Robert Aderholt introduces bill to keep federal government from using lease agreements to punish pro-life states
Congressman Robert Aderholt introduced a bill last week to prohibit the Administrator of General Services from constructing or acquiring buildings or entering into leases based on the legality or availability of abortions in the respective state. “The Biden Administration continues to inject abortion politics into otherwise non-partisan areas of the federal government, such as locations of federal offices,” Aderholt said in a statement. “This blatantly partisan practice threatens, and insults, states’ rights in protecting the unborn. That is not a precedent I want to see set in this country.” “President Biden cannot be permitted to punish states for enacting laws the Supreme Court has clearly ruled are within the rights of the states,” said Aderholt. The bill has so far garnered the support of 14 original co-sponsors, including Congressmen Dale Strong (R-AL05), Jerry Carl (R-AL01), and Barry Moore (R-AL02). “I am proud to join Congressman Aderholt’s bill preventing the Biden Administration from punishing states that do not adhere to its radical abortion agenda,” said Rep. Carl. “Abortion politics should play no role in the placement of federal buildings across the country.” “Decisions like this have historically been non-partisan and should have nothing to do with laws that states legally decide to enact,” said Rep. Moore. “The Biden Administration’s dangerous partisanship has been clear as they work to deny Space Command to the state that came in first place during a rigorous, merit-based process. I thank Rep. Aderholt for his work on legislation to ensure attacks on states’ rights such as this one cannot happen again.” “Threats from the Biden Administration to punish states who protect life create an incredibly dangerous precedent,” said Rep. Strong. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bill, which sends a clear message to the Biden administration: the protection of unborn life is not up for negotiation in states like Alabama.” “The Biden Administration is undermining the rule of law by doing an end-run of the SCOTUS ruling that empowers states to make their own laws surrounding abortion policy,” said House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas). “This political gamesmanship has no place in strategic military decisions, including attempts to hold up SPACECOM’s relocation to Alabama.” “The Supreme Court ruled that abortion is a state issue,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-California). “President Biden is wrong to try and arbitrarily punish states that don’t surrender to his policy wishes. These kinds of polarizing issues should not be decided by executive fiat at the national level. Let the individual states in the Union chart their own courses and decide their own abortion laws with the input of their voters. That’s how federalism works.” “The Biden Administration has continuously proven that it will put its radical agenda above states’ rights, the rule of law, and our Constitution,” said Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona). “I’m proud to join Congressman Aderholt on his bill that would prevent the federal government from using a state’s pro-life laws against them when executing leases.” The General Services Administration (GSA) is the executive agency responsible for real estate and facility procurement, leasing, and development for the federal government. Since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision last year, the Biden Administration has prioritized the federalization of abortion access, as well as penalized states that have enacted laws to protect the unborn. There are reports that the Biden Administration intends to halt plans to move the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Alabama due to “the state’s restrictive abortion laws.” The bill’s intent is consistent with a Senate companion bill introduced by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas). President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has not loosened his staunchly pro-abortion stance. “The stakes could not be higher for women across America,” Biden said. “I will continue to fight politically-driven attacks on women’s health. But let’s be clear – the American people must continue to use their vote as their voice, and elect a Congress who will pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v Wade.” Robert Aderholt has represented Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District since he was first elected in 1996. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Will Ainsworth: Alabama congressional delegation fights Joe Biden’s efforts to corrupt Space Command HQ selection
31 That is the number of months that have elapsed since Alabama was officially announced as the location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. 3 That is the number of independent studies conducted by the Department of Defense Inspector General and the Government Accounting Office that rate Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal as the best place for U.S. Space Command headquarters. 5 That is where President Joe Biden’s preferred state of Colorado ranks on the list of states qualified to house U.S. Space Command. 31…3…5 Those three simple numbers are all the evidence you need to demonstrate that the Biden administration has fully politicized the most important long-term strategic decision that Pentagon officials have made in decades. During his more lucid moments, Biden has made no secret that he prefers to place U.S. Space Command in a blue state like Colorado, which aligns more closely with his own ultra-liberal views, rather than a red state like Alabama that fiercely embraces conservative principles and strongly supported President Donald Trump’s candidacy in both 2016 and 2020. But with space serving as the newest battlefield in potential conflicts with hostile nations like Russia, China, and North Korea, politicizing what should be a decision based solely upon military advantage harms our defensive posture and puts the lives of roughly 335 million residents of the United States at risk. The members of Alabama’s congressional delegation, even those whose districts are located at the opposite extreme of the Tennessee Valley, are currently fighting a tremendous battle against Biden’s politicization in the corridors, committee rooms, and chambers of the U.S. Capitol building. Both U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville and Senator Katie Britt recently met with General James Dickinson, the commanding general of U.S. Space Command, and publicly reported they received his assurance that Alabama remains the unequivocal choice for the agency’s headquarters among members of the nation’s military leadership. Congressman Dale Strong, whose district includes Huntsville, received the same affirmation from Dickinson. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, a veteran congressman from the Anniston area with more than two decades of service, has inserted a provision in legislation that bans any construction related to Space Command headquarters from taking place until the Air Force confirms Alabama as the permanent location. The Rogers amendment also freezes half of the Air Force secretary’s travel budget until a permanent announcement is forthcoming. Likewise, Congressman Robert Aderholt of Haleyville and Congressman Jerry Carl of Mobile both serve on the House Appropriations Committee and have also inserted clauses pausing Space Command construction and other military development until an official announcement that is “in alignment” with the independent selection process is made. And after the Air Force leadership obliquely suggested that the criteria for locating Space Command may have secretly “changed” without public notice, Rogers opened an Armed Service Committee investigation into the delay surrounding the headquarters, and every email, memo, letter, note, and other material that touches upon the topic is becoming subject to congressional subpoena. Congressman Gary Palmer of Birmingham, Congressman Barry Moore of Enterprise, and even Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Birmingham, a fellow Democrat with Biden, have also communicated with the Air Force secretary and are equally committed to championing Redstone Arsenal’s cause. With the 2024 presidential election fast approaching, the stench of politics surrounding Space Command becomes exponentially stronger with each day that passes. A final, firm, and committed Pentagon announcement that Redstone Arsenal secured the selection was supposed to occur in December, but openness and accountability have been replaced with silence and stonewalling. Despite Biden’s ongoing efforts to corrupt a fair and independent process, Alabamians can remain secure in the knowledge that our congressional delegation is working hard every day to fight the smoke-and-mirrors approach being pushed by the White House and return honesty and fairness to the Space Command headquarters selection. For that, we can all be thankful. Will Ainsworth has served as lieutenant governor of Alabama since 2019.
Steve Flowers: If Alabama loses Space Command, it is because we lost Richard Shelby
Make no mistake about it; the decision as to where the heralded National Space Command Headquarters will be located is political. If you think otherwise, you are politically naïve. Senator Richard Shelby is the reason, and only reason, that the federal military officials even considered moving Space Command from Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama, in the first place, period. Folks, you are just beginning to see Senator Shelby’s retirement’s impact on the State of Alabama. Our freshman congressional members and even state and Huntsville leaders are continually referring to the results of a commission study that supposedly analyzed the qualifications and best locations for the Command Center, and Huntsville was the best choice. Commissions and studies like that are created every day of the week by Washington’s most powerful senators to justify what they want to accomplish. Guess what? Shelby wanted the study to say that Huntsville was the place. The bottom line is the only reason there was any consideration towards moving the facility from Colorado to Alabama was Richard Shelby, and the only reason that it might not be moving is because he is gone. I knew at the time of the announcement that Space Command Headquarters might move to Alabama, that if Shelby did not get it moved before he retired, it would probably never happen. Our two new senators, Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, do not have the power to impact the final decision on Space Command’s location. Seniority is omnipotent in the U.S. Senate. Britt is 99th out of 100, and Tuberville is 93rd. They have a vote, and that is it. Huntsville even has a freshman congressman in Dale Strong. He is less than irrelevant as a new face in the 435-member House. It will be ten years before they know he is even there. Strong and Britt have been in the House and Senate less than six months. If truth be known, with us having this little clout in Washington, I doubt that Huntsville is even on the radar screen for the headquarters. Huntsville should not feel so badly about the Biden Administration leaving Space Command in Colorado; it was crumbs compared to what Shelby loaded Huntsville up with in the last decade, anyway. This Space Command deal is more for prestige than it is for jobs and dollars. Shelby brought most of the high-tech and aerospace dollars in the country to Huntsville, which is what matters. Much more importantly, he moved most of Washington to Huntsville, including the FBI Headquarters. Folks, that is real power. It is unlikely that Alabama or any other state in the nation will ever see the power wielded by Richard Shelby in the nation’s history. King Shelby was more powerful than the President, whether it be Donald Trump or Joe Biden. As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Armed Services Appropriations, he called the shots when it came to the U.S. Military. When he spoke, the generals listened. Unfortunately, when Britt and Tuberville speak, the military generals are cordial, but they could not care less what Britt and Tuberville say. In defense of Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, they are giving it their all as freshman senators. The liberal writers in Alabama have castigated Tommy Tuberville for losing Space Command because of his position on abortion. He is no more the reason than Katie Britt or Dale Strong. All three are representatives of Alabama’s conservative Republican policy towards abortion. The Biden administration is using this decision to win two political points. First of all, if you are a liberal Democratic president and Space Command is in a liberal Democratic state like Colorado, would you move it to one of the reddest Republican states in America? Secondly, Biden is promoting the notion that since conservative ruby-red Alabama has enacted a very restrictive anti-abortion law, he is going to keep Space Command in Colorado. Most Democrats are for abortion on demand. He wins approval and points from both sides of the deal. By the way, he is running for reelection as a Democrat. That is Politics 101. Politics prevails, especially in an election year. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Jody Singer announces retirement from NASA
