Barry Moore joins colleagues in calling on VA to rescind abortion rule
A number of states, including Alabama, have outlawed abortions following the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs versus Jackson Women’s Health Organization. A defiant Biden administration has announced that they will perform abortions at Veterans Administration facilities in response to the closing of the abortion clinics by state law. On Thursday, U.S. Representative Barry Moore joined a letter led by Reps. Andrew Clyde and Michael Cloud to Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, demanding he immediately rescind the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) new rule. Moore was one of 43 Republicans to join the letter. “The VA is supposed to be focused on caring for our nation’s veterans, especially in the face of a massive backlog that has thousands of veterans waiting months for critical care, but instead they are prioritizing the extinguishing of innocent lives,” Moore stated in a press release. “Congress needs to hold President [Joe] Biden and Secretary McDonough accountable for violating current law as this flies in the face of numerous state abortion laws and the Hyde Amendment, which bars taxpayer funded abortions for active military members.” “It is incredibly disturbing to us that this rule publication comes out in apparent response to the recent Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling,” the Republican Congressmembers wrote. “The Supreme Court rightfully overturned the misguided Roe v. Wade decision and returned the issue of abortion to the American people to decide through state legislatures. If this SCOTUS ruling is the basis for your alleged “good cause” for issuing the interim final rule, your Department is bypassing regular rulemaking processes as part of a blatant political response to a Supreme Court decision, which is wholly unacceptable and inappropriate.” “Your Department is knowingly violating current law as the Hyde Amendment restricts abortions for active military members, and Section 106 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 explicitly prohibits the VA from providing abortion services – both of which are still the law of the land,” the letter continued. “Make no mistake: your Department’s decision to expand and promote abortion services – “regardless of state restrictions”– is blatantly illegal. You must reverse course immediately, or we will be forced to take further action to hold your Department accountable for this overreach.” “The VA should be focused on providing timely, high-quality care to our nation’s veterans, not murdering precious citizens with taxpayer dollars,” said Clyde. “If Secretary McDonough refuses to rescind this reprehensible and unlawful rule, Congress must swiftly hold the Biden Administration accountable for this unprecedented overreach and abuse of power.” “President Biden is again attempting to twist the law to his will by illegally authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide abortion services,” Congressman Cloud said. “The VA should remain committed to providing critical care to support the lives of our veterans, not be another last ditch attempt by the Biden administration to provide taxpayer-funded abortions.” Barry Moore is in his first term representing Alabama’s First Congressional District. He previously served two terms in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Barry Moore responds to Joe Biden’s comments attacking Donald Trump supporters
President Joe Biden on Thursday slammed the supporters of former President Donald Trump as “extremists.” Biden last week had denounced Trump’s MAGA movement as “semi-fascism.” The President followed that partisan attack with a nationally televised speech from Philadelphia’s Independence Hall in which, flanked by U.S. Marines, he denounced his political opponents as “a threat to the nation.” Congressman Barry Moore responded to President Biden’s partisan “semi-fascism” remarks by saying that Biden and the Democrats have politicized their government powers. “It’s Joe Biden and the Democrats who have politicized the government powers to an unprecedented degree,” Moore said in a social media post. “This administration has used the Patriot Act to target concerned parents. The Biden DOJ took the publicly criticized two Supreme Court decisions while refusing to put down illegal protests aimed at Supreme Court justices. The White House set up a “Disinformation Government Board” to help collude with Big Tech to censor Democrats’ political opponents.” “It facilitated an FBI raid on the former President’s personal residence and refused to explain why. Meanwhile, it refused to properly investigate President Biden’s son,” Moore continued. “The VP “embraced political violence” by paying violent political rioters’ bail. And Democrats recently hired an extra 87,000 IRS agents to audit working Americans while the White House unilaterally canceled student loan debt based on the President’s endless “emergency pandemic powers.”” “”Semi-fascist” is a polite way to describe the Biden administration’s executive overreach, two-tiered justice system, and public-private speech restrictions,” Moore concluded. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, in a speech on Thursday, called on the President to apologize for his remarks disparaging Trump supporters. “When the President speaks tonight at Independence Hall, the first lines out of his mouth [should] be to apologize for slandering tens of millions of Americans as fascists,” McCarthy said in comments ahead of Biden’s Independence Hall speech. Instead of apologizing, the President doubled down on his harsh rhetoric, calling Trump-supporting MAGA Republicans a “threat to the country.” “Let’s be honest with each other and with ourselves,” Biden said. “Too much of what’s happening in our country today is not normal. Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” “Not every Republican, not even a majority of Republicans, are MAGA Republicans. Not every Republican embraces their extreme ideology,” Biden said. “But there’s no question that the Republican Party today is dominated, driven, and intimidated by Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans. And that is a threat to this country.” “MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution, do not believe in the rule of law. They did not recognize the will of the people and refuse to accept the results of a free election,” Biden stated. Moore responded to the President’s latest comments: “When your administration and party has failed the American people. You have no choice but to attack and to deflect. But we the people are coming in November, and things are about to change!” Republicans have been optimistic that they would retake Congress, but Biden has had a number of key legislative victories, and his poll numbers have risen after he unilaterally forgave billion of dollars in student loans. A resurgent Biden and missteps by a number of Republican U.S. Senate candidates have encouraged Democrats. Democrats could potentially increase their hold on the evenly divided U.S. Senate. Biden seems emboldened by his August successes and is taking the attack to Republicans ahead of the November 8 general election. Barry Moore is in his first term representing Alabama’s First Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Most of Alabama congressional delegation opposes Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan
Alabama’s federal elected officials are weighing in on President Joe Biden’s announcement on student loan forgiveness. The plan, President Biden announced Wednesday afternoon, calls for forgiving $10,000 in federal student loan debt that is owed by those earning less than $125,000, which one group, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said could cost taxpayers in excess of $200 billion. However, the debt reduction for Pell Grant recipients would be set at $20,000 under Biden’s plan while permitting borrowers to cap loan repayment at 5% of their current income. “In keeping with my campaign promise, my Administration is announcing a plan to give working and middle-class families breathing room as they prepare to resume federal student loan payments in January 2023,” Biden said in a statement. Republican Rep. Gary Palmer said the decision to “write-off $300 billion” in student loan debt would only make inflation worse. “This is is an incredibly insensitive decision that almost entirely benefits higher wage earners who attended college at the expense of everyone else who either paid for their college educations or never attended college,” Palmer said in a release.” Palmer called the plan a “vote-buying scheme” that would “further expose” Democrats “are not the least bit concerned that 61% of American households are now living paycheck-to-paycheck.” In addition to further increasing the financial burden on American families, this is nothing more than a raw abuse of power by the Biden Administration. Read my full statement regarding Biden’s Student Loan Bailout Plan here: https://t.co/IneTQIqPNR pic.twitter.com/cIJba20gAm— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) August 24, 2022 Republican Rep. Barry Moore called into question what lesson would be learned from forgiving student loan debt. I joined the military, used the GI bill & started at junior college. My wife waited tables. We sweated, sacrificed & saved to pay for our college educations & borrow to start & grow our small business.What lesson is Biden sending wiping clean debts students willingly took on?— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) August 24, 2022 “I joined the military, used the GI bill & started at junior college,” Moore tweeted. “My wife waited tables. We sweated, sacrificed & saved to pay for our college educations & borrow to start & grow our small business. What lesson is Biden sending wiping clean debts students willingly took on?” Republican Rep. Mike Rogers called into question the timing of the announcement, given the fact the nation is already struggling with “record-high inflation” and “a recession.” Our nation is already struggling with record-high inflation and a recession. Biden’s student debt scheme will only force Americans, who have already paid off their debts or who did not take on student debt, to foot the bill for his socialism.— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) August 24, 2022 Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell championed the move by the Biden Administration, saying it would provide relief to middle and working-class families “who need it most.” “A good education should be a ticket to the middle class, but across the nation, the soaring cost of college has made it near impossible for many Alabamians to pursue the American dream,” Sewell said in a release. “Today’s announcement is welcome news for so many Alabamians who are being crushed by student loan debt. This targeted economic relief will provide peace of mind for those who need it most. I’m grateful to have a President who follows through on his promises and looks out for the needs of our students and working families.” Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville tweeted that those Americans “who chose to enter the workforce instead of going to college” will be responsible for paying off the debt. Working families and Americans who chose to enter the workforce instead of going to college will be the ones to foot the bill. And it’s unfair to the millions of students who worked hard to pay off their student loan debt. https://t.co/ESEjH3IKsY— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) August 24, 2022 “Democrats, once again, are putting the interests of far-Left activists ahead of ALL Americans,” Tuberville tweeted. “Our economy is on the verge of a recession. We should be looking at policies that cut taxes, spending, and regulations – not adding to the tax burden & fanning the flames of inflation.” Democrats, once again, are putting the interests of far-Left activists ahead of ALL Americans. Our economy is on the verge of a recession. We should be looking at policies that cut taxes, spending, and regulations – not adding to the tax burden & fanning the flames of inflation.— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) August 24, 2022 Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Rep. Barry Moore calls on Lloyd Austin to end military vaccine mandate
Rep. Barry Moore introduces bill to strengthen school safety, create jobs for veterans
On Monday, Rep. Barry Moore introduced the Securing American Classrooms Act of 2022, a bill that aims to use some of the $1 billion in unspent COVID relief funds to provide grant funding for partnerships between schools and local law enforcement agencies to increase school safety and provide jobs for veterans. “Instead of tolerating the same old, same old Washington status quo and letting unspent COVID funding sit unused in our treasury, my bill puts that money to use creating jobs for veterans in law enforcement and helping secure our schools,” said Moore. “The Democrat plan to defund the police and take guns away from law-abiding citizens trying to protect themselves is counterproductive and dangerous, and we can better protect our schoolchildren by giving schools the resources to increase security measures and encourage strong partnerships between schools and law enforcement.” The Securing American Classrooms Act of 2022 uses $1,000,000,000 in funds currently sitting in our treasury for grants to increase school safety, creates a stronger partnership link between schools and local law enforcement agencies, and ensures that at least one veteran is hired as a school resource officer to receive grant funding.
Legislators react to Indiana Rep. Jackie Walorski’s death
U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN) was killed Wednesday in a car crash in her northern Indiana district along with two members of her congressional staff and another person, Associated Press reported. The SUV Walorski was in crossed the center line on a state highway and collided head-on with a car, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office said. Three people in the SUV, including Walorski, 58, were killed, including Zachery Potts, 27, of Mishawaka, Indiana; Emma Thomson, 28, of Washington, D.C.. The other driver, Edith Schmucker, 56, of Nappanee, Indiana, was also killed. Potts and Thomson were members of Walorski’s congressional staff. The sheriff’s department initially reported that the car crossed the center line, but a news release Thursday corrected that to say it was the SUV. Walorski represented Indiana’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Fellow U.S. Congressmen have been reacting to the tragic news. Rep. Robert Aderholt issued a press release and spoke highly of Walroski. “I am saddened and shocked at the news of Jackie’s death, and that of her two staff members. Even though Jackie and I served on different committees, there were several issues we worked on together during her time in Congress. She was a member who was sincere with all those she worked with, and someone we all knew that we could count on. She was always a fighter for her constituents, her state and for the unborn,” said Aderholt. “I send my condolences and prayers to Jackie’s husband Dean and their family. And also to the families and friends of her two staffers, Zachery and Emma. All three of them will be deeply missed.” Barry Moore stated on Twitter, “I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of my colleague and friend @RepWalorski. My prayers are with her family, friends and staff during this, difficult time.” Rep. Jerry Carl also sent condolences to Walarski’s family. “Absolutely terrible news. Please join me in praying for Jackie’s family and her staff in this tragic time,” Carl stated on Twitter. Nancy Pelosi ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff in Walorski’s honor. The White House flags will be lowered Wednesday and Thursday, and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb also ordered flags lowered for the state.
