Senator Luther Strange on Thursday had a final lunch with his colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference. At the lunch, Strange was presented with the Golden Gavel in recognition of 100 hours presiding over the Senate, and thanked his colleagues, especially Alabama’s senior Senator, Richard Shelby, for supporting his work on behalf of the state.
Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday, Kentucky-Republican U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell paid tribute to Strange’s contributions:
“In this historic year for the Senate, Luther quickly emerged as a strong voice on policy and an important vote on landmark legislation. And on a personal level, it didn’t take anyone long to realize that this newcomer would rank among the most diligent, dedicated, and public-spirited members of this institution,” said McConnell. “We wish him every success in his future endeavors, and we salute him for the dedicated service to the people of Alabama.”
Since succeeding Jeff Sessions, Strange amassed several accomplishments to advance a conservative agenda benefiting the families and businesses that call Alabama home, including:
- Delivering one of the 51 votes needed to pass a once-in-a-generation tax relief package, which will increase take-home pay for Alabama families and make American businesses more competitive.
- Casting a generational vote to send Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court and filling a record-breaking 12 Federal circuit court vacancies in less than a year with qualified, conservative judges, including Alabama’s own Kevin Newsom to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Repealing the onerous burden of the Obamacare individual mandate, which for too long had taxed hardworking Alabamians for a product they did not want and could not afford.
- Rolling back the regulatory state by voting to repeal 15 oppressive Obama-era regulations that restricted freedoms and hampered economic growth, saving American taxpayers $36 billion.
- Joining the Senate Armed Services Committee to deliver the largest annual increase in resources for America’s armed forces (NDAA), bringing the F-35A fighter program and $3 billion in capital investment to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, and fighting to secure a record-high Senate authorization of three Littoral Combat Ships, made in Mobile, AL.
- As a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, championing American energy independence by passing a bill to unlock domestic energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and by designing the Strange-Cassidy amendment, passed to support Alabama’s coastal communities.
- Giving Alabama a voice on the Senate Agriculture Cmte. for the first time in over 20 years, and securing visits to the state from Ag Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to hear from Alabama farmers.
- Upholding second amendment rights by leading an NDAA measure to transfer surplus handguns to the Civilian Marksmanship Program in Anniston, AL, for public sale.
- Fighting for better access to quality care for America’s veterans by revamping hiring procedures at 1,200 VA health facilities to attract top-notch medical providers, and passing a bill that extends veterans’ access to healthcare choices.
- Securing the future of cutting-edge space and missile defense development in Huntsville, AL by ensuring the shift of orbital missions to American-made rockets and exceeding President Donald Trump’s request for increased missile defense spending to meet North Korea’s threat.
“When I arrived in the Senate, I knew that the people of Alabama wanted results, not rhetoric,” said Strange. “From day one, I’ve been working hard to serve them honorably and get things done that matter to them. The achievements won alongside President Trump and my colleagues are already having a concrete impact on Alabama’s families and communities, and I am proud of this record of success. ”
