Alabama politicians, groups react to Donald Trump’s SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Reactions rolled in quickly to President Donald Trump‘s nomination of 53-year-old Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the D.C. Court of Appeals to replace Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court, calling him “a brilliant jurist,” who is devoted to public service and is eminently qualified for the job. “He deserves swift confirmation and robust bipartisan support,” said Trump. Here’s what Alabama politicians and groups had to say about his selection (in the order they were received): Robert Aderholt | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 4th District From what I know at this point, it appears President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Brett Kavanaugh. Judge Kavanaugh has the qualifications that make him immensely qualified to take a seat on the highest court in the land. I believe, if confirmed by the Senate, Judge Kavanaugh will interpret the Constitution as written, and I do not think he will attempt to make law from the bench. Again, based on what I’m hearing about Judge Kavanaugh, I encourage my Congressional colleagues in the Senate to quickly confirm him. Bradley Byrne | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 1st District As a fair legal mind, defender of the Constitution, and a judge on the D.C. Circuit, Brett Kavanaugh is prepared for a seat on the Supreme Court. I support President Trump’s nominee, and I hope the Senate will move expeditiously to confirm Judge Kavanaugh, a high quality and uniquely qualified nominee. Mo Brooks | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 5th District President Trump made an excellent choice when he nominated Neil Gorsuch, and he has repeated his standard of excellence by nominating Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. It is a bedrock principle of the American Republic that justices should not substitute their policy beliefs for those elected by the American people to make our laws. Judicially activist justices betray the Constitution and America when they undermine our Republic by substituting their policy beliefs for those duly elected to make them. Brett Kavanaugh has an established record of upholding the Constitution and federal law without inserting his personal political views into his decisions. As such, I look forward to his quick confirmation by the Senate. Twinkle Cavanaugh | PSC President and Republican Lt. Governor candidate. President Trump has made another tremendous selection in nominating Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Our next Supreme Court Justice must be a steadfast supporter of the rule of law. There is no doubt that Judge Kavanaugh will be a faithful servant to our Constitution, as his demonstrated record of bold conservatism proves. I enthusiastically look forward to supporting his nomination and urge the United States Senate to confirm him. Martha Roby | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 2nd District This is truly a historic moment in our nation, and I applaud President Trump’s decision to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh is a conservative, experienced jurist who I believe will be a strict constitutionalist on the bench. I’m hopeful his nomination will give us an opportunity to shift the balance of the Court in favor of the pro-life movement for years to come. I’m confident that Judge Kavanaugh will serve the Court and the American people admirably, and I am eager to see the Senate quickly begin the confirmation process. Richard Shelby | U.S. Senator President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He has impressive credentials, and I look forward to meeting with him to further consider his qualifications and commitment to upholding our Constitution as it is written. This nomination is one of the most important items that we will consider this year. I am hopeful that Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process will be fair and timely. Kay Ivey | Governor of Alabama I applaud President Trump for his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh clearly understands the proper role of a judge is to interpret the law as it is written and apply the law impartially. It is imperative that judges adhere to the Constitution and resist judicial activism. As a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Kavanaugh will have the opportunity to set valuable precedents for lower court judges all over the country to follow. Another conservative justice on the U.S. Supreme Court who honors the original intent of the Constitution will have a positive impact on our country for decades. I look forward to following the U.S. Senate confirmation process. Terry Lathan | Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party The Alabama Republican Party congratulates Judge Brett Kavanaugh on his nomination to the United States Supreme Court by President Trump. A former legal counsel to President George W. Bush, clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, 1990 Yale Law School graduate, and a current judge for the D.C. Circuit U.S Court of Appeals, Brett Kavanaugh is a wise choice for Supreme Court Justice. Terri Sewell | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 7th District Our high court plays a critical role in ensuring fairness, justice and equality under the Constitution. It was the Supreme Court that ultimately ordered an end to Jim Crow segregation in Brown v. Board and that put a stop to the use of poll taxes in our elections. As our courts consider cases today that will have a direct impact on Alabama, from challenges to the Affordable Care Act to cases on modern-day voter suppression, it is critically important that Justice Kennedy’s replacement bring a strong sense of equality, fairness, and justice for all to the job. Unfortunately, an initial review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record shows that he will likely drive the Supreme Court farther to the right, threatening further attacks on access to health care, our right to vote, affirmative action, and all the important progress that we have made as a nation. The Senate now has the responsibility of carefully considering Judge Kavanaugh’s record, his judicial leanings, and his reading of the Constitution. I urge our Senators to take great care in their review of this nomination and oppose any
