Joe Wilson

Wilson Introduces Bipartisan Bill Championing Bleeding Disorders

Position: Representatives Wilson and Johnson introduced legislation to increase research opportunities and improve diagnosis and treatment access for bleeding disorders, particularly among underserved populations and women who have historically been excluded from clinical research.

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Julie Johnson (D-TX), introduced the bipartisan Fostering Effective Diagnosis and Treatment for Underserved Populations (FED UP) with Bleeding Disorders Act of 2026. The legislation will create increased research opportunities for bleeding disorders among underserved populations. “So many women of South Carolina are negatively impacted by bleeding disorders, between insurance companies failing to prioritize their treatment, and the challenges of rural healthcare, enough obstacles to treatment already exist,” said Congressman Wilson. “There is no reason for a lack of research to be contributing to the bleeding disorder population. Everyone deserves timely and proper treatment, especially those most impacted by a disorder.” “It takes an average of 16 years for a woman with a bleeding disorder to receive a proper diagnosis. That means countless women in Texas and across the United States are living with an undiagnosed condition and are unable to get the care and treatment they need during injury, surgery, trauma, menstruation, or childbirth,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “For too long, bleeding disorders were wrongly seen as conditions that only affect men, which has led to women and girls often being excluded from clinical research. As a result, they face higher rates of pregnancy complications, hospitalizations, and mortality, and are too often pushed toward unnecessary hysterectomies.” “That’s why I fought to protect funding for the programs that help address bleeding disorders and pushed back against the administration’s reckless cuts,” Johnson continued. “It’s also why I worked alongside the incredible advocates at the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation and the Texas Bleeding Disorders Coalition to advance long-term solutions that will improve timely diagnosis and care. Specifically, this bill will direct that the Secretary of Health and Human Services conduct an interagency review of barriers to access and propose recommendations; make reports publicly available for transparency and accountability; conduct a public education and awareness campaign for women and girls with bleeding disorders; and much more. “The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation is grateful to Representatives Johnson and Wilson for their leadership on the FED UP with Bleeding Disorders Act. For far too long, women and girls with bleeding disorders have been blocked from timely diagnosis, comprehensive care, and inclusion in clinical research,” said Dawn Rotellini, Chief Operating Officer of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation. “This legislation will break down some of those barriers and will help provide the next generation of women and girls with a clearer, speedier path to diagnosis, access to appropriate medical treatment and care, and recognition of their lived experiences. This topic is a priority for NBDF, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance this important piece of legislation.” # # #

Wilson, Wasserman Schultz, Fitzpatrick, DeSaulnier Introduce Cancer Survivorship Bill

Position: The representatives introduce legislation to improve cancer survivorship care by establishing standards for post-treatment support, care coordination, patient navigation, and workforce development across the continuum of care from diagnosis through end-of-life.

