Supreme Court rules that Joe Biden’s executive order forgiving student loan debt unconstitutional
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Joe Biden’s controversial executive order to forgive millions of student loans exceeded the powers of the President as enumerated by the Constitution. The Biden administration had argued before the Court that it had acted lawfully as the COVID-19 global pandemic meant that the President had the unilateral right to cancel student loans as part of its emergency response. They also cited a 2003 law called the HEROES Act, passed during the Iraq War. The Court rejected the administration’s arguments in a 6-to-3 ruling Friday in Biden vs. Nebraska. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “The HEROES Act allows the secretary to ‘waive or modify’ existing statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to financial assistance programs under the Education Act, but does not allow the secretary to rewrite that statute to the extent of canceling $430 billion of student loan principal.” When President Biden was running for office in 2020, he promised student loan forgiveness to motivate young people to vote for him over then-incumbent President Donald Trump. Even though Democrats controlled both Houses of Congress for his first two years in power, Biden could not pass student loan forgiveness through Congress, so he opted for the legally dubious step of doing it by executive fiat. The Supreme Court, in Friday’s ruling, rejected that effort. Congresswoman Terri Sewell, a Biden loyalist, released a statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision. “Today, the Supreme Court has chosen to side with Republican state officials who would rather score political points against President Biden than help hard-working Americans being crushed by student loan debt. To say that I am disappointed would be an understatement,” Rep. Sewell said. “In light of this terrible decision, I am calling on my colleagues in Congress to take action to combat the student debt crisis and make higher education more affordable for our students.” U.S. Senator Katie Britt voiced her support for the Court’s decision. “Hard work and personal responsibility are at the heart of the American Dream,” Britt said on Twitter. “As we knew all along, the Biden Administration’s student loan debt transfer scheme was unfair, unjust, and unlawful. I was proud to join @SenateGOP colleagues on an amicus brief in this important case.” Congressman Barry Moore also released a statement in support of the Supreme Court ruling. “The Supreme Court just declared Biden’s student loan giveaway unconstitutional,” Rep. Moore said on Twitter. “Huge victory for American taxpayers, who would have been forced to foot the bill of $400 billion over the next 30 years.” To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Terri Sewell hopeful two of Alabama’s seven congressional districts will become majority-minority
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) participated in a symposium on the Milligan v. Allen decision at Miles College on Tuesday. There Sewell said she would not be satisfied with less than “50 percent plus one or more” African American in two of Alabama’s congressional districts. The Legislature redistricted the state in 2021, but the federal courts have since ruled that the Legislature’s redistricting violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and have ordered the Legislature to draw two majority-minority districts or at least two districts that were largely minority. Sewell said that the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision was a surprise given previous court decisions by this current court. “We all expected the Supreme Court to once again gut the Voting Rights Act,” Sewell said. “I am so excited about the historic nature of our victory,” Sewell said. “It was a historic victory for not just Black Americans, but it was a victory for democracy.” Sewell continued, “It is going to force the Alabama Legislature to draw a new congressional districting map by July 21. It (the ruling) does not say that we have to have two majority minorities districts.” On Twitter, Sewell wrote, “The fight for voting rights is the fight of a lifetime. We’ve made progress, but if we are not vigilant about advancing it, we will lose it. Thank you @MilesCollege for hosting this critical and timely discussion! I was honored to join these distinguished guests!” Retired federal Judge U.W. Clemons said that he felt that the