Congressional District 6 challenger Gerrick Wilkins released a statement highly critical of incumbent Gary Palmer for voting in favor of the conference version of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The 3,000-page final version of the NDAA sets defense spending at $886 billion for fiscal year 2024 and establishes defense policy for the United States.
Wilkins stated that the version of the NDAA that passed the House of Representatives on Thursday incorporates provisions that run counter to conservative values. He pointed out that Congressman Palmer’s support for the NDAA, which included funding for abortion, is a stark departure from the principles upheld by many conservatives. Wilkins firmly believes that taxpayer dollars should not be allocated to procedures that contradict the deeply held beliefs of a significant portion of the electorate.
Wilkins also criticized Palmer’s vote in the bill for a short-term reauthorization of FISA Section 702 surveillance provision. The Section 702 reauthorization will be reconsidered in April. Wilkins claimed that this raises concerns about potential infringements on the privacy rights of American citizens. He advocates for robust safeguards to protect individual liberties and questions Palmer’s judgment in supporting legislation that may compromise privacy rights.
According to Wilkins, the NDAA also contains provisions indirectly endorsing activities such as drag shows, a stance that he claims stands at odds with traditional conservative values. Wilkins expressed his view that legislation should prioritize aligning with the values and morals of the constituents they represent.
“I commend Senator (Tommy) Tuberville and Congressman Barry Moore for their principled stance in resisting the pressure to pass this massive and controversial bill without thorough scrutiny,” said Wilkins, expressing gratitude for those who stand up for the Constitution and freedom.
Wilkins emphasized what he describes as stark differences in values and priorities between himself and Congressman Palmer. If elected, Wilkins says he is committed to being a voice for conservative ideals, advocating for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of individual liberties.
The House passed a Republican led version of the NDAA in July. That bill was rejected by the White House and the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate, sparking a five-month delay in passing the final legislation, which was supposed to go into effect on October 1.
Speaking to the his vote on the final bill Tuberville said, “I voted for this year’s defense bill for two reasons: because it’s good for Alabama and it’s good for our national security.”
Tuberville went on to say, “This bill could have been a lot stronger, but Chuck Schumer rigged the negotiation process to prevent conservatives from getting key wins on issues like taxpayer-funded abortion and DEI. We didn’t get everything we wanted this time, but we got a lot. And my fellow conservatives in Alabama and across America can be sure that I’m determined to get the rest of it in next year’s bill.”
“Despite our many policy wins, the reality of a divided government means that Republicans did not get everything we wanted,” Robert Aderholt explained in his statement on the passage of the bill. “I am deeply disappointed that Senate Democrats were able to strip out of a House-passed provision that would overturn President Biden’s unconstitutional policy of reimbursing servicemembers’ abortion travel costs. However, we were able to take an axe to the leftist, woke agenda that Democrats have been forcing on our military. We have put a hiring freeze for social justice warriors in the DoD, prohibited the use of federal funds to promote critical race theory, and undone the injustice done to our service members who were wrongfully punished for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Congressman Barry Moore was the only member of the Alabama delegation to vote against the conference committee version of the NDAA.
“This version of the NDAA forces American taxpayers to fund abortion travel, sex reassignment surgeries, a one-year reauthorization of FISA with no reforms, which allows weaponized government to spy on Americans, and critical race theory initiatives teaching that our nation’s enemies are not abroad, but within our own citizens and military,” said Moore said in a statement. “Earlier this year, I proudly supported the House version of this legislation, which was truly focused on military readiness and service member needs. I am disappointed that divisive policies which hold service members and taxpayers hostage to the Democrats’ radical agenda have been included in this bill, and I cannot support it.”
The bipartisan version of the NDAA passed the House in a 310 to 118 vote. Forty-five Democrats and 73 Republicans voted against the final version of the NDAA. It passed the Senate on Wednesday and is now on the President’s desk. He is expected to sign it.
Gerrick Wilkins is a businessman with over 24 years in the automotive industry. He is also a husband and father. He has a bachelor’s degree from Pensacola Christian College as well as a degree in theology from Liberty University and a master’s in business administration from Samford University. Wilkins has experience managing large-scale automobile dealerships and helping other community-based dealers grow.
Wilkins, Palmer, and insurance agent Ken McFeeters are all running for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District in the Republican primary on March 5. The eventual Republican nominee will then face Democrat Elizabeth Anderson in the November 5, 2024 general election.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
