Bradley Byrne: Getting around the District
Each August, Members of Congress head back to their home states for a District Work Period. I use this time to travel throughout my district and interact with the people I represent in Congress. These District Work Periods are jammed packed with multiple stops a day, plenty of time in the car, and important conversations with constituents. To help explain just how busy these weeks can be, I want to walk you through my last week on the road in Southwest Alabama. Monday morning started off bright and early with an appearance on WABF Radio in Fairhope. It is important to spend time visiting with members of the local media to help share information about the work being done in Washington. Next, we traveled over to Wendy’s in Spanish Fort for a roundtable discussion with leaders from local franchises. The topic of conversation focused on my new bill, the Save Local Business Act. Then we headed up to Bay Minette for lunch with our school superintendents. With school starting back, this lunch offered an opportunity to discuss the impact federal education policy has on our local schools. My town hall meeting in Fairhope was next on the schedule. We had a packed house, but I thought the conversation was thoughtful and productive. While we may not agree on every issue, I promise to always listen to your perspective. Most of Tuesday was spent in Mobile. I started out speaking to realtors at the Berkshire Hathaway office in West Mobile before heading downtown to speak to the Trustmark Bank Coastal Alabama Advisory Board. Then it was back across the street to my Mobile office for a roundtable discussion with the presidents from our local colleges and universities. These institutions of higher education are important to our local economy, so I always make time to listen to their concerns. On Wednesday, we headed down to Bayou La Batre for a series of meetings and events. First up was a visit to Safe Harbor, a public housing authority. Then I visited two local businesses: Jubilee Seafood and Steiner Construction. The seafood and shipbuilding industry are critically important to both Bayou La Batre and our entire district, so I expressed my commitment to ensuring federal policies do not harm their operations. Finally, I stopped by Mostellar Medical Clinic, a community health center serving Mobile and Washington counties. I was blown away by the range of services offered at the clinic, and the visit just further reaffirmed my support for community health centers. Thursday we were back in Baldwin County for a speech to the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I shared my perspective on military and veteran issues. After a quick stop at the Tanger Outlets in Foley to listen to their ideas for tax reform, I stopped at Gulf Shores City Hall for my second town hall meeting of the week. This marked my 89th town hall meeting since being elected to Congress, and I look forward to holding more town halls later this month. Friday morning we were up early and headed back down to Gulf Shores for a Coastal Alabama Business Chamber meeting. I gave on update on three important local priorities: the I-10 Bridge, Red Snapper, and the jobs at the Austal Shipyard. After meetings in my Summerdale office, we were wrapped up for the week. As you can see, these District Work Periods are anything but restful. Instead, the time gives me a much needed opportunity to get out and listen to the people I represent. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Only 2 members of Alabama’s congressional delegation hosting town halls during Easter break
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are currently in the middle of a two and half week Easter recess. In the past, during similar breaks from D.C., members would fill their schedules with town hall meetings with constituents. But not this time. As of Wednesday, most members of Alabama’s congressional delegation don’t have any town halls scheduled over their break that began on Monday. Five of Alabama’s seven Congressional members are following a national trend — avoiding town halls altogether. Perhaps to avoid the ire of the failed health care vote, or possible backlash from President Donald Trump‘s decision to airstrike Syria, but regardless of reason 2nd District Rep. Martha Roby, 3rd District Rep. Mike Rogers, 4th District Rep. Robert Aderholt and 5th District Rep. Mo Brooks don’t have any town halls scheduled on their websites this break. But that doesn’t mean they’re not working. Many will spend the break meeting with constituents and visiting local businesses across their districts. 