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) re-introduced the Lainie JonesComprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA), a critical piece of legislation which will address gaps in survivorship care and develop desperately needed standards to improve the overall patient-centered quality of care and navigation needs of cancer survivors and their families. This legislation is named for Lainie Jones, who faced adrenal carcinoma, sarcoma, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, and recently passed away due to glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Diagnosed with cancer for the first time at 18 months old, after her third diagnosis in her twenties, Jones found out she had Li-Fraumeni syndrome—a rare genetic condition that predisposes her to multiple cancers. She spent 13 years as an online advocate, encouraging followers to do self-checks and stay up to date with doctor visits. "I am grateful to support all those recovering from breast cancer by joining my colleagues in leading the Lainie JonesComprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act. Comprehensive postoperative care is critical to supporting patients. I am particularly appreciative of the medical professionals in South Carolina who worked with my daughter-in-law Jennifer Wilson to persevere against aggressive breast cancer. Jennifer's example to the women of South Carolina and elsewhere remains an inspiration,” said Rep. Wilson, Member of the House Cancer Caucus. “As a cancer survivor, confronting it head-on, with an all-hands-on-deck approach, is my personal and professional mission. With the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, I am proud to introduce far-reaching legislation that better enables cancer survivors to choose their own path, provides them agency and autonomy over their personal health experiences and decisions, and addresses the entire survivorship continuum of care,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Co-Chair of the House Cancer Caucus. “From the point of diagnosis, through active treatment and transitions to primary care, until the end of life, this legislation sets the standards of care that all survivors need and deserve. This bill confronts care planning, transition, navigation, workforce, education, and awareness, and empowers survivors with the best possible resources and care to overcome this terrible disease. No survivor or family should be left in the wilderness to navigate this disease or its aftermath.” “Cancer survivorship is not an afterthought—it is part of the fight. A diagnosis changes a life in an instant, but for survivors and their families, the challenges often continue long after treatment ends. Our health care system must meet that reality with the same seriousness, coordination, and compassion we bring to fighting the disease itself. The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act strengthens the continuum of care—from survivorship planning and care navigation to workforce support, education, and long-term follow-up—so survivors are not left to navigate life after cancer alone,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the House Cancer Caucus. “I know from firsthand experience as a cancer survivor the importance of quality care not just to beat cancer, but also to thrive in the years following a diagnosis. I am proud to join Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz and my colleagues in leading this effort to set new standards of care that address the unique needs of cancer patients from diagnosis to treatment to aftercare to ultimately improve their quality of life,” said Rep. DeSaulnier. "As a breast cancer survivor, I've learned that patients and families need support, guidance and resources far after standard treatments end. Cancer can take a physical and emotional toll on the entire family for a foreseeably long time. Thank you to the members of Congress who are prioritizing this important legislation. Cancer patients, families and caregivers applaud you," said Jennifer Wilson, breast cancer survivor. "The data is unambiguous: only one in three survivors receive a survivorship care plan, and that number is falling. At the same time, half of all survivors are experiencing financial hardship tied to their diagnosis,” said Shelley Fuld Nasso, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Nation. “These are not statistics — they are the daily reality of 18 million Americans living with, through, and beyond cancer. The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act answers that reality with real solutions, from coverage of care planning and coordination to employment assistance to a payment model that rewards quality survivorship care. Cancer Nation has spent 40 years fighting for survivors' right to not just survive but thrive. This bill makes that possible, and we are proud to stand with Representatives Wasserman Schultz, Fitzpatrick, Wilson, and DeSaulnier in demanding it." “Following active treatment, cancer patients are faced with a transition to survivorship care that can be disjointed and difficult to navigate. There are nearly 19 million cancer survivors across the US. These individuals often face higher healthcare costs for the rest of their lives,” said Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivor Act creates pathways to address the financial challenges of cancer survivorship and maintain patients’ access to the health services needed to address the long-term effects of cancer, giving them the best chance of remaining cancer-free. We offer our enthusiastic support for this bill and urge Congress to pass it.” “More than 521,000 childhood cancer survivors face a lifetime of health challenges due to their treatment. Many transition into primary care without a survivorship care plan and are unprepared for the significant health issues they may face, including hearing loss, infertility, and cardiac late effects,” said Steve Woshala, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Cancer Cause. “The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act helps address the specialized needs of this population through provisions such as Medicaid coverage to ease transitions of care.” “Over the last 20 years, we have made tremendous strides in the treatment of lymphoma and many other blood cancers, as well as understanding the unique needs of cancer survivors,” said Meghan Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. "The Lymphoma Research Foundation commends Representatives Wasserman Schultz, Fitzpatrick, DeSaulnier, and Wilson for reintroducing the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act and recognizing that surviving cancer brings with it a set of physical, psychological, and financial needs that require ongoing attention and support. The Foundation is committed to the continued support of people with lymphoma and their care partners, to ensure that they not only survive but thrive in the face of a diagnosis.” This legislation addresses: Care Planning and Transition: Provides coverage to address the transition to primary care to help survivors develop personalized treatment care plans, standardizes processes, and consolidates treatments to guide survivorship monitoring and follow-up care; Alternative Payment Model: Studies existing reimbursement landscape to develop an alternative payment model to ensure a coordinated approach to survivorship care across an episode of care, including the creation of comprehensive navigation services; Quality of Care: Establishes grants to promote utilization of navigation, employment of risk-stratification, transition to primary care, utilization of care plans, potential use of at-home care, and better use of information technology for patient experience data; Employment: Establishes employment assistance grants to help survivors, their families, and caregivers when faced with a range of workforce challenges; and Education, Awareness: Creates resources for survivors and health professionals to promote early detection, preventive care and help providers provide high-quality services. It also addresses innovation and technology use, long-term studies on cancer survivorship progress in the U.S., access to fertility and preservation services, and provisions concerning childhood and adolescent cancer. Over 50 organizations have endorsed the Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act: Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+), Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition, Alliance for Fertility Preservation, American Association for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Society for Radiation Oncology, Association for Clinical Oncology, Association of American Cancer Institutes, Blood Cancer United, The Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer, Cactus Cancer Society, Cancer Awareness Network for Children, Inc., CancerCare, Cancer Nation, Cancer Support Community, Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care Professionals Network (CSPN), Cervivor, Chemo Divas Foundation, Children's Cancer Cause, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer, Inc., Digestive Disease National Coalition, Emily Whitehead Foundation, Fight Colorectal Cancer, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Head for the Cure, Hodgkin's International, I'm Not Done Yet Foundation, International Myeloma Foundation, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, LUNGevity Foundation, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, Man Up to Cancer, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, The National Pancreas Foundation, National Patient Advocate Foundation, Nicole Cares Foundation, Nueva Vida, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, Patient Empowerment Network, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Project Life, RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association, Sharsheret, Sisters Network Inc., Stupid Cancer, Inc., Susan G. Komen, Teen Cancer America, Tigerlily Foundation, Triage Cancer, Unite for HER, Worth the Wait, Young Survival Coalition, and ZERO Prostate Cancer. The full bill text can be found here. ###