map adopted would be one that kept counties together as much as possible. “I think the three-judge panel will give great deference to the map that respects the integrity of the counties,” Clemons said. “I am looking for 50% (Black voters) plus more in each of the districts,” Sewell said. “I am convinced that not only will this decision affect Alabama, it will affect the nation,” Clemons said. “The Supreme Court abided by the precedent set in Thornburgh versus Gingrich.” Clemons explained that “three conditions” exist for creating a majority-minority district under the Thornburgh v. Gingrich precedent. “It has to have a large enough population of minority voters,” Clemons explained. “It has to be able to draw a cohesive district, and there has to be a history of the majority voting in a racially polarizing way. We meet all of those conditions here in Alabama.” “Brown versus the Topeka Board of Education was first argued before the Supreme Court in 1952,” Clemons said. Clemons explained that the ruling determined that separate but equal education was inherently unequal. “That ruling was the first evidence during my life for that there was a God,” Clemons said, adding that this ruling also was likely due to God. Clemons is retired from the federal bench, but he is not retired. “This ruling has the potential to reshape this nation,” Clemons said. Clemons said concerns about the public popularity of the current court may have motivated Chief Justice John Roberts to write this opinion in Milligan versus Allen. “This court has the lowest credibility of any Supreme Court that has ever sat,” Clemons said. “The Chief Justice felt that he had to try to maintain at least some credibility with the public. It is a signal that he, as a chief justice, is representing the nation.” “The Milligan case will have profound impact across this nation,” Sewell said. State Senator Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham) said. “It truly is profound what has happened with the Milligan case.” Coleman continued, “Of course, there will be some people who will try to do something that is not what the court said. A Senator I will not name here told me on the phone: We are just going to give you two districts that are 47% African American.” Coleman said that the maps that the Legislature draws will still have to be shown to Milligan and the other plaintiffs in the case, and they can either accept them or ask that the three-judge panel appoint a special master to draw the districts. “If they draw two districts that are 47% African American, a special master will have to come in,” Coleman said. “We want to be able to draw those districts ourselves.” “We already have a safe African American congressional district,” Coleman said. Coleman said that both districts need to be “50 percent plus one or more Black voting age population.” “We have a real opportunity to pick our candidate of choice,” Coleman said. “I have absolutely no faith that the Alabama Legislature is going to do the right thing. It never has,” Clemons said. “The courts are going to do it.” “Neither Democrats or Republicans want the special master to come in,” Coleman said. “Congressional District Two is the one where my former colleague Barry Moore is.” “The Legislature is going to do what it usually does,” Clemons said, “In 1872, we had one Black member of Congress. In 1874, we had one member of Congress.” Alabama would not have another Black member of Congress until Earl Hilliard in 1992. Hilliard’s Seventh Congressional District was 65% African American. Today the Seventh Congressional District is represented by Sewell. “It was 61% African American before redistricting,” Sewell explained. “It dropped to 55% in this redistricting. “It would not be fair for it to fall to below 50%.” Clemons said that it is important that Blacks are united politically. “If the Black Community had four political parties and all four were equal in strength, we would not be politically cohesive,” Clemons said. “For better or worse, most Black communities are Democrats. Frankly, our being Democrats means that we are politically cohesive.” Sewell said that, “Change comes when ordinary people fight to do better, and they work on the ground.” Sewell predicted that if the Democrats pick up a new majority-minority seat in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, “the first African-American man Hakeem Jeffries will become the Speaker of the House.” The Governor has called a special session for redistricting to start on July 17.
Gary Palmer and Barry Moore aim to protect gas stoves and kitchen appliances
On Tuesday, Congressman Gary Palmer updated constituents on his recent work in Congress, including his work to prevent the federal government from outlawing gas stoves as part of future environmental regulations. On Friday, Congressman Barry Moore also released a statement detailing Republican efforts to protect gas stoves. Both support H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and H.R. 1640, Save our Gas Stoves Act, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ). “The Biden Administration wishes to control every aspect of our lives- even what appliances we use in our kitchens,” Rep. Palmer said. “Last week, House Republicans passed our Save Our Gas Stoves Act to prevent the Biden Administration from regulating our gas-powered appliances. This follows up on my amendment on H.R. 1, our Lower Energy Costs Act, that prevents the Department of Energy from banning 50% of gas stoves on the market. We will continue to hold Washington Democrats accountable and keep them from pushing their green energy agenda on the American people.” This legislation states that the Consumer Products Safety Commission cannot use federal funds to regulate gas stoves as a banned hazardous product or to impose or enforce any consumer product safety standards on gas stoves that would result in a prohibition on gas stoves or otherwise substantially increase the price. “President [Joe] Biden and the radical left want to use the bureaucracy to control every aspect of our lives,” said Moore. “While Alabamians are worried about putting food on the table for their families in the midst of record inflation, Biden is intent on controlling the stoves they use to cook that food, and all so he can pander to his wealthy environmentalist base. Americans deserve to make appliance purchases without our bloated bureaucracy standing in their way.” H.R. 1640 would block the Department of Energy from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its rule titled the “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Conventional Cooking Products” or introducing an energy conservation standard that would result in the prohibition of a kitchen range or stove based on the type of fuel it uses, including gas stoves. “Inflation is hurting everyone. We have a crisis at our Southern Border. North Dakotans are worried about being able to provide for their families,” said Rep. Armstrong. “What is the Biden administration focused on? Controlling the kind of stove Americans use. This is further incompetence from an administration that seems more interested in dictating every aspect of our lives than solving real problems. Our bills make it clear that Americans should decide if a gas stove is right for their families, not the federal government.” Congressman Palmer is in his fifth term representing Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Congressman Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville leads first Alabama delegation prayer breakfast
The Alabama Congressional delegation met for a prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C., this week. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, along with U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt, Terri Sewell, Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, Jerry Carl, and Dale Strong, joined to host an Alabama prayer breakfast. More than 100 Alabamians joined congressional leaders praying for the state and nation. “Our uniting in prayer is more important now than ever because I think we can all agree that we are facing a lot of division and brokenness in our country,” said Senator Tuberville. “And the solutions to these problems aren’t found in the Hall of Congress or the White House—but among God’s people. Our presence here today shows we recognize that God is the only one who can heal and restore. But first, America needs to turn back to God. That begins with you and me.” Honored to host the inaugural Alabama Prayer Breakfast with Alabama legislators, faith leaders, & constituents to pray for our great state & nation. Thank you to all those who joined us in prayer. May we continue to look to the Lord for guidance and remain one nation under God. pic.twitter.com/0sAGzZpznk — Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) June 21, 2023 Senator Britt said on Twitter, “Blessed to start the day in prayer with my colleagues and constituents. Thankful that we had such a great group of Alabamians join our congressional delegation for this morning’s prayer breakfast. All things are possible through Him!” Congressman Palmer said on Twitter, “It was an honor to join fellow Alabamians in prayer this morning for our state and our nation at the first annual Alabama Prayer Breakfast. Thank you to @SenTuberville for hosting.” The members were joined by faith leaders from Alabama, including University of Alabama President Stuart Bell, Dr. Jim Carter of Monroeville, Pastor Troy Garner of Huntsville, and Birmingham Theological Seminary President Ike Reeder. The leaders read passages from the Bible and took turns praying for our families, education system, churches, economy, and military. More than 100 Alabamians gathered in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore votes in support of REINS Act which would reclaim lawmaking authority from bureaucrats
Congressman Barry Moore voted Thursday in favor of H.R. 277, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. This legislation would require every new “major rule” proposed by federal agencies to be approved by the House and Senate before going into effect. The REINS Act defines a “major rule” as any federal rule or regulation that may result in: an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, government industries, government agencies, or geographic regions; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. “In the first year of his administration alone, Biden added more than $200 billion in regulatory costs to our economy through rulemaking,” said Moore. “Biden and his army of bureaucrats are on a mission to enact their radical agenda without the consent of taxpayers. The REINS act would hold Biden and his bureaucrats accountable by forcing them to answer to representatives elected by the American people, and it also holds those representatives accountable by requiring them take a vote on how tax dollars will be spent.” H.R. 277 is sponsored by Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Florida). “The REINS Act is the single largest regulatory reform in decades and will save the American people trillions each year in compliance costs,” Cammack said. “It’s long past time we limit the rampant executive overreach that makes up the fourth branch of government and rein in the nameless, faceless bureaucrats in basements across Washington, D.C. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support of this effort in seeing this bill past the finish line.” This bill reasserts Congress’s legislative authority and prevents excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. It would require every new “major rule” proposed by federal agencies to be approved by both the House and Senate before going into effect. The bill would also preserve Congress’s authority to disapprove of a “nonmajor rule” through a joint resolution. Michael W. Johnson is the President and CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. “Constantly changing and far-reaching federal regulations make it extremely complicated for our members to source and supply needed construction materials,” said President Johnson. “Recent regulatory actions from a host of agencies have led to higher construction costs and more difficult permitting conditions for the aggregates industry. The REINS Act will bring needed scrutiny to bureaucratic actions, providing a more effective and reliant regulatory process.” The National Education Association however opposes the bill. “These provisions are unnecessary as well as unwise,” wrote NEA Director of Government Relations Marc Egan. “The Congressional Review Act already allows Congress to halt implementation of regulations; it can also decide not to fund a program. Moreover, the separation of powers is fundamental to our Constitution: the legislative branch creates the programs that the executive branch implements through federal agencies. The regulatory process is neither simple nor quick—and that is at it should be. The process of formulating regulations, guidance, and rules for implementing federal programs must be informed by the voices of experts, practitioners, and impacted parties, as well as scientific data and other relevant information. In contrast, the REINS Act would facilitate halting or preventing action for any reason—or no reason at all.” H.R. 277—the REINS Act—passed the United States House of Representatives on Thursday 221 to 210. “I’m thrilled to see the REINS Act pass the House,” said Rep. Cammack. The bill now goes to the Senate where Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is the lead sponsor of the legislation in the Senate. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is a Senate cosponsor. “Under the Constitution, Congress is supposed to write our laws,” said Sen. Tuberville. “But the Biden administration keeps trying to run the country out of the White House. I’m not going to stand for that. This legislation would ensure that any regulation with a major impact on our country would go through Congress like the Constitution says.” The White House released a statement opposing the legislation. “The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.R. 277, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023. Agency regulations execute legislation to grow the economy, raise wages, lower costs, reduce gun crime and make our communities safer, keep our air and water clean, promote safe and reliable transportation, and protect workers and families. The Nation faces serious challenges, and this Administration’s policy is to mobilize the power of the Federal Government to address those issues swiftly and effectively. Congress has explicitly charged Federal agencies with the responsibility and the authority to act, but the REINS Act of 2023 would undermine agencies’ efforts by inserting into the regulatory process an unwieldy, unnecessary, and time-consuming hurdle that would prevent implementation of critical safeguards that protect public safety, grow our economy, and advance the public interest. If Congress were to pass H.R. 277, the President would veto it.” Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District.
Representatives Barry Moore and Kim Schrier introduce Forest Data Modernization Act
Last week, Rep. Barry Moore introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Forest Data Modernization Act with cosponsor Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-Washington). The sponsors say that this legislation modernizes the technologies and data collection methods used by the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA) to meet growing market demand and support sustainable forest management decisions. “Alabama foresters deserve updated technology and easily accessible data to help meet the demands of a rapidly growing market,” said Rep. Moore. “I am grateful to Rep. Schrier for joining me to introduce legislation that ensures foresters, forestry stakeholders, and the American public have access to standardized, high-quality data to support their decisions.” “Mitigating risk in our forests has become ever more important with increasing intensity of wildfires and lengthening wildfire season throughout the West,” said Rep. Schrier. “Land managers and fire chiefs need reliable information about forest health to effectively work to prevent fire, mobilize wildland firefighters during fire, and perform forest restoration work afterward. This legislation will strengthen the FIA program to provide critical data needed to prevent and fight fire more effectively.” United States Senators Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) have introduced S.1743, the Senate version of this legislation. The Forest Data Modernization Act specifically provides: Dave Tenny is the President and CEO of the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO). “We applaud Representatives Schrier and Moore on the introduction of The Forest Data Modernization Act, which will support private working forests, the communities that depend on them, and the environmental benefits they provide,” said President Tenny. “This bipartisan bill is a significant stride towards bolstering the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, ensuring that private working forest owners receive the accurate and pertinent forest and forest-carbon data they require. Investing in modernizing the FIA program will support the forest stewardship, market innovation, and rural job creation while also promoting the economic, environmental, and climate benefits private working forests provide. The National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) eagerly anticipates collaborating with Representatives Schrier and Moore, as well as the entire Congress, to strengthen forest stewardship through the successful passage of the Forest Data Modernization Act.” This legislation is endorsed by the National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Foresters, Society of American Foresters, American Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Washington State University, Vermont Woodlands Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, Enviva, National Woodland Owners Association, L&C Carbon, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition. Over 70% of Alabama is forested – the vast majority of which is under private land ownership. Forestry and forest products, along with agriculture, remain the state of Alabama’s largest industries. Alabama wood is used for products such as paper, lumber, power line poles, plywood, shavings for the poultry and equine industries, particle board, furniture, charcoal, and other construction materials. Alabama’s forests also trap carbon from the atmosphere while providing habitat for a vast cornucopia of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and more including some endangered species. Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. He previously served the people of Coffee County in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. He and his wife operate a small waste management company in Enterprise, where they are natives. Moore is a veteran and a graduate of Auburn University. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore and Jasmine Crockett introduce legislation to protect against feral hogs
Last week, Congressman Barry Moore introduced legislation to combat the growing feral swine problem. Hogs are not native to North America and have no natural predators in the wild here. H.R. 3984, the bipartisan, bicameral Feral Swine Eradication Act, was co-authored by U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX-30). “Feral swine have caused millions of dollars in damage on agricultural operations across Alabama and can undo years of hard work on Alabama’s farms, ranches, and forests toward feeding our country,” said Moore. “I am standing with Alabama farmers to take action against this threat by authorizing an eradication pilot program with proven results, with changes to make it better.” “My constituents in TX-30 are still seeing painfully high prices at the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables are missing from the shelves. As with so many things we’ve experienced over the last three years, the issue is the supply chain – and in Texas, our supply chain is getting ravaged by the scourge of feral hogs,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett. “As a top 5 agriculture exporting state, any disruptions to Texas farms have significant ripple effects across the country. Feral Hogs are an invasive species, and they destroy billions of dollars of crops. This cuts food out of the supply chain and increases costs consumers pay at the grocery store. I am introducing this bill to bring food prices under control and protect rural communities.” This legislation extends the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP). Feral swine are consistently detrimental to farmers, ranchers, and foresters’ operations, causing $1.5 billion in damages every year while preying on native ground-nesting birds like quail and turkeys as well as native reptiles and other animals. Where the FSCP pilot program has been implemented, it has shown great success in reducing these damages through trapping, removing and monitoring, and assessing the lands on which feral swine frequently reside. This legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate as S.613. The Senate version of this legislation is sponsored by Senators Tommy Tuberville, Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), and John Cornyn (R-Texas). “Feral swine are a serious threat to the livelihoods of Alabama’s farmers. Feral hogs destroy crops, land, and undo months, if not years, of work by our farmers to feed our country,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Over the past five years, feral swine have impacted more than 173,000 acres in Alabama. Yet, the pigs are still running rampant throughout the South. And so today, I’m standing with Alabama farmers and taking action to fight back against this threat.” The legislation has been endorsed by the Alabama Farmers Federation. “Feral swine continue to be a plague on farms all over Alabama, causing both economic and ecological damage,” said Jimmy Parnell, president, and CEO of the Alabama Farmers Federation. “We appreciate Coach Tuberville’s efforts to make permanent a pilot program that has yielded good results in Alabama and other states. While progress has been made there is still work to be done, and this bill will allow USDA to continue and expand upon the work done thus far.” Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Reps. Terri Sewell and Robert Aderholt vote in favor of the bipartisan debt ceiling bill
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) released statements after voting in favor of the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act. “With the circumstances that we find ourselves in with a divided government, I think this agreement not only reflects the reality of the situation, it is a step in the right direction,” said Congressman Aderholt. ”If Republicans were in control of the Senate and the White House, then I would certainly expect more – more cuts to domestic spending, more funding for our national defense, more restraint on the debt ceiling in the future. However, under this bill, we will, for the first time in our nation’s history, spend less money than we did the previous year. It will lead us to smaller government and more prosperity. We all know that this agreement is not perfect, but let’s be clear: Republicans will not stop here in our ongoing fight for fiscal accountability.” Sewell said that H.R. 3746, the bipartisan budget agreement, was necessary to prevent a devastating default. Sewell said that the bill also rejected Republicans’ extreme demands to make deep cuts to programs that Alabama families rely on. The agreement, negotiated by President Joe Biden, protects against cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ health care, historic infrastructure, and climate investments. It also prevents Republicans from manufacturing a similar crisis in the next two years by suspending the debt limit until January 1, 2025. “House Republicans could have passed a clean bill to address the debt ceiling months ago, but instead chose to hold the American people hostage and bring our economy to the brink of crisis in order to advance their extreme agenda,” said Rep. Sewell. “To be clear, this bill is far from perfect, but it prevents a default. It prevents future efforts to hold this nation hostage for the rest of the 118th Congress, and it prevents cruel Republican cuts. This budget agreement that President Biden negotiated protects funding for education, health care, veterans’ benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Most importantly, it prevents Republicans from forcing a devastating default that would kill countless jobs in my district and destroy our economy.” “I join in expressing my frustration with the crisis that my Republican colleagues have manufactured,” Sewell said. “The American people deserve better than a Republican Majority that chooses to govern crisis-by-crisis.” Sewell shared a section-by-section summary of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement is available here. The legislation was negotiated between the Republican leadership led by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy with President Biden and the Congressional Democrats. The deal will raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The legislation passed on a bipartisan 314 to 117 vote. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its consideration. The legislation is expected to receive swift passage as the default deadline looms. The issue divided the Alabama Congressional delegation. Terri Sewel (D-AL07), Robert Aderholt (R-AL04), Jerry Carl (R-AL01), and Mike Rogers (R-AL03) all voted in favor of the debt ceiling agreement. Barry Moore (R-AL01), Dale Strong (R-AL05), and Gary Palmer (R-AL06) voted against the deal. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore votes against debt ceiling deal
On Wednesday, Congressman Barry Moore voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The legislation was negotiated between Republican leadership led by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, President Joe Biden, and the Congressional Democrats. The deal will raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. This is double the amount that was in the Republican plan that passed out of the House of Representatives, the Limit, Save, Grow Act. “The so-called ‘Fiscal Responsibility Act’ promises to saddle Americans with $4 trillion in new debt and kick the can down the road for two more years,” said Moore. “This is a massive disappointment and a far cry from what Republicans passed in the Limit, Save, Grow Act. We must stand up to the Biden Administration and make stronger reforms if we want to protect our children and grandchildren from generations of burdensome debt.” The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 avoids a financially crippling default on the national debt, but it does so by adding $4 trillion to the national debt. Moore expressed his concerns that the deal offers, at best, a 2-year spending freeze and provides only minor reforms to Federally-funded social welfare programs. Moore also cited that the deal includes only minor permitting reform that fast tracks IRA-subsidized unreliable energy and batteries. Moore also expressed concern that the deal includes an administrative pay-go that can be waived and provides no Congressional oversight role. It upholds Biden’s student loan bailout, provides no funding for border security, keeps 98% of IRS expansion spending, and only reclaims $28 billion in COVID funds. Moore was one of just 71 Republicans who voted against the legislation. 46 Democrats also voted in opposition to the bipartisan bill. The House on Wednesday night passed a bipartisan bill to suspend the debt ceiling, overcoming vocal opposition from conservative and liberal lawmakers and bringing the country one step closer to avoiding an economy-rattling default ahead of next week’s deadline. The legislation passed on a bipartisan 314 to 117 vote. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its consideration. The legislation is expected to receive swift passage as the default deadline looms. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the U.S. could run out of cash to pay its bills by June 5, risking the nation’s first-ever default. “Passing the Fiscal Responsibility Act is a crucial first step for putting America back on track,” McCarthy said on the House floor Wednesday. “It does what is responsible for our children, what is possible in divided government, and what is required by our principles and promises.” The bipartisan deal suspends the debt limit through Jan. 1, 2025, so the next debt ceiling increase will be after the 2024 election, but likely before the next presidential inauguration. Barry Moore is serving his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Barry Moore urges USDA to help restore Chinese poultry market access
Last week, Rep. Barry Moore, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (R-Virginia), and 41 Members of Congress, including House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glen Thompson, led a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai urging the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) to engage with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and to honor their 2020 trade agreement by restoring market access to states who followed agreed upon Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza protocols. These affected states include 158 poultry processing and cold storage facilities and represent 43 percent of boiler production in the United States. “Poultry producers are under pressure not only to protect animal health but market health, too. American producers bet on reliable trading partners, and China is not holding up their end of the deal,” said Rep. Moore. “I urge Secretary Vilsack and Ambassador Tai to engage with their Chinese counterparts and encourage them to honor the 2020 agreement and restore American market access.” Congressman Glenn Thompson is the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. “Trade is one of our most valuable tools to stimulate the economy, and China’s disregard for existing regionalization protocols is negatively impacting our poultry industry,” said Rep. Thompson. “Our nation’s growers follow long-standing guidelines to ensure the health and safety of poultry products. The Biden Administration must engage with the GACC to uphold our trade agreements and reopen this critical export market for U.S. poultry.” Commercial Poultry in Alabama generates more than $15 billion in revenue annually. It accounts for 65.6% of annual farming revenue in the state and employs more than 86,000 Alabama workers on farms, processing plants, and allied industries. The U.S. shipped about $732 million worth of broilers to Chinese buyers in 2020. That’s about 21% of total U.S. exports worldwide. Many of those chickens were raised in Alabama. In 2021, China imported $3.1B in Poultry Meat, becoming the world’s largest importer. China imports Poultry Meat primarily from Brazil ($1.27B), the United States ($908M), Thailand ($327M), Russia ($250M), and Argentina ($137M). Cutting off that market, especially with high input prices for feedstuffs and energy, could negatively impact Alabama poultry farmers. Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore votes against student loan giveaway
On Friday, Congressman Barry Moore voted in support of H.J. Res 45, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would overturn President Joe Biden’s $400 billion student loan debt forgiveness, saying that it is unconstitutional. “Biden’s $400 billion dollar giveaway takes the burden off student loan borrowers’ and puts it squarely on the backs of American taxpayers to the tune of $1 trillion,” said Moore. “This radical decision to punish hard-working Americans who never took out student loans or worked hard to pay them back was made unilaterally by President Biden, and today House Republicans reminded him that the Constitution requires that he work with us.” The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn President Biden’s student loan transfer plan was sponsored by Congressman Bob Good (R-Virginia). “President Biden’s student loan transfer scheme merely shifts the costs from student loan borrowers onto the backs of taxpayers to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars,” Congressman Good told the Daily Caller. “I am proud to lead the fight against President Biden’s reckless, unilateral, and unauthorized actions on student loans that would unfairly penalize those who worked hard to pay off their loans or who never took them out in the first place.” “Since his first day in office, President Biden has worked to circumvent the courts and congressional authority to provide backdoor free college through the student loan program,” said Congresswoman Virginia Foxx. “The president is leveraging the nation’s financial future with his radical agenda that, taken together, could end up costing taxpayers nearly $1 trillion. This is why it’s so important for Congress to pass this resolution and remind the president that he cannot act unilaterally like a dictator to get his way.” “Student loan forgiveness is regressive, inequitable, and it will not stimulate the economy,” the House Republican Policy Committee wrote. “Instead, it will create an incentive for students to accumulate more debt and award as much as $192 billion to the top 20 percent of income earners. Forgiveness is fundamentally unfair because it will ultimately be paid by taxpayers—many who have faithfully paid off their student loans, worked hard to pay for college, or chose not to go to college at all.” Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. He is a veteran and a small businessman who served two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore votes for resolution condemning efforts to defund the police
On Thursday, Congressman Barry Moore voted in support of H.Con.Res.40, a concurrent resolution expressing support for law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies. The concurrent resolution was introduced by Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colorado) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona). “Every day, thousands of men and women in blue kiss their families goodbye, knowing it could be the last time,” said Moore. “This week, I have heard the stories of several law enforcement officers who laid down their lives to protect others. These officers deserve to know we stand with them and condemn any effort to defund or dismantle police forces. I will always Back the Blue.” Rep. Buck introduced the resolution supporting local law enforcement and condemning efforts to defund the police: “Ever since the George Floyd riots of 2020, our law enforcement officers have been mercilessly attacked for simply doing their jobs and upholding the rule of law,” Buck said. “Leftist activists and progressive politicians have shamefully called for the defunding and dismantling of local police departments across the country.” “We must ‘back the blue’ now more than ever. Crime is surging across our cities in virtually every major statistic,” said Rep. Biggs. “These heroes are the only ones putting themselves in harm’s way to uphold our rule of law and ensure public safety. These courageous men and women volunteer to keep our communities safer every day. At the very least, they deserve our gratitude and respect. It’s unconscionable to see pro-crime Democrats attempt to restrict, and in many cases, abolish our law enforcement agencies. That’s something you see in authoritarian regimes—not in the United States—and always results in communities being less safe. I cannot overstate my appreciation for our nation’s law enforcement, and will continue to exercise every tool I have to ‘back the blue.” “This resolution is a long-overdue recognition of the men and women in blue who selflessly put themselves in harm’s way and keep our communities safe,” said Buck. The resolution was passed to coincide with the annual observance of National Police Week. On Friday, Rep. Moore voted in support of H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and would make assaulting a law enforcement officer a deportable offense. “There have been five million illegal encounters at our southern border and thousands of pounds of deadly fentanyl flowing across since Biden became President, so there’s no doubt that law enforcement officers all over the country are being forced to deal with the ramifications of our open southern border,” said Moore. “The POLICE Act holds migrants accountable for violent actions and gives our courageous officers the protection they deserve.” “As the border crisis rages on unchecked and assaults against law enforcement officers continue to rise, this legislation sends a crystal clear message that any non-citizen who commits acts of violence against police should be subject to deportation,” said Rep. Garbarino. “The POLICE Act codifies what under current law remains legally ambiguous by providing clear guidelines for what qualifies a migrant for removal under these circumstances. It is about improving officer safety and making it easier to remove migrants who have demonstrated flagrant criminal violence while on U.S. soil. I applaud my colleagues in the House for approving this common-sense measure, and I urge the Senate to take up the POLICE Act without delay to show our men and women in law enforcement that we have their backs as they continue to battle the criminal element currently taking advantage of our unsecured southern border.” The measures now go on to the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate for their consideration. Barry Moore is in his second term representing Alabama’s Second Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