Political unrest in Haiti leaves Alabama church group stranded
Volunteer groups from several American states have found themselves stranded in Haiti due to protests and political unrest on the small Caribbean island. Among those volunteers is a a team of 14 students and adults from First Baptist Church in Russellville, Ala. The church group found itself grounded after protesters took to the streets following a fuel price hike ordered by the government, which led to flights in the country being cancelled on Saturday and Sunday. CNN reported that a State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs official told American tourists and missions groups “do not attempt to travel at this time. Avoid protests and any large gathering of people. Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks.” Islanders, angered over their government’s attempts to raise fuel prices burned, looted and vandalized Haiti’s capital city Port-Au-Prince from Friday to Sunday. According to the Washington Post “several hundred people on Saturday attack a Best Western Premiere hotel in Petion-Ville, one of the capital’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Guests were forced to remain inside as rocks were hurled through windows around 10 a.m. local time. Security manned the building, but rioters shattered the main entrance before moving to another hotel.” But the Russellville group remains safe for now. They are currently scheduled to leave the island on Tuesday. “We have no reason to compromise our relative safety here at the guest house unless we’re certain we can get out of PAP,” the leader of the group posted on Facebook. “We are also working on alternative options, should the Tuesday flight not work for us. I’ll share those alternatives with you when they become more concrete.” You can follow the group’s progress here.
Five things you need to know about Cara McClure
Cara McClure, the Democratic candidate for Public Service Commission Place 1 ran unopposed in the June 5 primary. But now that the primaries are over, the real battle has begun. McClure now faces incumbent Republican Commissioner Jeremy Oden in the November 6 general election for the PSC seat. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Cara McClure: 1. She’s an entrepreneur by nature Nurturing her entrepreneurial spirit, McClure’s parents allowed her to work for their family’s cleaning service while she was in elementary school. There she made cold calls to apartment complexes and small businesses, she also sold candy door-to-door she says in her campaign bio. 2. She is a co-founder of the Magic City Chapter of Black Lives Matter group. After a dispute between group members on whether or not to join with the national Black Lives Matter group, the Black Lives Matter in Birmingham group split into two separate entities from which the Magic City Chapter of Black Lives Matter was formed. McClure was a co-founder of the second group, which voted to join the national coalition of BLM groups. “I’ve been with that group [Black Lives Matter in Birmingham] since Day One,” McClure told AL.com. “I didn’t like how the women were treated. I said we really need to join the national group, and they voted no. We’ve put together an awesome group. We’re not just out there screaming. We want real change.” 3. She’s a dedicated activist. Beyond her work with the BLM movement, McClure also helped launch Showing Up for Racial Justice Birmingham — a group that works to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice through community organizing, mobilizing, and education. She also spearheaded “Black Mama’s Bail Out Day” in Birmingham, which raised money to help bail out incarcerated black mothers to help reunite with their children and families ahead of Mother’s Day. As a recent Glamour Magazine article that featured McClure pointed out, “if elected, she would become the first African American—male or female—to serve on the commission in Alabama. Her hope is to represent the people she’s been fighting for throughout her life: ‘the marginalized and poor black and brown communities that are underrepresented on the commission,’ she says. ‘Those who don’t have a voice or seat at the table.’” 4. She was briefly homeless. Following a marital separation McClure and her son were left homeless. Rebounding quickly and using her personal struggle as a tool, McClure founded her own apartment locator service, ASAP Apartment Locators in January of 2013 to help individuals and families find their ideal homes, which she continues to operate today. 5. She and Kari Powell are leading a double-team effort for PSC Places 1 and 2. In addition to creating McClures branding, Kari Powell and McClure are leading a double-team effort for PSC Places 1 and 2 traveling, campaigning and speaking together at events. Both running as Democrats, they seek to bring fair and affordable utility rates to Alabama.
U.S. Chamber throws support to Martha Roby, against Bobby Bright in AL-02 race
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has again inserted itself into the Alabama’s 2nd District congressional race —where four-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Martha Roby has found herself forced into a runoff with primary challenger, former U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright — introducing a second ad in Roby’s favor. The ad draws a contrast between Bright, who the Chamber says has a record of supporting Nancy Pelosi‘s liberal agenda, with Roby’s conservative record of voting for tax cuts and standing up for Alabama’s farmers. “The choice is clear,” the ad says. “Fall with Pelosi and Bright, or stand with Roby and Trump.” This is the U.S. Chamber’s second ad in this race. You can watch the first ad below: A political rematch Bright, the former mayor of Montgomery, Ala. is seeking a rematch with incumbent Roby. He. made the announcement he was running against her in February at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. where he explained he believes he’ll be more effective in Washington as a Republican. “I tried to be a Democrat, and I didn’t do the job as a Democrat that I wanted to do,” Bright said, “mainly because my beliefs are conservative and that kind of held me back.” In the June 5th primary, Bright forced Roby into a runoff with her 39 percent to his 28 percent. The two face-off again in the runoff election June 17.