Wilson and Jackson Introduce Bipartisan ‘Countering Russia’s Forced Recruitment and Kidnapping in Africa Act’

Position: Representatives Wilson and Jackson introduced legislation to impose sanctions on foreign persons and governments that recruit or facilitate recruitment of African nationals for Russia's war in Ukraine, characterizing such recruitment as human trafficking and a violation of international law.

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, introduced the‘Countering Russia’s Forced Recruitment and Kidnapping in Africa Act.’ This legislation imposes sanctions on foreign persons and foreign governments participating in or facilitating the recruitment of foreign nationals from African countries for the purpose of fighting war criminal Putin’s war in Ukraine. “War criminal Putin and his state-run “mercenary” outfits have generated chaos and misery everywhere they've gone, now extending into kidnapping and conscription to fuel their illegal invasion of Ukraine. Putin's recruitment schemes, human trafficking, and the forced fighting of vulnerable populations in Africa should not be financed by his illegal aggressions,” said Rep. Wilson. “Russia’s recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable men across multiple nations in Africa is not partnership – it is predation disguised as opportunity,” said Rep. Jackson. “This is a violation of human dignity and international law, and the world must not look away. That is why I joined Rep. Wilson in introducing this necessary legislation to condemn Russia’s human trafficking to the frontlines of their illegal war in Ukraine, and sanction those responsible for these heinous crimes.” Background Russian-backed entities are working to recruit civilian and military personnel across Africa to participate in Putin’s illegal and murderous war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has reported that more than 1,400 citizens from 36 African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, including many under false pretenses. The full text of the bill is available here. # # # Issues:Foreign AffairsNational Security

Wilson Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Combat Russia’s Attack on Religious Freedom

Position: The release introduces bipartisan legislation requiring the State and Defense Departments to report on Russian religious persecution in Ukraine and directs the President to impose sanctions on individuals engaged in these violations.

