Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson
Born	Addison Graves Wilson Sr. 31 7, 1947
Birthplace	Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district; "You lie!" outburst during 2009 presidential address
Education	Washington and Lee University (BA) University of South Carolina (JD)
Children	4
Website	[joewilson.house.gov Official site]

Addison Graves "Joe" Wilson Sr. (born July 31, 1947) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district since 2001. A member of the Republican Party, Wilson represents a district that stretches from the state capital of Columbia to the Georgia–South Carolina border. Before entering the U.S. Congress, he served for sixteen years as a member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 23rd district from 1985 to 2001. Wilson is also a retired Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he served with the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade. He became a figure of national attention in September 2009 when he interrupted a speech by President Barack Obama before a joint session of Congress by shouting "You lie!"—an outburst that led to a formal reprimand by the House of Representatives. Throughout his congressional career, Wilson has served on the House Armed Services Committee and has been involved in foreign affairs legislation, including bipartisan resolutions addressing U.S. relations with India and international human rights issues.

Early Life

Addison Graves Wilson Sr. was born on July 31, 1947, in Charleston, South Carolina. He grew up in the state and pursued his education at institutions within the southeastern United States. Wilson's upbringing in South Carolina shaped his political career, which would be entirely devoted to representing constituents in his home state at both the state and federal levels.

Wilson also pursued a career in the military. He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard as part of the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, eventually attaining the rank of Colonel before retiring. His military service informed his later legislative focus on defense and armed services matters during his time in Congress.

Education

Wilson attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. His legal training prepared him for a career as an attorney in South Carolina before he entered public service as a state legislator.

Career

South Carolina State Senate (1985–2001)

Wilson began his career in elected office when he was chosen to represent the 23rd district in the South Carolina Senate. He took office on January 8, 1985, following the establishment of the constituency. Wilson served in the state senate for over sixteen years, during which time he engaged in a range of legislative matters affecting South Carolina. Among the issues Wilson addressed during his time in the state legislature were matters related to state heritage and history. In 1999, Wilson was involved in debates regarding Confederate heritage in South Carolina; according to a report by the Institute for Southern Studies, Wilson stated that "the Confederate heritage is very honorable" during discussions on the topic.

During the 113th session of the South Carolina General Assembly (1999–2000), Wilson was associated with legislative activity including Senate Bill 283. In the subsequent 114th session (2001–2002), Senate Bill 634 was also filed in connection with ongoing legislative work.

Wilson's tenure in the state senate came to an end in December 2001 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was succeeded in the South Carolina Senate by Jake Knotts.

U.S. House of Representatives (2001–present)

Election to Congress

Wilson entered the U.S. House of Representatives on December 18, 2001, succeeding Floyd Spence, who had represented South Carolina's 2nd congressional district. Wilson won a special election to fill the vacancy and has been returned to office in subsequent general elections. His district encompasses areas from the state capital of Columbia to the Georgia–South Carolina border.

In the 2008 election cycle, Wilson successfully defended his seat. Data from the Center for Responsive Politics documented campaign finance activity for the South Carolina 2nd district race during that cycle.

Committee Assignments and Party Roles

In Congress, Wilson serves on key committees including the House Armed Services Committee, a position that aligns with his background as a retired Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He is also a member of the House Republican Policy Committee and serves as an assistant Republican whip, positions that place him within the party's leadership structure in the House.

Legislative Record

Throughout his time in Congress, Wilson has been involved in a range of legislative initiatives. During the 109th Congress, he was associated with several pieces of legislation, including H.R. 1973, H.R. 4411, and H.R. 4777.

Wilson's voting record has been tracked by the Washington Post congressional database, which documents his positions on key legislative votes throughout his tenure. His issue positions and ratings from various interest groups have also been compiled by Vote Smart.

During the 110th Congress, Wilson was involved with legislation that was signed into law as Public Law 110-185.

Foreign Affairs and International Engagement

Wilson has maintained an active interest in foreign policy and international relations throughout his congressional career. In December 2005, the Indian news outlet Rediff reported on Wilson's engagement with issues related to India and South Asian policy.

Wilson's focus on international affairs has continued into recent years. In September 2020, he spoke publicly about the Abraham Accords, the series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. In November 2025, Wilson co-led a bipartisan resolution with Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) recognizing the U.S.-India strategic partnership. A press release from Bera's office described Wilson's role in introducing the resolution, which highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and India.

