Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson Glad That SC Armory Is No Longer Selling 'You Lie' Gun Part

David Taintor | January 13, 2011, 1:22PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), whose famous "You Lie" words were engraved on a gun part being sold by a South Carolina armory, is glad to hear the company has suspended the product.

In a letter to Palmetto State Armory President Jamin McCallum, Wilson wrote, "I thank you for quickly suspending sales of the product that uses my words."

Read more »

South Carolina

South Carolina Armory Sells Engraved 'You Lie' Gun Part

David Taintor | January 12, 2011, 8:49AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

As the debate over the use of violent political rhetoric heats up in the aftermath of the shooting in Arizona that killed six and left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition, a South Carolina gun company may find itself in an uncomfortable position.

Corey Hutchins, a reporter for the South Carolina alt weekly Free Times, reports that a South Carolina gun and accessories company is selling semi-automatic rifle components with the words "You Lie" inscribed on them.

Read more »

Office of Congressional Ethics

What Members Of Congress Improperly Bought With Their Per Diem Cash

Ryan J. Reilly | January 4, 2011, 8:00AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)

Rep. Joe "You Lie" Wilson (R-SC) used the cash the government gave him for his personal lodging, meals and incidentals during an official overseas trips to buy a statue of the statesman who founded Turkey, marble goblets from Afghanistan and flags from various countries with which to decorate his congressional office. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) picked up flowers, candy and wine for ambassadors or other hosts; had custom-made baseball hats for staff and members attending one overseas trip; and gave a $100 bill to an Iraqi refugee at an event in Saudi Arabia.

Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL) purchased gifts like "leather goods, t-shirts, dolls, and post cards" for his family and used his per diem to cover the expenses of his wife, who accompanied him on at least one trip. Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) picked up gifts and souvenirs for his family with his per diem and also suggested members pick up the cost of one ''shockingly'' expensive meal for their staffers. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) "occasionally used the per diem to cover the meals and entertainment of leaders or residents of the country that he visited" as well as gifts for his secretary and chief of staff. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX) picked up the tab of some meals for his staff.

Read more »

Ethics

Ethics Committee Ends 'Per Diem' Investigation Into Six Members

Ryan J. Reilly | January 3, 2011, 9:15AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The House ethics committee has ended an investigation into six members of Congress over allegations that they kept the remainder of per diem payments they receive when traveling overseas.

Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) are now no longer under investigation in the case.

Read more »

Charles Rangel

What Happens When Congressmen Break The Rules?

Rachel Slajda | November 18, 2010, 8:38AM

Former Congressman James Traficant (D-OH)

The House ethics committee will likely decide today how Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) should be punished for committing 11 ethics violations. They could recommend a range of sanctions, from giving him a stern talking to all the way to kicking him out.

No one expects Rangel, a 40-year congressman who was just re-elected with 80 percent of the vote, to be expelled. He will, more likely, face reprimand or censure.

In order to give a little bit of context to whatever punishment is recommended for Rangel, we thought we'd show you how different congress members had earned each of the three main types of sanction: expulsion, censure and reprimand.

Read more »

Office of Congressional Ethics

Half A Dozen Reps Being Investigated For Use Of Travel Funds

Ryan J. Reilly | September 3, 2010, 11:11AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Six members of the House of Representatives are being questioned by congressional investigators over the possibility they kept the remainder of the per diem payments they receive when traveling overseas on official trips.

Read more »

Lobbyists

Lawmakers' Statements On Health-Care Reform Were Ghost-Written By Lobbyists: Report

Zachary Roth | November 16, 2009, 3:05PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Here's one of those stories that point up the utter sleaziness of the cozy lawmaker-lobbyist relationships that continue to shape so much of what Congress does.

The New York Times reports that lobbyists for a major biotech company, Genentech, wrote statements that were then put into the Congressional Record under the names of more than a dozen lawmakers of both parties.

Read more »

Joe Wilson

Wilson Authored Bill To Let Illegal Immigrant Stay In U.S.

Zachary Roth | September 18, 2009, 4:47PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe ("You Lie") Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech last week didn't exactly make him out to be sympathetic to illegal immigrants, to put it mildly. There's also little evidence he ever worked as an immigration lawyer, as he's claimed.

But the South Carolina Republican's hard line on the issue may not be as consistent as you might expect. In fact, on one recent case, it looks like he went downright soft -- and what's even more interesting is the possible reason why.

Read more »

Mark Sanford

Sanford's Sympathy For Wilson: "When Do The Rest Of Us Move On?"

Zachary Roth | September 18, 2009, 10:00AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)

Mark Sanford has spoken out on the plight of another embattled South Carolina Republican, Rep. Joe ("You Lie!") Wilson. But you could be forgiven for thinking the beleaguered governor was speaking more personally.

Referring to Wilson, Sanford told South Carolina's CN2 News:

Read more »

Barack Obama

Did Joe Wilson Lie About Having Been An Immigration Lawyer?

Zachary Roth | September 14, 2009, 6:21PM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Rep. Joe ("You Lie!") Wilson's now-legendary exclamation during President Obama's speech to Congress last week was itself essentially untrue, as we've documented.

But in trying to deflect charges of xenophobia in the wake of the outburst, it looks like the South Carolina congressman again played fast and loose with the facts.

Read more »