Washington, DC – U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced CounteringRussia’s War On Faith Act. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (D-RI). This bipartisan legislation requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report on Russian efforts to persecute, suppress, and violate the religious freedoms of faith communities in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territories. It also directs the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals found to have engaged in these actions. “Russia targets and kills persons of faith as a matter of policy wherever it invades. War criminal Putin seeks to prevent free worship of all believers and crushes any faith not subservient to its state-run church and corrupt former KGB agent Patriarch Kirill or otherwise submit itself to repressive state control,” said Rep. Wilson, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “Believers in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are targeted with particular ferocity. It is critical that we counter Russia’s War on Faith.” “Putin is a war criminal conducting genocide in Ukraine. He is also attempting to erase expressions of Ukrainian identity, including religious freedoms. This legislation makes plain that these human rights violations will be a focus of our foreign policy and that the United States will always defend religious liberty,” said Rep. Cohen. “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not only an assault on sovereignty—it is a calculated, systemic assault on religious freedom. For Americans, the freedom to worship is among our most fundamental liberties, and we do not stand by when it is crushed by force. This legislation ensures these crimes are documented, perpetrators are identified, and real consequences follow. Peace through strength requires accountability, and the persecution of people of faith cannot be met with silence,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Russia's widespread religious persecution in Ukraine dates back centuries, and is a horrific reminder that this new war of occupation was never just about land, but about forcible Russification and the erasure of Ukraine's pluralistic and free way of life," said Rep. Kaptur, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “This important legislation calls out the abuses committed by the Russian state and its agents against Ukrainian Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other faiths. Russia perversely portrays Ukraine as a persecutor of Christians, when it is Moscow that has destroyed over 600 churches, synagogues, mosques, and places of worship in Ukraine throughout this war. These new attacks are a shameful reminder of Russian pogroms and attacks on religious communities dating back centuries. The United States must hold these war criminals accountable and defend religious freedom and the right of all Ukrainians to worship as they choose.” “Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack on a country that seeks democracy, free markets, and alignment with the West, but also includes a deliberate campaign to suppress and persecute religious communities,” said Rep. Bacon. “Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act will ensure we fully document these abuses and hold those responsible accountable through sanctions. I’m pleased to join Rep. Wilson and my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to stand up for religious liberty and the Ukrainian people.” “Vladimir Putin's brutal war on Ukraine is not just about violating its sovereignty, but erasing the democratic values Ukraine has embraced. He seeks to erase freedom of religion in Ukraine by disproportionately targeting places of worship and practitioners of any religion other than his own," said Rep. Quigley. "I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Wilson's Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act to make it clear that those who burn churches, persecute religious communities, and try to erase religious diversity will be held accountable. The United States must lead with moral clarity by defending religious freedom and confronting Putin’s abuses.” “Religious liberty is not a suggestion in America – it’s one of our founding promises protected by the Constitution and lived out every day by generations of freedom-loving Americans. Anyone with a brain larger than a single cell organism knows that Vladimir Putin does not respect nor share that view. The Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act shines a bright light on Putin’s religious persecution and responds with real consequences,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Putin’s murderous regime has repeatedly bombed places of worship, murdered clergy members, and persecuted Ukrainian communities not aligned with the Putin-allied Russian Orthodox Church. It’s time for the U.S. to take a stand for religious freedom and explore sanctions against individuals engaging in these brutal human rights abuses in Ukraine,” said Sen. Whitehouse. Background Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, over 600 churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious sites have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 50 Ukrainian clergy have been killed. Protestant, Catholic, Crimean Tatar, and Orthodox Christian communities not aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church have faced raids, forced re-registration, and criminal prosecution. The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, has publicly described the invasion as a "holy war,” providing ideological justification for systematic religious suppression in occupied territories. The full text of HR-8433 (S-4379) is available here. # # # Issues:Foreign Affairs

Wilson and Meeks Introduce ‘Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026’

Position: The bill seeks to strengthen U.S. government engagement on subsea cable security through increased diplomatic efforts, international coordination, sanctions authority against those who damage cables, and interagency coordination to counter threats from Russia and China.

Washington, DC – Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan ‘Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026’ to enhance the U.S. government’s international engagement as it relates to the security, installation, maintenance, and repair of subsea fiber-optic cables. The bill calls for increased U.S. government engagement in certain international bodies related to subsea cables and calls for additional investments in Department of State resources to advance U.S. interests on subsea cables. “Russia and China are attacking our critical infrastructure. Using sabotage, terrorism, and other underhanded tactics, they seek to weaken us below the threshold of all-out war. We must ensure we have the tools to counter this shadow warfare—this legislation provides that. I am grateful to partner with Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Barrasso, and Ranking Member Meeks to advance this legislation,” said Rep. Wilson. "Subsea cables underpin all modern civilian and military infrastructure. The United States and our allies and partners must be prepared to deter and combat attacks by Russia and China on this crucial technology. Stopping subsea cable sabotage is vital to our national security, and this bill puts the economic weight of the U.S. government behind these efforts. I am proud to partner with Rep. Wilson and our bipartisan Senate colleagues on this important legislation,” said Rep. Meeks. Key provisions of the bill: Calls for increased diplomatic efforts with U.S. allies and partners to address the security, maintenance and repair of subsea fiber-optic cables, including by requiring the Department of State to hire at least two dedicated, full-time staff to advance these efforts; Strengthens U.S. government engagement in international bodies such as the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to advance U.S. interests; Requires the President to impose sanctions against foreign individuals who have intentionally damaged subsea fiber-optic cables; Requires the President to establish an interagency committee to coordinate efforts related to subsea fiber-optic cables and mandates a federal strategy to work with industry partners, streamline permitting and to prepare for malicious threats and; Requires federal agencies to develop procedures to ensure the timely communication of threat information with private subsea cable operators and owners to improve their situational awareness and prepare protective measures. The full text of the bill is available here. # # # Issues:Foreign AffairsNational Security

