Rep. Terri Sewell announces over $38 million in DOJ funding to make Alabama communities safer
This week, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced more than $38 million in federal funding from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to fight crime and make Alabama communities safer. The funding is part of a nationwide push to prevent and reduce crime by providing federal resources to combat gun violence, sex trafficking, substance abuse, and violence against women and children. “Making our communities safer for our children and families has always been a top priority of mine,” said Sewell in a press release. “This $38 million from the Department of Justice will go a long way in doing just that. Together, these grants will ensure that our community organizations, local law enforcement, and especially our rural police departments have the tools they need to break the cycle of violence, prevent crime, strengthen police accountability, and save lives. I was so proud to advocate for this funding at the federal level and will continue working with our state and local partners to keep Alabamians safe.” Rep. Sewell announced the following DOJ grants for Alabama: Bessemer, Birmingham, and Jefferson County Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa County Selma and Dallas County Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) State of Alabama – Miscellaneous Agencies and Organizations
Rep. John Rogers pleads not guilty to federal obstruction of justice charges
By Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of obstruction of justice on Thursday at the Hugo L. Black Federal Courthouse in Birmingham. Rogers was released after being processed by the U.S. Marshals on a $5,000 bond. Prosecutors allege that Rogers diverted public money from a youth baseball league to an assistant. The state representative will need to surrender his passport, but he told Magistrate Judge Staci G. Cornelius Thursday that he had not left the country in 10 years and may not have one. If he is able to find the passport, he is to turn in it to his probation officer. Rogers will be allowed to travel within the state of Alabama because he is still serving as a state representative. Under Alabama law, a conviction or plea to either of the charges would automatically remove Rogers from office. Rogers also may not open any new line of credit as part of the conditions, and he must turn in a gun he previously indicated was lost. “I don’t own a firearm,” he said, interrupting Cornelius as she was reading the terms of the bond, in which it said that he previously owned a firearm but may not know where it is. The indictment accuses Rogers, who has served in the Alabama House for over 40 years, of directing hundreds of thousands of dollars for public projects in Jefferson County to a youth baseball league, with a portion of the money being kicked back to Varrie Johnson Kindall, an administrative assistant the indictment accuses Rogers of having a romantic relationship with. Prosecutors also accused Rogers of attempting to convince a person identified as “Individual #1” to give false information to criminal investigators, with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) looking into the transactions. Rogers has served in the Alabama House for over 40 years. His indictment comes months after former Rep. Fred Plump, D-Fairfield, the director of the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League, pleaded guilty to similar charges over the use of public money. In late May, the Department of Justice (DOJ) accused Plump, a freshman representative, of taking money from the Jefferson County fund under the direction of another Jefferson County legislator identified as “Legislator #1” and kicking back a portion of it to a legislator’s assistant. Rogers said at the time he was “probably” the unnamed “Legislator #1,” but maintained his innocence. According to the indictment, between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2022, Rogers was allocated approximately $500,000 by the Jefferson County Community Service Fund for Jefferson County programs. Prosecutors accuse Rogers of moving approximately $400,000 of those discretionary funds to the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League. In turn, Plump gave approximately $200,000 to Kindall. Kindall was previously identified as “Individual #1” in Plump’s DOJ charges. Rogers also moved money from the fund to “Organization #1.” The organization founder, “Individual #1,” then gave a portion of that money to Kindall. Rogers has served House District 52, which includes portions of Birmingham, since 1982. He ran unopposed in the previous two elections. In 2014, he was challenged by Republican Phillip Bahakel but won with almost 77% of the vote. Rogers is the third representative to face criminal charges this year. Rep. David Cole, R-Huntsville, pleaded guilty to a voting fraud charge and resigned in August after acknowledging he did not live in the House district at the time he was elected. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
Senators Katie Britt, Marco Rubio, and colleagues demand answers on Iran’s nuclear program violations following attacks on Israel
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and 13 colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting an update on U.S. action to hold Iran accountable for multiple violations of nuclear program restrictions. The letter comes after this weekend’s multi-pronged attacks on the people of Israel by Hamas fighters that killed over 1300 Israelis and wounded 3,200 more. According to Secretary Blinken, at least 25 Americans are among the dead. Hamas has taken well over 100 hostages, and the White House believes that Americans are among the hostages. Republicans believe that the government of Iran financed and likely helped plan those attacks. “We respectfully request that the U.S. Department of State provide information regarding the status of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) investigation into Iran following the recent IAEA’s Board of Governors meeting,” the Senators wrote. “The Iranian regime is intent on fomenting terror across the region, as evidenced by its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah’s, brutal attacks this weekend on our ally, Israel. Now more than ever, you must ensure that you hold the regime accountable for its failure to comply with obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Further, we were disappointed that the administration did not call for a formal censure of Tehran given its continued non-compliance with the IAEA.” “The Biden Administration has failed to press for concrete action against Iran in Vienna,” the Senators continued. “We are especially disturbed by reports that the United States led efforts to oppose a censure of Iran. As Iran violates its commitments and refuses to comply with the IAEA, your business-as-usual approach to resolving the situation is tantamount to an endorsement of the Iranian regime’s activities.” “It is regrettable that the September 11-15, 2023, IAEA Board of Governors meeting achieved no progress in resolving key questions related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear program,” the Senators wrote. “Once again, Iran was able to escape any shred of accountability. As you know, since 2018, the IAEA has been investigating Iran’s undeclared nuclear material and activities related to a secret 2003 effort to produce atomic weapons called the Amad Plan. Despite the IAEA’s repeated requests to access several Iranian sites, it has not been able to determine whether Tehran retains covert nuclear weapons activities, nor has it investigated all sites, personnel, and documentation related to the Amad Plan and its successor entities, such as Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND).” Joining Senators Britt and Rubio in signing the letter were Senators Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), and Susan Collins (R-Maine). In 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed by the Obama Administration. Iran and other countries agreed to place restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. One condition included the JCPOA tasking the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the regime in Tehran adheres to nuclear restrictions. The Senators claim that even with the signed agreement, Iran has remained non-compliant and continues its nuclear programs. Senator Britt has been an outspoken critic of the Biden Administration’s controversial decision to free up $6 billion of seized illicit oil sales revenue to Iran to facilitate a prisoner exchange with Iran. The five Iranian-Americans appear to have been wrongfully jailed solely because they were American citizens. Britt warned at the time that the ransom payments would only result in more Americans being taken hostage. When the Administration formally notified Congress of the deal on September 11th, Britt warned, “This irresponsible, weak appeasement sends a terrible message across the globe and only incentivizes further hostage taking in the future.” Today, countless Israeli hostages have been taken into Gaza by Hamas. Senator Britt this week joined a letter led by Senator Blackburn (R-Tennessee) calling on the Biden Administration to re-freeze the $6 billion. Sen. Britt was elected to the Senate in 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Scalise drops out of Speaker’s race; GOP is back to square one
Late on Thursday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) announced that he had dropped out of the Speaker of the House race just one day after he narrowly was chosen as the Republican nominee for the position over House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Scalise’s early withdrawal from the race leaves the GOP without a candidate. While Scalise beat Jordan in the anonymous closed-door GOP caucus vote, it was obvious to almost everyone that it would be next to impossible for him to get the 217 votes needed to win the Speakership on the House floor. A number of Republican congress members declared on Thursday that they would not vote for him. “It’s been quite a journey,” Scalise said after leaving a conference with GOP congressmembers. “And there’s still a long way to go. I just shared with my colleagues that I’m withdrawing my name as a candidate for the speaker designee.” While the earlier caucus vote was not public, Congressmen Barry Moore (R-AL02) and Gary Palmer (R-AL06) had publicly endorsed Jordan. Jordan also had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. It is not clear as of press time whether Jordan is still a viable candidate for this or not. Before the Caucus vote, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) had said earlier in the week that he would be willing to serve if GOP members decide they want him back. McCarthy was forced out last week in a motion to oust the Speaker when eight Republicans led by Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) voted with House Democrats on a vote to oust Jordan. Adding to the drama is the fact that all of the 12 spending bills have not yet passed the House. The government is operating on a 45-day continuing resolution (CR) negotiated by McCarthy to keep the government funded. The new Speaker, whoever that is, will immediately have to swiftly negotiate a spending deal that can pass the Democrat-controlled Senate and then be signed by President Joe Biden without fracturing the GOP Caucus in the House. Moore was supposed to address the Montgomery Republican Party but could not attend due to the political crisis. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Mike Rogers says U.S. must deter two near-peer nuclear adversaries
