Jim Jordan receives House Republican nomination to be Speaker of the House
On Friday, the House Republican Caucus nominated House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to be the next Speaker of the House. This was only hours after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) told his fellow Republicans that he was withdrawing his nomination after failing to secure the 217 votes needed for election. Jordan received 124 votes on Friday – a marked improvement over the 100 votes he received when he finished second to Scalise earlier this week. Congressman Austin Scott (R-Georgia) was the second-place finisher. This fight has bitterly divided the caucus and even the Alabama congressional delegation. Jim Jordan is supported by both Congressmen Barry Moore (R-AL02) and Gary Palmer (R-AL06). On Friday, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) told reporters that there is nothing that Jordan can say to make him change his mind on opposing Jordan. Rogers Chairs the powerful House Armed Services Committee. This drama became necessary after eight disgruntled GOP Caucus members led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) joined with Democrats to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California). To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Scalise drops out of Speaker’s race; GOP is back to square one
Late on Thursday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) announced that he had dropped out of the Speaker of the House race just one day after he narrowly was chosen as the Republican nominee for the position over House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Scalise’s early withdrawal from the race leaves the GOP without a candidate. While Scalise beat Jordan in the anonymous closed-door GOP caucus vote, it was obvious to almost everyone that it would be next to impossible for him to get the 217 votes needed to win the Speakership on the House floor. A number of Republican congress members declared on Thursday that they would not vote for him. “It’s been quite a journey,” Scalise said after leaving a conference with GOP congressmembers. “And there’s still a long way to go. I just shared with my colleagues that I’m withdrawing my name as a candidate for the speaker designee.” While the earlier caucus vote was not public, Congressmen Barry Moore (R-AL02) and Gary Palmer (R-AL06) had publicly endorsed Jordan. Jordan also had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. It is not clear as of press time whether Jordan is still a viable candidate for this or not. Before the Caucus vote, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) had said earlier in the week that he would be willing to serve if GOP members decide they want him back. McCarthy was forced out last week in a motion to oust the Speaker when eight Republicans led by Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) voted with House Democrats on a vote to oust Jordan. Adding to the drama is the fact that all of the 12 spending bills have not yet passed the House. The government is operating on a 45-day continuing resolution (CR) negotiated by McCarthy to keep the government funded. The new Speaker, whoever that is, will immediately have to swiftly negotiate a spending deal that can pass the Democrat-controlled Senate and then be signed by President Joe Biden without fracturing the GOP Caucus in the House. Moore was supposed to address the Montgomery Republican Party but could not attend due to the political crisis. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mike Rogers and Adam Smith denounce Hamas atrocities as “pure evil and inexcusable”
On Wednesday, Congressmen Mike Rogers (R-AL03) and Adam Smith (D-Washington) released a joint statement denouncing the terrorist attacks on Israel over the last few days. Rogers is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, while Smith is the Ranking Member of the Committee. Collectively, the pair are the most powerful Republican and the most powerful Democrat on the House Committee that oversees all of the armed forces of the United States. “Over the past few days, we have seen the horrific stories, images, and videos depicting the barbarism of Hamas terrorists who attacked Israel,” Rogers and Smith wrote. “These inhumane acts are pure evil and inexcusable – there is no ‘but.’ We urge all nations in the region to join us in our bipartisan call condemning these atrocities, to use their influence to discourage others from taking advantage of this situation, and to make it clear that terrorists and bad actors engaging in or exploiting the conflict will not be tolerated.” According to news reports, over one thousand Israelis have been killed in the attacks. Many of them were women and children – in some cases, asleep in their beds. Another 2,800 were wounded in the unprovoked attacks. According to the White House, at least 14 Americans are among the dead. Over Israelis were taken back to Gaza as prisoners, including some Americans. “We remain deeply concerned for the safety of the American and Israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists – these hostages must be released,” Rogers and Smith stated. The U.S. carrier battle group led by the U.S.S. Gerald Ford (the newest supercarrier) moved into position off the coast of Israel to serve as a deterrent if anyone should use this moment as a pretext to attack Israel while the Israeli armed forces are preoccupied with dealing with Hamas and Hezbollah. “Hamas didn’t consider the unbreakable spirit and strength of the people of Israel before the attack,” Rogers and Smith concluded. “We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel.” President Joe Biden said in a statement, “This morning, I spoke with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu about the horrific and ongoing attacks in Israel. The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.” Republicans have criticized Biden for not holding Iran accountable when they are the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Rogers is serving in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Scalise will be the GOP nominee for Speaker of the House
On Wednesday, House Republicans voted to nominate House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) as the next Speaker of the House. The GOP met in a closed-door session where the GOP House members voted for Scalise 113 to 99 over House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Scalise’s candidacy now goes to the House floor for a vote of the full House. The previous Speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California), was ousted last week when eight disgruntled Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) voted with House Democrats to oust McCarthy. Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL05) said in a statement following Wednesday’s GOP Caucus vote, “Now more than ever, as our conference selects a new leader, Republicans must prove to the American public we can deliver on the conservative wins they expect from us.” Border security has become a much bigger issue after Saturday’s violence in Israel showed that terrorism is still a clear and present real danger in this world. “It is crucial we choose a speaker who will prioritize border security and spending cuts as non-negotiables for the Republican Conference,” Strong said. Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) said ahead of the vote that he would vote for former President Donald Trump on the first ballot and then Jordan on each subsequent ballot. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) was also supporting Jordan. “@Jim Jordan is the strong conservative voice we need for the future. I’ll be supporting him for Speaker,” Palmer said on the social media platform X. Scalise has secured the nomination, but the difficult part will be getting all of those Republicans to vote for him on the floor of the House because even if only Gaetz and his eight rebel legislators break away, given the razor-thin majority that Republicans hold, it would be impossible for him to receive the votes that he needs to actually be installed as the Speaker of the House. The Democrats will nominate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) for the post. “I’ve got a long history of bringing people together, uniting Republicans, focusing on the issues that we’ve got to do to address the issues we came here to do to get our country back on track,” Scalise told Fox Business in an interview on Tuesday. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Wes Allen says legal portion of redistricting process is not completed
On Thursday, the three-judge panel announced Alabama’s new congressional district map they selected for the state. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen responded to the three-judge panel’s selection of map number three. Map three partitions the Wiregrass, Mobile County, and even Mobile City. Map one, also partitioning Houston County, had been the most popular among the plaintiffs, while two was the least popular choice. The State of Alabama opposed all three of the maps. Allen and Attorney General Steve Marshall have vowed to continue to appeal. “The Office of the Secretary of State will facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the map the federal court has forced upon Alabama and ordered us to use,” said Allen. “It is important for all Alabamians to know that the legal portion of this process has not yet been completed. A full hearing on the redistricting issue will take place in the future, and I trust Attorney General Marshall to represent Alabama through that process. In the meantime, I will keep our state’s elections safe, secure, and transparent because that is what I was elected to do.” The three-judge panel ruled that the map passed in the July 2023 special session did not allow Alabama’s Black minority to select their own representative, thus violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The three-judge panel then appointed Richard Allen as a special master to draw new maps. The three maps all radically redrew the First and Second Congressional Districts. Republican incumbent Congressmen Jerry Carl and Barry Moore both now live in Congressional District One. Carl has announced that he will run for reelection. Moore, on the other hand, has said that he is going to wait before deciding on his future plans. The three-judge panel ordered that the maps be redrawn so that two of the seven congressional districts are majority-minority districts “or something close to it.” The Legislature refused to draw a map that complied with the court’s order, resulting in the court rejecting the state legislature’s map. The state has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court; however, both the three-judge panel and the Supreme Court have refused to stay the court-ordered redistricting while the state appeals the ruling of the lower court, citing their belief that the state is unlikely to prevail in its appeal. Thursday’s announcement brings clarity for voters and candidates. Democratic qualifying began last Friday, while Republican qualifying does not begin until October 16. The major party primary will be on March 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Robert Aderholt and Barry Moore vote against ouster of Speaker McCarthy; Terri Sewell is saddened by the move
On Tuesday, extreme elements within the House majority successfully ousted Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California) less than 72 hours after McCarthy’s ability to craft a bipartisan compromise saved the government from a crippling shutdown. Both Congressmen Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) and Barry Moore (R-AL02) voted against the motion to vacate the House Speakership. “Today, I voted against the removal of Kevin McCarthy as the current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,” Aderholt said in a statement. “I am certainly disappointed that Speaker McCarthy has been removed. While no Speaker is perfect, as no member of Congress is perfect, I believe that Speaker McCarthy has done the best he can in bringing conservative bills to the floor. We must remember that Republicans have one of the narrowest margins in the history of the United States House of Representatives.” “Our nation currently has many challenges, and certainly, the debt of this country, and the crisis at the border, are issues that must be dealt with,” Aderholt continued. “Republicans must find a way to work together to do the most we can do until we can grow our majority. We don’t give up because we can’t win everything today. I will never give in and never quit fighting to solve the debt problem and the disaster at the border.” Barry Moore also voted against the motion to vacate the chair and remove McCarthy as Speaker. “Congress has 41 days left to fund the government by getting the remaining appropriations bills passed — let’s not waste them,” said Rep. Moore. “If we keep our eye on the prize, we have the chance to do something that hasn’t been done in 26 years. We can fund the government through regular order with cuts to Biden’s out-of-control spending that is currently imposing a 17% inflation tax on Americans, but not if we waste time on infighting about the motion to vacate.” Moore voted against the 45-day continuing resolution on Saturday that kept the government funded. Even House Judiciary Committee Chairman and Freedom Caucus member Jim Jordan spoke in support of McCarthy. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) released a statement regarding the passage of House Republicans’ motion to vacate the chair, removing McCarthy as House Speaker. “This is a sad and unprecedented day for America,” Rep. Sewell said in a statement. “Government works best when we have two functioning political parties that are willing to put people over politics. What is clear is that House Republicans are divided among themselves and have unleashed chaos, dysfunction, and extremism at every turn.” This is the first time in U.S. history that a sitting speaker has been voted to be removed. There are now essentially three factions in the House of Representatives: Democrats, mainstream Republicans, and a small faction of ultra-conservatives who are not swayed by even the majority of their own caucus. None of the three factions have enough votes to govern by themselves. “My Democratic colleagues and I remain willing to find common ground, but it is up to House Republicans to end this GOP civil war.” The Washington Post is reporting that McCarthy has told House Republicans that he will not be a candidate for Speaker of the House again. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Three judge panel to meet today to consider Alabama congressional maps
On Tuesday, a federal three-judge panel will meet to consider three Alabama congressional redistricting maps drawn by the court-appointed special master Richard Allen. The court appointed Allen after rejecting a map drawn by the Alabama Legislature in a July special session, which the judge said violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The court rejected a motion by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to stay the proceeding while the State appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court has also rejected Marshall’s request for a stay. The three maps dramatically redraw Alabama’s Congressional Districts 1 and 2, putting Republican incumbents Jerry Carl and Barry Moore in the same districts. In the three plans, Congressional District 2 could have between 48.7% Black voters and 50.1%, depending on which plan the court approves. “We have an opportunity to elect a 2nd Democrat to the U.S. House, win state races, and re-elect President [Joe] Biden so that he may complete his historic agenda,” Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley said. “Alabama has benefited greatly from President Biden’s policies, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with over $3.2 billion allocated for roads, bridges, high-speed internet, and other major projects. We will do our part by winning seats for local, state, and national offices.” If one of these three maps is adopted, given the fact that over 80% of White Alabamians vote Republican and over 90% of Black Alabamians vote Democratic, this means that Democrats have a likely chance of winning Congressional District 2 in the 2024 election. The three maps comply with the three-judge panel’s order that the congressional redistricting map includes two majority-minority districts “or something close to it.” In 2021, the Alabama Legislature passed congressional redistricting that closely followed the existing seven congressional districts, which included one majority-minority district – the Seventh Congressional District. In 2022, the three-judge panel declared that the 2021 redistricting likely violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and ordered the Legislature to draw a new map. The state appealed to the Supreme Court, and the court stayed the order of the three-judge panel. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the three-judge panel’s order had likely been right. In a 5 to 4 Supreme Court ruling, the Court remanded the case back to the three-judge panel who ordered the state legislature to prepare a new congressional redistricting map with two majority-minority districts “or something close to that.” In July, the Alabama Legislature met in a special session to consider redistricting. Instead of following the court’s orders, the Legislature merely increased the Black voting age population in CD2 from 30% to 39.9%. The three-judge panel accused the Legislature of defying the court and threw out the 2023 redistricting map. They then appointed a special master and ordered him to prepare new congressional redistricts for the state. He created three maps, all dividing Mobile County between Congressional District 1 and Congressional District 2 – something the Legislature claimed they could not do. Marshall has vowed to continue to appeal. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Democratic Party opens candidate qualifying on Friday
The Alabama Democratic Party opened its candidate qualifying on Friday. Alabama Presidential Delegate qualifying will open on October 16, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. CDT. The big news this year is that Alabama’s Second Congressional District looks like it could be open as incumbent Republican Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) has been drawn out of his district by the court-appointed special master assigned to redistrict the state. Moore has said that he will wait before deciding what to do next. At present, he and GOP Congressman Jerry Carl now live in the First Congressional District. When Moore was re-elected in 2022, Congressional District 2 was 30% Black. The federal courts have ordered the state to draw a second Congressional District that is majority minority “or something close to it.’ The maps drawn by the special master have increased the Black voter percentage in the Second Congressional District to between 48.7% and 50.5%. This makes Congressional District 2 much friendlier for Democrats than it was previously. Austin Vigue has already announced that he is running for Congress in what now appears to be an open seat. In addition to the seven congressional seats, numerous county offices are on the ballot in 2024, including the Public Service Commission President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Supreme Court Associate Justice, and other judicial seats. Candidate qualifying opened on September 29, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. CDT. Individuals interested in running for office as a Democrat or serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention may submit a Declaration of Candidacy and pay the appropriate qualifying fees at the Alabama Democratic Party Headquarters at 501 Adams Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, or online. Democratic candidate qualifying will close on Friday, November 10, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. CST, 116 days before the primary election, as required by Alabama Code § 17-13-5(a). “The 2024 Election Cycle is vital for Alabama Democrats,” said Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley. “We have an opportunity to elect a 2nd Democrat to the U.S. House, win state races, and re-elect President [Joe] Biden so that he may complete his historic agenda. Alabama has benefited greatly from President Biden’s policies, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with over $3.2 billion allocated for roads, bridges, high-speed internet, and other major projects. We will do our part by winning seats for local, state, and national offices.” “We are excited to work with candidates that stand for Democratic values and who will move Alabama forward,” Kelley continued. “I would like to commend those who are seeking elected office and answering the call to serve others. Running for office is an endeavor that requires many sacrifices in a candidate’s life. Your time and efforts will make a difference for the people of Alabama. The Alabama Democratic Party will be here to support our candidates and guide them to victory.” To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Austin Vigue announces run for Congress in Second Congressional District
On Thursday, Alabama Today spoke with Democratic Congressional candidate Austin Vigue from Wetumpka. Vigue graduated from Auburn University in Montgomery (AUM) with a degree in political science. He currently works there as an admissions counselor, where he is involved in recruiting community college students to the campus to finish their degree. “I feel that the people of the United States, the people of Alabama, deserve more than they get right now,” Vigue said. “The people serving in Congress now are completely out of touch.” Vigue said Americans deserve affordable healthcare. Additionally, for many Americans, college has become unaffordable. Vigue believes voters of the Second Congressional District deserve what he calls “The New Square Deal.” “I have been preparing for this my whole life,” Vigue said. “I was involved in student government in college, and I had to learn how to work with people that I vehemently disagree with in order to get things done.” Alabama Today asked Vigue if he was active with his local Democratic Party group. “Elmore County (Democratic Party) is presently inactive,” Vigue said. “I have been meeting with Democratic parties and clubs around the state.” Alabama Today asked if he agreed with the court imposing new district lines on Alabama or if he felt it should have been left to the Alabama Legislature. “The Supreme Court was very clear in what it ordered the state to do,” Vigue said. Vigue blamed the state Legislature for defying the federal court and supports the rights of Alabama’s minority to have representation in Congress. Alabama Today asked if he expects the U.S. to be at war with China in the next five years. “I don’t. Frankly, I think there is a lot of saber-rattling,” Vigue said. “A war between China and the U.S. would devastate the global economy.” Vigue supports robust military funding to ensure the United States is militarily superior to every country. “I support funding missile defense systems,” Vigue said. “I support a grant program to build (fallout) shelters throughout the state. We also live in a state where tornadoes can appear suddenly out of nowhere. Citizens can take shelter there for tornadoes and hurricanes as well.” “The best way to prevent war with China is diplomacy,” Vigue added. “A nuclear war between China and the U.S. would be devastating for the whole world.” Alabama Today asked if he supports the U.S. continuing to arm Ukraine in its war against Russia. “Yes. What Russia has done in invading Ukraine is not just wrong morally, but it also violates international law.” Vigue believes allowing Russia to take Ukraine would be similar to allowing Hitler to take Czechoslovakia in World War II. “They would go into Poland next,” Vigue said, and after that, it would precipitate a larger war that would be devastating. “They do not own Ukraine.” When asked about education, Vigue stressed the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Math) classes and additional funding for education. “Families have an inherent right to make the school decision that is best for their child,” Vigue added and said that he also supports a voucher program so that families who cannot afford it can have the option to send their child to private school. When asked about the state’s plan to bury old coal ash ponds on-site or at a toxic waste storage facility like Emelle, Vige stated, “I think we have to be careful with things like that. I think we should go with the data.” Vigue said that if the data shows that it is safer to bury it, he would support that. However, if the Environmental Protection Agency has data showing that doing that will allow something to get in the groundwater that will lead to health problems for people moving forward, he would rather spend the upfront cost of moving it rather than paying for the health issues it would cause. When asked about federal debt and paying it down, Vigue stated, “First of all, where there are departments that are bloated and over staffed that we can do without, I am for getting rid of them.” Vigue said that he and his staff would go over the entire federal government to find places where budget cuts could be made, and he also thinks the government should do something to ensure that millionaires and billionaires cannot game the system. He also supports eliminating tax loopholes that allow the wealthy and corporations to avoid paying their fair share and preventing them from moving their money offshore to foreign tax havens. He also opposed allowing corporations to move factories and jobs overseas. Vigue said that as a member of Congress, he supports developing a robust rural infrastructure so that kids who don’t go to college can get blue-collar jobs that pay well and have benefits. Vigue said that we need to do more to help students pay for trade and technical schools and believes that the U.S. is not helping people get back on their feet. “We are putting people in an impossible situation where if they get a minimum wage job, they lose their health insurance and all of their government benefits.” Vigue said that even though he is just 26, he brings “new energy and new ideas” to Congress. “I grew up in the Second District. I went to school in the Second District. I work in the Second District. I live in the Second District,” Vigue said. “In a few days, that appears to be changing” with the maps prepared by the Special Master for the Court. Vigue began his campaign expecting to be running against incumbent Congressman Barry Moore (R-ALO2). Moore, who lives in Enterprise, was also drawn out of the second district and now finds himself in Jerry Carl’s First Congressional District. Moore has stated that he will wait to see what he does next. Vigue is still running for Congress in the Second District, but at this moment, he is the only declared candidate in the Second District in what likely will be an open seat. The Constitution of the United States does not require someone to live
U.S. Supreme Court denies state request to block court-ordered redistricting
The Hill reported that the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the State of Alabama’s motion to hold the court-ordered redistricting process currently before the three-judge panel. This means that one of the three maps prepared by court-appointed special master, Richard Allen, and his team will be the new congressional maps used moving forward. The special master filed the maps with the court on Monday. Congressmen Barry Moore and Jerry Carl are now both in Carl’s First Congressional District, while Carl’s home county of Mobile will now be split into majority White and majority Black sections going into separate congressional districts – much like Jefferson County has been for decades. The new Second Congressional District, the new “opportunity district,” will include the eastern half of the Black Belt, the northern portion of the Wiregrass, the City of Montgomery, a vast swath of rural Alabama stretching from the Georgia line to the Mississippi line south to include most of the City of Mobile. No incumbent presently lives in the new Second District, so it is likely to be an open seat. The exact boundary lines will be selected by the three-judge panel in a hearing tentatively set for October 3 -just days ahead of major party qualifying for the 2024 elections. The special master wrote in his court filing on Monday: “Pursuant to the Court’s September 5, 2023, preliminary injunction order and instructions, the Special Master is filing three proposed remedial plans for Alabama’s U.S. congressional map, attached to this Report and Recommendation as Exhibits 1-3. Per the Court’s instructions, each proposed plan remedies the likely violation