Wilson Leads Bipartisan Alliance Introducing ‘Holding Accountable Russian Mercenaries Act 2.0’

Position: The release advocates for legislation that would direct the U.S. government to designate Russian mercenary groups and their successor entities as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and impose sanctions against them, characterizing these organizations as a threat to U.S. national security.

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Holding Accountable Russian Mercenaries Act 2.0, or HARM Act 2.0. This legislation builds on the original HARM Act from the 118th Congress, which required the Secretary of State to designate the Wagner Group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The 2026 version addresses the Wagner Group's integration into the Russian Ministry of Defense and directs the U.S. government to designate its successor entities, including Africa Corps, Redut PMC, and Patriot PMC, as FTOs and impose sanctions. “Putin’s Russia is attacking countries all over the world with many forms of sabotage, terrorism, and blackmail. Its state-run “mercenary” outfits are the tip of the spear, generating chaos and misery everywhere they go. This is a major threat to U.S. national security—these organizations must be disabled. This bill provides President Trump the tools he needs to do so.” The full text of the bill is available here. # # # Issues:Foreign AffairsNational Security

Wilson, Colleagues Seek Answers on Eisenhower Army Medical Center

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Austin Scott (GA-08), and Sheri Biggs (SC-03) sent a letter to the Honorable David J. Smith, M.D., Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency, seeking answers about potential changes in the scope of services provided at Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) at Fort Gordon. In the letter, the members write: "As Members representing districts across Georgia and South Carolina, with over 20 military installations, our constituents and their dependents rely on consistent access to quality care. Our offices have received multiple inquiries and reports of departments, staffing, and services at EAMC being severely reduced. There is no equal military hospital within 300 miles, and our region experiences capacity issues and a lack of TRICARE-approved providers." The members continue: "EAMC has consistently been ranked among the top military health institutions serving our Nation. President Trump has prioritized strengthening and rebuilding our military infrastructure and has directed a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of life and accessibility to services for those who wear the uniform. We fail to see how the effective closure of a respected facility serving an entire region furthers this goal." The members conclude: "Pursuant to Section 714 in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, any changes in the scope of services must be preceded by assessments of impact and approval. We look forward to a prompt response from the Defense Health Agency..." To read the full letter to Acting Director Smith, click HERE. ### Issues:Economy and JobsNational SecurityOur Veterans

Wilson, Cohen to Introduce Resolution Supporting International Day of Political Prisoners

Washington, DC – Congressmen Joe Wilson (R-SC), Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, and Steve Cohen (D-TN), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Political Prisoners, will introduce on Friday a House resolution supporting the designation of October 30 – today – as the International Day of Political Prisoners. “The resolution reads: “Whereas there are an estimated 1,000,000 political prisoners across the world, including cases of journalists, academics, political opposition activists, dissidents, antiwar campaigners, and human rights defenders being detained, arrested, imprisoned, convicted, and otherwise punished for political motives without connection to any credible offense; “Whereas authoritarian and repressive regimes around the world, including the Republic of Belarus, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Cuba, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of the Union of Burma, the Russian Federation, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, have engaged in systematic imprisonment of independent voices; “Whereas, in 2024 and 2025, the United States Government, through bilateral and multilateral negotiations, secured the release of several dozen political prisoners from the Republic of Belarus, the Russian Federation, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; “Whereas, on October 30, 1974, Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of conscience in the Soviet Gulag initiated the tradition of marking the annual Day of Political Prisoners in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) to draw public attention to the plight of those imprisoned for their political or religious beliefs and to express solidarity with them; and “Whereas, in subsequent years, the Day of Political Prisoners on October 30 was marked by hunger strikes by prisoners inside the Soviet Gulag and by public demonstrations of solidarity in cities across the USSR: Now, therefore, be it “Resolved, That the House of Representatives— deplores all forms of political repression and imprisonment and conveys its unwavering solidarity with all those imprisoned around the world for peacefully expressing their political or religious beliefs; supports efforts by the United States Government to condemn political imprisonment, hold accountable those regimes responsible for persecuting and imprisoning dissenters, raise international awareness of political prisoners, and secure their release through bilateral and multilateral negotiations with other states, and urges it to continue such efforts in the future; and supports the designation of an ‘International Day of Political Prisoners’ in the United States.” # # # Issues:Foreign Affairs