Five things you need to know about Jeremy Oden
Incumbent candidate for Public Service Commissioner Place 1, Jeremy Oden faced one major challenge in the June 5 primary; his opponent Jim Bonner. Bonner gained a lot of media attention after being censured by the Alabama Republican Party for questionable social media posts, and the fact that he shares a name with former Former Congressman Jo Bonner (even though they’re not related). Oden ended up narrowly winning in the primary with 50.34 percent of the vote to Bonner’s 49.66 percent. Now that the primaries are over, Oden will face political newcomer, Democrat Cara McClure in the November 6 general election for the PSC seat. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Jeremy Oden: 1. He was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for over a decade. Oden was first elected to serve in the Alabama House in 1998, representing District 11. He served there until 2012 when he resigned in order to take the PSC Place 1 seat. While serving in the Alabama House, Oden was a member of the Energy Council, giving him first-hand experience in dealing with the energy sector in the state. “In a house seat you have to always look at the local aspect of what you are doing — how it effects the ones you represent,” Oden told Yellowhammer News. “In the PSC you have to look at the emphasis on the local area, but also you have to consider the statewide implication. Sometimes that is not as cut and dry as it is in the legislature. This is a huge state with a lot of difference in opinions and trying to blend those into an overall decision is difficult. 2. He was appointed to the PSC position by former Gov. Robert Bentley. Oden, the incumbent in the PSC race, was appointed in 2012 by then-Gov. Robert Bentley to fill the vacant Place 1 on the commission. The spot became vacant after Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh was elected to serve as President of the PSC. In 2014, Oden won the Republican nomination in the primary election running on a campaign focused on battling former-President Barack Obama and his environmental initiatives. He faced no major party challenge in the November 4 general election and won a four-year term to the seat . He has served in the place since 3. He is an ordained minister. Oden earned his a Bachelor’s degree from Asbury University, a Christian liberal arts university located in Kentucky. He attended two years of post-graduate seminary studies at the same university and was ordained as a minister serving as a children’s minister, youth minister, church director, and Christian education director throughout his political career. 4. His background is in business and finance. Before he was appointed to the PSC Oden worked as a Branch Manager and Vice President for Eva Bank in Cullman, Ala.. He also owened and pperated several small businesses including O and O Construction Incorporated, O and O Construction and Lumber and Oden Farms. 5. He’s represented the state in several committees. As a PSC commissioner, Oden represents the State of Alabama on various committees including the Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council (EISPC), the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition (NWSC), and the Electricity Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) among others.
Troy King files ethics complaint against opponent, AG Steve Marshall
The primary runoff race for Alabama Attorney General is once again heating up now that both candidates, Troy King and Steve Marshall, have resumed their campaigns following the tragic death of Marshall’s wife. On Monday, King filed a complaint against Marshall with the Alabama Ethics Commission, accusing Marshall and his staff of accepting PAC-to-PAC money despite the state’s ban. The complaint details how King believes Marshall transferred at least $435,000 from the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) PAC to his campaign fund, which has since been spent on television commercials, robocalls, direct mail to voters and other campaign activities. “As Attorney General, Steve Marshall should be upholding the law, not breaking it. Campaign finance laws should apply to him, just like they apply to everyone else,” King said. “As a former Attorney General, I understand that only when our laws are enforced as written do they act as an honest deterrent to election campaign wrongdoing. I am asking the Alabama Ethics Commission to investigate and prosecute this case swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law.” The state’s PAC-to-PAC ban In 2010, the State Legislature passed the PAC-to-PAC ban in 2010 in order to restrict donor’s ability to hide contributions by shuffling them through multiple PAC’s. AL.com recently reported that Marshall’s campaign found a loophole in the law and is doing nothing wrong. In fact, Marshall’s campaign told Alabama Today they’re pleased to accept the RAGA support. “We are pleased to have received support from RAGA Action Fund and trust they have complied with Alabama law,” Julia Mazzone said on behalf of the Marshall campaign. But King points to similar instance involving a RAGA PAC donation that occurred in 2014. Then former Attorney General Luther Strange tried accept a donation from the PAC, but ultimately returned the funds due to the PAC-to-PAC ban after an ethics complaint was filed against him. “Marshall should return the illegal money he received into his campaign immediately,” King continued. “Steve’s Marshall’s flagrant disregard for the law shows that he is not part of cleaning Montgomery up. Instead, he is among its biggest polluters. The corruption will not end until those who are corrupting the system are removed from office. Alabamians who are sick and tired of business as usual will have their say soon enough when they cast their votes on July 17th.” Knowingly violating the PAC-to-PAC ban is considered a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine. This article has been updated to include a statement from the Marshall campaign.
