What they’re saying: Alabama politicians react to Brett Kavanaugh confirmation
Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in Saturday night as the 114th justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, after weeks of debate over sexual misconduct and judicial temperament that divided the nation. He was ultimately confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 50 – 48. Here’s what Alabama politicians are saying about his confirmation: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: I voted today to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who has devoted 26 years of public service to our nation as a jurist, lawyer, and professor. During the hearings, I found Judge Kavanaugh’s testimony to be credible. I also found the subsequent FBI report to be thorough. As a senator, my job is to carefully consider and review all available information. After doing so, it is evident that the accusations against Judge Kavanaugh are uncorroborated, and there is no confirmation of any of the alleged misconduct. During his time as a federal judge, Judge Kavanaugh has been a principled, intelligent, and steadfast supporter of the rule of law. In accordance with my constitutional right to ‘advice and consent,’ I advise that Judge Kavanaugh be the next associate justice on the Supreme Court of the United States.” Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: Our nation is better off with Judge Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court, and I am glad the circus is over. I applaud the senators who supported Judge Kavanaugh, including Alabama Senator Richard Shelby. This process and the shameful tactics used have been an embarrassment to our nation, but I hope we can now move forward as a country and not return to these pathetic political games again. Terry Lathan | Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party The Alabama Republican Party congratulates Judge Brett Kavanaugh on his confirmation. Judge Kavanaugh has our full support as he begins his honorable journey serving the American people on our nation’s highest court. In celebrating this confirmation, we thank Senator Shelby and his Republican colleagues for their yes votes. Unlike Senator Jones, Senator Shelby exemplified what it means to be a true public servant by representing the majority of Alabamians when he cast his final vote. Without meeting with Judge Kavanaugh, Doug Jones even went so far as to insinuate his opinion mattered more than those of the people he was elected to serve… It is clear that Senator Doug Jones’ allegiance lies not to his Alabama constituents, but strongly to the Democrat Party. Voters will remember this when they head to the polls in 2020. Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: Judge Brett Kavanaugh is a conservative, experienced jurist who I believe will be a strict constitutionalist on the Supreme Court. I am pleased that the United States Senate voted to confirm him, and I am confident he will serve the Court and the American people admirably. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: When we appoint a Supreme Court justice for life, their honesty, their temperament, and their credibility should not be in question. But Judge Kavanaugh fails on all of those counts. This man should not be on the Supreme Court.
Bradley Byrne leads bipartisan letter asking Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta to act on join employer
Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, Chairman of the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee, led 83 of his House colleagues on Monday in sending a bipartisan letter to Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta calling for the modernization of the joint employer standard under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In the letter, Byrne and his colleagues wrote: “The FLSA’s joint employment requirements need to be modernized and harmonized to limit needless litigation against small businesses, as many different business formats are threatened by expensive lawsuits against multiple business partners for alleged wrongdoing against only one entity.” The letter also pointed out that the current FLSA regulations were written roughly 70 years ago in 1958 and 1961 using language from bulletins dated 1939 and 1940. These guidelines for companies rely on case law from the 1940s and 1950s, well outpaced by the advancement in business practices and improvements over the last 70 years. Last year, the House passed Byrne’s bill, the Save Local Business Act, a bill that rolls back a vague and expansive Obama-era National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) ruling that made businesses potentially liable for labor law violations committed by their subcontractors providing certainty for local businesses and their employees. It amended the National Labor Relations Act and the FSLA to clarify that two or more employers must have “actual, direct, and immediate” control over employees to be considered joint employers. Read the full letter below: The bipartisan letter was signed by: Congressmen Estes (KS), Aderholt (AL), Allen (GA), Arrington (TX), Banks (IN), Barletta (PA), Biggs (AZ), Blackburn (TN), Brady (TX), Brat (VA), Brooks (AL), Budd (NC), Burgess (TX), Buddy Carter (GA), Chabot (OH), Cheney (WY), Coffman (CO), Collins (GA), Comer (KY), Comstock (VA), Costello (PA), Cramer (ND), Crawford (AR), Cuellar (TX), Davidson (OH), Rodney Davis (IL), Duffy (WI), Ferguson (GA), Fleischmann (TN), Flores (TX), Gallagher (WI), Gibbs (OH), Gohmert (TX), Graves (MO), Grothman (WI), Guthrie (KY), Handel (GA), Harris (MD), Hice (GA), Hultgren (IL), Norman (SC), Jenkins (KS), Mike Johnson (LA), Sam Johnson (TX), Kelly (PA), Latta (OH), Lewis (MN), Long (MO), Loudermilk (GA), Love (UT), MacArthur (NJ), Massie (KY), McSally (AZ), Meadows (NC), Messer (IN), Mitchell (MI), Palmer (AL), Paulsen (MN), Pearce (NM), Scott Peters (CA), Poloquin (ME), Roby (AL), Roe (TN), Mike Rogers (AL), Rokita (IN), Rooney (FL), Rutherford (FL), Austin Scott (GA), Adrian Smith (NE), Sensenbrenner (WI), Pete Sessions (TX), Jason Smith (MO), Smucker (PA), Stefanik (NY), Stivers (OH), Glenn Thompson (PA), Valadao (CA), Wagner (MO), Walberg (MI), Weber (TX), Wenstrup (OH), Roger Williams (TX), Joe Wilson (SC), and Woodall (GA).
Bradley Byrne: Fighting for those who fight for us
When we go to bed at night, whether we think about it or not, we are safe knowing that our servicemen and women stand at the ready throughout the world; ready to defend our nation, our values, and us here at home. But, without the appropriate funding, our military does not have the necessary equipment and resources to get the job done. I am proud to report, thanks to the steadfast work and advocacy of us defense hawks in Congress, we have passed a bill fully funding our nation’s military on time for the first time since 2008. Not only this, but as of October 1st, roughly 75% of our government is funded for the coming year. We can truly say that as we move toward the end of the year, we are both better off now and stronger for the future. On Friday, President Donald Trump signed into law the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense and Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which authorizes a record $716 billion to go toward our fighting men and women in the upcoming year. Part of this defense funding package includes 93 new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, 142 Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, and 13 Navy ships. Additionally, our troops will see the largest pay increase in nearly a decade. And, we have managed to do all of this without a temporary continuing resolution. This means that our nation’s military will have the funding certainty they have repeatedly asked for. So how will this impact Alabama? The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass will benefit from the new Apache and Black Hawk helicopters as they continue to train our men and women in combat flight and air superiority to support of our ground troops. Some of the 93 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, as well as several other aircraft under the bill, will likely see service at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery. This base is home to Air University, a division of the Air Education and Training Command, and these new planes will potentially serve with and in support of the 908th Airlift Wing and 187th Fighter Wing stationed there. The bill sets aside critical funding for missiles to be built and utilized by the team at Redstone Arsenal in north Alabama as they carry out critical Army and Missile Defense Agency programs. And closer to home here in Southwest Alabama, our very own Austal USA in Mobile will benefit from funding for three new Littoral Combat Ships and one new Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, ensuring continued work for the 4,000 men and women who work at the shipyard. These ships represent the next step as we strive for a 355-ship Navy fleet and an even stronger and more capable fighting force. On top of all these projects and plans, perhaps even more important is making sure the people who operate these systems are responsibly taken care of into the future. That is why we have made sure to include a pay raise in this year’s funding. For those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, it only makes sense to pay them what they deserve. No price can ever be put on the sacrifices they make. As your representative in Congress, I am constantly fighting for the betterment of all Alabamians and all Americans. The members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Marines who live and work in Alabama should rest easy knowing that I will always fight for those who fight for us. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Bradley Byrne urges Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation
He may not be able to cast an actual vote for his confirmation, but that’s not stopping Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne from voicing his support for President Donald Trump‘s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. On Friday, Byrne took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives where he took a stand for Kavanaugh saying he’s ashamed of where lawmakers find themselves today as he urged for Kavanaugh’s confirmation in the U.S. Senate. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the Senate to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Judge Kavanaugh has a clear record as a thoughtful jurist who respects and will defend our Constitution. Those who have worked with him over the years and know him best strongly defend his record as a good man who loves his family and our country. I’m ashamed we find ourselves where we are today. It is shameful the way Judge Kavanaugh has had his name smeared, just as it is shameful that Dr. Ford has been used as a pawn in a political game. Frankly, my heart hurts for both of them. Our government is only as good as the people who serve in it, and I am deeply concerned that this whole series of events will encourage fewer good men and women to take up the call of government service. This circus must end. The Senate should vote on Judge Kavanaugh, approve him to serve on the Supreme Court, and allow our great country to move forward. I yield back. Watch Byrne’s floor speech below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBTVmu8dcgE&feature=youtu.be Read Byrne’s speech below:
Bradley Byrne says Brett Kavanaugh confirmation has ‘turned into a circus,’ should vote tomorrow
Accusations of sexual misconduct against President Donald Trump‘s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have dominated the news cycle for over a week, leaving his once sure confirmation hanging in the balance. Ahead of Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where the committee will hear from both Kavanaugh and his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne said the entire situation has “turned into a circus” urging the Senate to vote and confirm Kavanaugh confirmed this week. “I was recently asked my thoughts on the Judge Kavanaugh confirmation fight. I think the whole thing has turned into a circus. They need to hold the hearing today, hold the vote tomorrow, and get Judge Kavanaugh confirmed,” Byrne posted along with a video on Facebook. Watch the video below:
Bradley Byrne: What is Tax Reform 2.0?
Since Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act last year, the American economy is booming, and Alabama families have more money in their pockets. By lowering taxes and simplifying the tax code, we have unlocked our economic potential and made life better for hardworking Americans. The economic numbers speak for themselves: higher wages, lower unemployment, more jobs, bigger paychecks, employee bonuses, and much more. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the average family in Southwest Alabama will see their tax bill decrease by $2,187 a year. The good news is that we aren’t stopping here. This week, the House is expected to vote on additional changes and improvements to the tax code, something we are calling Tax Reform 2.0. Working with President Donald Trump, we will continue to make the tax code even fairer and more competitive. Tax Reform 2.0 includes three major pieces. Here’s a quick overview. First, we want to make the tax cuts for small businesses and middle-class families permanent. Due to Democrat obstruction and arcane rules in the Senate, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was only able to lower taxes for ten years. Under Tax Reform 2.0, we will make the tax cuts permanent. The non-partisan Tax Foundation found that making the middle-class and small business tax cuts permanent will create 1.5 million new jobs and increase gross domestic product (GDP) by 2.2 percent. This further expands our economy and makes life even better for families and small businesses. Making these changes permanent, will also lock-in the simpler tax filing process. As you may remember, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act simplified the tax code to the point where many Americans are now able to complete their taxes on a postcard-style form. A Tax Foundation study shows that this will save Americans between $3.1 to $5.4 billion in compliance costs. Instead of needing an accountant to navigate the complicated code, most Americans will be able to file on their own. Second, Tax Reform 2.0 promotes family savings and helps more Americans plan for retirement. Currently, too many Americans have been unable to save for retirement or put money aside to cover unforeseen emergencies. We want to help small businesses provide retirement plans to their workers by allowing small businesses to join together to create a 401(k) plan more affordably and by giving employers more time to put new retirement plans in place. Just as important, we will help more workers participate in retirement plans by exempting small retirement accounts from mandatory payouts and by eliminating the age limit on IRA contributions. We don’t stop there. Tax Reform 2.0 will create and expand additional programs to help Americans save. For example, our plan creates a new savings account to offer a fully flexible savings tool that families can use at any time right for them, expands 529 education savings accounts, and creates a new baby savings program to help with the birth of a new child or an adoption. Finally, Tax Reform 2.0 will help grow the economy by promoting start-up businesses and spurring innovation. We do this by allowing new businesses to write off more of their initial start-up costs and by making it easier for start-ups to bring in new investors. America must lead the way on innovation. As you can tell, Tax Reform 2.0 builds upon our efforts in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to ensure the American economy remains strong. We do that by allowing Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. I fundamentally believe our country is the strongest when money is with the people instead of the government. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Mobile’s Austal USA awarded contract to build two more LCS’s for US Navy
Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., was awarded a contract modification by the U.S. Navy to build two additional Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), LCS 32 and 34, its sixteenth and seventeenth ships in the class. The specific value of each contract is under the congressional cost cap of $584 million per ship. The contracts were announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense. “To be awarded these Independence-variant contracts in such a highly competitive environment is a great honor,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our talented employees and dedicated supplier network, and further evidence of the important role Austal plays in building the Navy’s 355-ship fleet.” Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, who represents Mobile in Congress, called the contract award “another indication of the high quality work being performed” in Mobile. “The fact that Austal received two of the three contracts from Fiscal Year 2018 for Littoral Combat Ships is yet another indication of the high quality work being performed at our shipyard in Mobile,” Byrne said in a statement. “This marks the third straight year that Austal has received two of the three contracts – a testament to the fact we are delivering capable ships on time and on budget. Congratulations to the almost 4,000 men and women who work at the shipyard and help equip the Navy with warships.” Austal USA is scheduled to begin construction on the ships in 2019. “This amazing team effort highlights the value and importance of the American industrial base, and these awards will keep Austal busy building ships into 2023” said Perciavalle. Austal delivered the future USS Charleston (LCS 18) to the Navy last month and is scheduled to deliver USNS Burlington (EPF 10) before the end of the year. With eight LCS and nine EPFs already delivered, Austal-built ships are impacting worldwide operations. “It’s exciting to hear the positive feedback from the fleet commanders on how well our ships match their mission requirements as they operate globally,” added Perciavalle. “We will continue to build these ships in a safe and timely manner with the quality and craftsmanship that Austal has come to be known for.”
What they’re saying: Alabama delegation reacts to DRA $1.1M investment into state
On Monday, the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) — a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states — Chairman Chris Caldwell along with Governor Kay Ivey announced the DRA will invest $1.1 million to enhance workforce training and development, help create technology jobs and deliver safe drinking water to the Black Belt region. Here’s what the Alabama congressional delegation has to has about the investment: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: Delta Regional Authority is dedicated to improving Alabama’s infrastructure and economy by providing this critical funding throughout the Black Belt region. The projects made possible by these investments will drive job creation, enhance workforce training, and ensure our state’s ability to compete on a national stage. I am proud of the work DRA is doing and look forward to collaborating with Chairman Caldwell and his staff on projects that support and benefit Alabama. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones: The Delta Regional Authority’s investments will support critical workforce and infrastructure needs in these Alabama communities. The updates to water and wastewater systems are especially important to make sure folks have safe drinking water and healthy homes for their families. I applaud the DRA for continuing its long-standing commitment to providing greater economic opportunity and a higher quality of life in every corner of Alabama. 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne: I am grateful to the Delta Regional Authority for their continued investment in rural Alabama. Specifically, the Brewton technology park project will help bring more high-tech, good-paying jobs to Alabama. Despite what you may hear, rural America is continuing to thrive and grow, and that is a testament to organizations like the Delta Regional Authority who continue to invest and support our rural communities. 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: The Delta Regional Authority’s sizable investment in workforce development will spur continued economic growth, create new jobs, and train a skilled workforce to fill these jobs. I am grateful for DRA’s commitment to growing Alabama’s economy while making sure our state is a great place to live for all people, and I am eager to see the improvements delivered. 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: The investment announced today by the Delta Regional Authority is going to have a powerful impact for Alabama’s working families. By bringing more resources and better opportunities to Alabama’s Black Belt, we are empowering rural families to build a better life for themselves and their communities. Thank you to DRA and to the public and private partners who have made a continued commitment to expanding and strengthening public infrastructure in Alabama.
