Jeff Sessions, Doug Jones at odds over renaming military bases
Alabama Democrat, U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, and former U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Senate-hopeful Jeff Sessions went head to head online Saturday over renaming military bases named after Confederate military leaders during the Civil War. Sessions attacked Jones first following his vote in the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) in favor of adding an amendment to a defense spending bill supporting the renaming of the bases. “@DougJones vote to remove from all military facilities and installations the names of every soldier who fought for the Confederacy betrays the character and decency of every soldier who fought for the South in that bloody and monumental war,” tweeted Sessions tweeted. .@DougJones vote to remove from all military facilities and installations the names of every soldier who fought for the Confederacy betrays the character and decency of every soldier who fought for the South in that bloody and monumental war… — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) June 12, 2020 “Make no mistake, this is not a little matter. It reveals a profound deficit in his understanding of what it means to be AL’s Senator. Doug Jones’ vote seeks to erase AL’s & America’s history and thousands of Alabamians for doing what they considered to be their duty at the time.” Make no mistake, this is not a little matter. It reveals a profound deficit in his understanding of what it means to be AL’s Senator. Doug Jones’ vote seeks to erase AL’s & America’s history and thousands of Alabamians for doing what they considered to be their duty at the time. — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) June 12, 2020 But Jones wasn’t taking Sessions’ attack sitting back. “Delete your account Jeff. This came out of a Republican controlled Senate committee on a strong bi-partisan vote. I know it’s tough for you to be on the right side of history when it comes to the Confederacy, but you should give it a try,” Jones retorted. Delete your account Jeff. This came out of a Republican controlled Senate committee on a strong bi-partisan vote. I know it’s tough for you to be on the right side of history when it comes to the Confederacy, but you should give it a try. https://t.co/Nuhl5LW9dx — Doug Jones (@DougJones) June 13, 2020 Sessions responded he would “never back down to the woke mob,” calling Jones’ vote an “insane attempt to erase American history.” If you and the radical left had your way, the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument would be razed to the ground. I will never back down to the woke mob—be it Republican or Democrat. This insane attempt to erase American history has to end. https://t.co/gA0H796L62 — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) June 13, 2020 That’s when Jones hit back and reminded Sessions it was a bipartisan vote in the SASC. “Ok Jeff, let’s try this one more time: the vote was a bi-partisan vote of the Republican controlled Senate Armed Services Committee and dealt only with the Confederacy and the U.S. Military,” Jones tweeted. Ok Jeff, let’s try this one more time: the vote was a bi-partisan vote of the Republican controlled Senate Armed Services Committee and dealt only with the Confederacy and the U.S. Military. https://t.co/XThvOe7De7 — Doug Jones (@DougJones) June 13, 2020 Ultimately, Sessions got in the last word. “Doug, you are a radical leftist, a pawn for Chuck Schumer. You voted to impeach President Trump, reject Justice Kavanaugh, voted against an end to late-term abortions, and now you join with the woke mob to erase history. You are history,” he concluded. Doug, you are a radical leftist, a pawn for Chuck Schumer. You voted to impeach President Trump, reject Justice Kavanaugh, voted against an end to late-term abortions, and now you join with the woke mob to erase history. YOU are history. https://t.co/wtS63iSfGY — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) June 13, 2020 Before the Twitter debate, Sessions issued a press release explaining his stance on the issue and why he so vehemently disagreed with Jones’ vote. “The vote by Senator Doug Jones to remove from all military facilities and installations the names of every soldier who fought for the Confederacy betrays the character and decency of every soldier who fought for the South in that bloody and monumental war, whose courage and duty reached the highest levels, on both sides,” Sessions said in the release. “Naming U.S. bases for those who fought for the South was seen as an act of respect and reconciliation towards those who were called to duty by the States. It was not then and is not now an affirmation of slavery. The slavery question had been settled by the war.” Sessions is no stranger to Alabama politics. He represented the state in the U.S. Senate for 20 years before resigning to take the U.S. Attorney General appointment in President Donald Trump’s administration. Prior to that, he served as Alabama’s Attorney General. Following his resignation as U.S. Attorney General, Sessions decided to run for his old seat in the U.S. Senate, where he’s hoping to challenge Jones in the November general election.
Gary Palmer introduces bill to protect 2020 Flex Spending Account funds
As the United States continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans risk losing the hard-earned dollars they’ve contributed to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). This week Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer introduced legislation that would move to protect those with leftover 2020 FSA funds. Typically, FSA money must be used by the end of a calendar year. Still, due to widespread closures of healthcare and childcare facilities during recent shelter-in-place orders, many individuals might have to forfeit unused 2020 funds. “Many people plan ahead with FSAs, and they shouldn’t be penalized for being proactive due to extraordinary circumstances,” Palmer explained. “My bill offers temporary protection for those who have been unable to use their 2020 FSA funds due to compliance with recent stay-at-home orders, and I’m grateful for the support it’s already received. Planning ahead should never be punished, and I hope the measures in H.R. 7149 Act help many people to continue doing just that as we adjust and plan for life beyond this unprecedented period for our country.” H.R. 7149 protects 2020 FSA funds by allowing individuals to: Roll over their FSA balance to 2021; Withdraw their balance without penalty; Change their election amount; or To continue using unspent funds through the end of the year in the event of job loss.
Bradley Byrne endorses Jerry Carl in GOP runoff for his District 1 seat
After staying quiet in the race to fill his current seat in Congress, Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne finally broke his silence on Thursday when he announced his endorsement of Republican Jerry Carl. Byrne announced during a news conference with Carl outside Daphne City Hall. “In these tough times, we need strong leadership in Congress. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Jerry Carl,” said Byrne in a press release. “Like President Trump, Jerry’s got a backbone – he’s tough, he’s strong, and he is the only one who will stand with Trump and fight for our values. President Trump and south Alabama need Jerry Carl in Congress, and I am proud to be voting for Jerry on July 14th.” “Congressman Byrne is a great friend and has been a well-respected leader in our community for years. Throughout his time in public service, he has served south Alabama in many capacities, and we have worked closely together on numerous projects to bring economic growth and opportunity to our area,” Carl said in response. During his time in Congress, Bradley Byrne has been a tireless advocate for our 2nd Amendment rights, the rights of the unborn, and has consistently fought against government overreach. I am proud to have the support of Congressman Byrne, and I look forward to representing south Alabama in Congress and fighting for our conservative values.” Carl faces former state Sen. Bill Hightower in the Republican primary runoff on July 14th. They are vying to fill the seat Byrne left open when he made a U.S. Senate run earlier this year. Byrne came in third place in the GOP primary. Carl’s other endorsements To date, Jerry Carl has been endorsed by Congressman Bradley Byrne, former primary opponents State Representative Chris Pringle and businessman Wes Lambert, Alabama Farmers Federation, UPS, Alabama Power, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, the Credit Union National Association, the Committee for the Advancement of Cotton, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and Coastal 150. Watch Byrne’s endorsement below:
