In Alabama, a onetime Donald Trump critic fights GOP challenger
As U.S. Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama chatted with a farmer after a meeting in her district on agriculture legislation, she was peppered with questions on a range of conservative issues. She was eager to answer. Border wall? She supports it. Abortion? Against it. The four-term Republican is underscoring her conservative bona fides as she fights for her political life. She’s facing off against another Republican next week in a runoff race that’s at least partially the result of her past criticism of Donald Trump. Roby, 41, angered some Republican voters during the 2016 campaign when she said then-candidate Trump’s lewd comments about women — infamously captured on the “Access Hollywood” tape in 2005 — made him “unacceptable” as a candidate for president. Two years later, some voters weren’t ready to forgive those comments. She captured only 39 percent of the vote in the June GOP primary, forcing her into a July 17 runoff against former Rep. Bobby Bright, who was once a Democrat but is now running as a Republican fully embracing Trump. The president came to Roby’s aid last month with a tweeted endorsement calling her a “reliable vote for our Make America Great Again Agenda.” That endorsement could prove to be Roby’s saving grace. Trump has endorsed the opponents of other GOP lawmakers who have criticized him, most notably Rep. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, who lost his primary race last month. Trump’s backing of Roby could persuade holdouts to support her. Her message is that her past criticism of Trump doesn’t undermine her conservative voting record in Congress. “My record is a strong conservative record that I stand by, that I believe does accurately represent the principles and priorities of the people in Alabama’s 2nd District — whether we’re talking about the military or farmers or veterans, fighting for the unborn,” she said after a campaign lunch with peanut farmers in Enterprise. On a humid Friday night, Bright, 65, met about three dozen people at the wood-paneled Vida Community Center, laying out his own conservative credentials. In answering a question about the 2nd Amendment, he noted he has 11 guns at home. “I am a Republican. Get that clear and spread the word. I am a Republican and I am proud of it, and I’ve been voting conservatively all my life. My conservative record is stronger than hers,” Bright said. Bright, the 13th of 14 children born into a sharecropping family in the district’s southern end, spent 10 years as mayor of Montgomery before being elected to Congress as a Democrat in 2008. Bright cast votes against some of his party’s key proposals, including health care reform. Roby unseated him in 2010. The 2nd District is a conservative swath that begins north of Montgomery and spans through the soybean and peanut fields in the southeastern corner of the state. The district is heavily agrarian. A boll weevil monument in Enterprise pays tribute the agricultural pest that prompted the region’s shift from cotton to peanuts and other crops. The district’s strong military presence is sometimes visible in the skies as planes from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery and helicopters from the Army’s aviation program at Fort Rucker buzz overhead. Steve Tanner, a 60-year-old farmer from Greenville, Alabama, called Roby’s office in 2016 because he was upset about her Trump comments. But he said he plans to vote for her next week. “I think people need to get behind her and forget about it. She’s trying to work with us,” Tanner said. Tanner said he thinks many people misunderstood her comments, wrongly interpreting them as a backing of Hillary Clinton. Lynn Popwell of Marbury, Alabama, voted for Trump in 2016. She’s voting for Bright on Tuesday, saying she believes he will “shake things up” like Trump. “Everybody right now doesn’t want Washington. They want hometown. They want the guy next door who is your neighbor,” Popwell said. Like Tanner, Popwell said in 2016 she also reached out to Roby because she was angry about her Trump comments. While Trump loyalty has become something of a litmus test in the GOP ranks, there are some nuances. Soybean prices plummeted as concerns of a U.S-China trade war stoke anxieties among the region’s farmers. Popwell said she doesn’t agree with everything Trump does. “We live in the South and I’ll tell you my terms. He was the cleanest turd in the pasture,” Popwell said of her 2016 vote for Trump. Roby has a 5-to-1 fundraising advantage over Bright, who is largely self-funding his campaign. Roby has used the arsenal to hammer at Bright in television ads over his past as a Democrat, particularly his 2009 vote for Nancy Pelosi as speaker. “Democrat Bobby Bright voted for Nancy Pelosi to be speaker of the House when he was elected in 2008,” Roby said when asked why voters should choose her on Tuesday. Bright responds that he did not personally support Pelosi, but he said not voting for her would have ostracized him from House leadership and crippled his effectiveness in representing the district. Bright counters that Roby is the establishment candidate of Washington, out of touch with her district and the people in it. “It’s not about steak and lobster in D.C., it’s about peanuts and helicopters in Alabama,” Bright said. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Alabama politicians, groups react to Donald Trump’s SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Reactions rolled in quickly to President Donald Trump‘s nomination of 53-year-old Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the D.C. Court of Appeals to replace Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court, calling him “a brilliant jurist,” who is devoted to public service and is eminently qualified for the job. “He deserves swift confirmation and robust bipartisan support,” said Trump. Here’s what Alabama politicians and groups had to say about his selection (in the order they were received): Robert Aderholt | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 4th District From what I know at this point, it appears President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Brett Kavanaugh. Judge Kavanaugh has the qualifications that make him immensely qualified to take a seat on the highest court in the land. I believe, if confirmed by the Senate, Judge Kavanaugh will interpret the Constitution as written, and I do not think he will attempt to make law from the bench. Again, based on what I’m hearing about Judge Kavanaugh, I encourage my Congressional colleagues in the Senate to quickly confirm him. Bradley Byrne | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 1st District As a fair legal mind, defender of the Constitution, and a judge on the D.C. Circuit, Brett Kavanaugh is prepared for a seat on the Supreme Court. I support President Trump’s nominee, and I hope the Senate will move expeditiously to confirm Judge Kavanaugh, a high quality and uniquely qualified nominee. Mo Brooks | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 5th District President Trump made an excellent choice when he nominated Neil Gorsuch, and he has repeated his standard of excellence by nominating Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. It is a bedrock principle of the American Republic that justices should not substitute their policy beliefs for those elected by the American people to make our laws. Judicially activist justices betray the Constitution and America when they undermine our Republic by substituting their policy beliefs for those duly elected to make them. Brett Kavanaugh has an established record of upholding the Constitution and federal law without inserting his personal political views into his decisions. As such, I look forward to his quick confirmation by the Senate. Twinkle Cavanaugh | PSC President and Republican Lt. Governor candidate. President Trump has made another tremendous selection in nominating Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Our next Supreme Court Justice must be a steadfast supporter of the rule of law. There is no doubt that Judge Kavanaugh will be a faithful servant to our Constitution, as his demonstrated record of bold conservatism proves. I enthusiastically look forward to supporting his nomination and urge the United States Senate to confirm him. Martha Roby | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 2nd District This is truly a historic moment in our nation, and I applaud President Trump’s decision to nominate Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh is a conservative, experienced jurist who I believe will be a strict constitutionalist on the bench. I’m hopeful his nomination will give us an opportunity to shift the balance of the Court in favor of the pro-life movement for years to come. I’m confident that Judge Kavanaugh will serve the Court and the American people admirably, and I am eager to see the Senate quickly begin the confirmation process. Richard Shelby | U.S. Senator President Trump has made an excellent choice in nominating Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. He has impressive credentials, and I look forward to meeting with him to further consider his qualifications and commitment to upholding our Constitution as it is written. This nomination is one of the most important items that we will consider this year. I am hopeful that Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process will be fair and timely. Kay Ivey | Governor of Alabama I applaud President Trump for his nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh clearly understands the proper role of a judge is to interpret the law as it is written and apply the law impartially. It is imperative that judges adhere to the Constitution and resist judicial activism. As a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Kavanaugh will have the opportunity to set valuable precedents for lower court judges all over the country to follow. Another conservative justice on the U.S. Supreme Court who honors the original intent of the Constitution will have a positive impact on our country for decades. I look forward to following the U.S. Senate confirmation process. Terry Lathan | Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party The Alabama Republican Party congratulates Judge Brett Kavanaugh on his nomination to the United States Supreme Court by President Trump. A former legal counsel to President George W. Bush, clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, 1990 Yale Law School graduate, and a current judge for the D.C. Circuit U.S Court of Appeals, Brett Kavanaugh is a wise choice for Supreme Court Justice. Terri Sewell | U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 7th District Our high court plays a critical role in ensuring fairness, justice and equality under the Constitution. It was the Supreme Court that ultimately ordered an end to Jim Crow segregation in Brown v. Board and that put a stop to the use of poll taxes in our elections. As our courts consider cases today that will have a direct impact on Alabama, from challenges to the Affordable Care Act to cases on modern-day voter suppression, it is critically important that Justice Kennedy’s replacement bring a strong sense of equality, fairness, and justice for all to the job. Unfortunately, an initial review of Judge Kavanaugh’s record shows that he will likely drive the Supreme Court farther to the right, threatening further attacks on access to health care, our right to vote, affirmative action, and all the important progress that we have made as a nation. The Senate now has the responsibility of carefully considering Judge Kavanaugh’s record, his judicial leanings, and his reading of the Constitution. I urge our Senators to take great care in their review of this nomination and oppose any
U.S. Chamber throws support to Martha Roby, against Bobby Bright in AL-02 race
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has again inserted itself into the Alabama’s 2nd District congressional race —where four-time incumbent U.S. Rep. Martha Roby has found herself forced into a runoff with primary challenger, former U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright — introducing a second ad in Roby’s favor. The ad draws a contrast between Bright, who the Chamber says has a record of supporting Nancy Pelosi‘s liberal agenda, with Roby’s conservative record of voting for tax cuts and standing up for Alabama’s farmers. “The choice is clear,” the ad says. “Fall with Pelosi and Bright, or stand with Roby and Trump.” This is the U.S. Chamber’s second ad in this race. You can watch the first ad below: A political rematch Bright, the former mayor of Montgomery, Ala. is seeking a rematch with incumbent Roby. He. made the announcement he was running against her in February at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. where he explained he believes he’ll be more effective in Washington as a Republican. “I tried to be a Democrat, and I didn’t do the job as a Democrat that I wanted to do,” Bright said, “mainly because my beliefs are conservative and that kind of held me back.” In the June 5th primary, Bright forced Roby into a runoff with her 39 percent to his 28 percent. The two face-off again in the runoff election June 17.
Martha Roby: Touring southeast Alabama farms with Ag Chairman Mike Conaway
With Congress recently out of session for the Independence Day district work period, I took the opportunity to travel throughout Alabama’s Second District to share an update from Washington and hear directly from the people I represent. I spent time in Clayton, Eufaula, Andalusia, Montgomery, Troy, Slocomb, and Brundidge, just to name a few. Throughout my recent time on the road, one issue that came up frequently was agriculture policy, and I was glad to be able to share a timely update about the lay of the land as it relates to farm policy. During one day of this district work period, I had the privilege of hosting House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and his wife Suzanne for an agriculture tour of Alabama’s Second District. Together we held a large farmers’ roundtable discussion in conjunction with the Alabama Farmers Federation at the Pike County Cattlemen Association in Troy. This was a truly valuable opportunity for the farmers I represent to ask questions and get some answers. During the roundtable, we had conversations about the status of expanding access to rural broadband, possible solutions for our country’s feral hog problem, the importance of strict work requirements for welfare recipients, maintaining a strong crop insurance program, and more. After the roundtable, Chairman Conaway and I visited two family farms in Coffee and Geneva Counties for tours and briefings on their respective crops and operations. In Coffee County, we stopped by a beautiful farm that produces a variety of crops, including peanuts, cotton, and corn. In Geneva County, we visited a cotton farm that just recently planted a crop in early June. Chairman Conaway’s visit comes during a key time for agriculture policy in this country. As you may know, the House and Senate have passed our own different versions of the farm bill, and