7th District Rep. Terri Sewell is not hosting any events this break as she mourns the loss of her beloved father, legendary Selma High Basketball Coach Andrew A. Sewell. “My father was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, teacher, basketball coach and mentor to thousands of young people during his 36 year career as a coach and teacher,” said Sewell. “As the Head Basketball Coach at Selma High, Coach Sewell led the Selma Saints to Area or State Playoffs 12 out of 19 years including two state runner-up finishes and two third place finishes in the Alabama Class 6-A High School state tournaments. Despite a series of strokes from 1988 to 2003, my father continued to live life with the same strength, grit and determination that he demanded of his players. We are so proud of his extraordinary life of exemplary sportsmanship and we are comforted by the knowledge that his legacy will live on in the many lives that he touched. “ As for those brave enough to host town halls, only 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Bryne and 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer are willing to take on constituent questions and feedback head-on this Easter break. At their respective town hall events, which are free and open to the public, the representatives will take questions and address important issues that face Alabamians. See below for the dates, times and locations: Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Bryne is hosting a whopping 11 town halls during the break. “Over the week of April 17th, I will be holding eleven town hall meetings in four days with stops in each of the counties that make up Alabama’s First Congressional District,” said Byrne. Wilmer Town Hall Monday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. Wilmer Senior Citizens Center 13251 Avenue B Wilmer, AL 36587 Stapleton Town Hall Monday, April 17 at 4:00 p.m. Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department 36578 AL-59 Stapleton, AL 36578 Satsuma Town Hall Tuesday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. Satsuma City Hall 5464 Old Highway 43 Satsuma, AL 36572 Poarch Creek Town Hall Tuesday, April 18 at 2:30 pm. Tribal Council Chambers 5811 Jack Springs Road Atmore, AL 36502 Brewton Town Hall Tuesday, April 18 at 5:15 p.m. Brewton Community Center 1010A Douglas Avenue Brewton, AL 36426 Alabama Port Town Hall Wednesday, April 19 at 9:30 a.m. Alabama Port Volunteer Fire Department 3290 Highway 188 Coden, AL 36523 Daphne Port Town Hall Wednesday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m. Daphne City Hall 1708 Main Street Daphne, AL 36526 Foley Town Hall Wednesday, April 19 at 4:00 p.m. Foley City Hall 407 East Laurel Avenue Foley, AL 36535 Excel Town Hall Thursday, April 20 at 11:30 a.m. Excel Town Hall 3199 AL-136 Excel, AL 36439 Grove Hill Town Hall Thursday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. Grove Hill Senior Center 113 Clark Street Grove Hill, AL 36451 Wagarville Town Hall Thursday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m. Wagarville Nutrition Center 27531 Highway 56 Wagarville, AL 36585 Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: Chelsea Town Hall Tuesday, April 18 at 6 p.m. Chelsea Community Center 11101 Highway 47 Chelsea, AL 35043 Gardendale Town Hall Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Gardendale Civic Center 857 Main Street Gardendale, AL 35071
Bradley Byrne: Nothing affordable about the ‘Affordable Care Act’
In 2008, then Sen. Barack Obama famously said, “In an Obama administration, we will lower premiums by up to $2,500 for a typical family per year.” You don’t have to be a health insurance expert to know that was a lie. All around the First District of Alabama, I talk to folks who are hurting because of the burdensome cost of health insurance under Obamacare. Perhaps Bill Clinton put it best, “You’ve got this crazy system … people are out there busting it, sometimes 60 hours a week, wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half. It’s the craziest thing in the world.” Unfortunately, things are only getting worse. This week, 2017 premium rates were released for the Obamacare exchanges. Across the country, enrollees will see a shocking average premium increase of 25.6 percent. But, this is only the average of all exchanges. For Alabamians, rates will increase a whopping average of 58 percent. The Obama administration was quick to say this will not affect most people on the exchanges because, under Obamacare, as premiums increase, so does the share of the premium the government picks up. It is as if these folks do not realize where the government gets the money to pay for these premiums — from the taxpayers. In 2016, taxpayers subsidized the exchanges to the tune of $42 billion. Already, these subsidies were expected to jump to $106 billion by 2026 and a 25 percent increase in premiums is likely to add at least $8 billion to the taxpayer’s bill for just 2017. More importantly, the Obama administration doesn’t account for the millions of people who receive no subsidy because their family income is 400 percent above the federal poverty line. With that in mind, I decided to log into the Alabama exchange to see what I could find. I selected a family of four with parents in their mid-30s, two young children, that do not smoke. Without a subsidy, the cheapest plan on the exchange for Mobile County carried a premium of $982.45 a month with a deductible of $12,900 a year! So, under Obamacare, two middle-class parents would have to pay $24,689.40 a year just to be able to use their health insurance. Of course, Obamacare’s problems aren’t just being felt by those using the exchange. Traveling around the district, I hear from employers and employees alike that healthcare costs are skyrocketing. Most of us remember when, not too long ago, you could go to the doctor or pick up a prescription on your company’s sponsored insurance and pay only a small copayment. Today, Obamacare’s mandates and red tape prevent employers and insurance companies from offering the type of plans we were accustomed to just a few years ago. For those lucky enough to have employer-sponsored insurance, there is often a huge deductible to be paid. Of course, Republicans were sounding the alarm about these costs before Obamacare was passed. Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid chose to ram the bill through Congress without Republican support. Since my first day in Congress, I have said Obamacare is a complete disaster. These premium hikes only prove what Republicans have been saying for years, the entire bill must be repealed and replaced. As your congressman, cleaning up the mess known as Obamacare will remain one of my top priorities for the next Congress. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Bradley Byrne: A recap from the road
What do dehydrated fruits and vegetables, a new workforce training center, six town hall meetings, and the University of Alabama have in common? They were all a part of my busy week on the road in Southwest Alabama. Some of my most valuable time is spent traveling across the First Congressional District talking directly to the people I represent in Congress. With the House out of session until after the upcoming election, there have been many great opportunities to listen to the ideas and concerns of my constituents. I kicked things off Monday morning with a visit to Spring Hill College in Mobile to speak with students, tour the campus, and meet with President Christopher Puto. Spring Hill is an important part of the education system in Southwest Alabama, and its impact is felt all across the United States. Next, I headed to Mobile’s Providence Hospital to meet with community partners who serve those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We had an important conversation about the ways federal policy can help those with Alzheimer’s, as well as family caregivers. I finished the day with a Veterans Town Hall Meeting at Battleship Memorial Park. I heard from a number of veterans who are still frustrated with the quality of care they are receiving from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I outlined my support for the new VA clinic in Mobile and explained why I believe every veteran should be given a card to receive care from private doctors and hospitals in their local community instead of being forced into the failed VA bureaucracy. On Tuesday morning, I headed to Foley to celebrate the grand opening of Bon Secour Valley Ingredients. The new operation will bring a state-of-the-art fruit and vegetable dehydration and roasting facility to Baldwin County. This is just the latest in a long line of businesses George Woerner and his family have brought to our area. After having lunch with some members of the Gulf Coast News Today team in Summerdale, I headed up to Flomaton in Escambia County for a town hall meeting. We discussed a range of topics including health care, immigration, and the role of the media in politics. On Wednesday, I headed up to Clarke County for a number of meetings and events. I started off in Grove Hill with a visit to Clarke County High School. I enjoyed speaking with some of their students and checking out the new Clarke County Regional Workforce Training Center. Next, I held a town hall meeting in Jackson. Before the meeting, I had the opportunity to honor Jackson Mayor Richard Long for his over 20 years of service to the local community. His work has made a huge impact. Next, I went over to McIntosh in Washington County for a town hall meeting. At both the town halls in Jackson and McIntosh, I took questions on Social Security, foreign policy, religious freedom, and more. On Thursday, I held two more town hall meetings, in Mobile County’s Turnerville community and Uriah in Monroe County. Questions at these meetings covered everything from the presidential election to Obamacare to workforce training. I wrapped things up in Tuscaloosa on Friday with a visit to the University of Alabama. As our state’s only member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I believe it is important to understand the challenges and opportunities facing all of our institutions of higher education. Needless to say, it was a busy but successful week on the road. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Email Insights: Bradley Bryne sends weekly constituent newsletter
