Mo Brooks introduces bill to give states power to deny illegal alien resettlement
Congressman Mo Brooks introduced a bill called the Local Control Act, a bill that aims to allow state governors and local elected officials to decline when the federal government attempts to settle illegal aliens in their communities. The bill states that the federal government must “require the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify the Governor of a State prior to the date on which any alien without lawful status under the immigration laws is transported to, housed in, or resettled in suchState, and for other purposes.” Specifically, the bill would add a new section to the Immigration and Nationality Act that would state that illegal aliens could not be settled into a state 1) without the approval of the governor and 2) could not be placed into any locality in the state if that locality has a law or policy in effect disapproving of illegal alien resettlement in that area. The “Local Control Act” is endorsed by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a border security advocacy group. Brooks stated, “The first duty of any government is to protect its citizens against invaders. I believe in empowering governors and local elected officials to defend their states and communities since Joe Biden has proven incapable or unwilling to do his duty. Reports indicate that illegal aliens are being driven in unmarked white vans and being flown into communities in the dark of night by the Biden Administration. Recently, unvetted Afghan evacuees were placed in Alabama without any Alabamian’s consent. Americans shouldn’t be put at risk of terrorism, illegal alien crime, job losses, wage suppression, or any other number of things by a lawless presidential administration that is dead set on weakening America.” Brooks has been a staunch critic of President Joe Biden’s handling of the crisis in Afghanistan. He expressed disapproval in September over the resettlement of Afghan nationals in Mobile. Brooks commented, “Recently, unvetted Afghan evacuees were placed in Alabama without any Alabamian’s consent. Americans shouldn’t be put at risk of terrorism, illegal alien crime, job losses, wage suppression, or any other number of things by a lawless presidential administration that is dead set on weakening America.” Dan Stein, President of FAIR, believes the law will help keep Americans. Stein stated, “As the historic crisis on the border continues to worsen, FAIR applauds Representative Mo Brooks’ leadership in assuring that the wishes of the American people are respected by the federal government. The Local Control Act returns power to the American people by requiring state governors to approve any federal plans to house or resettle illegal aliens in their state. It also gives localities the ability to opt out of illegal alien resettlement. Federal funding should not be used to detriment the interests of U.S. citizens and lawful residents, and this bill will ensure that their voices are heard. Remember, the American people are the key stakeholders in when it comes to immigration, and this legislation treats them as such.”
Barry Moore fights for expanded GI Bill benefits for National Guard members
House Republicans recently voted on Rep. Barry Moore’s bill, H.R. 2047, a bill that aims to expand GI Bill benefits to members of the National Guard who are on Federal Active-Duty orders for missions other than training. Moore serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity for the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “As a former Guardsman, I appreciate my Republican colleagues for trusting me to serve in this leadership position so vital for our veterans and for coming together in an effort to pass my bill,” stated Moore. “I am proud of the work we have done to expand G.I. Bill benefits through legislation that is both fully paid for and will not harm recruitment efforts of our active-duty services.” Republican leadership offered the Moore bill as a substitute amendment to a Democratic bill, H.R. 1836, that would increase the fee for Interest Rate Reduction Refinanced Loans (IRRRL). The Moore bill was defeated by a slim margin of 198-225.
Conservative groups hold Welcome Back Rally at Statehouse today
Conservative groups around the state will hold their 11th Annual Welcome Back Rally today at the Statehouse. The event starts at 12:15 pm. The Common Sense Campaign, Eagle Forum, and HealthFreedom Alabama are sponsoring the rally. The Facebook event page stated, “We want the Legislators to not only see a big crowd of motivated voters, but we want you to go see your House and Senate members and lobby them to support some critical bills.” The Common Sense Campaign Tea Party President will open the rally, and pastor Dr. Terry Batton will give the invocation. State auditor Jim Zeigler will speak at 12:15 p.m. His address will be about Gov. Kay Ivey’s state of the state address. State House Rep. Bob Fincher will discuss replacing Common Core, and Rep. Shane Stringer will discuss repealing current conceal and carry legislation. Below is a tentative schedule: 12:14-Dr. Lou Campomenosi, President, Common Sense Campaign Tea Party, calls everyone to order Invocation: Pastor, Dr. Terry Batton, President, Barbour County, Taxed Enough Already Tea Party;Common Sense Campaign member Ms. Janet Taverna in period costume as Georgette Washington. 12:20-Key Note Speaker: State Auditor, Mr. Jim Zeigler,” Reply to Gov Ivey’s “State of the State Address” 12:30-State House Representative Bob Fincher, “Replacing Common Core–A Moral Imperative Now with Alabama at the Bottom of NAEP” 12:34-State House Representative Shane Stringer, “It’s Time for Constitutional Carry to Pass” 12:38–Ms. Becky Gerritson, Executive Director, Eagle Forum, Alabama, ” Pass VCAP to Protect our Children!” 12:42-Dr. Robin Litaker, Retired School Principal and Former Alabama Teacher of the Year, “Recovering From Common Core–The Way Forward” 12:46-Ms. Kim Harris, President, Baldwin Cty ‘Bama Carry, “Grassroots Support for Constitutional Carry” 12:50-Mr. Charlie Wycoff, President, ‘Bama Carry of Mobile 2:54-Dr. Lou Campomenosi, “What Will It Take for Gov Ivey to Replace Common Core?” 12:57-Dr. Lou Campomenosi, Closing remarks. Benediction, Pastor, Dr. Terry Batton
Kay Ivey awards $1.6 million to law enforcement agencies
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $1.6 million to aid in the fight against illegal drugs and drug-related crime in Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the state’s seven regional drug task forces will each receive $202,557. The funds will be used to continue the battle against drug sellers, manufacturers, and users and to stop the sale and illegal use of pharmaceutical drugs. “Public safety is at the forefront of our mission, and I am proud to aid our law enforcement in the battle against illegal drugs and crime,” stated Ivey. “As I said last night during my state of the state address, we will continue working to make Alabama a great state to live, work and raise a family for years to come. No doubt, that includes keeping our communities safe and free of crime. I commend the important work being done by ALEA and these task forces.” These task forces were formed in 2018 and are made up of members from law enforcement agencies within their region. Each region comprises eight to 12 counties. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds from the U.S. Department of Justice and will be used to cover overtime, and operational and equipment expenses. ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management, and recreation development. “ADECA is pleased to play a role in this program that helps take drugs off the streets and make our communities safer,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell stated. “We join Gov. Ivey in commending the work of these task forces.”