Barry Moore on assault weapons ban: ‘Anyone willing to steal one of your rights would take away all of them’
Rep. Barry Moore released a statement after voting against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, a bill Moore believes is a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution. Moore called the measure unconstitutional because it would ban some of the most popular firearms and magazines, thereby taking away the 2nd amendment rights of Americans. Congress allowed the restrictions to be put in place in 1994, but they expired a decade later when Congress was unable to gather the political support to counter gun lobbyists. “This unconstitutional mandate won’t make Americans any safer and will instead result in the disarming of thousands of lawful gun owners who simply want to protect their families and exercise their constitutional rights,” stated Moore. “Instead of performing their most fundamental duty to protect your Constitutional rights, Democrats are hellbent on taking them away. This direct assault on the Second Amendment will capture millions of sporting rifles, shotguns, and pistols simply because they have certain mechanical features that even the authors of the bill have demonstrated they don’t understand. This bill even bans pistol braces used by disabled Americans, including many veterans, to sport shoot and hunt.” Moore continued, “Anyone willing to steal one of your rights would take away all of them. If Democrats cared about keeping Americans safe and not increasing their own power and using the House floor to campaign, they would engage in real bipartisan conversation and pursue solutions where common ground exists. I am committed to doing all I can to force Congress to seek productive and constitutional measures that keep Americans safe, and I plan to introduce legislation next month that will increase safety in schools while protecting Constitutional rights. This issue is too important for freedom-loving Americans to remain on the sidelines, and I will continue doing all I can to fight those seeking to seize power from the people and give it to the government.” President Joe Biden hailed the House vote, saying, “The majority of the American people agree with this common sense action.” He urged the Senate to “move quickly to get this bill to my desk.” The ban, which was passed by the House, seems to be doomed in the Senate, where the measure would require all 50 democrats and 10 republicans to vote for the measure.
Terri Sewell lone legislator to vote in support of Respect for Marriage Act
Six of the seven U.S. Representatives for Alabama are Republicans, so it is no surprise that all six voted against the latest bill to pass the House. The Respect for Marriage Act aims to repeal and replace laws that would outlaw same-sex or interracial marriage. The U.S. House overwhelmingly approved the legislation with 267 yeas and 157 nays. That means 47 Republicans — almost one-fifth of the GOP lawmakers — voted in favor of the bill. Rep. Terri Sewell was the lone Alabama leader who voted in support of the bill, while Congressmen Robert Aderholt, Mo Brooks, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, and Mike Rogers were nays. In 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was passed and signed into law by Bill Clinton. The bill defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages granted under the laws of other states. However, the Supreme Court ruled the laws unconstitutional in the cases of United States v. Windsor (2013) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). With the current conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court, and because that court has already reversed the controversial abortion rulings in Roe v. Wade, leaders are trying to protect other rights that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas already asked his colleagues to rule on. Thomas wrote that past rulings from the Court regarding gay rights and contraception rights should be reconsidered and that those rulings “were demonstrably erroneous decisions.” Justice Samuel Alito argued for a more narrow interpretation of the rights guaranteed to Americans, noting that the right to an abortion was not spelled out in the Constitution. The cases Thomas mentioned were Griswold vs. Connecticut, the 1965 ruling in which the Supreme Court said married couples have the right to obtain contraceptives; Lawrence v. Texas, which established the right to engage in private sexual acts; and the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled there is a right to same-sex marriage. “Today, I proudly voted to protect marriage equality in Alabama and across the country,” stated Rep. Sewell in a press release. “As the Supreme Court comes after our hard-fought personal liberties, right-wing extremists are now threatening to strip away Americans’ right to marry the person they love. With the Respect for Marriage Act, House Democrats are taking urgent action to enshrine marriage equality into federal law and prohibit states from discriminating against same-sex and interracial couples. We will not go back!” While Sewell described this legislation as needed and urgent, Rep. Moore disagreed, arguing that the court’s ruling on those issues were set precedent. “With inflation at a 41-year high, a new record for border crossings set in June at over 191,000, and violent crime plaguing the country, it is outrageous that Democrats are focused on unnecessary legislation that repeals a law struck down by the courts years ago,” said Moore in a press release. “Despite mischaracterizations Democrats are using to justify their urgency, the Supreme Court made it clear in Dobbs that their decision should not be used to cast doubt on precedents that have nothing to do with abortion.” The bill now heads to the Senate. .