On Sunday, Alabama 1st District U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne emailed constituents his weekly newsletter with updates of what he’s been working on the past week as well as what’s ahead. With his upcoming schedule filled with the Ag Matters tour — with stops in each of the 1st District’s six counties, where he’ll chat with local farmers and foresters to discuss ways the Congress can better assist them — to visiting organizations in Summerdale and Foley who are helping fight poverty in the area, it sounds like Byrne has a very full schedule this October. Read Byrne’s full newsletter below: Dear Friend, If you turn on the national news, it is easy to grow discouraged. From ongoing terrorism issues to the sluggish economy, our nation continues to face a wide range of serious challenges. That said, here in Southwest Alabama, we have had a decent run of positive news lately. I want to highlight some of the encouraging developments that impact every community in our area. Rural Development Loans: I received word last week that the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development office is starting a Community Facilities Relending Program to benefit rural areas in Southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida. United Bank, headquartered in Atmore, will serve as a lender for the program, and they will be able to issue up to $40,000,000 in loans to local communities. This program targets rural areas with high and persistent poverty rates. Funds from the loan program can be used on a range of essential community facilities or equipment including healthcare facilities, town halls, courthouses, child care centers, fire departments, police vehicles, libraries, food pantries, and more. This is certainly good news as many of our rural communities will be eligible to apply for these low-interest loans. DISC Grant: Baldwin County received some good news a few weeks ago when the Economic Development Administration announced a $846,583 grant for the Daphne Innovation and Science Complex (DISC). The DISC project is an important tool to help spur growth in the technology and science industries around Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Economic Development Grants: The Economic Development Administration also announced grants for the City of Atmore to construct an industrial access road and for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce to renovate and modernize the former Threaded Fasteners building. Pipeline Grant: The Poarch Creek Band of Indians in Escambia County was recently awarded a grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Administration. The over $33,000 grant will help with emergency preparedness efforts. Career/Tech Center: In Clarke County, work has started on a new workforce training facility in Grove Hill. This facility is a major step in the right direction when it comes to encouraging vocational education and making sure students are gaining the skills they need to get a good-paying job. These are just a few instances of positive news for our area. Of course, these developments alone will not be enough. I am committed to continuing to advocate for Southwest Alabama every chance I get. Thanks to our outstanding people, our area has unlimited potential, and I am excited to keep working on your behalf. Town Hall Meetings I’m excited to announce a slate of town hall meetings throughout Southwest Alabama for the month of October. It is possible more stops may be added. All of my town hall meetings are free to attend and open to everyone, so feel free to invite your friends and family. My town hall meetings are about you and listening to your concerns and ideas about our country. I also look forward to sharing some details with you about the House Republican “Better Way” agenda. You can find all the details about my upcoming town hall meetings by clicking here. In Case You Missed It Here are a few articles from the past week worth taking a look at: “Byrne applauds USDA’s new relending program to reduce rural poverty” – Alabama Today “United Bank chosen as lender for largest re-loan program” – Atmore Advance “Labor regulation critics focus on compliance costs” – Bloomberg News “In boost for faltering process, Colombia’s Santos wins Nobel Peace Prize” – Reuters “Grant gives DISC project push to move forward” – Gulf Coast News Today “Ryan plans to steamroll Democrats with budget tool” – Politico “Baldwin EMC crews head into the storm” – WKRG “Bradley Byrne: A better way for affordable health care” – Alabama Today Photo of the Week: What’s Ahead I continue to travel throughout Southwest Alabama to visit with you and learn more about the challenges facing our local businesses. For example, I will be holding my second annual Ag Matters tour with stops in each of our six counties that make up Alabama’s First Congressional District. Despite our manufacturing gains, agriculture remains the top industry in Alabama. I look forward to visiting with some of our local farmers and foresters to discuss ways the Congress can better assist them. I will also be visiting some organizations in Summerdale and Foley who are helping fight poverty in our area. These meetings are just one part of my larger effort to explore what works and what doesn’t work in the fight against poverty. As always, if you have questions or need help with a federal agency, my staff and I stand ready to assist. You can always give us a call at 251-690-2811 or click here to send me an email. Don’t forget to also follow me on Facebook and Twitter in order to get up-to-the-minute updates about my visits and meetings all across Southwest Alabama. Stay in touch, Congressman Bradley Byrne PS: Do you enjoy my email updates? If so, please forward these updates to your friends and family. They can also sign up to get my updates by clicking here.