What to expect in the Supreme Court confirmation battle
The coming battle over a Supreme Court nominee promises to be a bruising one. Republicans are eager for conservatives to gain a firm majority on the court. Democrats are voicing alarm about what the new justice could mean for charged issues such as abortion rights and gay rights. The stakes are enormous, and advocacy groups that don’t have to unveil their donors are spending heavily to shape the fight. President Donald Trump’s top contenders for the vacancy appear to be federal appeals judges Amy Coney Barrett, Thomas Hardiman, Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge. Trump planned to announce his pick Monday night. Regardless of his choice, it’s likely that the closely divided Senate will be holding a momentous confirmation vote just weeks before the midterm election. A look at what to expect: Finding The Votes Republicans may have a narrower margin for error than they did when the Senate confirmed Trump’s first Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, by a vote of 54-45 in April 2017. Democratic Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama has replaced Republican Sen. Luther Strange, cutting the GOP’s Senate majority to 51-49. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona is battling brain cancer and has not been back to the Capitol since December. That increases the focus on two Republicans — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both support a woman’s right to have an abortion and will be looking for assurances that the nominee would not overturn the Roe v Wade decision establishing abortion rights. Trump pledged in 2016 that he would be “putting pro-life justices on the court.” On the Democratic side, the focus will be on Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. All three voted to confirm Gorsuch and are up for re-election in states that Trump won handily. Whatever they decide will upset a large group of voters in their home states. If Collins and Murkowski vote “no” and Democrats all vote “no,” the nomination would be blocked. If McCain were to miss the vote, only one GOP defection would be needed to block the nomination if all Democrats were opposed. Old Wounds Democrats are still stinging from Republicans refusing to even grant a hearing to President Barack Obama’s choice to serve on the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. They are calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to wait until after the November election to schedule a hearing and vote. McConnell has rejected that possibility, saying the decision to not fill the vacancy under Obama was prefaced on it being a presidential election year. Democrats say McConnell is being hypocritical in moving forward with the nomination. While that argument won’t sway Republicans, their strategy could stiffen Democratic resolve to oppose the nominee. Liberal advocacy groups are challenging Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to keep the Democrats united. Senate Relations Much of the groundwork for a successful confirmation comes in private meetings that the nominee will have with individual senators in the coming weeks. For lawmakers who are not on the Judiciary Committee, it may be their only chance to talk with the nominee personally before a final vote. Gorsuch met with nearly three-quarters of the Senate in advance of his hearings. The process is arduous, with the private meetings giving way to days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Hearings for the most recent nominees to the Supreme Court have lasted four or five days, though there were 11 days of hearings for Robert Bork’s nomination in 1987. On average, for Supreme Court nominees who have received hearings, the hearing occurred 39 days after the nomination was formally submitted, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Judiciary Committee need not approve the nomination for it to advance. A negative recommendation or no recommendation merely alerts the Senate that a substantial number of committee members have reservations. The Fight Outside The Capitol Before the president has even made his announcement, advocacy groups are making clear they will play an important role in the coming fight. Groups that support abortion rights are planning a “Day of Action” for August 26, the anniversary of the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The liberal advocacy group Demand Justice will spend $5 million on ads through September and began airing spots Thursday in Maine and Alaska aimed at pressuring Collins and Murkowski. “Why won’t she rule out voting for Trump’s anti-choice picks?” both ads ask. It also plans to run ads next week in Manchin’s, Donnelly’s and Heitkamp’s home states with a softer tone, asking them to continue protecting people with pre-existing health conditions by opposing a nominee who’d threaten that. Meanwhile, the conservative Judicial Crisis Network is targeting vulnerable Democratic incumbents in its ad campaigns. The deep-pocketed group advertised against Senate confirmation of Garland and spent millions more advocating for Gorsuch. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Ag Commissioner race takes dark turn with ‘flat out lie’ in new ad