Bradley Byrne introduces legislation to make schools safer
Schools nationwide will soon be safer for students, teachers, and faculty if Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne has anything to say about it. A member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Byrne recently introduced the Make Schools Safer Act to provide school officials with better information regarding school safety. His bill requires the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences — part of the U.S. Dept. of Education, an the nation’s leading source for rigorous, independent education research, evaluation and statistics — to include studies and resources relating to school safety and mental health as part of the What Works Clearinghouse, which is available to educators, counselors, and principals. “School safety should be a priority for every level of government,” said Byrne. “While I do not want the federal government to mandate how schools protect their students, I believe it is appropriate for the federal government to provide high quality research and information to schools about the best practices for keeping students safe, coordinating with law enforcement, and identifying at-risk students. My bill offers a simple yet profound step toward making our schools safer.” The new studies and resources will focus on educating appropriate school personnel on techniques for identifying students who may need assistance, collaborate with health care professionals, state and local law enforcement, youth organizations, and parents to implement procedures to assist students. By making resources available, Byrne’s legislation endeavors to allow schools to select the approach that works best for them, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution from the federal government. Read Byrne’s bill below:
Bradley Byrne: Setting our funding priorities
I know this may be hard for you to believe, but there was a major, bipartisan victory in Congress last week that failed to gain any of the attention it deserved. I want to highlight some of the progress we made last week and explain why it should matter to those of us back in Alabama. Last week, both the House and the Senate passed a funding bill that covered three very important parts of our government: military construction and veterans services, energy and water development, and Legislative Branch operations. I am pleased to see us passing targeted funding bills instead of waiting until the last minute to pass a massive omnibus funding bill. Over the last few years, the House has been able to pass funding bills only to see the process stall out in the Senate. Thankfully, since Alabama Senator Richard Shelby became Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the process has actually been moving again in the Senate. This has allowed us to focus on passing the smaller funding packages that are targeted toward our priorities. So why is this funding bill important? Obviously funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is important for our state given the large number of veterans that call Alabama home. The bill includes the largest dollar amount in funding for the VA in our nation’s history. This means the VA will have the resources necessary to take care of our veterans, hire high-quality employees, and cut back on the claims backlog. There have been serious issues at the VA over the last few years, so I am pleased the funding bill dedicates more for the VA inspector general. This money will allow for stronger accountability at the VA as we work to make sure no veteran is left behind. The bill also includes funding for military construction programs in Alabama and across the country. As we work to rebuild our nation’s military, we must not forget about our military infrastructure. This funding includes money set aside for military housing programs. If we are to retain the best and brightest in our military, we need to ensure they have first class facilities. Next, the funding bill sets aside funding for the Army Corps of Engineers. Those of us in Southwest Alabama know the important work the Corps does on a daily basis to keep our waterways open and navigable. This is important to those of us who like to spend time on the water for recreational purposes, but it is especially important for our economy since so much of our commerce is conducted on waterways. Just consider the Port of Mobile and the important commerce that goes in and out of that Port each day. Under this funding bill, the Corps will receive $7 billion for navigation projects, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, and to help with flood prevention and restoration projects. This money is very important for our country, but especially important for our state. Finally, the bill funds our nation’s nuclear security strategy by dedicating money to support our nation’s nuclear weapons and the Navy’s nuclear reactors. The bill sets aside money to ensure nuclear weapons do not fall into the wrong hands and funding to prevent against cyberattacks. Our national security must always be the top priority. As you can see, this commonsense government funding bill is good for our country and Alabama. I was pleased to see it pass the House on a strong vote of 377 to 20, and I hope we can keep up the positive momentum to continue getting the job done for the American people. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Bradley Byrne: Our booming economy
When you turn on the TV or log onto your computer these days, you are bombarded with negative news stories about the latest so-called scandal from Washington. I’ve said it before, but I believe it is so true: we need to tune out the noise from the national news media and look at what is actually happening. The U.S. military is being rebuilt, and our communities are becoming safer. But, nowhere is the positive direction of our country more apparent than when it comes to the economy. The American people are thriving under a strong economy that is providing promising opportunities for American families. Thanks to lower taxes, fewer regulations, a stronger focus on fair trade, and a less invasive federal government, the American economy is truly booming. Just consider some of the numbers. The August jobs report found that 201,000 new jobs were created in the United States and the unemployment rate sits at a low 3.9 percent. At the same time, the report found that wages increased at the best rate since 2009. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits is at the lowest point in almost 49-years. Surveys have found that consumer confidence has reached its highest level since October 2000. And, second quarter growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) increased to 4.2 percent, the best performance in nearly ten years. The economic gains are also reaching populations that have generally lagged behind during other economic booms. For example, youth unemployment has hit the lowest level in 52-years. The unemployment rates for African Americans and Hispanics are also at or near record lows. Here in Alabama, we are experiencing the lowest unemployment rate in our state’s history. New businesses continue to locate in our area, and Alabama workers are seeing more money in their pockets. Right here in Southwest Alabama, our communities are experiencing economic growth, and the growth is not just confined to the larger cities. For example, I recently visited Provalus in Brewton. This is a high-tech company bringing good-paying jobs to the people in Escambia County. I also stopped by Sterling Packaging in Monroeville recently. This company moved from Canada to Monroe County due to our great economic climate and a dedicated workforce. These are just two examples from rural Alabama where new businesses are opening and providing opportunities for Alabama families. The economic gains show that our conservative, pro-growth policies are working, but there are other priorities we must address to ensure we continue to grow and create opportunities for Americans. Health care remains at the top of the list. We need to make sure our health care system works and is affordable for Americans. Here in Alabama, a top health care priority that directly impacts the economy is saving our rural hospitals. Without a hospital, communities won’t be able to attract new industry. Also on the list is passing a new Farm Bill that supports our farmers. Agriculture remains the top industry in Alabama, so having a strong, fair Farm Bill is so very important. A big part of the Farm Bill this year is a focus on expanding rural broadband. This is vital to the economic success of rural America. We know the government does not create jobs, but we can help promote job growth with the right policies. These are just a few tangible ways we can keep our foot on the gas and fully unleash our economic potential. At the end of the day, we should not let some talking head on television tell us how terrible our country is today. Instead, simply look at the facts about the booming American economy. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Alabama teens invited to learn more about US Military Academy opportunities
Have you or your child ever dreamed about attending one of the United States Military Academies? Attending one of the five service academies — United States Military Academy in West Point, NY; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis Md.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY — is a great way to prepare to be military officer while also getting a top-of-the-line college education. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Students applying must be between the ages of 17-23, be unmarried, be a legal resident of their respective representative’s district and believe they have what it takes to succeed at one of the United States Service Academies. But simply wanting to attend ones of these schools isn’t enough. They have a highly competitive acceptance process and after applying for the school applicants must also secure a nomination from their U.S. Senator(s), U.S. Representative, and/or the Vice President in order to complete the admissions process. Which is why Senator Doug Jones is hosting a series informational sessions this month for interested Alabamians across the state where he encourages interested applicants and their families to attend one of these sessions if they plan to seek a nomination from the Senator. Details for informational sessions Mobile, Ala. Where: Murphy High School (Auditorium), 100 Carlen Street, Mobile, AL 36606 When: Monday, September 17 from 5:15 – 6:30 PM Central *Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne is also hosting his own Academy Night for those interested in attending a service academy on Monday, Sept. 10. from 6-8:00 p.m. CT at St. Paul’s Episcopal School; Dr. Monte L. Moorer Theatre (161 Dogwood Lane; Mobile, AL) Selma, Ala. Where: Wallace Community College, Hank Sanders Technology Center Conference Room, 3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway, Selma, AL 36703 When:Tuesday, September 18 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM Central Montgomery, Ala. Where: Park Crossing High School (library), 8000 Park Crossing, Montgomery, AL 36117 When: Tuesday, September 18 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM Central Birmingham, Ala. Where: Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 When: Wednesday, September 19 from 6:30 – 7:30 PM Central Huntsville, Ala. Where: Madison Public Library, 142 Plaza Blvd, Madison, AL 35758 When: Thursday, September 20 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM Central Dothan, Ala. Where: Troy University – Dothan Campus (Everett Building), 500 University Dr., Dothan, AL 36303 When: Thursday, September 20 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM Central Note: Only a limited number of Alabamians will be nominated, and a nomination does not guarantee acceptance into an academy.