we will soon go to conference committee to work out the differences. In the House, we passed a conservative farm bill that includes strict work requirements for welfare recipients. I believe it’s important that we offer assistance to the most vulnerable Americans when they truly need it while providing tools to help them improve their circumstances. I have always said that we absolutely must encourage able-bodied individuals to work instead of incentivizing them to remain dependent on the federal government. The House farm bill reflects our conservative position on this issue, and I was proud to support it. Since the Senate is currently bound by a 60-vote threshold to pass legislation, their farm bill is considerably different than our version and doesn’t include conservative work requirements. When we go to conference to work through our differences, the bill that we ultimately pass will likely be a mixture of both versions. As I told the farmers in southeast Alabama, I am eager to continue working alongside my colleagues in Congress to get the work done and send a smart, strong farm bill to the President for his signature. I deeply appreciate Chairman Conaway and his wife Suzanne for making themselves available to the farmers I represent. We were able to have many one-on-one conversations with the hardworking men and women who are impacted by agriculture policy each and every day. I am also grateful to every farmer who attended the roundtable, asked meaningful questions, and hosted us on their properties. As Chairman Conaway said, “The decisions are made by the people who show up.” Thanks to the farmers who showed up, our day of agriculture policy discussion was very successful. I will continue to work alongside the Chairman and my colleagues to deliver agriculture policy that gives fair treatment to our Alabama commodities while making the farmers’ work easier, not more difficult. At the end of the day, my goal is for our farm bill to enable the farmers I represent to do the work they do best: provide the food and fiber that feeds our state, our country, and the world. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
2018 runoff election ad round-up: July 6 edition
The July 17 runoff election is only 11 days away and Alabama’s candidates have taken to the internet and the airwaves with campaign ads in hopes of swaying Yellowhammer State voters to their side. In the past week, Republican Lieutenant Governor candidates Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh and Will Ainsworth have been at one another’s throats while other runoff candidates, like Judge Michelle Thomason have focused their ads on their own merits. Martha Roby joined in the frenzy; going after runoff opponent Bobby Bright in her new campaign ad. Lieutenant Governor Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh: Title: Giving Back Published: June 25, 2018 Tone: Conciliatory Title: The Real Con Artist Published: June 28, 2018 Tone: Derisive Title: Governor Mike Huckabee Endorses Twinkle for Lt. Governor Published: July 2, 2018 Tone: Indignant Will Ainsworth: Title: Up There Published: June 27, 2018 Tone: Playful Civil Appeals Court: Place 1 Michelle Thomason: Title: Judge Thomason and the Veteran’s Court Published: July 5, 2018 Tone: Sympathetic Title: Judge Michelle Thomason for Our Families Published: July 5, 2018 Tone: Virtuous U.S. Congressional District 2 Martha Roby: Title: Clear Published: June 21, 2018 Tone: Aggressive
Personnel note: Martha Roby promotes Mike Albares, Lori Ward Williams
Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby on Friday announced staff promotions in her Washington, D.C., and Montgomery offices. Roby’s Legislative Director, Mike Albares of Dothan, has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff. He will continue to lead Roby’s legislative team, overseeing her work on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Judiciary Committee as well handling agriculture issues. Representative Roby’s Field Representative for the Montgomery area, Lori Ward Williams of Prattville, has been named District Director. She is based out of the Montgomery district office and replaces Joe Williams who served in this role for many years. Roby congratulated Albares and Wilson and expressed gratitude for Joe’s many years of dedicated service. “Mike Albares and Lori Williams are invaluable assets to my office, and they have worked very hard on behalf of Alabama’s Second District. I have appreciated their dedication over the years, and I am proud to see them advance in these new roles as they continue to be key members of my staff,” Roby said in a statement. “Joe Williams has worked in service to Alabama’s Second District for several decades, and I cannot emphasize enough how valuable his work has been to the people I am fortunate to represent. My office is incredibly proud for his new opportunity with the Alabama Community College System. I am thankful to have had Joe as a member of my staff for so many years, and I am grateful to call him a dear friend. I wish him the very best in his new endeavor.”
