Sen. Roger Wicker in Marrakech, Morocco on October 4, 2019. (OSCE Parliamentary Assembly/Flickr)
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina) have been allies in Congress for many years. But according to Semafor reporter Eleanor Mueller, an international event has become a major source of friction between the southern Republicans.
"The rift between Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker and South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson first emerged shortly before they arrived at this year's session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly," Mueller reports in Semafor. "Wilson has lobbied since 2024 to hold next year's session in his home state; Wicker appeared to agree when he signed a bipartisan letter in March that asked for $4 million in federal funding for the event. Then, the Senate Armed Services chair reversed himself, calling Wilson on Thursday, (July 2) to say that Charleston could not host the gathering after all."
Wicker and Wilson have been allies since the Barack Obama years, when Wilson drew a lot of criticism from Democrats for shouting "You lie!" during then-President Obama's speech before a joint session of Congress in September 2009.
Wicker didn't respond to Semafor's request for an interview, but Wilson did.
The South Carolina Republican told Semafor, "It was so disappointing to me that I didn't know he opposed the summer meeting till Thursday…. We've been soulmates until Thursday afternoon, and then, to be insulted that the arrangements for a catering have not been completed? I'm thinking, 'Hey, we can prepare shrimp and grits so quick it would make your head swim.'"
Wicker and Wilson both have a great deal of experience with international matters. Wilson chairs the Helsinki Commission, while Wicker is its vice chair. And Wicker chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, while Wilson is the most senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee.
"The South Carolinian, who planned to arrive at this year's session in the Netherlands a day later than other congressional delegates so he could spend July 4 in his district, hung up Thursday, believing he and Wicker would continue discussing the issue," Mueller explains. "Instead, Wicker announced, before Wilson's flight landed, that the U.S. would not host next year's session, opening the door for Serbia to volunteer. Wilson responded by posting, on X, that 'preparations are well underway with widespread support' for a Charleston gathering despite a 'vicious rumor,' before sharing a photo of himself with President Donald Trump."
Mueller continues, "'The matter is settled and no amount of your saying otherwise will change that,' Wicker responded in texts to Wilson that were obtained by Semafor. 'It is time for you to stop embarrassing yourself and the US delegation.' 'Unless, you immediately stop … You … ARE NO LONGER A PART OF CODEL wicker,' Wicker added to Wilson, signing the messages with his initials. 'PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO RETURN TO THE US BY OTHER MEANS.'"