Wilson Leads Bipartisan Delegation Introducing REPO Implementation Act

Position: Representatives Wilson, Kaptur, Kean, and Cohen introduced bipartisan legislation to implement the REPO Act by repurposing frozen Russian sovereign assets to provide regular financial support to Ukraine for defense and reconstruction.

Washington, DC – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Tom Kean (R-NJ), and Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the REPO Implementation Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation builds off the REPO law of last Congress by repurposing a sizeable subset of the frozen Russian sovereign assets for Ukraine on a regular, set, timetable. REPO 2.0 jumpstarts the process of transferring assets to Ukraine, providing a way forward for allies to finally implement this common sense measure to make Russia pay for its war. “War criminal Putin chose to invade Ukraine. Despite losing his war, he continues mass murder and destruction while abducting and erasing identities of Ukrainian children. I was grateful to be among the first supporters of the original REPO Act, and I am grateful to sponsor the REPO Implementation Act of 2025 to ensure that Putin’s own money is used to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression,” said Rep. Wilson. “Last year, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity (REPO) for Ukrainians Act to ensure that Russia alone is held responsible for the death and destruction that Dictator Putin has forced upon the free people of Ukraine,” said Rep. Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “While that step was an essential one, which we took along with our other allies for Liberty, more can be done. Today, Congress follows through on the promise of the REPO Act and ups the pressure on Putin’s Russia to come to the table for peace with the introduction of this new bipartisan legislation. Together, we will push Russia’s bloody incursion back across their own borders and rebuild Ukraine so that it can take its long-sought place among the free democratic nations in Europe.” “Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine continues to inflict tremendous suffering on the Ukrainian people. By repurposing frozen Russian sovereign assets in the United States, we can ensure that Russia bears the cost of Putin's aggression. The REPO Implementation Act establishes a clear framework to provide Ukraine with consistent investments from the United States and encourages our G7 allies to do the same. Together, these efforts will help Ukraine sustain its defense and sovereignty, rebuild what Putin’s forces have destroyed, and strengthen Europe’s collective security,” said Rep. Kean. “Vladimir Putin put his corrupt money in the United States and Europe, and we froze it. The REPO for Ukrainians Act was a major accomplishment last year, and we must continue this progress with the REPO Implementation Act. This bill ensures that this blood money will now be put to good use supporting the Ukrainians who Putin has attacked. This is a matter of basic justice—the aggressor must pay for his aggression,” said Rep. Cohen. A copy of the full text is available here. # # # Issues:Foreign Affairs

Wilson Introduces Bill to Re-Impose Jackson-Vanik Sanctions on Russia

Position: Rep. Wilson supports reimposing Jackson-Vanik trade sanctions on Russia in response to its attack on Poland, arguing that the previous repeal of these sanctions under the Obama administration encouraged Russian aggression.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Wilson introduced the No Trade with Terrorists Act. This legislation will reimpose the Jackson-Vanik Sanctions on the Russian Federation. “After the attack on Poland, I’m grateful to introduce this bill to reimpose Jackson-Vanik on Russia cutting off all trade with this terrorist dictatorship. President Obama and John Kerry wrongfully repealed this law during the misguided Russia Reset which encouraged war criminal Putin to occupy Crimea. Trump will fix it,” said Rep. Wilson. Read the full text of H.R. 5292 here. # # # Issues:Foreign Affairs