Congressional Republicans upset over Obama’s veto of defense spending bill
President Barack Obama issued the fifth veto of his presidency Thursday when he vetoed the annual defense authorization bill. The $612 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) funds the country’s military and national defense. In an peculiar Oval Office ceremony, Obama praised the bill for making sure the military is funded and making improvements in cybersecurity and military retirements. Yet he accused Republicans of resorting to “gimmicks” and prohibiting other changes necessary to address modern security threats. “Unfortunately, it falls woefully short,” Obama said. “I’m going to be sending it back to Congress, and my message to them is very simple: Let’s do this right.” The Alabama delegation criticized the President’s move calling it politically motivated. “Today, America’s Commander-in-Chief put politics above country by holding America’s military hostage in a sordid effort to coerce Congress into spending more money on programs unrelated to national defense,” said Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05). “President Obama’s veto weakens an already bludgeoned Defense Department that is hamstrung by sequestration and laying off tens of thousands of American military personnel. It is outrageous that President Obama and the White House so willingly play politics with America’s national security.” Rep. Mike Rogers, who served as a Conferee for this year’s NDAA and sits on the House Armed Services committee, shared in Brook’s sentiments, “I am deeply disappointed, but not surprised that President Obama vetoed this bipartisan and critical piece of legislation, not for what was in it, but for what was not in it.” National security was also a chief concern to many in the Alabama delegation. “The NDAA funds our troops and our national security, and the president should be ashamed of himself for playing political games with our brave men and women in uniform and our country’s safety,” continued Rogers. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) agrees. “With his veto, the President is not only placing our national security at risk by failing to authorize funding for our military, but is undermining our national security by demanding more domestic spending that further increases our national debt,” Palmer said. “As the Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said, ‘The most significant threat to our national security is our debt.’” “President Obama’s decision to veto the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act is a slap in the face to all those who serve in our nation’s military,” said Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01). “From Iraq to China to Russia to Iran to Afghanistan to Syria, our nation has never faced a wider range of threats, and it is reprehensible for our Commander-in-Chief to veto this critical defense bill over matters that have absolutely nothing to do with defense.” Byrne continued, “If the President wants to have a debate about increasing spending on non-defense programs, then I welcome that debate. But we shouldn’t hold our military and their families hostage in the process.” The President’s veto will face a House Republican-led override attempt Nov. 5, though it is unknown whether the GOP can garner the support necessary to overcome Democratic opposition. “I don’t know if the votes exist to overturn this veto, but we will start right away working to earn them,”said Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02). President Obama should be ashamed for placing his personal political agenda over the needs of our military.” Earlier this month, the NDAA passed the House by a vote of 270 to 156, with 37 Democrats voting in support. The NDAA passed in the Senate by a veto-proof vote of 70 to 27, with 21 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.
Email Insights: Rick Barber shifts support from Martha Roby to Becky Gerritson
Former Congressional candidate and Tea Party favorite Rick Barber has announced his support for Rep. Martha Roby‘s challenger Becky Gerritson. Barber had previously support Roby’s congressional bid against then-incumbent Bobby Bright back in 2010. Gerritson and Roby will face off Mar. 1, 2016 in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional primary, where the winner will go on to vie for the seat in the General Election in November. Below is the email Rick Barber sent to Gerritson’s supporters: Dear Patriots, Conservatives across this nation have fought hard since 2010 to change the culture in Washington and elect conservative, principle based leaders that will uphold the Constitution and fight to reduce the size and scope of government in our lives. Since 2010 conservatives have been successful in shifting the power in the Senate and House of Representatives away from the Democrats and clearly given Republicans marching orders to put a stop to Obama’s agenda. Campaign promises were made and elections won. However, our hard fought fight has only resulted in more of the same; more bloated government, continued increases in government spending, increases in our national debt and not even a speed bump in Obama’s agenda. In 2010, I rallied beside Martha Roby and asked those of you that supported me to help in ensuring Bobby Bright’s defeat. Because of your efforts, we squeezed by a victory for her by a less than 1% margin! However, since being elected we have seen everything but Conservatism from Martha. Almost six years later, her voting record is more liberal than her Democratic predecessor as she has consistently sided with the GOP leadership who has accomplished nothing but allowing Obama’s agenda to continue. This election cycle, however, you have another and better option than Martha Roby. You have a true principled conservative with a track record of defending the Constitution, standing up to the IRS and traveling the