Tommy Tuberville joins legislation to investigate COVID-19 origins
Senator Tommy Tuberville joined Florida senator Marco Rubio and 14 other colleagues to introduce the Coronavirus Origin Validation, Investigation, and Determination (COVID) Act of 2022. This bill aims to press for an international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 at laboratories in Wuhan. If passed, the COVID Act of 2022 would authorize sanctions if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fails to allow such an investigation within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. Sen. Tuberville stated, “Since day one, the Chinese government has been anything but transparent and credible as we pushed for answers on the origins of this virus. That must change. This legislation will hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for the American lives taken by COVID and make it clear that actions will be met with consequences.” According to the bill, the COVID Act would sanction the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and its affiliated institutes and laboratories, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology. It would also suspend federal research funding across all academic fields for studies that involve the CAS. Additionally, the bill would impose a prohibition on gain-of-function virus research cooperation between any individual or institution based in the United States that receives federal funding and any People’s Republic of China-based individual or institution. Rubio stated, “For two years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has stonewalled all efforts to uncover the true origins of COVID-19. We know the virus originated in China, however, the CCP’s attempts to obfuscate the truth has led to countless deaths and needless suffering worldwide. It is clear that Beijing will only respond to concerted pressure from the United States and the international community. My bill will force the CCP to the table.” Other bill sponsors include Senators Tim Scott, John Cornyn, Rick Scott, Kevin Cramer, Roger Marshall, Steve Daines, Chuck Grassley, James Lankford, Ben Sasse, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mike Braun, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, and John Kennedy.
Tim James opens gubernatorial campaign with evangelical appeal
Business owner Tim James appealed to evangelical Christian voters as he opened his Republican campaign for Alabama governor Wednesday, railing against the threat of “godless Marxism,” quoting scripture and claiming God has called the conservative state to lead the nation. Standing before the white-domed Capitol with Christian music playing and beside a flag decorated with a cross, the son of former Gov. Fob James, after a prayer, attacked GOP leaders including Gov. Kay Ivey, who is seeking another term, over the approval of medical marijuana and an educational system that trails much of the nation. James, a toll road developer who has said he isn’t vaccinated against COVID-19, said Republican leaders hadn’t done enough to fight vaccine mandates, allowing one to take effect at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before the state attorney general’s office intervened. James said he would fight “casino barons” to prevent Alabama from becoming “the Las Vegas of the South.” While Alabama “has always been mocked for our values,” James said, it supported the formation of Israel years before it became a nation in 1948 and has a special place in the nation’s future. Support of Israel is a foundational issue for many evangelicals. “We stand at the gate of our state Capitol and seek God’s forgiveness for the sins of America, and we decree in the name of Jesus that Alabama will lead America in the years ahead, back to its proper position of authority amongst the nations, of which authority was granted by God at our inception,” said James, who quoted scripture. Angela James said her husband is a warrior who is prepared to lead a “crusade” and has the same evangelical zeal and spiritual discernment as his mother and father, who was elected to a four-year term in 1979 and reelected to a second term in 1995. “The apple does not fall far from the tree,” she said. James previously staked out far-right positions, including criticizing legislation that allowed students to do yoga in public schools. James ran for governor in 2002 and 2010, when he narrowly missed making the GOP runoff, finishing about 200 votes behind the eventual winner, Robert Bentley, who was elected governor that year and later resigned. Former Books-A-Million executive Lew Burdette; Lindy Blanchard, who served as ambassador to Slovenia under former President Donald Trump; correctional officer and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy George; and Opelika pastor Dean Odle have also announced their candidacies against Ivey. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
