Longtime Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina was rushed to a hospital in Washington, D.C., after collapsing at an event on Tuesday (September 10). The news was confirmed by a congressional aide and later by Wilson's office. "Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) was taken ill and is being evaluated at a local hospital in Washington, DC," his office stated.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, the congressman's son, posted an update on behalf of his mother, who is at the hospital with the congressman. He revealed that doctors confirmed that his father experienced stroke-like symptoms. However, he assured that his father is "stable and being monitored by medical professionals."
Rep. Wilson, 77, a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, was present for two vote series in the House on Tuesday afternoon and was seen joking with reporters just off the floor. He had recently returned from official travel to the Philippines, Australia, and Europe and had been campaigning back home in South Carolina.
Wilson has represented a conservative district in central and southwestern South Carolina since 2001. He is perhaps best known for shouting "You lie!" at President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress in 2009. More recently, he has become known as one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine in its war against Russia.