Alabama leaders respond to Supreme Court ruling on conceal and carry gun rights
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. The decision came out as Congress and states debate gun-control legislation. The decision struck down a New York law that required people to demonstrate a particular need for carrying a gun in order to get a license to carry a gun in a concealed way in public. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his opinion, “Nothing in the Second Amendment’s text draws a home/public distinction with respect to the right to keep and bear arms.” President Joe Biden said in a statement he was “deeply disappointed” by the Supreme Court ruling. It “contradicts both common sense and the Constitution, and should deeply trouble us all,” he said. Alabama leaders and lawmakers are responding to the decision. Rep. Barry Moore stated on Twitter, “The right to bear arms is not a second-tier right! An attack on #2A is an attack on ALL our constitutional rights. This decision makes clear: no state can require an American citizen to petition their government for permission to exercise a right guaranteed by the Constitution.” Rep. Terri Sewell expressed dismay over the ruling. “Today’s Supreme Court ruling on gun violence defies the Constitution and common sense! As our nation mourns a string of senseless killings, the Court is making it more difficult for local governments and law enforcement to keep Americans safe from gun violence,” Sewell stated on Twitter. “This ruling only makes it more critical for Congress to act quickly. I look forward to considering the Senate’s bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation. Our communities are counting on us!” Rep. Jerry Carl stated, “Today’s ruling is good news and ensures all law-abiding Americans have the right to defend themselves and their families without the government interfering.” Rep. Robert Aderholt also spoke out in favor of the Supreme Court ruling. Rep. Mike Rogers stated, “I’m thrilled that SCOTUS upheld our second amendment rights in their ruling today. The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Gov. Kay Ivey said the ruling was a win for common sense and for gun rights. “It’s time folks keep a level head on issues dealing with our constitutional rights as Americans, and that is exactly what our U.S. Supreme Court did through its decision today,” Ivey stated on Twitter. “While we Alabamians do not have to worry about our rights being infringed upon, law-abiding citizens in states like New York are fighting simply for their right to bear arms. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment means exactly what it says: A citizen’s right to carry a firearm in public should not be subject to the whims of a government bureaucrat. This is a win for the Second Amendment and win for common sense.” California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island all have similar laws to New York’s. Those laws are expected to be quickly challenged.
Barry Moore to join colleagues at D.C. hearing on ‘Bidenflation’
Congressman Andy Biggs will hold an off-site hearing on Tuesday to discuss what he terms “Bidenflation” and “Biden’s energy crisis.” Alabama Congressman Barry Moore will attend the hearing. The hearing will be at the Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C., from 3:00-5:00 pm EDT, and will feature nearly 20 prominent House Republican lawmakers. Four expert witnesses will provide testimony. According to the Heritage Foundation website, the group’s mission is to “formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.” According to the press release, this hearing will “examine the Biden Administration’s policies that have led to a disastrous economic and energy state for the country.” The hearing also aims to determine how Republicans in Congress can “hold Joe Biden more accountable for his reckless leadership.” Other congressional members attending the hearing are Reps. Chip Roy, Claudia Tenney, Dan Bishop, Marjorie Taylor-Greene, Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Louie Gohmert, Doug Lamalfa, Ralph Norman, Byron Donalds, Ben Cline, Yvette Herrell, Andrew Clyde, Bob Good, and Andy Harris. Witnesses include former Governor of Texas and former Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Heritage Foundation Distinguished Fellow Stephen Moore, President of Western Energy Alliance Kathleen Sgamma, and Alex Epstein, President of the Center for Industrial Progress.