Bradley Byrne: Working for you
When most people think about the job of a member of Congress, they often think about casting votes or attending committee meetings. While these are important parts of the job, much of my time is spent providing important services to the people of Southwest Alabama. One of the key roles of my Congressional office is known as casework. This means helping residents of Alabama’s First Congressional District navigate the federal bureaucracy. We can do this by intervening on your behalf to check on the status of issues with agencies like Social Security or Medicare. The overwhelming majority of the cases my office works on are related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This is due to both the unusually high number of veterans in Southwest Alabama and the incompetent management of the VA on the benefits and health care sides of the department. If you are having issues with the VA or any other federal agency, please contact my office so we can check on the issue for you. My staff and I cannot promise perfect outcomes, but we will do everything we can to ensure you are treated fairly and that your case receives the attention it deserves. If your business or organization is having an issue with other federal agencies, my staff may be able to assist with that as well. The same goes for any issues you may be experiencing with obtaining a passport for international travel. It is important to remember that my office can only assist with federal agencies or programs. We do not have the ability to intervene on local or state issues. Additionally, my office does not get involved in legal matters. If you have questions about these issues, my staff and I are happy to try and point you in the right direction. Another service my office provides is nominating young men and women from Southwest Alabama to serve in one of our nation’s military service academies. In order to attend most of our service academies, students must be nominated by a U.S. Congressman or Senator. Each year, I hold a Service Academy Night to allow young people to learn more about the process and visit with representatives from each of the academies. This year’s Academy Night is Oct. 3 at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation to serve for a minimum of five years upon graduation. My office also can help arrange for you to receive a flag that has flown over the United States Capitol. Many people have found these flags to be the perfect gift to recognize a friend or loved one upon their retirement, graduation, birthday, or other occasion. Some families also request a flag for the funeral of a deceased veteran, and we are honored to expedite such requests. If you are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., my staff can also help arrange for tours of some of our national landmarks like the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, or the Supreme Court. We can also assist with tours of the White House, but those requests should be made at least six weeks in advance. These are just a few of the services my office provides that you may not have been aware of. Of course, my staff and I are always available to answer questions about federal legislation or other issues under debate in Congress. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Bradley Byrne calls for national unity following Orlando attack
Following Sunday morning’s mass shooting in an Orlando nightclub that left 50 dead, Alabama 1st District U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne took the House floor Tuesday and called for national unity. Byrne condemned the shooting, and described it to be a “terrorist attack.” He then proceeded to offer his condolences for the victims, which ranged from 18 – 50 years old, and their loved ones. “In moments like this, it is my hope that we can come together as a nation, and as a people, instead of turning against one another,” said Bryne. “…I hope every American will join me in condemning these hateful attacks and pledge to stand together in support of those who tragically lost their lives.” You can watch his full speech below: A transcript of entire speech: Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Orlando. This tragedy is a strike at every single American regardless of your age, race, gender, sexual orientation, location, or religious beliefs. Our hearts go out to the wounded and their families, but most especially to the family and loved ones of all who were killed. There is no room for hate in America, and this ugly crime is the result of a coward following his own hate. It doesn’t matter what the source of that hate was – it was and is an affront to God himself. In moments like this, it is my hope that we can come together as a nation, and as a people, instead of turning against one another. If we allow these attacks to pull us further apart, then we have done exactly what the attacker intended to achieve. So I hope every American will join me in condemning these hateful attacks and pledge to stand together in support of those who tragically lost their lives.
Bradley Byrne says Donald Trump, not Hillary Clinton, best suited to address major issues
The Republican presidential nomination is effectively wrapped up as White House-hopeful Donald Trump has the necessary 1,237 delegates to clinch the nomination at the Republican Convention in Cleveland next month. Republican Congressman Bradley Byrne threw his support behind the presumed nominee Tuesday, stating the need for a bold, conservative agenda. “Today marks the end of the Republican nominating process, and it is time to stop with the political sideshows and get serious about the issues facing the American people,” said Byrne. Byrne continued, “Just today, I stood with other House leaders as we outlined a plan to help lift Americans out of poverty. This is a bold agenda that requires a leader who is willing to take on big problems. Hillary Clinton has shown time-and-time again that she is a candidate stuck in the past, and ideas of the past have clearly failed our nation’s poor. We cannot afford eight more years of a lagging economy and more distance between Americans and their American dream. “I believe Donald Trump is the candidate willing to address the problems of today. He has the assertiveness and determination to tackle poverty head on by encouraging work, helping connect Americans with the educational experience they need, and growing the economy right here at home. If we make this election about solutions, I have great confidence we will be victorious in November.”
In Alabama congressional races, incumbents stay safe
Despite incessant worrying over what Donald Trump-anti-incumbent-fueled voter turnout would mean at the polls, all members of the Alabama congressional delegation managed to hold on to their seats in Tuesday’s primary election. U.S. Senate Republican Richard Shelby, who was first elected to the Senate in 1986, faced challenges from four Republican opponents. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Shelby won by over 35 points. His closest opponent former Marine Capt. Jonathan McConnell garnered only 28 percent of the vote to Shelby’s 65 percent, with all other challengers taking only about 8 percent of the vote. On the Democratic side, business owner Shadrack McGill, who served in the state Senate from 2010 and 2014, and challengers John Martin, Marcus Bowman and Ron Crumpton faced off also in hopes of unseating Shelby, with Crumpton taking home the Democratic nomination, winning 56 percent of the vote. U.S. House of Representatives AL-01 Former state senator U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne secured his first full term in office after defeating challenger Dean Young. Byrne, first elected to Congress in a special election in 2013, took home 60 percent of the vote, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-02 Former Montgomery City Council member and three-term Congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Martha Roby defeated Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson to represent the 2nd District, which includes much of Montgomery and southeast Alabama. Roby won slightly more than 66 percent of the vote, meanwhile Gerritson took home only 27 percent of the vote, and Bob Rogers just over 5 percent. AL-03 First elected to the House in 2003, former Calhoun County commissioner U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers defeated longtime Auburn public school administrator Larry DiChiara to represent the 3rd District, which covers east-central Alabama. Rogers won 76 percent of the vote to DiChiara 24 percent. Standing between Rogers and his eighth term in Congress is Jesse Smith. Smith, a Phenix City native, was was unchallenged for the Democratic nomination. AL-04 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) defeated opponent Phil Norris the Republican nomination for representative of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, moving one step closer to his eleventh term in office. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Aderholt received 102,348 votes, 81 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-05 Third term Congressman Rep. Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama’s 5th District — encompassing the counties of Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and most of Jackson — was un-opposed. AL-06 Co-founder and former longtime president of the Alabama Policy Institute, U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer, was un-opposed. Palmer is Alabama’s newest Congressman and first elected in 2014 to represent portions of Birmingham, nearly all of Jefferson County outside of Birmingham, and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Colbert, Coosa and Shelby counties. AL-07 Alabama’s lone Democratic representative, Terri Sewell, who assumed office in 2011 was un-opposed. Her district encompasses portions of Birmingham,Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.
Bradley Byrne: What I’m hearing in southwest Alabama
“What are you hearing?” That is probably the most common question I get whether I’m visiting a local business or just stopping by the grocery store. People want to know what my constituents and their neighbors are worried about. One of the best ways I hear the concerns of my constituents is by holding town hall meetings. These meetings aren’t formal events, and they certainly don’t include long speeches. In fact, I don’t even make opening comments. I simply get right into taking questions and listening to concerns from my constituents. Over the last two year years, I have held over 60 of these town hall style meetings. From Gulf Shores to Chatom to Monroeville, I’ve held meetings in every corner of the First Congressional District. I’ve also held town hall meetings on Facebook and over the phone in order to connect with people who may not be able to stop by in person. Just last week, I held town hall meetings in Tillman’s Corner and Magnolia Springs. We had really great turnout for each of the meetings, so I thought I would share some of the top concerns I heard. The number one topic at both meetings was issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our area is home to over 52,000 veterans, and far too many of them are being left behind by the VA’s bureaucracy. These concerns just further motivate me to take power away from the VA and instead allow veterans to receive care from doctors and hospitals in their local community. If you or someone you know is having problems with the VA, my office may be able to help. Please contact my Mobile office by phone at (251) 690-2811 or send me an email online at Byrne.House.Gov. My staff and I work for you. Last week, I also heard from a large number of people who are frustrated with President Obama’s decision to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees into the United States. This plan is severely flawed and puts the American people at great risk. That’s why I have introduced a bill that would stop the Syrian refugee program altogether by defunding it. Border security and illegal immigration was another hot topic. People are simply outraged that our nation’s immigration laws are not being enforced, and I am just as frustrated as everyone else. We need to boost border security and start enforcing our immigration laws. People need to know that there are clear consequences to entering our nation illegally. I also received a lot of questions about the rising costs of healthcare. I hear far too often from individuals who had their health care plans cancelled or have seen their deductibles rise due to Obamacare. This is why I am leading the charge in Congress to repeal Obamacare once and for all. The law is clearly not working because it is actually making health care more expensive. It must go. As with most of my town hall meetings, I heard a number of concerns about federal spending. We are on a dangerous path if we don’t reform our nation’s spending priorities. We must reform our nation’s welfare programs to cut down on fraud and abuse in the system. The goal of our welfare programs should be to help bring people out of poverty, not to incentivize them to stay there. So that’s what I’m hearing. A lot of people are simply frustrated with the direction our country is headed. I don’t blame them because I am too. We must restore people’s confidence in America again, and we do that by first listening to their concerns. That has always been and always will be my top priority. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of the U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Bradley Byrne: Reforming and reducing federal spending
At this very moment, the national debt sits at over $18 trillion dollars, and it shows no signs of going down anytime soon. Our spending problems are reaching crisis level, and we are set to leave behind a catastrophe for the next generation. Take my grandson MacGuire for example. Before his first birthday, his share of the national debt is already over $40,000. We cannot turn a blind eye to this problem and pretend that it will just get better. Congress must get serious about reining in spending. As you may know, there are two basic types of federal spending: mandatory and discretionary. Discretionary spending is what most people think of as essential government functions. This is money that goes to things like our military, highways, national parks, agriculture, and medical research. The good thing about discretionary spending is that each year Congress has the ability to set these spending levels through the appropriations process. Discretionary spending has become a smaller and smaller portion of the federal budget over the last few decades. In fact, it now makes up only around one-third of all federal spending. Mandatory spending, along with the interest on the debt, makes up the other two-thirds of the federal budget. However, unlike discretionary spending, mandatory spending does not require an annual appropriation from Congress. As long as someone meets the requirements, these programs dole out money without any action from Congress. Within mandatory spending are what we call means based entitlement programs. This includes programs like Medicaid, Obamacare, food stamps, and other welfare programs. While some of these programs serve an important purpose, there are serious questions about their effectiveness as costs skyrocket. In Fiscal Year 2012 alone, the federal government spent almost $800 billion on over 92 various programs aimed at lifting Americans out of poverty. Despite that record spending, too many Americans simply stopped looking for work. The system is clearly failing the very people it was designed to help. It is not a surprise that spending on these programs increased during the recent economic downturn, but it is surprising that spending on these programs continues to rise even as the economy improves. I fear that these programs are actually driving up the national debt and fueling a dangerous cycle of government dependence. I believe we must reform these programs and put a real focus on job training to help connect Americans with the skills they need to find work. We could block grant money to the state governments each year and allow individual states to craft poverty fighting programs based on their state’s specific societal and economic needs. Why is it so critical we get mandatory spending under control? In 1965, only 34% of the federal budget was consumed by mandatory spending programs. In 2014, over 66% of the budget was made up of mandatory spending. Without action, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2040, over 75% of federal spending will be on auto-pilot. That would leave only 25% of the budget to go towards some of the federal governments most basic responsibilities, like providing for the common defense. I know that reforming these programs will not be easy, but I did not run for Congress to make easy decisions. Before I leave Congress, I want to be able to look my grandson MacGuire in the eyes and know that I have been a part of a real effort to rein in spending and put our nation on a fiscally stable path for the next generation. I hope my colleagues will join me in addressing our nation’s spending crisis and working toward a better future for the next generation. Bradley Byrne is a member of the U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