country fighting for freedom. She was the inspiration to my campaign in 2010 and continues to be an inspiration today; which is why I am proud to announce my full support and endorsement of Becky Gerritson as your next U.S. Congressional Representative. I know Becky will take our fight to Washington. She will not remain silent, waiver, hide behind show votes or align with the career politicians. Becky is the model of the leadership we need in Washington and her record of performance and accomplishment over the last six years clearly shows it. As an endorser and supporter of Becky’s campaign I will contribute money, volunteer, make calls, travel and speak in support of her and I boldly ask that you do the same. Winning will not be easy. Becky will be an unwelcome outsider and Martha has nestled in closely with the establishment GOP. Martha will have the full resources and support of those in Washington that don’t want a principled conservative like Becky holding them accountable. Together, we can elect a true conservative fighter. I look forward to supporting Becky’s campaign and doing all that I can to ensure she wins in 2016. I pray you will join me. You can start by going to her website to contribute and sign up to volunteer today! www.BeckyForCongress.com Sincerely, Rick Barber Former Congressional Candidate
Robert Bentley announces $20 million Transocean settlement
Thursday Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced the state has agreed to a $20 million settlement with Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Inc., the company that owned the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. “The State of Alabama suffered tremendous environmental and economic losses because of the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010,” Governor Bentley said. “I appreciate the entire Alabama team for working to ensure Alabama is fairly compensated. This agreement with Transocean is another positive step forward as we continue to recover from the effects of such a significant environmental and economic disaster.” The Deepwater Horizon rig explosion on April 20, 2010, which was being used by BP was one the worst offshore oil disaster in U.S. history. It killed 11 workers and spewed millions of barrels of oil onto the shorelines of many Gulf states, including Alabama for nearly three months. The result? Significant environmental and economic damages across the affected Gulf states. “I’m pleased to announce that Transocean has paid $20 million into the State’s General Fund to settle the State’s remaining claims against the company for its role in the disastrous 2010 Gulf oil spill,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. “Alabama’s recovery is due to the hard work of my staff in pursuing our case against Transocean, while they simultaneously litigated the State’s case against BP.” Attorney General Strange was the court-appointed coordinating counsel for all five Gulf States in the litigation against BP and its co-Defendants for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. On October 5, 2015, Strange announced a final settlement of Alabama’s damages claims with BP that directed $950 million to the State’s General Fund and approximately $1 billion to Alabama’s coastal counties for economic and environmental restoration. Alabama’s settlement with Transocean resolves all claims against the rig operator that were not encompassed by the global settlement with BP.
Uber in Birmingham? Here’s looking at Johnathan Austin
Birmingham City Council President Johnathan Austin has said he’s on board with Uber but as well all know with our elected officials actions speak louder than words. So here’s looking at the council to actually take up the issue not just talk about it. Earlier this year a Facebook was created and GoFundMe site started as of today they have 111 followers and have raised $10,785. The name was changed from the original to Magic City Movement where there’s frequent communication about what’s going on. Today, they posted this post from Uber. There’s been a lot of chatter from the local community about bringing ridesharing to Birmingham—one of the biggest cities in U.S. still without this option. As this map below shows, people aren’t just talking about Uber, they are clamoring to use it—whether on campus, North Birmingham, Southside, or anywhere in between. Since last summer, tens of thousands of people have opened up the Uber app in all corners of Birmingham, checking to see if a safe ride was available. This means that millions of dollars could have gone in the pockets of hundreds of local drivers using Uber to make some supplemental income by providing rides in their communities. Here at Uber, we’re just as eager to provide safe, reliable rides and flexible work opportunities to Magic City residents and visitors as they are to have them, however, the existing regulations make it impossible for Uber to operate in Birmingham. With 75% percent of the U.S. population already having access to ridesharing, Birmingham is getting left behind. At the August 26 Committee of the Whole meeting, we learned that a ridesharing ordinance would be drafted within 30 days, and then voted back on in the Committee of the Whole. While it’s disappointing that more than 8 weeks later, no draft ridesharing ordinance has been made available, we’re encouraged to learn that Council President Austin is revisiting this issue next week in the Committee of the Whole and plans to have a draft ridesharing ordinance voted on by the full Council within 30 days. Over 20 states and dozens of jurisdictions have passed sensible regulatory frameworks for ridesharing, welcoming it into their communities, all in one short year. We hope that Birmingham—under Council President Austin’s leadership—can take the same innovative approach, and look forward to bringing safe rides and economic opportunity to Birmingham in the near future.
“Beloved Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon in Short Supply” actual state agency headline
As stated in a previous Alabama Today editorial, I have strong feelings about getting the state out of the liquor business – we need to do it. Alas, the legislature did not pass the bill, sponsored by state Senator Arthur Orr, which would have allowed for the privatization of them. So here we are with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board releasing a press release about the sale of Pappy, an impossible to get ahold of Bourbon. Beloved Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon in Short Supply Finding and purchasing a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon has just moved from difficult to darn near impossible. The Alabama ABC Board has been informed that this year’s Pappy Van Winkle allocations have been reduced worldwide. Buffalo Trace Distillery, makers of the highly sought-after spirit, released information this week that discusses the unanticipated issues the distillery is having with the reduction of product during the aging process. According to Buffalo Trace, Alabama’s share has been reduced by 30 percent this year alone. The majority of the loss was in the higher year expressions. Based on this announcement, the ABC Board is reviewing its anticipated allocation and sales practices to mitigate this issue. Alabama’s reduced allocation means that fewer bottles will be available for retail purchase. Due to the limited offerings, the ABC Board will be releasing several of the highly allocated bourbons and whiskeys, including the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection and similar expressions, on the same date. In order to facilitate an orderly and fair retail sale of the Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection lines, purchases will be restricted to one bottle, per person. The coveted products will be made available in limited quantities on November 9, 2015 beginning at 9:00 a.m., in the following six stores: Store #58 – 3232 Galleria Circle, Hoover, AL Store #67 – 160 Baldwin Square, Fairhope, AL Store #72 – 7413 EastChase Parkway, Montgomery, AL Store #108 – 2371 Murphy Mill Road, Dothan, AL Store #145 – 354 Hollywood Boulevard, Birmingham, AL Store #151 – 6790 University Drive, NW, Huntsville, AL Additional information about the popular Pappy Van Winkle’s reduced yield and availability can be found in the official media release from the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery.
Martha Roby questions Hillary Clinton on “troubling” Benghazi security exchange
During Thursday’s contentious meeting of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, Alabama U.S. Rep. Martha Roby questioned former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on an email between two state department staffers which Roby said were “troubling.” An email exchange between Libya Desk Officer Alyce N. Abdalla and Deputy Director of the Office of Maghreb Affairs Evyenia Sidereas, Abdalla told Sideras: “[T]he Secretary asked last week if we still have a presence in Benghazi – I think she would be upset to hear that yes we do but because we don’t have enough security they are on lockdown.” Roby said on Thursday that was a sign that, contrary to Clinton’s testimony she was “actively involved” in security at the Libyan outpost, then-Secretary Clinton had taken a someone laissez-faire approach to the department’s presence in Benghazi. “How could this be that two of your staffers are emailing about whether or not you even knew that we had a presence in Benghazi in 2012 with all your interest in Libya in 2011?” Roby asked Clinton. Clinton responded she “couldn’t comment on what has been reported,” about the emails, though she insisted “of course I knew we had a presence in Benghazi.” Clinton then spoke at length about the State Department’s presence there, saying “I was doing a lot” as it pertained to Benghazi, but that didn’t satisfy Roby. “Sure, but this was your staff and it has to make me wonder if they had this conversation with you, why they would make it up,” said Roby. Roby tried twice to refer Clinton to the email exchange, which she said she was not aware of, but Clinton declined both times. Roby, a Republican first elected in 2010, represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District based in the Wiregrass region of southeastern portion of the state. See the full exchange between Roby and Clinton below.
