Columbia, S.C. – “My position on the prolife issue has been consistent. I have always been proudly prolife.”

Congressman Joe Wilson is a retired Army veteran, husband, father of four and grandfather of eight. His eldest son, Alan Wilson, is South Carolina’s attorney general. All four of the congressman’s sons have served in the military. This year, one of his grandsons has taken up the family’s prolife legacy.

“This year was special because one of my grandsons, who is 16 years old, was a participant in the March for Life in Washington,” said Wilson. “It is so meaningful to me that our family has such a strong tradition of supporting life.”

Since taking office in 2001, Wilson has championed the prolife cause. With Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler from Missouri, Wilson co-sponsored H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015. The bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 241 to 187, defunds Planned Parenthood and redirects taxpayer dollars to qualified health centers that prioritize patient care and respect life.

Wilson has also voted in favor of H.R. 3504, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which passed the U.S. House by a vote of 248 to 177. The bill protects infants who survive an abortion and requires health care practitioners to provide the same degree of care to them that would be given to any other child born at that gestational stage.

When asked about his prolife advocacy, Wilson is quick to edify other leaders within the movement who have inspired him throughout their time of service.

“Chris Smith from New Jersey is someone we should all appreciate. Over the years, he has fought for pain capable babies,” said Wilson. “I am grateful to have worked with delegation members William Timmons (R-SC 4), Jeff Duncan (R-SC 3), Ralph Norman (R-SC 5) and Tom Rice (R-SC 7) on prolife legislation.”

While keeping up the fight for life in South Carolina, Wilson and his fellow delegate members continue to send letters to President Trump and express their gratitude for his support of the prolife movement. 

But Wilson’s advocacy extends beyond the duties his office. He has witnessed the joys of adoption first hand.

One Saturday, he received a call from a lady who indicated that she had just delivered but was incapable of raising her son. The day before, a very dear couple had told him that they were interested in adoption.

“Within an hour we were all together at the hospital with the baby,” recounted Wilson. “Recently, I have met with the young fellow – he isn’t a young fellow anymore. He is a prominent business leader in our community.”

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This is the first in a series of interviews with South Carolina prolife incumbents. Congressman Wilson (R-SC 2) is endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee.