(Washington, DC) – Today, Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) introduced H.R. 4625, the Yucca Utilization to Control Contamination Act (YUCCA).

In 2002, President George W. Bush approved Yucca Mountain, Nevada, as the location for our nation’s nuclear repository, which was previously authorized by Congress in 1987. In 2010, President Obama zeroed out the funding for the project. The proposed legislation requires the President to certify Yucca Mountain as the designated site for our country’s high-level radioactive waste repository. If the Administration fails to follow through, it enacts the following penalties:

1) Utility Companies across the country will no longer be forced to make payments to the Nuclear Trust Fund.

2) The utility company will receive the deposits it has contributed to the Nuclear Trust Fund (75% of those funds will be used to reduce rates for ratepayers and 25% will be used for infrastructure improvement).

3) No later than January 1, 2017, Defense Waste MUST begin to be moved to Yucca Mountain. If this requirement is not met, the Department of Energy will be required to pay up to $100 million a year to the states holding the waste.

Wilson stated, “Over the past twenty-nine years, South Carolinians have paid over $1.3 billion dollars for the establishment of a nuclear repository at Yucca Mountain, making our state the third highest contributor. The President’s decision to cut this project is another prime example of how this Administration continues to put party politics over sound policy. In efforts to keep the government accountable, I have introduced legislation requiring the President to follow through with the Yucca Mountain project. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the people of South Carolina receive the services they have already paid for with hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”

“Our nation’s economy is broken. President Obama and his liberal allies in the Senate continue to tax and spend. This will only put us further in debt. With an unemployment rate of over eight percent for the past three years and a growing deficit of over fifteen trillion dollars, it is necessary for South Carolinians to send effective leaders to Washington who will stand up for our founding father’s values and put our great nation back on the path to prosperity.”

“I am committed to standing up for the people of South Carolina’s Second Congressional District by fighting to cut Washington’s out of control spending and promoting a conservative, private sector growth plan to create jobs. Over the coming months, I look forward to visiting with and seeking the support of the citizens of the Second District.”

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) released the following statement regarding the latest unemployment report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning:

“For the past three years, our nation’s unemployment has remained above eight percent. Almost one million Americans have lost their jobs since the President was sworn into office. According to recent Congressional Budget Office study, when considering every American who is currently without a job, our actual unemployment rate is 15.2 percent. The President promised that with the passage of his failed stimulus package in February 2009, the unemployment rate would not exceed eight percent. It is clear that the President’s failed policies and broken promises are not helping Americans find employment, but simply growing our national debt.

“Over the past year, House Republicans have passed dozens of job creating bills, most with bipartisan support. A majority of these pieces of legislation remain stalled in the Senate. Just yesterday, the House passed the JOBS Act, a collection of legislation that will help small business startups grow and expand, which will lead to job creation. It is my hope that the liberal-controlled Senate will take immediate action on the pending legislation in efforts to spur economic growth. It is past the time for Congress to work together to offset the failed policies the President has implemented and help put Americans back to work.”

Courtesy of the Office of Congressman Joe Wilson

“Today, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta revealed how he plans to cut $47 billion dollars from next year’s Department of Defense’s budget. By cutting our military personnel by 100,000 troops, 80,000 Army soldiers and 20,000 Marines, the President is weakening our military’s strength by limiting our Armed Forces’ ability and threatening our national security. This decision by the President and his Administration is another prime example of how he continues to lead from behind. Throughout our nation’s history, we have learned the severe consequences of downsizing our military.

“Our military service members and their families sacrifice a great deal for this country. As a Congressional body, it is our duty to provide for a strong defense and protect those who fight to protect our nation. Throughout the next few weeks, I look forward to working with House Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon, and finding way to stop the execution of these drastic cuts which will decimate our military capabilities and threaten the security of the men and women in our armed forces.“

Released: January 26, 2012
Office of Congressman Joe Wilson

“Despite the President’s failed stimulus, for the past thirty-five months, our nation’s unemployment rate has remained above eight percent. With over thirteen million Americans searching for employment and a national debt totaling more than fifteen trillion dollars, I had hoped the President would highlight sound ideas to promote job creation and allow for private sector growth during his speech this evening.

“Instead of focusing on ways to stop Washington’s out of control spending and create jobs, the President plans to impose higher taxes on hardworking Americans, threatening more of our nation’s jobs. The President’s decision to delay the Keystone Pipeline, a shovel-ready project that will add 120,000 jobs to our economy without costing taxpayers a single dime, threatens jobs in Lexington at Michelin Automotive and in Aiken at MTU Detroit Diesel.

“House Republicans have sent more than thirty bipartisan bills to the Senate, where twenty-seven of them are awaiting action. It is my hope that the President and the liberal Senate will echo the initiatives of House Republicans and find ways to work together to help restore the American people’s faith in government by putting American families back to work.