William Canary, Jimmy Parnell: Alabama agriculture and Alabama business promote skilled worker training, tax credits
The Business Council of Alabama and the Alabama Farmers Federation are teaming up to encourage support for the new Career-Technical Dual Enrollment Program with tax credits for scholarships for eligible high school students who enroll in college-level career-tech courses at Alabama community colleges. The benefits include well-trained employees for business, agribusiness, agri-science, manufacturing, production, automotive assembly, mechanical production, and other highly skilled vocations. While contributions to two-year colleges have been tax deductible, for the first time contributions are also eligible for a tax credit in the calendar year of the donation. The BCA and ALFA support the Alabama Future Workforce Initiative career-technical dual-enrollment program that provides an opportunity for high school students to earn both high school and college credits for approved courses at 23 Alabama community colleges. Donations support scholarships for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. It’s an excellent way for business to help Alabama’s future workforce get a head start on a skilled career and contribute to an employer’s success. Students can enroll in nearly 100 high-wage, high-demand programs such as manufacturing, welding, allied health, diesel mechanics, construction, aviation maintenance, advanced manufacturing technology, and industrial engineering, skilled occupations that are useful on the farm and in manufacturing, production, and service industries. This year the Legislature appropriated $10.2 million for dual enrollment scholarships for students who attend public, private, parochial or church schools, and home schools. But this is the first year that businesses and individuals have been able to add to the appropriation with donations. Business and personal contributions can be earmarked for a program at eligible two-year schools through the Alabama Community College System. Contributions eligible for a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the donation. What better way to help create a skilled employee and help Alabama’s standard of living by donating to the career-tech, dual-enrollment program through the Alabama Community College System. William J. Canary is president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, the state’s foremost voice for business. Jimmy Parnell is president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, the voice of Alabama agriculture since 1921, and president of ALFA Insurance.
In wake of state closures, city to take over Florala State Park
As the state shutters five state parks amid budget cuts in Montgomery, one Alabama city is taking matters into its own hands. The Florala City Council voted on Wednesday to approve a plan that would transfer the park into municipal hands. Paperwork is currently underway to finalize the takeover, including moves to absorb utilities payments at the park and hire a temporary manger to oversee it. The move was first announced on October 15, when the parks closures went into effect. Auditor Jim Zeigler loudly criticized the moves, saying the moves were unnecessary and amounted to “bad management.” “Will services remain the same? Absolutely not — they will be better,” Florala Mayor Robert Williamson said of the plan. Mayor Williamson said the process will be completely finished around the end of 2015. Florala’s move mirrors that taken by Arizona and other states in recent years, when federal budget cuts and uncertainty led to national park closures. The federal government shutdown in 2011 was a windfall for the Arizona state parks system, said system manager Ellen Bilbrey. “We have five state parks in the Yavapai County area and they all showed significant increases” following the shutdown, said Bilbrey. “Visitors were coming south and traveling around and hanging out in those areas which they probably wouldn’t have done otherwise. Whether the move will signal a trend towards devolution of authority over state parks to cities remains to be seen, but Florala will be an interesting case study on the matter going forward, as the statehouse seems unlikely to replenish the millions in gate fees it it has taken out of the parks system in recent years.
