Alabama lawmakers, groups respond to Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech
President Donald Trump delivered his second State of the Union address Tuesday night ending with a call for unity. Here’s what Alabama lawmakers and groups had to say about the President’s address: Sen. Richard Shelby: President Trump outlined a policy agenda that both parties can work together to achieve. During his first two years in office, the President has delivered on many promises to the American people, including signing historic tax reform into law, creating one of the strongest economies I have seen in my lifetime, and focusing on vital infrastructure projects. While huge strides were made to address our nation’s most critical issues last Congress, I applaud President Trump’s dedication to solve the challenges still facing us today. It is imperative that we work to put our political disagreements aside in order to secure our borders with a comprehensive solution. As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground on this critical issue. 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Tonight, President Trump’s message was clear: if we stop with the political games and focus on solutions, American Greatness knows no bounds. By supporting the President’s clear and bold agenda, the American people will be stronger, safer, and more prosperous. …It is time to stop with the politics of resistance and act on these critically important issues. President Trump is right when he said that great bipartisan achievements in this Congress are possible, especially when we rally behind a commonsense agenda building American Greatness. Let’s get it done. 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: In his second State of the Union address, President Trump highlighted the economic success hardworking Americans are experiencing thanks to the implementation of pro-growth policies, including the historic tax reform overhaul. I was also pleased to hear more about his plan to work with Congress to reinvigorate our badly aging infrastructure, strengthen our military, bolster our national security efforts, improve care for veterans, and defend the unborn. In addition, President Trump laid out his vision for our country’s future as it relates to enhancing border security and finally addressing our serious illegal immigration problem. Now, with a divided Congress, I was encouraged by his remarks about the importance of bipartisanship and working together to get our job done. I am eager to continue working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to deliver the results that the American people and Alabama’s Second District deserve. 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers: Tonight, President Trump reaffirmed in his speech what makes our country great. His vision for America is attainable if we all work together and his eloquent call for unity will only make our nation stronger. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to build an even stronger economy, ensure our national security remains a top priority and secure our Southwest border with Mexico 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt: As the President pointed out, the state of our Union is indeed strong. The economy is growing at an all-time high and unemployment is near record lows. And on the world stage, America is once again showing its strength. President Trump is not only working to defeat ISIS, but is also working to finally end the nuclear threat from North Korea. President Trump is getting so much pushback because he has forced Washington bureaucrats out of their comfort zone. Democrats, and even some Republicans, want to stick to the status quo, but that is not how you achieve results for all Americans. 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: President Trump did an excellent job of explaining why we must secure America’s porous southern border. Too many Americans have lost their lives and their jobs. Too many Americans have had their wages suppressed. Too many Americans are being forced to pay higher taxes to support welfare for illegal alien families. In short, President Trump laid bare for all to see the betrayal of American families by Democrats who care more about illegal aliens than Americans. Whether the focus was on economic prosperity, free enterprise versus socialism, international relations, health care, national security, or the promise of America, President Trump hit the game-winning grand slam, shot the game-winning three point shot, and scored the game-winning touchdown. In sum, President Trump reminded us of how great America is and how proud we should be to be Americans. 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: The President’s theme tonight of choosing greatness was what I think the nation needed to hear. He made it clear that we have a choice—we can choose to continue to pursue agendas that will weaken us, or we can choose an agenda that will unite us and ensure a bright and secure future for America. … I hope my Democratic colleagues will heed President Trump’s words tonight and return to this bipartisan approach that he has encouraged. He summed it up well tonight when he said, ‘Together, we can break decades of political stalemate. We can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. The decision is ours to make 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: The President’s promises of bipartisanship and unity tonight ring hollow. Actions speak louder than words. Over and over, the Trump administration has pursued divisive and destructive policies that have failed the middle class. The President has attacked people with pre-existing conditions and American’s right to health care. He has put corporate interests above those of working families by passing the GOP tax scam and denying federal workers their hard-earned paychecks during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Day in and day out, the President has sowed a culture of fear and falsehoods and put his own personal interests above those of the American people. Alabama Republican Party | Chairman Terry Lathan: President Trump showed true leadership through his incredible State of the Union Address. In calling for a renewal
Alabama delegation committee assignments for the 116th Congress
With the 116th Congress officially underway, members of the Alabama delegation have been announcing their committee and subcommittee assignments for the next two years. Here’s where the delegation will be serving: 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: House Armed Services Committee: Subcommittee assignments will be announced in the coming weeks. “Given Alabama’s many military installations and national defense programs, I am honored to again serve on the Armed Services Committee,” said Byrne. “Whether it is fighting for the Austal shipyard in Mobile or supporting missile defense programs critical to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, I look forward to continuing to be a steadfast advocate for a stronger, more capable U.S. military.” House Education and Labor Committee: Subcommittee assignments will be announced in the coming weeks. “The Education and Labor Committee is really all about supporting the American workforce and Alabama’s economy. In order to have a strong economy, we need an education system that builds a skilled workforce and keeps decision making authority at the local and state level,” Byrne explained. “We also need labor policies that benefit workers, not Big Labor bosses or Washington bureaucrats. On the Education and Labor Committee, I will fight every day for Alabama’s students, teachers, and workers.” 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: House Appropriations Committee: Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, the Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science. “I am honored to have the opportunity to continue serving on the House Appropriations Committee during the 116th Congress,” said Roby. “These subcommittee assignments give me a seat at the table to advocate for the conservative funding priorities that are important to the people I represent in Alabama’s Second District, including properly supporting our national security interests at home and abroad, ensuring adequate resources and care for our nation’s veterans, and more.” House Judiciary Committee: will serve as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. “I am humbled to have been selected to serve as the top Republican on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet,” Roby added. “As an attorney, I’m excited to work closely on the important issues this subcommittee touches and to be a stronger voice in this leadership capacity on behalf of my district and state.” 3rd District U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers: House Agriculture Committee House Armed Services Committee House Homeland Security Committee
Mo Brooks sees impending “disaster” in new CBO budget projections
Congressman Mo Brooks (Republican- district 5) has said that the newly released 10-year budget projections by the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) would mean “financial and economic disaster.” In a press release, Brooks said “The Congressional Budget Office’s latest 10-year budget projection paints a bleak picture of America’s financial future.” “As the CBO report makes clear, a lack of tax revenue is not the problem,” Brooks said, “out of control Washington spending is the problem. Washington elected officials have for years spent money American does not have, has to borrow to get, and cannot afford to pay back. In Fiscal Year 2018, the federal government’s revenue was $3.329 trillion while Washington spent $4.108 trillion, leaving a deficit of $779 billion.” He continued, “America spent 23% more than it brought in. If a business or household handled their finances as poorly as the federal government, that business or household would long ago have gone bankrupt. According to CBO, revenues are up and set to increase every year through 2029, yet deficits continue to explode. Spending, not a lack of revenue, drives America’s dangerously high deficits.” Brooks concluded, “America’s current fiscal path is ‘unsustainable’ according to United States Comptroller General Gene Dodaro and the Congressional Budget Office. In accounting language, the word ‘unsustainable’ means current finances cannot last and that an American financial disaster is the end result. Stated differently, America’s budget outlook is bleak, and, absent restoration of financial responsibility, America will inevitably experience a debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy that will be triggered the moment America’s creditors decide to stop loaning American even more money that we do not have, have to borrow to get, and cannot afford to pay back. Washington’s reckless spending is the greatest generational theft in American history. It is immoral to burden our children and grandchildren with a ticking time bomb that will inevitably result in an all-out financial meltdown.” CBO Director Keith Hall agrees with Brooks that debt “is on an unsustainable course.” He suggested revenue increases and cuts to revenue programs or both in order to address the problem. The CBO also predicts that that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year, CNBC reports.