A recent report was published called the Bipartisan Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States. The 160 page report discussed “the strategic posture of the United States, including nuclear weapons policy, strategy, and force structure” because of the “troubling and increasingly aggressive behaviors of Russia and China over the pastdecade.” After receiving the report, U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL03) said, “The United States must deter two near-peer nuclear adversaries,” referring to China and Russia. Rogers is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Chairman Rogers also thanked the Commission for their hard work. “For the first time in history, the United States must deter two near-peer nuclear adversaries at the same time,” Rogers said in a statement on Thursday. “The goal of the Strategic Posture Commission was to examine the long-term strategic posture of the United States. The results of their report detailed the gravity of the situation we face and emphasized that the current trajectory of the US nuclear deterrent is insufficient to deter the looming Chinese and Russian threat. I want to thank the commission for producing a clear-eyed, sobering consensus report. The details of this report should serve as a wakeup call for our strategic posture – we need to rapidly make changes now if we want to deter tomorrow.” Rogers shared several key takeaways from the report: · “The nuclear force modernization program of record (POR) is absolutely essential, although not sufficient to meet the new threats posed by Russia and China.” · “The current modernization program should be supplemented to ensure U.S. nuclear strategy remains effective in a two-nuclear-peer environment.” · “A number of commissioners believe it is inevitable that the size of the U.S. nuclear stockpile and the number of delivery systems should increase.” · “The size and composition of the nuclear force must account for the possibility of combined aggression from Russia and China. U.S. strategy should no longer treat China’s nuclear forces as a ‘lesser included’ threat. The United States needs a nuclear posture capable of simultaneously deterring both countries.” · “The U.S. theater nuclear force posture should be urgently modified to: Provide the President a range of militarily effective nuclear response options to deter or counter Russian or Chinese limited nuclear use in theater. Address the need for U.S. theater nuclear forces deployed or based in the Asia-Pacific theater.” · “The Commission recommends Congress fund an overhaul and expansion of the capacity of the U.S. nuclear weapons defense industrial base and the DOE/NNSA nuclear security enterprise, including weapons science, design, and production infrastructure. Specifically:` Congress should fund the full range of NNSA’s recapitalization efforts, such as pit production and all operations related to critical materials.” · “The United States develop and field homeland IAMD that can deter and defeat coercive attacks by Russia and China, and determine the capabilities needed to stay ahead of the North Korean threat.” · “The Commission’s assessment is that the United States must consider the possibility that Iran will become a nuclear state during the 2027-2035 timeframe.” · Auctioning the 3.1-3.45GHz band (of spectrum) risks impacting “various types of shipborne, land-based, and aeronautical mobile radar systems [used] for national defense purposes…We have many radars [in the 3.1-3.45 GHz segment] that are critical for our service members to train on before they deploy into harm’s way overseas, and also to protect our homeland . . . it would take us two decades and hundreds of billions of dollars to be able to refactor and move those radars out of there.” · The commission recommends that “the United States urgently deploy a more resilient space architecture and adopt a strategy that includes both offensive and defensive elements to ensure U.S. access to and operations in space.” According to the report, “In the context of a strategic posture deploying both conventional and nuclear capability, the traditional role of nuclear weapons in U.S. defense strategy remains valid and of continuing importance: deterrence of adversaries; assurance of Allies; achieving U.S. objectives should deterrence fail; and hedging against adverse events.” According to the report, “The aggressive foreign policies of China and Russia, the extent of their nuclear modernization, and the possibility of conflict with China and Russia were not foreseen.” Current U.S. strategic force requirements were set more than a decade ago in a world where the threats were “significantly more benign” than they are now. “In the emerging environment, the United States must maintain a resilient nuclear force that can absorb a first strike and respond effectively with enough forces to cause unacceptable damage to the aggressor while still posing a credible threat to the other nuclear power,” the report states. “The current multi-program, multi-decade U.S. nuclear modernization program is necessary, but not sufficient to enable the nuclear strategy recommended by the Commission to address an unprecedented two-nuclear-peer threat environment. To avoid additional risk and meet emerging challenges, the United States must act now to pursue additional measures and programs,” the report continued. “Additional measures beyond the planned modernization of strategic delivery vehicles and warheads may include either or both qualitative and quantitative adjustments in the U.S. strategic posture.” Rogers is in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Social Security benefits set to increase 3.2% next year
By Brett Rowland | The Center Square Social Security benefits will increase by 3.2% next year, a smaller bump than the previous two years from a federal program expected to fall short on funds for all beneficiaries by 2034. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for about 71 million Americans will increase, on average, by more than $50 a month in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced Thursday. In March, the Social Security Administration reported that Social Security won’t have enough money to pay all beneficiaries the amount they are entitled to starting in 2034, a year earlier than previously expected, as the program’s benefits have grown faster than its income. At that time, the annual cost of the program was projected to exceed the annual income in 2023 and remain higher for the 75-year projection period. The total cost of the program started to eclipse income in 2021. Social Security’s cost has exceeded its non-interest income since 2010, according to the Social Security Board of Trustees’ annual report to Congress. The 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment beginning in January is smaller than the 8.7% bump this year and the 5.9% increase in 2022. The average Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance monthly benefit was $1,758, as of August 2023. The Social Security Act ties the annual cost-of-living adjustment to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index is a measure of inflation. Inflation hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022. It has since cooled as the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates. Also starting in January, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will increase to $168,600 from $160,200 based on the increase in average wages. The Social Security Board of Trustees in March asked Congress to address the “projected trust fund shortfalls in a timely fashion to phase in necessary changes gradually,” Acting Commissioner of Social Security Kilolo Kijakazi said at the time. Total income, including interest, to the combined Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds was $1.222 trillion in 2022. Total expenditures from the combined trust funds were $1.244 trillion in 2022. AARP Chief Executive Officer Jo Ann Jenkins said the increase will help retirees. “Retirees can rest a little easier at night knowing they will soon receive an increase in their Social Security checks to help them keep up with rising prices,” she said in a statement. “We know older Americans are still feeling the sting when they buy groceries and gas, making every dollar important.” Jenkins also urged Congress to take action. “AARP is urging Congress to work in a bipartisan way to keep Social Security strong and to provide American workers and retirees with a long-term solution that both current and future retirees can count on,” she said. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Florida bill would ban practice of citizen’s arrest
By Andrew Powell | The Center Square Contributor A new bill has been filed that would ban the practice of citizen’s arrest in Florida, but will likely find resistance in a Republican-dominated Legislature. House Bill 27 is sponsored by Rep. Christopher Benjamin, D-Miami Gardens, and would prohibit citizen’s arrests while specifying exceptions. In the bill’s text, it states that a private person who is not in law enforcement is unable to arrest another citizen for any perceived violations of state law. There are two exceptions in the bill, with the first applying to law enforcement officers acting outside of their respective jurisdictions. These officers can arrest someone who commits a felony in their presence or if the officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed a felony. The bill also states that the second exception applies to a normal citizen who can detain — without the use of deadly force — any person who illegally enters their dwelling, vehicle, or vessel until law enforcement arrives. Similar bills have previously been filed but failed to pass through committees. During the 2023 session, Rep. Benjamin filed HB 25, an identical bill that died in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Benjamin did not return a request for comment on his latest bill by publication time. According to Sammis Law Firm based in Tampa, the standard for a valid citizen’s arrest must meet four important criteria. This includes an intention to make an arrest, detaining or seizing the suspect, communicating to the suspect the intent to arrest them, and ensuring the person being arrested understands. Courts must also decide whether or not the arrest was valid if the arrest was made without a warrant. If it is found to be invalid, any evidence that has been gathered will then become inadmissible. Current Florida law does, however, allow for a citizen’s arrest to occur in some instances, namely if a felony or breach of peace is taking place, for example, if a person is suspected of driving a vehicle while intoxicated on drugs or alcohol. The practice of citizen’s arrest has come under fire in recent years after a Georgia man, Ahmaud Arbery, was killed by three men who had attempted to detain him on suspicion of committing a burglary in their neighborhood in 2020. All three men were convicted of murder in 2022. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Steve Scalise faces significant opposition in speakership bid
