Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-06-11

PRODUCING RETURNS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE ACT OF 2026

EconomyTaxesEnvironmentForeign PolicyTradeInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-06-11, Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC-2) delivered a floor speech titled "PRODUCING RETURNS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE ACT OF 2026" in the House.

Full Text

PRODUCING RETURNS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE ACT OF 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E571] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PRODUCING RETURNS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE ACT OF 2026 ______ speech of HON. JOE WILSON of south carolina in the house of representatives Monday, June 8, 2026 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 5248 and specifically Section 8 regarding subnational diplomacy, an effort I was grateful to champion with my colleague Ted Lieu. H.R. 5248 is an important piece of the much larger effort to reauthorize the functions and operations of the Department. At the start of the 119th Congress, more than 85 percent of the Department was unauthorized. H.R. 5248 authorizes the Department's bureaus and offices charged with sanctions policy, critical mineral supply chain diversification, energy security, and building a cadre of well-trained economic policy diplomats. H.R. 5248 includes important reforms to the Department, aligning resources with the America First foreign policy agenda. This bill puts commercial diplomacy at the forefront of our diplomatic efforts, prioritizing American businesses and protecting American industries. H.R. 5248 includes section 8 which was introduced as a standalone bill in previous Congresses. In the 119th Congress, this is H.R. 5323, authorizing the office of Subnational Diplomacy. This office supports local governments across the country who trying to attract foreign direct investment to their area. This is especially important in districts like mine which has massive investments from Bridgestone, Michelin, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, Prysmian Group, and BAE Systems. I am pleased that this bill, which I worked on with my colleagues Rep. Lieu and Rep. Meeks, is moving forward today. H.R. 5248 is a truly bipartisan product. It was praised during the Foreign Affairs Committee mark-up in September by Ranking Member Meeks and it reflects a long-overdue rebalancing of the Department's priorities--emphasizing commercial diplomacy and economic growth. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR5248, HR5323

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PRODUCING RETURNS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE ACT OF 2026 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E571] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] PRODUCING RETURNS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR INVESTMENT AND TRADE ACT OF 2026 ______ speech of HON. JOE WILSON of south carolina in the house of representatives Monday, June 8, 2026 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 5248 and specifically Section 8 regarding subnational diplomacy, an effort I was grateful to champion with my colleague Ted Lieu. H.R. 5248 is an important piece of the much larger effort to reauthorize the functions and operations of the Department. At the start of the 119th Congress, more than 85 percent of the Department was unauthorized. H.R. 5248 authorizes the Department's bureaus and offices charged with sanctions policy, critical mineral supply chain diversification, energy security, and building a cadre of well-trained economic policy diplomats. H.R. 5248 includes important reforms to the Department, aligning resources with the America First foreign policy agenda. This bill puts commercial diplomacy at the forefront of our diplomatic efforts, prioritizing American businesses and protecting American industries. H.R. 5248 includes section 8 which was introduced as a standalone bill in previous Congresses. In the 119th Congress, this is H.R. 5323, authorizing the office of Subnational Diplomacy. This office supports local governments across the country who trying to attract foreign direct investment to their area. This is especially important in districts like mine which has massive investments from Bridgestone, Michelin, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, Prysmian Group, and BAE Systems. I am pleased that this bill, which I worked on with my colleagues Rep. Lieu and Rep. Meeks, is moving forward today. H.R. 5248 is a truly bipartisan product. It was praised during the Foreign Affairs Committee mark-up in September by Ranking Member Meeks and it reflects a long-overdue rebalancing of the Department's priorities--emphasizing commercial diplomacy and economic growth. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR5248, HR5323