Barry Moore supports legislation to designate fentanyl as a Weapon of Mass Destruction
On Monday, Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced the Fentanyl is a WMD Act to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). This act comes in response to the rise in fentanyl deaths, which Boebert believes is caused by the ‘Biden Border Crisis.’ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths involving opioids increased from an estimated 70,029 in 2020 to 80,816 in 2021. Deaths from fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, rose to 71,238 in 2021 from 57,834 in 2020. In a speech yesterday, Rep. Barry Moore announced his support for Boebert’s legislation, agreeing that the border crisis was exacerbating the issue. “Last year alone, fentanyl killed more Americans than any weapon of mass destruction in our nation’s history,” noted Moore. “Fentanyl is now the number one cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 – not guns, not COVID-19, not even car accidents, but fentanyl. CDC numbers show more total drug overdose deaths last year in the U.S. than those killed by the atomic bomb blasts that ended World War II,” Moore said. “The direct cause of so many American deaths from fentanyl is the Biden administration’s surrender at our southern border,” Moore said. “In 2021 alone, more than 11,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized at our border. So, just imagine how much fentanyl got across the border and into our communities.” By listing fentanyl as a WMD, the legislation would direct the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office to allocate resources to address the fentanyl epidemic. Rep. Boebert stated, “Back home in Colorado, almost everyone I talk to knows someone who has died from fentanyl. Fentanyl is America’s silent killer and is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. The saddest thing about the fentanyl crisis is that it is preventable. National security experts know that the vast majority of deadly fentanyl plaguing our communities comes across the southern border. Just last year, Border Patrol encountered enough fentanyl at the border to kill every American seven times over. There is no way around it—the Biden Border Crisis is killing Americans. It is time to call fentanyl what it is: a weapon of mass destruction that is destroying our nation.” According to 1819 News, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) claimed that designating fentanyl as a WMD was unnecessary to address the issue. Additionally, they stated that the Homeland Security Act of 2002 “lacks a provision for classifying fentanyl as a WMD.” The report stated, “A statutory designation of fentanyl as a WMD does not appear necessary for additional executive branch action to address fentanyl as an illicit drug or chemical weapon, Congress may consider developing legislation to improve upon perceived shortcomings in the U.S. government’s approach to addressing fentanyl.”
Alabama congressional races to feature one runoff in June
Control of Alabama’s seven-member congressional delegation likely will remain firmly in Republican hands, but not without a contest. Two GOP candidates are in a runoff for the open District 5 seat in north Alabama, and three Republican incumbents and the only Democratic member face opposition in November. All the incumbents will be heavy favorites to return to Washington. Neither District 1 Republican Rep. Jerry Carl of Mobile nor Rep. Gary Palmer of Hoover in District 6 had any opposition, meaning each will get another two-year term. Here is a look at the races in the state’s remaining five congressional districts: DISTRICT 2 First-term GOP Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise did not have any primary opposition and will face Democrat Phyllis Harvey-Hall in November. Harvey-Hall, a teacher and community volunteer, defeated newcomer Vimal Patel in Tuesday’s election in heavily Republican southeast Alabama. DISTRICT 3 Republican Rep. Mike Rogers of Saks, who was first elected 20 years ago, easily defeated Michael Joiner of Pell City for the GOP nomination in east-central Alabama. Rogers will face Democrat Lin Veasey in the fall. DISTRICT 4 Democrat Rick Neighbors, a veteran and longtime apparel worker from Phil Campbell, defeated Rhonda Gore for the chance to go up against GOP Rep. Robert Aderholt, a 12-term incumbent from Haleyville. Solidly Republican, District 4 covers most of northwest Alabama. DISTRICT 5 The lone runoff in Alabama’s congressional races will occur in north Alabama’s 5th District, where Republican Rep. Mo Brooks gave up the seat to run for Senate. Madison County Commission chair Dale Strong and Casey Wardynski, a former Huntsville school superintendent, advanced to a runoff that will be held June 21. The winner will face Democrat Kathy Warner-Stanton of Decatur, who defeated Charlie Thompson in the primary. DISTRICT 7 Rep. Terri Sewell of Selma, the only Democrat in the state delegation, did not have any primary opposition and will face Republican nominee Beatrice Nichols of Moundville in November. The sprawling district includes the Black Belt of west Alabama plus parts of Birmingham and Montgomery. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