Jeb Bush adds three more Alabama legislative endorsements
The 2016 presidential campaign of Jeb Bush has featured an unusual focus on Alabama amid the south’s new “SEC primary,” and the former Florida governor’s efforts continued to yield fruit this week. You can add state Sens. Steve Livingston, Gerald Dial and Jimmy Holley to his list of elected supporters, according to an announcement on Thursday. The trio of Montgomery lawmakers cited his conservative bona fides and experience in discussing why they chose Jeb over, say, Donald Trump or Dr. Ben Carson, who according to recent polls are leading Bush in the Yellowhammer State. “I have a lot of experience in the energy field, and Jeb’s plan to unleash America’s oil and natural gas reserves as economic drivers is brilliant. Jeb is decisively laying out an agenda that will create jobs and opportunity in Alabama, and that’s I am endorsing him for President,” said Steve Livingston in a statement. Gerald Dial seemed to get take a dig at both Washington and his non-traditional opponent in Trump, whose blustery rhetoric has powered his campaign. “I am a big fan of Jeb’s record in Florida, because it shows he’s more than just talk. If Jeb tells you he’s going to reform the tax code, cut spending, and roll back Obama’s oppressive regulations, then he’s going to do it. His long record as one of the most conservative governors proves it, and I’m proud to sign on to his campaign. We need a president with a proven record of action, not talking,” said Dial. “I’m one of the most conservative legislators in Alabama, and I firmly believe Jeb Bush’s record and agenda shows he’ll govern this nation as a pro-growth conservative,” said Jimmy Holley. “We need a leader to restore America’s economy and its presence in the world, and I think Jeb Bush has the record and platform to get the job done. The Republican Party should nominate Jeb, and the country would do well to send him to the White House.” In recent weeks, Bush has picked up the endorsements of U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers, Board of Education member Mary Scott Hunter, and State Sen. J.T. Waggoner.
Benghazi takes center-stage with Hillary Clinton testimony
To congressional Republicans, “Benghazi” is shorthand for incompetence and cover-up. Democrats hear it as the hollow sound of pointless investigations targeting presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton. It is, in fact, a Mediterranean port city in Libya that was the site of two attacks within hours of each other on a U.S. compound on the 11th anniversary of 9/11 and into the next day. The attacks killed Chris Stevens, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans. That’s nearly all that U.S. politicians can agree on about Benghazi. It’s been a political rallying cry since just weeks before President Barack Obama‘s re-election in November 2012. With the House investigation likely to continue into next year, Benghazi will remain a buzz word for the 2016 presidential race. Clinton’s testimony at a widely anticipated public hearing on Thursday could make or break the credibility of the inquiry led by Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. A guide to the controversy: — SETTING THE SCENE The 2011 revolt that deposed and killed Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, with the help of NATO warships and planes, began in Benghazi. A year later, the city of 1 million remained chaotic, in the grip of heavily armed militias and Islamist militants, some with links to al-Qaida. The temporary U.S. diplomatic mission, created to build ties and encourage stability and democracy, was struck by homemade bombs twice in the spring of 2012. British diplomats, the Red Cross and other Westerners were targeted that spring and summer. Stevens, based in the capital city of Tripoli, chose to visit Benghazi on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, when U.S. embassies around the world were on alert for terrorism. In Egypt that day, a different sort of trouble struck. Protesters angry about an anti-Muslim video made in America stormed the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, clambering over the walls and setting flags on fire. Hours later, the assault in Benghazi began. — A FIERY ASSAULT AND FOUR DEATHS The Benghazi attacks came in three waves, spread over eight hours at two locations. According to accounts from congressional investigators and the State Department’s Accountability Review Board: Around 9:40 p.m. local time, a few attackers scaled the wall of the diplomatic post and opened the front gate, allowing dozens of armed men in. Local Libyan security guards fled. A U.S. security officer shepherded Stevens and Sean Smith, a State Department communications specialist, into a fortified “safe room” in the main building. Attackers set the building and its furniture on fire. Stevens and Smith were overcome by blinding, choking smoke that prevented security officers from reaching them. Libyan civilians found Stevens in the wreckage hours later and took him to a hospital, where he, like Smith, died of smoke inhalation. Stevens was the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty in more than 30 years. A security team from the CIA annex about a mile away arrived to help about 25 minutes into the attack, armed only with rifles and handguns. The U.S. personnel fled with Smith’s body back to the annex in armored vehicles. Hours after the first attack ended, the annex was twice targeted by early morning mortar fire. The second round killed Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, two CIA security contractors who were defending the annex from the rooftop. A team of six security officials summoned from Tripoli and a Libyan military unit helped evacuate the remaining U.S. personnel on the site to the airport and out of Benghazi. — THE FALLOUT BACK HOME Word hit Washington in the final weeks of the presidential race. Over the next several days, the Benghazi news blended with images of angry anti-American demonstrations and flag-burnings spreading across the Middle East over the offensive video. Political reaction to the Benghazi attack quickly formed along partisan lines that hold fast to this day. GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and other Republicans said Obama had emboldened Islamic extremists by being weak against terrorism. But the public still credited Obama with the successful strike against al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden a few months earlier in Pakistan. The accusation that took hold was a Republican charge that the White House intentionally misled voters by portraying the Benghazi assault as one of the many protests over the video, instead of a calculated terrorist attack under his watch. Obama accused the Republicans of politicizing a national tragedy. He insists that the narrative about the video protests was the best information available at the time. After at least seven investigations, more than a dozen public hearings and the release of more than 50,000 pages of documents over the past three years, the arguments remain the same. — WHY WAS DIPLOMATIC POST SO VULNERABLE? Republican and Democratic lawmakers agreed: The State Department under Clinton kept open the Benghazi mission, which employed a few State employees and more than two dozen CIA workers, with little protection in the midst of well-known dangers. The attack probably could have been prevented if officials had heeded intelligence warnings about the deteriorating situation in eastern Libya, a bipartisan report by the Senate Intelligence Committee said. Britain closed its Benghazi mission in June 2012, after an attack on the British ambassador’s convoy. Stevens’ requests for more security, made clear in cables to State Department headquarters during July and August, went unheeded, according to the Senate report, as did those made by his predecessor earlier that year. But Stevens also twice declined the U.S. military’s offer of a special operations team to bolster security and otherwise help his staff. The month after the fatal assault, Clinton declared she had been responsible for the safety of those serving in Benghazi, without acknowledging any specific mistakes on her part. Obama said the blame ultimately rested on his shoulders as president. The administration continued to distance both of them, however, saying neither Clinton nor Obama was aware of the requests for better protection because security decisions were handled at lower levels. Four senior
Alabamians taking out $14M a week in payday loans
A new state database shows that Alabamians are borrowing millions of dollars every day from payday lending stores. The database created by the Alabama Department of Banking found that people took out 462,209 loans over a 10-week period. A total of $146 million was borrowed, or an average of about $14 million each week. The state created the database to enforce an existing law that limits people to borrowing no more than $500 at a time. Payday loans are loans lasting between 14 and 30 days. Critics say the transactions, with interest rates as high as 456 percent, trap borrowers in a debt cycle. Shay Farley, a lawyer with Alabama Appleseed, called the numbers “shocking.” The industry has argued the interest reflects the risk involved and that they provide a service to a traditionally underserved community. An industry representative said lenders close as states push additional regulation. Alabama has about 900 payday lenders. Cities around the state, including Montgomery, have passed or considered moratoriums on payday and title loan lending. The central database had long been sought by advocates of payday reform. A 2003 law that first regulated the industry allowed lenders to use a variety of third-party databases, making it all but impossible to enforce the $500 limit. The Banking Department moved to establish the database after the industry torpedoed a similar bill in the Legislature in 2013, despite wide bipartisan support. The industry sued to block the database that September. Montgomery Circuit Judge Truman Hobbs dismissed the lawsuit last year. The Alabama Supreme Court upheld Hobbs’ decision in the spring. The database only covers payday lending. Title loans, where interest rates can climb as a high as 300 percent, are governed under a separate act. Reform advocates have pushed to cap interest rates on payday and title loans at 36 percent. While attracting dozens of cosponsors — frequently enough to get the bills passed — the legislation has often been bottled up in committee. House and Senate leadership, while supportive of a database, have in the past said they want to see what that database would reveal before considering additional legislation. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