By Casey Harper | The Center Square U.S. House Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., was the leading contender to be the Speaker of the House Thursday morning, but mounting opposition is threatening his chance. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is a key contender as well, but at least for now, neither seems able to nab the 217 needed votes to become speaker of the House. Meanwhile, Democrats have nominated Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to be speaker. While Republicans will likely be unwilling to support that choice, they may have to work with Democrats to find a lawmaker palatable enough to both sides. Until the House selects a speaker, no legislation can go forward. After Scalise’s nomination, there were hopes of an immediate vote but is still working to rally the 217 votes needed to become House Speaker. Republicans met again Thursday, but a vote has yet to take place. The pushback comes after Scalise received the support of a majority of his fellow House Republicans for the speaker of the House nomination during a closed-door conference meeting Wednesday. That vote was conducted by secret ballot, with Scalise narrowly besting Jordan on a vote of 113-99, according to multiple media reports. Some Republicans have taken issue with having the votes behind closed doors. “Let’s do this on the House floor instead of behind closed doors. Stop dragging it out,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “If Kevin McCarthy had to go 15 rounds then the next Speaker should be able to do the same or more if they have to.” Jordan, who has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, still has the support of some Republicans despite Scalise’s majority win. “I will be voting for Jim Jordan to be Speaker of the House on the floor when the vote is called. In conference, Jordan received 99 votes and Scalise received 113,” Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Fla., wrote on X. “We had a chance to unify the party behind closed doors, but the Swamp and K Street lobbyists prevented that. The American people deserve a real change in leadership, not a continuation of the status quo.” And some Republicans are optimistic that Jordan could re-enter the race if Scalise fails to get momentum. “Just for clarification: I was one of the earliest endorsers for Jim Jordan for Speaker,” Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, wrote on X. “I whipped hard for his support around the Republican conference and I enthusiastically voted for Jim for speaker yesterday. Jim is a great conservative and I was proud to be one of his strongest supporters. Last night when we voted, Steve Scalise received the majority of votes. Jim Jordan withdrew his name from consideration and pledged to vote for Steve Scalise, as did I. It is now up to Scalise to get 217 votes on the floor of the House. “If Steve Scalise can’t win the Speakership, I will be aggressively urging Jim to put his name back in the race,” he added. Scalise is the current Majority Leader, so a significant leadership role in the party will immediately become vacant if he becomes speaker. U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who only narrowly won the speakership earlier this year after more than a dozen public votes, said he will not run again after being ousted by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla, and a handful of other Republicans. Later, though, McCarthy softened his tone, saying he would let the conference decide. Another key issue for lawmakers to handle is whether one lawmaker will still be able to file a motion to vacate the speaker, an unusual allowance given by McCarthy to secure the needed votes after the series of speakership votes earlier this year. Gaetz used that very allowance to file the motion that led to the ousting of McCarthy that kicked off this battle for the speakership. Now, lawmakers face a looming partial government shutdown in mid-November as well as pressure to supply funds and munitions to both Ukraine and Israel, which has declared war on the terrorist group, Hamas. Scalise announced in August that he had been diagnosed with blood cancer. The current Speaker Pro Tempore is Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who will determine the times of any speaker votes until a lawmaker secures the speakership. Gaetz echoed Greene’s call for public votes. “Let’s do the messy work of governing and leadership selection in front of the people,” he wrote on X. “Just like I voted against McCarthy time after time…in public…making my argument, others should have to reveal their thinking and be appropriately judged by their voters. We elected [and] removed McCarthy with total transparency. Let’s replace him in the same manner.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