of Section Two of the Voting Rights Act identified in the Court’s preliminary injunction order. Each proposed plan also complies with the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act; adheres to the one-person, one-vote requirement; and respects traditional redistricting principles, including compactness, contiguity, respect for political subdivisions, and maintenance of communities of interest. Per the Court’s instructions, this Report and Recommendation details the choices made to arrive at each proposed plan, the differences between and among the proposed plans, and why each plan remedies the likely vote dilution found by the Court.” The three-judge panel had ruled that the map drawn by the State Legislature in a July special session both violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and defied the court’s order to draw a new map with two majority-minority districts “or something close to it.” The three maps prepared by the special master vary between 48.7% Black voters and 51.1% Black voters. In addition to the directions given by the court, the special master made an effort to follow much the same lines as the Legislature’s July map. Most of the changes are to congressional districts one and two. The newly drawn Second Congressional District will be an open seat and will likely be won by the Democratic Party nominee if general election voters behave much as they have in the previous elections. The Alabama Attorney General’s Office is expected to continue its appeal, but Tuesday’s refusal to stay the hold on the redistricting is an indicator that the court, much like the three-judge panel earlier, is skeptical of the state’s chance to prevail. The court has already ruled against the state in June. Even if the court were ultimately to rule in Alabama’s favor, that ruling would likely arrive too late to impact the 2024 election. Candidate qualifying for the March 5 Republican and Democratic Party primaries will open next month. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville praised by Republicans for standing up to Chuck Schumer
It has been seven months, and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) is still refusing to give unanimous consent on almost 300 military promotions. On Wednesday, Sen. Tuberville personally tackled the growing logjam of military leaders holding positions they have been nominated to as interims by attempting to bring up the nomination for Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) responded to Tuberville’s maneuver by bringing Smith and two other generals to the floor for Senate confirmation. In February, Sen. Tuberville imposed a hold on all senior military promotions after the Pentagon implemented a taxpayer-funded abortion-related travel policy that is ostensibly illegal. Coach Tuberville’s position has not changed: either the Pentagon can reverse its controversial and likely illegal policy, or Chuck Schumer can bring these nominations to the floor individually. For the past seven months, Schumer has refused to bring the nominations to the floor despite constantly complaining about “military readiness.” Former President Donald Trump said on Truth Social, “BIG WIN FOR TOMMY. Unlike McConnell and his group of automatic Democrat YES VOTES, Tommy T is willing to take on the Radical Left Fascists & Thugs that are destroying our Country. What a difference!!” Republican Presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott said, “Listen, he was right to do what he said. The Hyde Amendment is clear. You cannot use a penny of federal dollars in support of abortion. Period. Transportation, any other way. I think it was seven or eight years ago, Hugh, I held promotions as well, because there was a move to take the Guantanamo Bay prisoners and bring them into Charleston, South Carolina. You have to be willing to take a stand. The Senate can, at some point, override you, and that’s what’s happened recently, but the truth is you only have certain weapons in your arsenal, and I must concede. Under President Biden, holding up promotions is not necessarily a bad thing. What we’ve seen in the top brass in today’s military is too much focus on ESG and DEI and gender issues, vaccine mandates as opposed to war fighting, lethality, and making sure that the resources and the equipment and the training that we need, that’s where the focus of this military should be.” Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said, “Senator Schumer just proved he could have moved these military promotions months ago. He held our servicemembers hostage for purely political reasons.” Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) said on X, “As I’ve said previously, Senator Schumer has the power to schedule votes on each of these nominees. Today’s move only confirms this has been true all along.” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said, “Senator Schumer could have broken this logjam months ago by filing cloture like he did today on the nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.” Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) said, “The military cannot be an arm of either admin’s social policy. There’s a law that says abortions will not be publicly funded and the Biden administration is circumventing that in a way that destroys credibility in the military.” Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) said, “Senator Tuberville did the right thing and showed today that this was all politics by the Democrats. And they don’t care that they’re violating the law.” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said on social media, “@SecDef brought this on himself and @DeptofDefense by adopting a policy designed only to flout 10 USC 1093. […] If confirmation delays really are imperiling national security, then @SecDef should immediately suspend his abortion-travel policy, which is what it will take to get the confirmation process expedited. He can’t blame @SecDefwithout implicating himself. […] Since when is funding for abortion travel—which @DeptofDefense never funded until six months ago—essential to American national security?” Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL02) said, “Schumer could have approved every military nominee by scheduling votes over the last several months, but he cared more about funding abortion travel than military readiness. Major win for Sen Tuberville!” Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said, “Senator Tuberville has bravely and steadfastly held the line in the Senate by placing a hold on all DoD senior leader nominations until the DoD complies with federal law and ceases its abortion policies. DoD has complained this will harm national security, but DoD has the ability to stop this immediately. All they have to do is rescind this illegal policy.” Tuberville said he might bring future nominees to the floor through regular order in the Senate. Critics of Tuberville’s actions say this process is too time-consuming to be used repeatedly. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Alabama is in for a congressional shakeup
Being elected to Congress is like having a guaranteed job for as long as you want. They serve two-year terms, and the reelection rate is 96%. All you have to do is vote the party line and not commit murder, and you are there for life. The path to reelection to most political offices is to have money and name identification, and this is especially true in Congressional races. All seven of our congressmen are considered in safe seats. We have six Republicans and one lone Democrat in our Alabama delegation to the Potomac. The districts as currently drawn are designed for six Republicans and one Democrat. A three-judge federal panel made up of two Republican-appointed judges and one Democrat appointee judge made the decision over two years ago that Alabama should have a second Black Democratic seat. They hung their hat and robe on the fact that one Black Democratic seat is not sufficient in Alabama, given that one seat comprises only 14% of the black population and Alabama has a 27% Black population. Thus, Black Democrats should have two rather than one Democratic seat in the Heart of Dixie. This decision has been upheld by none other than the United States Supreme Court. Therefore, folks, it is about to happen. My prediction over a year ago was that the Courts or their appointed cartographer would draw a second minority district. I further continue with my prognosis that the Court will act very soon, probably within the next few weeks, to ignore the legislature’s partisan plan in favor of the Milligan/Plaintiffs Plan. The result will be the new Congressional lines for the next decade. The Milligan/Plaintiffs Plan is perfectly drawn and expertly designed to comply with the Court’s decree. This plan creates a second minority district centered around all of Montgomery, the Black Belt, and the Black voters in Mobile. The new second minority district will appropriately be Alabama District 2. The old Second District that Republican Barry Moore sits in will be dissolved. The Whites in the five Wiregrass counties will be sent to the Mobile/Baldwin Republican district held by Jerry Carl. Under the Milligan/Plaintiffs Plan, Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s district is beautifully drawn for her. It is essentially the same as her current district. It will be 55% Black. The new Second District will be 50% Black. The Republicans will contest this new district and may prevail. However, the odds favor a Black Democrat. My guess is when the dust settles in November 2024, Alabama’s Congressional makeup will be five Republicans and two Democrats. This change has been brewing for over a decade. Black voters have argued that having a Black population of 27% calls for two seats under the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Finally, after the 2020 census, Black plaintiffs sought relief from our federal courts. It was clear that the growth in the Black population in the Montgomery area would allow for a congruent, clearly defined second minority district. When you include Montgomery with the 12 rural overwhelmingly Black and Black Belt counties and draw in most of the Black voters in Mobile, it becomes possible. The three-judge panel agreed and gave the state a two-year reprieve because the 2022 elections based on the 2020 census were already ongoing. You could tell from the original decision to stay the case due to the timing of the 2022 elections that the Supreme Court was interested in revisiting this Alabama scenario. They did, and they ruled and sent it back to the three Alabama judges to uphold. The three-judge panel is going to rule on the final district lines any day now. The lines that the Judges deliver to Alabama soon will favor a second minority district for our state. This Supreme Court case is far-reaching. It will also change the partisan makeup of other Southern states like Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina. The Supreme Court knew what they were doing. They knew they were using Alabama as a guinea pig and plowing new ground in the South under the Voting Rights Act. Our Alabama Congressional delegation is looking at a shakeup in 2024. However, it will not affect our power and influence in the U.S. House. Our three Republican powers in Congress, Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, and Gary Palmer, will be unaffected, and our two Republican newcomers, Jerry Carl and Dale Strong, will have enhanced Republican districts. Terri Sewell will be entrenched as a Democratic leader in the House. See You next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