Alabamians react to temporary shutdown deal
A deal was reached Friday which will open the government for three weeks while negotiations continue. Reactions came in from around the state. Here’s what Alabama politicians and groups are saying: Republican Congressman Mo Brooks: This shutdown has lasted far too long. The shutdown has hurt America, Alabama, the Tennessee Valley, and my own family because of its furloughs and no pay for work done. “Illegal aliens and America’s porous southern border cause, at a minimum, 50 deaths on American soil every single day,” Brooks added, “It is fantastic that Democrats recognize the twin evils of shutdowns and the carnage caused by illegal aliens and America’s porous southern border,” he continued, “I look forward to negotiating with Democrats to save American lives by beefing up our border security, building the required border barrier, and preventing yet another avoidable, economically damaging shutdown over border security funding disputes.” Alabama Arise executive director Robyn Hyden: The pain from this unnecessary shutdown has grown by the day. Fortunately, this deal will reopen the federal government without causing further damage to struggling people. We thank all the everyday Alabamians who demanded an end to this harmful shutdown. Our country can’t afford to end up back in this shameful situation a few weeks from now. And we can’t afford to leave millions of Americans at greater risk for hunger, homelessness and hardship. Lawmakers must reach a long-term funding deal that protects SNAP, WIC and other vital nutrition assistance and rental assistance programs. And they should do it without seeking other policies that would hurt people who struggle to make ends meet. Republican Congressman Richard Shelby: I commend the President for his continued willingness to negotiate and find a way to reopen the government. The Democrats have stated that once the government was reopened, they would be willing to negotiate in good faith on significant investments in border security, including a physical barrier. As a member of the Homeland Security conference committee, I hope that this continuing resolution will provide us the time to work out our differences in a fair and thoughtful manner and reach a bipartisan consensus on border security. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (7th District- Democrat): For the past 34 days, President Trump’s government shutdown has caused undue financial hardship on thousands of federal workers in my district and across the country while inflicting needless chaos and pain in the lives of all Americans. I am encouraged that the President finally agreed to re-open government today and to allow the process of negotiating funding bills to work. To be clear, it is never a good idea to shutdown government over policy disagreements. The American people deserve better from their elected officials. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on passing long-term funding bills that reflect our shared values, respect our workers and invest in smart, effective border security measures. *This article will be updated as more reactions come in.
Mo Brooks reintroduces ‘EL CHAPO’ Act to make the Mexican cartel funds pay for border wall
When it comes to ways to pay for the U.S. border wall with Mexico, Alabama’s 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks certainly has a creative idea: use funds tied to the prosecution of Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. On Wednesday, Brooks reintroduced the “Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act,” or the “EL CHAPO Act.” The EL CHAPO Act reserves approximately $14 billion in assets forfeited to the U.S. government as a result of the criminal prosecution of El Chapo, the former leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, as well as other drug lords, for border security funding – to include construction of the U.S.- Mexico border wall. “Radical Open Borders Democrats would rather shut down the government than provide taxpayer funding for a border wall that helps prevent thousands of American deaths each year,” said Brooks. “Fortunately, there are other ways to build a border wall, enhance border security, save American lives, and end the government shutdown that is slowly but sure hurting America’s economy and American citizens.” He continued, “Congress should end the shutdown by passing the EL CHAPO Act that, over time, funds border security and a border wall by using billions of dollars in seized drug and blood money profits from drug cartels and drug lords and reapplying those drug forfeiture monies to border security and construction of a border wall. The EL CHAPO Act kills two birds with one stone. On the one hand, it shifts drug and blood money to border security and a border wall, thus helping to save the lives of thousands of Americans who die each year at the hands of illegal aliens or because of America’s porous southern border. As a bonus, the passage of the EL CHAPO Act ends the battle over the government shutdown.” Original cosponsors of the House version of the EL CHAPO Act are: Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08) Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01) Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC-03) Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01) Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) Congressman Mark Green (TN-07) Congressman Jody B. Hice (GA-10) Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-03) Congressman Steve King (IA-04) Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11) Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05) Congressman Bill Posey (FL-08) He added, “Walls have worked since the dawn of time. Ancient civilizations employed walls to keep their citizens and property safe from harm. Today, physical barriers and fencing surround America’s most secure locations— the White House, Fort Knox, the federal supermax prison in Colorado; all have high physical barriers around them. Why? Because they work. It is absurd for anyone to argue border walls are ineffective.” The United States averages 60,000 illegal border crossings per month. “The EL CHAPO Act funds a large portion of the border wall without using taxpayer dollars and provides an alternative funding mechanism for the border wall,” Brooks explained. “With the EL CHAPO Act we can end the current impasse and resulting government shutdown. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer should listen to the American people and come to the negotiating table so we can secure our border.” Brooks sponsored the EL CHAPO Act in the 115th Congress as well. His bill is the House companion legislation to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s Senate bill by the same name.
Rep Mo Brooks calls Nancy Pelosi State of the Union cancellation unprecedented and radical
Republican Congressman Mo Brooks released a statement Wednesday in the wake of Speaker Nancy Pelosi telling President Donald Trump that the House would not authorize a State of the Union speech while the government was shut down. In the statement, Brooks called Pelosi’s action “unprecedented” and “radical.” It read, in part, “Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s first-time-in-history cancellation of a president’s State of the Union address shows how radical and hyper-partisan the Democrats have become and undermines bipartisanship at a time America needs it the most. This unprecedented attempt to muffle the President may appease the radical, Socialist base of the Democrat Party, but it hurts America and symbolizes how dysfunctional a Socialist Democrat House of Representatives has made Washington.” Brooks also reintroduced the EL CHAPO (Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act) Wednesday, a companion to a bill introduced by Ted Cruz in the Senate. This legislation would set aside $14 billion forfeited to the United States as a result of prosecuting drug cartel leaders including El Chapo, and using those funds to build the border wall. In a statement, Brooks said this would help to end the shutdown. “Congress should end the shutdown by passing the EL CHAPO Act that, over time, funds border security and a border wall by using billions of dollars in seized drug and blood money profits from drug cartels and drug lords and reapplying those drug forfeiture monies to border security and construction of a border wall.” Should the shutdown continue, the Congressman has suggested another solution. Last week, Brooks was one of several members of Congress who proposed the speech be moved to the Senate. At that time, he said “I most strongly encourage Vice-President Mike Pence, in his Constitutional capacity as the presiding officer of the Senate, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to invite President Trump to report to the American people on the state of the union in the Senate Chamber. While traditionally these addresses have been held in the House Chamber due to its larger size, inasmuch as House Democrats apparently do not want to hear from the President anyway, overcrowding of the Senate chamber should not be an issue. I urge President Trump, Vice-President Pence (as President of the Senate), and Leader McConnell to maintain January 29, 2019 as the date on which President Trump can address the American people from the Senate Chamber, thus putting President Trump with our first president, George Washington, who also gave his first State of the Union address in the Capitol’s Senate Chamber.”
Mo Brooks proposes State of the Union be moved to Senate Chamber
With the government shutdown stretching to nearly a month, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi asked President Donald Trump to postpone the upcoming State of the Union address. In a letter to the president on Wednesday, she wrote, Given the security concerns and unless the government re-opens this week, I suggest that we work together to determine another suitable date after government has re-opened for this address or for you to consider delivering your State of the Union address in writing to the Congress on January 29th. Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, took to Twitter to ensure the public that the State of the Union can go ahead as planned. The Department of Homeland Security and the US Secret Service are fully prepared to support and secure the State of the Union. We thank the Service for their mission focus and dedication and for all they do each day to secure our homeland. — Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@SecNielsen) January 16, 2019 Thursday, Alabama 5th District Rep. Republican Mo Brooks called for President Trump to move the speech from the House to the Senate Chamber in response, In a letter to the president, Vice President Pence, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Brooks called Pelosi’s request “hyper partisan.” He concluded his letter by saying, I most strongly encourage Vice-President Mike Pence, in his Constitutional capacity as the presiding officer of the Senate, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, to invite President Trump to report to the American people on the state of the union in the Senate Chamber. While traditionally these addresses have been held in the House Chamber due to its larger size, inasmuch as House Democrats apparently do not want to hear from the President anyway, overcrowding of the Senate chamber should not be an issue. I urge President Trump, Vice-President Pence (as President of the Senate), and Leader McConnell to maintain January 29, 2019 as the date on which President Trump can address the American people from the Senate Chamber, thus putting President Trump with our first president, George Washington, who also gave his first State of the Union address in the Capitol’s Senate Chamber. Brooks also responded to Pelosi on Wednesday, saying she was using the address as a “political bargaining chip.”
Mo Brooks introduces ‘No Work Without Pay Act’ amid government shutdown
It is the 19th day of the government shutdown and roughly 420,000 federal employees are currently working without timely pay or even the guarantee of getting paid, ,according to a report from the Senate Appropriations Committee. An additional 380,000 would be furloughed — meaning sent home without pay — the committee estimates. With no end in site, the shutdown could put these federal workers in dire financial straits. Which is why Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo brooks on Tuesday introduced H.R. 271, the No Work Without Pay Act — a bill that would ensure timely pay all employees who work during a government shutdown. “During a federal government shutdown, federal employees are treated in two different ways. Roughly 380,000 federal workers[1] are ‘furloughed’ (sent home without pay until the shutdown ends). Roughly 420,000 other federal employees (like TSA agents or border patrol agents) are ordered to work without timely pay or even the guarantee of getting paid,” explained Brooks. “Ordering a federal employee to work without timely pay is morally wrong and runs counter to every economic principle on which a free enterprise system is based. I have today introduced the No Work Without Pay Act to correct this wrong by requiring that federal employees who are ordered to work are timely paid for their work.” Brooks concluded, “Frankly, Washington should never have put federal employees in this position. When you consider that illegal aliens are a net tax loss of $116 billion annually[4] and that each year there are thousands of Americans who are dead at the hands of illegal aliens, $5 billion for a border wall is a paltry investment and a significant compromise down from the $25 billion needed to help secure America’s porous southern border. Unfortunately, too many Washington elected officials have made it clear that their thirst for political power is more important than the lives of American citizens. In a similar vein, I hope Democrats will rise to the occasion and treat federal workers better than they have treated American victims of illegal alien criminal conduct.” To date, the longest government shutdown occurred under President Bill Clinton‘s tenure, lasting 21 days.
Alabama’s delegation sworn in for 116th Congress
Alabama’s nine federal lawmakers — two Senators and seven Representatives — took their oaths of office Thursday as the 116th Congress got underway. Here’s what they had to say about their swearing-in: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: As we begin the 116th Congress, I look forward to continuing to serve the American people and welcome my eight new colleagues in the Senate. Let’s get to work! #116thCongress 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: I am honored and deeply humbled to represent Alabama’s Second District in Congress and serve as a voice for our shared conservative priorities. With every vote I cast, my guiding principle is that Alabama always comes first. From supporting Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and Fort Rucker to improving veterans’ health care and advancing smart agriculture policy, I will continue to fight for the issues that impact Alabamians. 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: As the 116th Congress begins its work, I am deeply honored to again have the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. As a Congressman, I have fought hard to defend the foundational principles that have made America the greatest nation in world history. I will continue to fight for those values in the face of stiff and majority-controlling Socialist Democrats in the 116th Congress. In particular, I will work to rein in out-of-control Washington spending, secure America’s borders and elections, defend free-enterprise policies from a strong and dangerous but naïve Socialist agenda, while also promoting strong national security and technological advancement NASA promotes for the benefit of all. The prosperity and freedom of America’s future generations is at stake. I appreciate the trust citizens of the Tennessee Valley have placed in me, and I look forward to a fifth term in the U.S. House. 6th District Rep. Gary Palmer: It was a great honor and privilege to stand on the House floor for the third time and pledge to support and defend the U.S. Constitution,” Palmer said. “I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Alabama’s Sixth District in Washington and pursuing sound policies for the good of the country during the 116th Congress. There is much to do over the next two years and I am eager to get back to work. 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: I am deeply honored to represent the constituents of Alabama’s 7th District here in the House of Representatives. As Democrats take the majority in the 116th Congress, we have work to do advancing priorities from wage growth to infrastructure investment to affordable health care. American voters have also made democracy reform a top issue, and in the new Congress I hope to secure broad support for passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act, a bill which strengthens voter access to the polls and combats discrimination in our elections. Today I am deeply moved to see the most diverse Congress in history sworn into office. We deserve a Congress that reflects the diversity of the American public, and last year I fought to break down barriers for women and working candidates running for office. The 102 women who were sworn into the House today are a testament to the power of the women who have marched, protested, and voted for their seat at the table. Watch the full House swearing-in ceremony below:
US House approves Mo Brooks’ bill to name Athens post office after ‘Scottsboro Boys’ judge