Also in the fall of 2025, Wilson joined with Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) to introduce a resolution supporting the International Day of Political Prisoners, demonstrating continued bipartisan engagement on human rights issues. The resolution was connected to the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly.

In November 2025, Wilson issued a statement alongside Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, regarding the kidnapping and murder of Dr. Hamza Shahin in Syria, further reflecting his involvement in Middle Eastern affairs and international human rights advocacy.

"You Lie!" Incident (2009)

Wilson became a figure of national and international attention on September 9, 2009, when he interrupted a speech by President Barack Obama delivered before a joint session of Congress. During the address, which focused on the president's proposed health care reform legislation, Wilson shouted "You lie!" in response to Obama's statement that the proposed health care plan would not cover undocumented immigrants.

The outburst was immediately condemned by members of both parties as a breach of congressional decorum. Heckling the president during an address to a joint session of Congress was considered an extraordinary departure from established norms of behavior in the chamber. Wilson issued an apology later that evening, stating that his emotions had gotten the better of him. He indicated that he had contacted the White House to apologize directly.

Despite the apology, the U.S. House of Representatives subsequently passed a resolution of disapproval against Wilson, formally reprimanding him for his conduct. The vote on the resolution largely followed party lines. The incident had significant political ramifications: it generated substantial media coverage, increased both fundraising and opposition fundraising in Wilson's district, and sparked a broader national debate about civility in political discourse.

Some commentators noted that Wilson had previously voted in favor of legislation that would have provided certain forms of taxpayer-funded health care access to undocumented immigrants, adding a layer of complexity to the incident. The website OpenCongress documented Wilson's voting record on related measures.

Continued Service (2010s–2020s)

Wilson has continued to serve as the representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district through multiple subsequent election cycles. In January 2026, he conducted his annual legislative agenda media tour, with stops in North Augusta, Aiken, Barnwell, and other communities in his district, promoting his 2026 legislative agenda.

As of early 2026, Wilson remains one of the longer-serving members of the South Carolina congressional delegation, having represented the 2nd district for over two decades since first taking office in December 2001.

Personal Life

Wilson has four children, including his son Alan Wilson, who has served in public office in South Carolina. The Wilson family has maintained roots in the state throughout Joe Wilson's political career.

Wilson's military service in the South Carolina Army National Guard, where he served with the 218th Mechanized Infantry Brigade and retired with the rank of Colonel, has been a defining aspect of his personal background and has informed his legislative priorities, particularly his work on the House Armed Services Committee.

Recognition

Wilson's most prominent moment in the national spotlight came through the September 2009 "You lie!" incident, which, while resulting in a formal House reprimand, also raised his national profile significantly. The incident was covered extensively by major news outlets including Fox News, The State, and numerous other national and international media organizations.

Beyond the 2009 incident, Wilson has been recognized for his long service representing South Carolina at both the state and federal level. His more than three decades in elected office—sixteen years in the South Carolina Senate followed by more than two decades in the U.S. House—make him one of the most experienced political figures in the state's recent history.

Wilson's bipartisan work on international relations issues has also drawn attention. His collaboration with Democratic colleagues on resolutions addressing the U.S.-India relationship, political prisoners, and human rights in Syria has been noted in official press releases from multiple congressional offices and Senate committees.

Legacy

Joe Wilson's political career, spanning more than three decades of continuous elected service in South Carolina, has left a substantial imprint on the state's political landscape. His transition from state senator to U.S. representative demonstrated a trajectory common among South Carolina politicians who build their careers through long-term service at multiple levels of government.

Wilson's most enduring mark on national political culture may be the September 2009 "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's address to Congress. The incident became a defining moment in discussions about political civility and congressional decorum in the 21st century. It is frequently cited in analyses of the increasing polarization of American politics and the erosion of traditional norms governing interactions between the legislative and executive branches. The phrase "You lie!" entered the broader political lexicon and has been referenced in subsequent debates about the tone and conduct of American political discourse.

In terms of policy, Wilson's consistent focus on military affairs—rooted in his own service as a Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard—and his engagement with foreign policy issues, particularly relating to India, the Middle East, and international human rights, have defined his legislative identity. His willingness to work across party lines on certain international issues, as demonstrated by his collaborations with Democratic colleagues on resolutions regarding India, political prisoners, and Syria, has been a notable feature of his later congressional career.

Wilson's son Alan Wilson's entry into South Carolina politics has extended the family's involvement in the state's public affairs, suggesting a political legacy that extends beyond Joe Wilson's own service.