CHARLESTON — South Carolina’s entire U.S. House delegation has formally asked House Speaker Mike Johnson to press for Charleston to remain the host city for the 2027 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly session, escalating a GOP dispute with a Senate colleague that could affect the city’s role in an international security gathering.
What the request asks of House leadership
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) led a letter to Speaker Johnson on Friday requesting that the speaker "work with House and Senate leadership, specifically Senate Helsinki Commission Chairman Roger Wicker," and appropriate committees to keep the U.S. as the host for the 2027 event in Charleston.
"We respectfully ask that you work with House and Senate leadership, specifically Senate Helsinki Commission Chairman Roger Wicker, and the appropriate committees to ensure the United States remains the host of the 2027 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session in Charleston."
The letter was signed by Wilson and the entire South Carolina House delegation: Reps. Nancy Mace, Sheri Biggs, William Timmons, Ralph Norman and Russell Fry, along with Democratic Rep. James Clyburn.
How the dispute unfolded
According to correspondence shared with reporters, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who co-chairs the Helsinki Commission with Wilson, initially supported Charleston as host in March but later reversed his position. That change prompted the South Carolina House members to seek intervention from Johnson.
Two congressional sources told reporters that the disagreement between Wilson and Wicker stemmed from staffing decisions on the Helsinki Commission over recent months. Wicker's office declined to comment when contacted.
Local stakes for Charleston
If Charleston remains the designated host for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly annual session in 2027, the city can expect increased international attention, visits by lawmakers and delegates from allied countries, and demands on local venues and security resources. If the U.S. loses the right to host, those economic and civic benefits could shift elsewhere.
- Signers of the letter: Joe Wilson, Nancy Mace, Sheri Biggs, William Timmons, Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, James Clyburn.
- Key federal figures involved: Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Roger Wicker.
- Event: 2027 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly annual session (proposed host: Charleston).
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Lead backer (House) | Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) |
| Senate co-chair with opposing stance | Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) |
| House speaker contacted | Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) |
Wilson has publicly maintained that Charleston still stands as the host city. He has also discussed the disagreement in national and local outlets while seeking support from congressional leadership.
Next steps and outlook
At this stage, it is not clear whether Speaker Johnson or Senate leadership will take action to resolve the disagreement. Wicker’s reasons for reversing support were not disclosed, and his office did not provide comment for this report.
Charleston city officials and local organizers who would handle logistics and security for an international parliamentary assembly have not released statements linked to the dispute. The outcome will determine whether planning can proceed here or whether efforts will have to shift to another U.S. city.
For Charleston residents, the dispute is more than political maneuvering: it affects potential visitor flows, hotel bookings, municipal planning and the city’s profile in international security forums. Congressional resolution will determine whether those local preparations move forward in earnest.