Martha Roby: House takes steps to rebuild our military
Over the last year and a half, our unified government has taken big steps to unleash our economy and foster growth here in the United States. Because of this work, our economy is strong today. In fact, since the enactment of our historic tax overhaul six months ago, more than one million new jobs have been created. Because of this work, businesses are growing, Americans are working, and our economy is strong. Now, we must do the work required to ensure that our military is strong, too, especially after the damaging sequestration cuts and funding limitations put into place by the Obama Administration. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I have been grateful to have a seat at the table as we’ve worked to properly fund our military through H.R. 6157, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which recently passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 359-49. I was proud to vote in favor of the legislation, and I spoke on the House floor to urge my colleagues to support it, too. Alabama’s Second District is home to two of our nation’s finest military installations, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, and Fort Rucker down in the Wiregrass. I am especially glad that this funding bill provides the resources to support their critical missions. H.R. 6157 contains an overall amount of $674.6 billion in military funding. This amount covers important funding for Army Aviation programs important to Fort Rucker, including resources for four additional Lakota helicopters, 58 additional Blackhawk helicopters, and 66 additional Apache helicopters. The bill also provides support for other key Alabama programs, including additional funding for a total of three Littoral Combat Ships that are built in Mobile, resources to upgrade the Stryker Vehicle, and strong funding for missile programs, including THAAD, Hellfire, and LRASM. Also importantly, the bill allocates funding for 93 F-35 aircraft, some of which will soon be flown by the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field in Montgomery. This bill is of critical importance to our national security and the missions in Alabama’s Second District. By passing this legislation, the House has kept our promise to rebuild our military and support our servicemembers. I’d like to share a few more reasons why this bill is so very important. First, it provides a 2.6 percent pay increase to our men and women in uniform – the largest raise they have received in nine years. Our service-members sacrifice their own personal safety to protect us, and they deserve this pay raise. Second, the bill allocates $34.4 billion for the Defense Health Program so troops, their families, and retirees can receive the care they need. This program includes funding for cancer research, psychological health research, and more. Third, it addresses our military readiness problem. It is no secret that our military faced damaging cuts under the Obama Administration that have significantly hindered readiness. This bill makes investments in training, maintenance, and other military readiness programs. Fourth, the bill upgrades our military equipment. The legislation provides more than $145 billion to upgrade and secure military equipment across all branches of the military, including replenishing our Naval fleet. Fifth, this legislation supports counterterrorism efforts. The bill directs funding towards our military’s current operations against terrorist organizations by supporting additional personnel, facilities, and equipment. Our country still faces real and serious threats across the globe, and it is imperative that we enable the Pentagon to not only plan for today, but to be prepared for emerging threats around the world. The bottom line is that the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense funding bill continues our efforts to rebuild our military after several years of harmful cuts and hollowing out. Now, we are making sure the military has the tools and resources it needs to rebuild. One of Congress’ most fundamental constitutional duties is to “provide for the common defense.” This important legislation fulfills that responsibility and ensures that our military not only remains the tip of the spear, but that it grows stronger and well-equipped to face whatever challenges come our way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5f9vY00kpU ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Martha Roby: Summertime softball tradition benefits a worthy cause
One of my favorite traditions I’ve been able to participate in as a member of Congress is the Congressional Women’s Softball Game that takes place each summer. During the game, female members of Congress face members of the Washington, D.C., press corps in a friendly softball game to raise funds and awareness for the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). YSC is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. The organization offers resources to help women feel supported and hopeful. Since 2009, the Congressional Women’s Softball Game has raised more than $1 million for YSC. Each year, players in the game honor real women who are battling cancer, defeated cancer, or lost their lives in the fight. This year, I was proud to play in honor of Courtney Pruitt, a Montgomery native and recent graduate of Alabama Christian Academy (ACA) who is currently undergoing intense treatment to fight leukemia. Courtney is a bright, intelligent, and beautiful young woman who played softball for most of her life. Shortly before she graduated from ACA this year, she received the heartbreaking diagnosis and is now courageously battling this disease. Courtney is the daughter of my dear friend, Montgomery City Councilman Glen Pruitt. It’s a true honor to be able to show my support for their family in this way, and I believe this annual tradition demonstrates what we can accomplish when we put our differences aside to rally for a worthy cause. Cancer is something few people ever think will happen to them, especially at an early age. I deeply admire the bravery of those, like Courtney, who fight this dreaded disease, and I’m glad to have opportunities like the Congressional Women’s Softball Game to raise awareness and support for cancer patients and survivors across the country. I believe that our government should do whatever possible to ease the burden on cancer patients and survivors during what I can only imagine would be a terribly frightening and trying time. One of my constituents in Alabama’s Second District recently brought to my attention that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) currently does not cover custom breast prosthetics for women who are either not candidates for reconstructive surgery or who do not prefer to endure additional surgery following a mastectomy. CMS only covers a reconstructive surgery, which is significantly more costly than custom prosthetics, or a prefabricated breast prosthetic. It is deeply concerning to me that CMS has taken this position, so I am gathering a coalition of members of Congress to request that they reconsider and modify this lack of coverage. I was proud to lead the charge on this on behalf of the many women who are living with breast cancer, those who have defeated it, and those who will be diagnosed in the future. Women who battle breast cancer should be given the options that work best for them and not be subjected to a one-size-fits-all approach. I am inspired by those who fight cancer of any kind, and I truly enjoyed participating in the Congressional Women’s Baseball Game again this year. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t hold out for the game, so the umpires called it while Team Press was leading. If the rain hadn’t ended things early, I know Team Congress would have made a comeback. Win, lose, or draw, it is my hope that the proceeds raised during this great event better the lives and outlooks of many women across our country who are bravely battling cancer. My even greater hope is that we will one day see this dreaded disease eradicated for good. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Donald Trump endorses Martha Roby in AL-02 runoff despite 2016 snub
With less than a month before Alabama’s primary runoff elections, President Donald Trump has weighed-in on one of the most watched races: the battle for Alabama’s 2nd District between incumbent U.S. Rep. Martha Roby and former U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright. “Congresswoman Martha Roby of Alabama has been a consistent and reliable vote for our Make America Great Again Agenda,” Trump tweeted in the early hours of Friday morning. “She is in a Republican Primary run-off against a recent Nancy Pelosi voting Democrat. I fully endorse Martha for Alabama 2nd Congressional District!” Trump’s tweet is referencing the fact Roby’s opponent, Bright, previously represented the 2nd District as a Democrat and backed Pelosi for Speaker during his time on the Hill. Endorsement despite criticisms Roby found herself lambasted by the crowded field of challengers due her 2016 criticism of President Donald Trump after recordings of him making lewd comments were released during his campaign for president. Roby said then that Trump’s behavior “makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president” and suggested he step aside to let another Republican lead the presidential ticket. The runoff is the political price Roby has to pay for being one of the few Republicans in the Deep South state to speak out against the president. Trump however, clearly thinks Roby is the better choice despite her criticisms. Roby faces Bright on July 17 in the Republican primary runoff. The winner will most likely go on to win the soundly red district in November.
Alabama lawmakers, groups react to Farm Bill passage
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the 2018 Farm Bill Thursday afternoon by a 213-211 vote. The measure’s passage means the Senate will have its turn to consider the package in the coming weeks. The bill aims to support and sustain farmers and foresters by reauthorizing farm programs and directing the nation’s agricultural policy for the next five years. Among the many provisions of the bill: Includes provisions critically important to Alabama’s cotton and peanut farmers; Maintains access to crop insurance through reduced premiums and waived fees; Improves existing programs to maximize efficiency and reduce waste; Restores funding for trade promotion efforts in an attempt to keep pace with trading competitors around the world; Establishes substantive work requirements for work-capable adults; Increases funding to $60 million per year for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, with $20 million to be used for the Farm-to-Food Bank program providing inexpensive food for low-income families; Provides strong incentives for providers to offer quality broadband service to all of rural America; and Helps equip and train the next generation of farmers. Despite recent gains in manufacturing, Alabama remains an agriculture state. Farming, forestry, livestock and crop production represent more than $70 billion in annual economic output. Here’s what Alabama lawmakers and groups are saying about the passage of the bill: Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Our farmers and foresters are good stewards of the land, and I am pleased the House could pass this important legislation to ensure that our family farms and rural communities have the resources they need to keep up with the challenges of today. Also important, the Farm Bill will encourage able-bodied adults to find jobs and get back to work by reinforcing work requirements in order to receive SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps. In this economy, there is no excuse for capable Americans to not seek out employment. By encouraging Americans to find and retain jobs, we ultimately lift people out of poverty, strengthen the overall economy, and help save taxpayer money. Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: I am proud to serve Alabama’s Second District where agriculture is the largest employer, responsible for more than 93,000 jobs and more than $11 billion in economic impact. I know how critically important it is that Congress deliver agriculture policy that actually works for farmers throughout Alabama and our country and makes their important work easier, not harder. I was glad to be a voice for Alabama’s farmers throughout the process to ensure that our commodities receive fair treatment. This farm bill addresses many of the challenges farmers face daily, and that’s why I was proud to cast my vote in favor of the legislation today. Alabama 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers: I was pleased today to see the Farm Bill finally pass the House of Representatives. As the only member of the House Agriculture Committee from the State of Alabama, I know firsthand the Agriculture industry makes up over 40 percent of our state’s economy and that our farmers and producers count on this legislation every five years. “This year, the legislation will help people pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty because it makes meaningful reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It helps to incentivize all able-bodied individuals to work part-time or receive free training they need to find a job. Keep in mind, this does not apply to children, the elderly, expectant mothers, disabled individuals or caretakers of children. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: No child deserves to go to bed hungry, but that is exactly what today’s farm bill will do to countless children across the country by making drastic cuts to our food assistance programs. I voted against today’s farm bill because SNAP is a proven pathway out of poverty for our most vulnerable families, and I believe that cutting that lifeline of support is cruel and short-sighted. In Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, 60,000 households rely on SNAP to put food on the table. For farmers and grocers in our district, cuts to this program mean lost revenue and bad business. I urge Republicans to end their attack on our social safety net and work with Democrats to help working families build a better life. Kimble Forrister | Executive Director, Arise Citizens’ Policy Project The U.S. House just voted to make life harder for tens of thousands of Alabamians. The House Farm Bill would increase hunger and hardship across Alabama and across the country by undercutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program helps nearly 900,000 Alabamians afford groceries and lifts 195,000 of them out of poverty. SNAP plays an essential role in supporting Alabama’s economy, improving public health and boosting rural communities. But the House bill would shift funding away from food assistance to a new, unworkable and underfunded employment and training system that would do little to help people actually find jobs. This move would take away or cut food assistance for millions of struggling Americans, including children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, low-wage workers, and people who lost their jobs. Mitt Walker | Director, Alabama Farmers Federation’s National Legislative Programs Passing the farm bill is a step forward in providing certainty and stability for American farmers in times of uncertain market and trade conditions.