A bill that would name an Athens, Ala. post office to posthumously honor a former Alabama judge has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. House approved H.R. 6513, to designate the United States Postal Service Office located at 1110 West Market Street in Athens, Alabama, as the “Judge James E. Horton, Jr. Post Office Building,” Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks described Horton and why he was worthy of having a post office named in his honor. “Judge James Edwin Horton was born in Limestone County, Alabama on January 4, 1878. Despite having no formal education until he was eight or nine, Judge Horton was accepted to Vanderbilt University’s medical studies program and, later, to Cumberland University where he earned his bachelor and law degrees. Judge Horton served in the Alabama State Legislature until he took a Limestone County, Alabama chancery court position. Thereafter, he was elected circuit court judge for Alabama’s Eighth Judicial Circuit. After reelection to a second term, Judge Horton was appointed to preside over the retrials of the highly controversial and nationally renowned ‘Scottsboro Boys’ cases,” explained Brooks. Brooks continued, “By way of background, the ‘Scottsboro Boys’ cases involved nine African Americans, ages 13 to 20, accused of raping two white women on a train in 1931 as it traveled through Scottsboro and Jackson County, Alabama. In the first trials, eight of nine defendants were found guilty and sentenced to death, a verdict later reversed by the United States Supreme Court. After a guilty verdict and death sentence during the second set of Scottsboro Boys trials, Judge Horton bravely issued an order setting aside the jury’s guilty verdict against Haywood Patterson and ordered a new trial. In 2013, the Scottsboro Boys were formally pardoned under Alabama law.” “For his bravery in the face of extreme racial prejudice and for his willingness to support justice that risked and ended his judicial career, Judge Horton deserves the posthumous honor of having the Athens, Alabama Post Office named for him, and it is appropriate that his legacy be held up as a guide for future generations,” Brooks concluded. Notably, every other member of Alabama’s House Delegation cosponsored the bill.
DOJ seeks to dismiss Alabama’s lawsuit over inclusion of illegal aliens in US Census
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing back on Alabama’s lawsuit against the federal government over inclusion of illegal aliens in US Census. The DOJ challenged the lawsuit in a motion filed Monday, arguing the case should be dismissed because the plaintiffs lack of jurisdiction. “There simply is no case or controversy that would justify having this Court wade into the constitutional and other claims raised by Plaintiffs’ lawsuit. Accordingly… this Court should dismiss Plaintiffs’ Complaint for lack of jurisdiction,” read the motion from the DOJ. In May, Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit against the federal government over what they said was the Census Bureau‘s “unlawful” decision to include of illegal immigrants in census data “used to determine the apportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Electoral College.” Marshall says the move will cause Alabama to lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representative as well as a vote in the Electoral College. “If the U.S. Census Bureau follows through with its plan to include illegal aliens in the 2020 census for purposes of apportionment, Alabama will lose both a seat in the U.S. House of Representative and a vote in the Electoral College,” explained Marshall. “Alabama’s loss will be another state’s gain, as states with a growing illegal alien population will be the beneficiary of this reapportionment. I have joined with Congressman Mo Brooks in filing suit against the federal government to stop the inclusion of illegal aliens in the census’s apportionment population. The Constitution does not permit the dilution of our legal residents’ right to equal representation in this manner.” Brooks echoed Marshall’s thoughts. “Each decade, 435 Congressional seats are apportioned among the states based on population. Congressional seats should be apportioned based on the population of American citizens, not illegal aliens. After all, this is America, not the United Nations,” said Brooks. But the DOJ contends the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate this could happen in their lawsuit. “Plaintiffs, however, have failed to demonstrate—even at the pleading stage—that the inclusion of illegal aliens would actually result in this injury. The very purpose of the census—an event that will not even take place until 2020—is to count the number of people residing in each state,” their motion read. “…Because the census has not yet taken place, thus making their claimed injury speculative, conjectural, and hypothetical. As a fallback, Alabama alleges that it is likely to lose funding if illegal aliens are included in the census, but that claimed injury is just as speculative as its claimed loss of representation because it relies upon the same type of prediction as to what the census will yield.” In their lawsuit, Marshall and Brooks argue the Census Bureau’s “Residence Rule” — which allows foreign nationals living in the United States to be counted in the census and allocated to the state of their “usual residence” regardless of whether they are legally present in the U.S. — violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the constitutional principal of equal representation: But the DOJ said it believes Alabama’s suit falls outside the zone of interests protected by the Constitution’s Census Clause. “And to the extent funding decisions are based on total population, Alabama would nonetheless receive its fair share based on its total population, including its population of illegal alien residents (many of whom use government services, such as attending schools). For those reasons alone, Alabama’s claim that it will lose federal funds if illegal aliens are included in the census is too speculative to support standing,” the motion explained. Brooks declined to comment on the DOJ’s motion when asked by Alabama Today. The State of Alabama’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau was filed May 21, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Click HERE to view the lawsuit. Read the DOJ’s filing below:
What they’re saying: Alabama politicians react to resignation of Jeff Sessions
Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from his post Wednesday, at the request of President Donald Trump, less than 24 hours after voters went to the polls in the midterm elections. Politicians from across Alabama are reacting to the news: Sen. Richard Shelby: Thank you to my good friend, Jeff Sessions, for over 40 years of noble service to Alabama and our country. Jeff was a respected colleague of mine in the Senate for two decades and represented our nation with honor as the U.S. Attorney General. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: I’ve known Jeff Sessions for almost four decades, and I applaud his dedicated service to Alabama and our country. I wish him and Mary nothing but the best. I’m confident President Trump will nominate an Attorney General who will continue to be strong on illegal immigration and work to enforce the rule of law in our country. 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: I have always known Jeff Sessions to be a man of the highest integrity. I am grateful for his long career in service to the State of Alabama, and I appreciate his remarkable leadership as our country’s Attorney General. I wish him the very best in whatever endeavors follow. 4th District U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt: Having served with Jeff Sessions in Congress, I can honestly say that he has always been someone who is of the utmost character and ability. I know he worked every day to uphold the law in all fairness to everyone. He has done great work enforcing our immigration laws, fighting gangs and opioid abuse and upholding religious liberties. Jeff, and his wife Mary, have been good friends with Caroline and me. We wish them the best in whatever is in store for them in the next chapter of their lives 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: Jeff Sessions honorably and ably served as a United States Attorney, Alabama Attorney General, United States Senator, and U.S. Attorney General. Throughout his long career of public service, Jeff’s deep love of country was evident in his unwavering devotion to upholding America’s foundational principles as enshrined in our Constitution. He served with integrity and dignity. I’m proud to have worked alongside him as both a prosecutor in Alabama and member of Congress. I have been fortunate to know Jeff Sessions for a quarter of a century. As an elected official, Jeff Sessions never wavered in his fierce defense of the Rule of Law and America’s sovereign right to defend and secure its own borders. Jeff Sessions has made Alabama proud. I wish him the best as he embarks on his next journey. 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: I have known Jeff Sessions for over three decades. When I met him, he was doing honorable service. In this Administration, his service was nothing less than honorable. I’m grateful for his service and friendship and wish him the best in the future. 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: Today’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions is an alarming reminder of the need for checks and balances. Here in Congress, we have a responsibility to protect special counsel Robert Mueller and the investigation into Russia’s interference in our democracy. Our elections were attacked, and the American people deserve all of the facts on what happened. If Attorney General Sessions was fired as a first step towards interfering in the Mueller investigation, then President Trump must be held accountable. Attorney General Steve Marshall: During his time as U.S. Attorney General, Jeff Sessions has been the standard-bearer for upholding the rule of law and fighting every day to make America safer. He has been a vital partner to state attorneys general, and to me personally, in dealing with violent crime and in strengthening our efforts to combat America’s opioid crisis. While his style was to work quietly behind the scenes, he made a powerful positive difference in rebuilding the confidence of prosecutors and law enforcement personnel across the nation—not just as U.S. Attorney General, but also as U.S. Senator and Alabama Attorney General. My staff and I will greatly miss Jeff’s leadership at the Department of Justice and we wish him all the best. Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan: A man of integrity, Jeff Sessions has led the Department of Justice with dignity and a firm commitment to the rule of law. His reputation as a dedicated public servant precedes his many years of honorable service to our nation. From his time as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, Alabama Attorney General, U.S. Senator, to the 84th Attorney General of the United States, Alabamians have strongly supported Jeff Sessions. …A true Alabama statesman, Jeff Sessions has been a warrior for President Trump’s conservative agenda. From enforcing our nation’s immigration laws, fighting opioid abuse to strongly supporting members of our law enforcement, Jeff Sessions has consistently made Alabama proud. His service can be most accurately summed up in our state’s motto: ‘We dare defend our rights.’ Unwavering and resolute, our country needs more public servants like Jeff Sessions. We are blessed and are stronger because of his humble sacrifices through his lifetime of service to Alabama and America.