With just eight days to go before Primary Runoff Election Day, accusations are flying in the Yellowhammer State. In race for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries candidate Gerald Dial is hurling insults at his GOP-opponent Rick Pate. In a newly released campaign ad, Dial dredges up a 32 year old divorce document between Pate and his ex-wife, Carolyn Pate. The ad references a June 1986 divorce petition filed by Carolyn, that states “the Wife avers that the Husband has committed actual violence to her person and from his manner and conduct toward her, she is reasonably convinced that he will commit further violence upon her person, intended with danger to her life and health.” “I denied that then and I deny that now,” Pate told the Decatur Daily referencing the alleged violence. He explained both he and his wife exchanged mean comments during the divorce, but now are on good terms and exchange annual Christmas cards. According to Pate, in May Carolyn “wrote a note ‘to whom it may concern’ that said they had a good marriage until the divorce, when hurtful words were exchanged.” By the time the final divorce documents were filed, there was no mention of violence or restraining orders as the two were on more amicable terms. In defense of Pate Ronda McCaul Walker, a former candidate for Alabama’s State Senate District 25, took to Facebook Monday to call out Dial’s ad. “Voters say they hate negative political ads, so why do candidates continue to go negative? Because negative campaigning gets votes. You say you hate it, but then you go and vote for the most negative candidate in the race. If the negativity and lies didn’t fool you, trust me, candidates wouldn’t do it,” wrote Walker. “There is a political commercial running right now about my friend Rick Pate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries that tells a flat out lie. A nasty one, too. Rick’s opponent accuses him of spousal abuse, an accusation he fabricated from a 32 year old divorce document.” Pate’s current wife, to whom he’s been married to for 30 years, Julie Dismukes Pate also took to Facebook in defense of her husband. “Rick denied this claim and in the final divorce papers nothing was mentioned about it,” Julie explained. “By the time she returned to her home in CA, they were on amicable terms and she has recently written a letter to that effect for Rick to share.” Read Walker and Dismukes Pate’s full posts below. Ronda McCaul Walker Voters say they hate negative political ads, so why do candidates continue to go negative? Because negative campaigning gets votes. You say you hate it, but then you go and vote for the most negative candidate in the race. If the negativity and lies didn’t fool you, trust me, candidates wouldn’t do it. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the law allows political candidates to lie in their TV ads. Yep, honesty and proof of claims required for brand advertising are not required for political ads. Nike & Coca-Cola would be sued for lying to you on a TV commercial, but it is perfectly ok for a politician to lie to you during the 6 o’clock news. The onus is on you to verify the facts purported in the ad, but most people don’t go to that trouble they just buy the lie hook, line, and sinker. There is a political commercial running right now about my friend Rick Pate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries that tells a flat out lie. A nasty one, too. Rick’s opponent accuses him of spousal abuse, an accusation he fabricated from a 32 year old divorce document. Rick’s ex-wife recently wrote a letter saying Rick NEVER abused her. But that inconvenient truth doesn’t seem to matter to Rick’s opponent. Rick Pate and his wife Julie Dismukes Pate have been married for 30 years and they have two sons. Imagine the impact of this lie on his family. It’s not ok. We say we want better people to run for office. We say we are tired of the liars and cheaters. Well, let’s prove that on July 17 and reject the same ole, same ole. I encourage everyone in the State of Alabama to vote for my friend Rick Pate for Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries. Vote July 17! Julie Dismukes Pate SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT – Gerald Dial has started running his negative commercial against Rick in the race for Commissioner of Ag and Industries accusing him of domestic violence. I am going on record right now and saying that it is a LIE! It is a lie by a desperate career politician who will say anything to get elected. THE TRUTH – Gerald Dial searched Rick’s legal record and found NOTHING – not an arrest, not a lawsuit – NOTHING until he came across a divorce document from 32 years ago where his ex-wife claimed she felt physically threatened and had a restraining order issued against Rick. Rick denied this claim and in the final divorce papers nothing was mentioned about it. By the time she returned to her home in CA, they were on amicable terms and she has recently written a letter to that effect for Rick to share. Rick never did anything to harm his ex-wife and also in 30 years of marriage has certainly never done anything to harm me. This is a LIE by a despicable old career politician who needs to be sent home. I know that I do not need to convince those who know Rick personally, but please help us spread the TRUTH to those who do not. Thanks for standing with us, Julie July 17 runoff In the June 5 primary, Pate took home 40.37 percent of the vote. Meanwhile Dial garnered 29.98 percent. As no candidate received at least 50 percent of the statewide vote, the two are headed to a runoff. They will face-off on Tuesday, July 17 where voters will decide who advances to the general election. As no Democratic
Doug Jones not opposed to confirming Donald Trump’s Supreme Court pick