Martha Roby introduces legislation to designate National Warrant Officer Day
Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, co-chair of the Army Aviation Caucus, along with the support of the entire Alabama House delegation as cosponsors, this week introduced legislation to designate July 9 as Warrant Officer Day. H. Res. 947 celebrates a century of warrant officer service and “honors and recognizes the contributions of all warrant officers of the Army, past, present, and future.” The Army Warrant Officer Corp was established on July 9, 1918; 2018 marks their 100th year of service to the U.S. Army. Today, Army Warrant Officers serve as technical experts, combat leaders, trainers, or advisers who fall into one of two categories: Aviators or Technicians. Army Warrant Officers serve on active duty, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard. Candidates attend the Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) administered by the Warrant Officer Career College at Fort Rucker in Alabama’s Second District. “Throughout their 100-year history, Army Warrant Officers have continued to represent the expertise and professionalism that led to their founding on July 9, 1918,” Roby said. “This resolution is a small token of appreciation for the service and sacrifices of our brave men and women who have and are currently serving as Army Warrant Officers. I am proud to lead this effort on behalf of the many men and women who served or are currently serving.” Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne joined Roby’s enthusiasm for the legislation, tweeting he was proud to co-sponsor the resolution. “Proud to co-sponsor this resolution to honor our nation’s @USArmy Warrant Officers. The Army’s Warrant Officer Career College is located at Fort Rucker in Southeast Alabama,” tweeted Byrne. Proud to co-sponsor this resolution to honor our nation’s @USArmy Warrant Officers. The Army’s Warrant Officer Career College is located at Fort Rucker in Southeast Alabama. https://t.co/wzY9T2Aeff — Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) June 20, 2018
Martha Roby: Combating the opioid crisis at home and across the country
There are countless important issues currently facing our state and nation. From our ongoing conversations with North Korea to the continuing need for enhanced security at the southern border, there’s no shortage of priorities that warrant discussion. Unfortunately, there is one very serious issue that continues to make headlines: the horrific opioid epidemic that is gripping our state and the entire country. I’m sure most of us know someone whose life has been affected by opioid abuse. Whether it’s prescription pain relievers or synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the crisis has only gotten worse. 64,070 people died from overdoses in our country in 2016, and 756 of those individuals were Alabamians. Now, in 2018, the problem has not improved. Did you know that 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioid drugs every single day? Just this year alone, it is estimated that more than 2 million Americans will suffer from opioid addiction. I’m pleased that last October, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. This epidemic has been wreaking havoc on communities and families across our country for far too long. While the statistics are certainly shocking, this is about so much more than numbers. Hundreds of thousands of real American people with lives, careers, and families have lost the battle with opioid drug abuse. That’s why the House has made combating this crisis a top priority over the last several years. You may remember that back in 2016, Congress passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and the 21st Century Cures Act. Earlier this year, we provided $4 billion in government funding specifically to address the opioid crisis. Building upon this work, the House recently passed dozens of meaningful bills to further combat the opioid epidemic, and I’d like to share the four ways we are using this legislation to help fight this serious issue. First, with the recently passed legislation, the House is focusing on treatment and recovery. Our bills improve and expand access to treatment and recovery services, provide incentives for enhanced care, and establish comprehensive opioid recovery centers. Hundreds of thousands of Americans from all walks of life are currently trapped by addiction, and it is imperative that we provide the resources to treat their addiction and help them recover. Second, we’re aiming for prevention. Opioids are an important part of modern day medical care for pain treatment, but they are prescribed entirely too often – and at alarming rates. Our legislation addresses these high prescribing rates while enhancing prescription drug monitoring programs. We have the technology, and it’s past time we used it to more effectively address this crisis. Our legislation also encourages non-addictive opioid alternatives, when practical, to treat pain, and improves the data that allows us to identify and help at-risk patients before the problem becomes dangerously serious. Third, we’re making efforts to better protect communities of all sizes throughout the country by giving law enforcement the tools necessary to remove dangerous drugs. Our bills also enable us to better intercept illicit opioids at international mail facilities and improve access to federal resources for local communities. Last but certainly not least, we’re fighting fentanyl. The legislation we passed in the House allows us to better tackle these ever-changing synthetic drugs, crack down on foreign shipments of illicit drugs, and provide grants for communities to combat fentanyl that is destroying lives as we speak. I am proud of the efforts we’ve made in the House recently to press forward in our fight against this horrible crisis gripping our state and nation, but our work is far from complete. We owe it to the more than 40,000 Americans who die every year – and their families – to push on until strong progress is made. You can read more about our work to combat the opioid epidemic by visiting www.opioidcrisis.gop. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