Original Release: January 24, 2012
Office of Congressman Joe Wilson

“The President’s defense strategy is another prime example of how this Administration continues to offer policies which are damaging our country and its defense. Instead of working with Congress to help prevent these drastic cuts, the President’s new strategy will slash our military personnel by 10-15 percent over the next ten years, which will harm the men and women in our Armed Forces, military families, and veterans. National defense is the primary function of the federal government. Defense spending is at its lowest percentage of the budget in decades at less than 18 percent. These cuts will decimate the military and leave America vulnerable to enemies who are determined to destroy our families and allies, such as Israel.

“I believe that we owe our men and women in uniform and their families a debt of gratitude for their service over a decade of war. We owe them a military that can provide peace through strength instead of risking our national security due to a weakened military capability. I am very concerned about these defense cuts and look forward to working with Chairman Buck McKeon and other members of the House Armed Services Committee to find a solution so that these devastating cuts do not take effect.”

Original Release: January 5, 2012

“This is the second time in less than three months Bridgestone has announced it will be making large investments in its manufacturing operations in the Palmetto State. Bridgestone’s commitment to not only expand but also build a brand new state-of-the art facility in Aiken County speaks volumes as to the abilities of the workforce in South Carolina. Additional investments like these prove yet again why South Carolina is an ideal location for many large scale job creators to operate.

“I would like to thank the efforts made by the leadership of Bridgestone Americas Inc. in partnership with local and state officials to make this a reality. The work of Bobby Hitt, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce, along with Fred Humes, Director Emeritus of Economic Development Partnership, David Jameson, President of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, and John Stewart, of Bridgestone Americas Inc., should not be overlooked. This announcement shows that local leaders play an instrumental role in bringing jobs to our communities.”

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02), a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, released the following statement after today’s committee hearing focused on “Rushing Union Elections: Protecting the Interests of Big Labor at the Expense of Workers’ Free Choice.”

Wilson stated, “These proposals will represent a major shift in procedures that will adversely affect the rights of workers.

“Employers choose to locate to South Carolina due to its welcoming business climate due in part to its right-to-work laws. These proposals by the NLRB are the latest attempt to continue to push its activist agenda at the expense of American jobs.”

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

Contact: Brian DeRoy – Communications Director

(803) 926-1413 Office (803) 605-1488 cell

JOE WILSON DECLARED WINNER OF SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE

Voters agree: Joe Means Jobs.  Joe celebrates win with family including son Alan, SC Attorney General-elect

(West Columbia, S.C.) – Joe Wilson will lead a fresh crop of conservatives in the South Carolina Congressional delegation as voters have returned Congressman Wilson to be a strong voice in the efforts to cut taxes and reduce wasteful spending in Washington.

ABC News confirmed Wilson the winner of the race shortly before 11pm EST.  Final results from the Associated Press show Wilson winning with a 54% to 44% margin.  Joe’s 2010 winning margin was 2% higher than in 2008 when running against the same opponent.

South Carolina will now have one of the most powerful voices for the men and women in the military with Congressman Wilson’s re-election. Congressman Wilson is poised to become the Chairman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee in addition to his duties as a ranking member of the powerful Armed Services Committee.

“I am so grateful to the effort of my entire team,” Congressman Wilson said. “The voters have spoken. They want lower taxes and they want common sense to return to Washington.  I am so excited to be part of a delegation that will make real changes in Congress, changes which will bring jobs to South Carolina.”

Wilson emphasized family with his win, celebrating with his wife Roxanne along with his four sons, Alan, Add, Julian and Hunter at a campaign gathering the Columbia’s Liberty Tap Room and Grill.

Tuesday will certainly be a night to remember for the Wilson family.  Voters chose Joe’s son Alan to be South Carolina’s next Attorney General.

“This is truly a historic night and on behalf of the Wilson family, I want to thank everyone who made  this night so special,” Congressman Wilson said.  “I am so proud of Alan, he ran his own race, went through a tough primary and has made Roxanne and I very proud parents.  I give all of the credit to Roxanne and of course Alan.”

Joe Wilson will be pressing hard to make the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent before they are set to go up on January 1, 2011.  Congressman Wilson will also fight to keep his campaign pledge to repeal the job-killing Obamacare government healthcare takeover and replace it with free market reforms which allow consumers more choices.

Joe Wilson’s dynamic campaign went across several different mediums.  Joe consistently visits all 10 counties of the Second District and keeps voters informed through his websites, JoeMeansJobs.com and Joewilsonforcongress.com .  Joe’s Facebook page has more than 23,000 fans and his Twitter following is more than 14,000 strong.

For more on Joe’s detailed jobs plans, please visit www.joemeansjobs.com

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