defended the American people from overreaching executive action." (votesmart.org)
  • "Until the appropriate laws already on the books are strongly enforced, illegal immigrants will continue to pour across our borders and weaken our national security. Once our laws are enforced, our nation will create a new generation of dedicated, patriotic American citizens. Legal immigrants have obeyed our regulations, and America must demonstrate our commitment to these hard-working individuals by ensuring those who follow our laws are treated courteously by immigration officials, and their immigration applications are processed in a timely fashion." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 1333 "NO BAN Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "This week, along with the Republican Members of the HFAC MENAGC Subcommittee, I sent a letter to Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Biden Administration to reverse course & enforce sanctions on Chinese purchasing of Iranian oil." (twitter.com)
  • "It is absolutely ridiculous that #Biden would lift sanctions on the Supreme Leader of the Iranian regime, a terrorist with American and Iranian blood on his hands who continues to threaten death to the US and Israel. How low will Biden go just to make a deal with Iran?" (twitter.com)
  • "Our national security and that of our allies isn’t up for a vote by foreign countries. There is no alternative except for the U.S. to immediately exercise our right to snap back sanctions" (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 - “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 7691 - “Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.” (votesmart.org)
  • "I was grateful to join members of the South Carolina community in solidarity with Ukraine. During this time of unease, it is critical that all Americans remain united against Russian aggression and in support of the people of Ukraine. See highlights of today's rally in Columbia." (twitter.com)
  • "Reports of casualties in the 100s already. This one-sided war has no place in the modern world. Putin and his lapdogs have blood on their hands & have robbed the citizens of Russia to perpetrate this war against the citizens of Ukraine. Putin will pay for his crimes." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of S. 3522 “Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022” (votesmart.org)
  • "The #TaxCutsandJobsAct promotes more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks." (twitter.com)
  • Rated 88% by National Tax Limitation Committee (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act helped the economy become #BetterOffNow. It created more jobs, bigger paychecks, increased investment, and historic Main Street optimism. Tax Reform 2.0 will provide certainty that will unleash even more long-term economic growth in America." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of H.R. 1 “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (votesmart.org)
  • "This updated trade agreement supports the U.S. auto industry and reduces burdensome regulations on exports to South Korea. I look forward to the continued expansion of this mutually beneficial relationship." (votesmart.org)
  • "I commend Prime Minister Johnson for coming to a trade agreement with the EU today. As Chairman of the UK Caucus I will continue working towards a robust US-UK trade agreement and further enhance our wide-ranging bilateral alliance." (twitter.com)
  • "President Donald Trump successfully negotiated an updated trade agreement to replace the outdated North American Free Trade Agreement, proving once again his commitment to Promises Made, Promises Kept. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement represents a win for American farmers and workers, and it will create more jobs across the country." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5430 "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act." (votesmart.org)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
Pro-life Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
100% pro-life record in the US Congress and SC Senate
Yes Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan?
No Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?

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

No do you support reducing defense spending?
No do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
No do you support reducing Medicaid spending?
No do you support reducing Medicare spending?
Yes Is balancing the budget a legislative priority?
No Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
I do support full reporting
Yes Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
No Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
Yes Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No Do you support the temporary extension of unemployment benefits?
No Do you support the 2010 temporary extension of tax relief?
No Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Yes Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production?
No Do you believe that human activity is contributing to climate change?
No Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
No Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
No Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
Yes Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
No 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?
Yes Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration law by state and local police?
No Do you support same-sex marriage?
Yes Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict?
Yes Should the U.S use military force in order to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon?
Yes Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts?

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.

Greatly Decrease a) Agriculture
Greatly Decrease b) Arts
Slightly Increase c) Defense
Slightly Decrease d) Education
Greatly Decrease e) Environment
Maintain Status f) Homeland Security
Maintain Status g) International aid
Maintain Status h) Medical Research
Slightly Decrease i) Scientific Research
Slightly Decrease j) Space exploration
Eliminate k) United Nations
Slightly Decrease l) Welfare
m) Other or expanded categories
Eliminate a) Capital gains taxes
Greatly Decrease b) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease c) Excise taxes (alcohol)
Slightly Decrease d) Excise taxes (cigarettes)
Slightly Decrease e) Excise taxes (transportation fuel)
Eliminate f) Income taxes (low-income families)
Greatly Decrease g) Income taxes (middle-income families)
Slightly Decrease h) Income taxes (high-income families)
Eliminate i) Inheritance taxes
Maintain Status j) Payroll taxes
k) Other or expanded categories
We must maintain a strong national defense and protect American families by defeating the terrorists overseas. It is also critically important that we strive for energy independence by embracing an "all of the above" energy plan. Finally, Congress should repeal and replace the job-killing healthcare takeover with sensible health insurance reform.

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