President Donald Trump is expected to announce his decision on who he will nominate to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in the Supreme Court Monday evening, and Alabama Senator Doug Jones has stated he is open to voting in favor of the new Justice. “I’m open to voting yes. I’m open to voting no. We don’t know who the nominee is going to be yet,” Jones told CNN on the State of the Union Sunday morning. “I don’t think my role is to rubber stamp for the President, but it’s also not an automatic knee-jerk no, either.” As of Monday morning, Trump’s top contenders for the vacant Justice seat are federal appeals judges Amy Coney Barrett, Thomas Hardiman, Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge. Trump’s choice is predicted to begin a battle in the Senate between Democrats who are warning that the development may lead to changes on issues such as abortion rights and gay rights; and Republicans who are eager to win a majority in the court. “We’re going to give them a very, very good, hard and fair look to determine what I believe to be the best interest of my constituents, but also the country,” Jones continued. “I don’t think anyone should expect me to simply vote yes for this nominee, just simply because my state may be more conservative than others.” Jones beat out former Chief Justice Roy Moore in the December 2017 special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat previously occupied by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Since then he’s caused a few controversies within the Alabama Legislature; to the point that the Alabama State Senate passed a resolution condemning his January vote against legislation banning late term abortions, but says he believes the rhetoric on both sides of the aisle isn’t helping. “I would prefer they don’t do that. I would prefer the Republicans would not say they automatically will vote for someone. The problems we have now is a partisan divide. This has become a political issue instead of an independent judiciary. That’s not a good thing,” Jones said during the interview according to AL.com.
Bradley Byrne: Border security must always come first
If you have turned on your television recently, you have probably heard about the ongoing immigration debate in our country. Here in Congress, it is an issue that has drawn much of our attention as well. Since being elected to Congress, I have held two top principles when it comes to the immigration debate. First, I do not and will not support granting amnesty to those who are in our country illegally. Second, any immigration reform bill must start with a sincere and tangible effort to secure the border. Until the border is secure, any other immigration efforts would be in vain. Recently, the House voted on two separate immigration bills that were designed to help crack down on illegal immigration. One bill, the Securing America’s Future Act, earned my support. The bill included very strong border security provisions, made the E-Verify program mandatory, and satisfied President Trump’s four pillars for immigration reform. Unfortunately, the bill failed by a vote of 193 to 231. Another bill, the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act, failed to earn my support. The bill would have created a special pathway to citizenship for over 1.8 million illegal immigrants. The legislation would have unfairly allowed these illegal immigrants to jump in front of thousands who are waiting to come into our country the right way. Thankfully, the bill did not receive the support necessary to pass. Despite the failure of these two bills, we must not give up in our efforts to secure the border, close loopholes in our immigration system, and ensure our immigration laws are fully enforced. This issue is far too important to the safety and security of the American people. The immigration issue has also hit close to home with reports that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are considering housing up to 25,000 illegal immigrants at Navy outlying airfields in south Baldwin County. I am working with local leaders and my Alabama colleagues to once again fight this flawed proposal tooth and nail. Housing anyone in tents on the Gulf Coast during the heat of summer and the heart of hurricane season would be inhumane and a major mistake. Not to mention that these airfields lack even basic infrastructure, such as running water, housing, or restroom facilities, to provide even basic needs for detained immigrants. I also believe we need to return these illegal immigrants to their home countries as quickly as possible. It makes no sense to bring them so far away from the border when the ultimate goal is to return them to their home countries. Another issue that has drawn national attention is the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy, which says that anyone who crosses the border illegally will be prosecuted. I strongly support the policy because we are a nation of laws, and we must enforce the laws. That said, like President Trump, I do not support separating children from their families at the border. This is why I have co-sponsored a bill from Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Congressman Dave Brat (R-VA) that would allow families to stay together while speeding up the processing and review of asylum cases. The bill would also devote funding to double the number of federal immigration judges and authorize the construction of new temporary shelters close to the border to keep families together. As we continue to crack down on illegal immigration and ensure our borders are secure, I welcome your ideas and feedback. aThese are complicated and difficult issues, but they are so critical to the future of our country. We cannot become a country with open borders and no rule of law. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