Monday, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville Director Jody Singer announced her retirement. Joseph Pelfrey will take over as the interim Director of the MSFC while the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) searches for a permanent center director. “From becoming the first female center director at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to leading her team through the successful Artemis I mission, Jody Singer’s leadership has taken space exploration to new heights,” said U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama). “Jody has been a driving force in putting Alabama at the forefront of launch innovation and human spaceflight advancement, continuing a legacy in Huntsville that spans the globe. Alabama is grateful for her 38 years of service and I wish her the very best in her next chapter.” “I know that Marshall Space Flight Center will be in good hands with Joseph Pelfrey as NASA conducts a search for a new center director, and I look forward to the center’s continued contributions to our space exploration under his leadership,” Tuberville added. “During a trailblazing 38-year career at @NASA, Jody Singer has reached for the stars every single day,” said U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) on Twitter. “Alabama is grateful for her service to our nation and her leadership at @NASA_Marshall. Please join me in wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!” “Congratulations, Jody, on a 38-year long career dedicated to servant leadership, innovation, and the future of space exploration,” said Congressman Dale Strong on Twitter. “Your legacy at @NASA_Marshall will continue to inspire generations to come!” Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) congratulated Singer on her retirement. “I want to congratulate Jody on her retirement and immense contribution to the State of Alabama,” Ledbetter said on Twitter. “Under her guidance, we’re on the cusp of sending more astronauts to the moon, and we are sincerely thankful for her service to our country and our state.” “I wish Jody well during her retirement. And I know individuals at the beginning of their career at NASA – and members of the Artemis Generation who dream of working here – will be inspired by Jody’s service, knowing their contributions can help return NASA astronauts to the Moon and prepare us for crewed missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “And Joseph Pelfrey is no stranger to Marshall, having joined the center two decades ago as an aerospace engineer. Today, he helps guide Marshall’s broad portfolio of human spaceflight, science, and technology development, which supports missions across NASA. We are confident Joseph is prepared to guide Marshall through this transition.” Singer has served as Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center since September 2018. Singer is a native of Hartselle, Alabama native, and a University of Alabama graduate who has worked for NASA for four decades. Singer had been the interim Director of MSFC for three months before her appointment by then NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine as MSFC’s 14th Director and the first woman to ever hold that position. MSFC is one of NASA’s largest field installations, with nearly 7,000 on- and near-site civil service contractor employees and an annual budget of approximately $4.5 billion. Before being named the interim Director, she served as deputy director since February 2016, assisting former Director Todd May with the daily management of the center’s workforce operations. Singer first went to work for NASA in 1985 as an intern. Over her career, she has worked in the Space Shuttle program, the canceled Ares program, and the Space Launch System, which will return man to the moon for the first time in over 50 years. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville leads first Alabama delegation prayer breakfast
The Alabama Congressional delegation met for a prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C., this week. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, along with U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt, Terri Sewell, Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, Jerry Carl, and Dale Strong, joined to host an Alabama prayer breakfast. More than 100 Alabamians joined congressional leaders praying for the state and nation. “Our uniting in prayer is more important now than ever because I think we can all agree that we are facing a lot of division and brokenness in our country,” said Senator Tuberville. “And the solutions to these problems aren’t found in the Hall of Congress or the White House—but among God’s people. Our presence here today shows we recognize that God is the only one who can heal and restore. But first, America needs to turn back to God. That begins with you and me.” Honored to host the inaugural Alabama Prayer Breakfast with Alabama legislators, faith leaders, & constituents to pray for our great state & nation. Thank you to all those who joined us in prayer. May we continue to look to the Lord for guidance and remain one nation under God. pic.twitter.com/0sAGzZpznk — Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) June 21, 2023 Senator Britt said on Twitter, “Blessed to start the day in prayer with my colleagues and constituents. Thankful that we had such a great group of Alabamians join our congressional delegation for this morning’s prayer breakfast. All things are possible through Him!” Congressman Palmer said on Twitter, “It was an honor to join fellow Alabamians in prayer this morning for our state and our nation at the first annual Alabama Prayer Breakfast. Thank you to @SenTuberville for hosting.” The members were joined by faith leaders from Alabama, including University of Alabama President Stuart Bell, Dr. Jim Carter of Monroeville, Pastor Troy Garner of Huntsville, and Birmingham Theological Seminary President Ike Reeder. The leaders read passages from the Bible and took turns praying for our families, education system, churches, economy, and military. More than 100 Alabamians gathered in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Mike Rogers applauds committee passage of NDAA
On Wednesday, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03), the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement applauding the full committee for passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Providing for our nation’s defense is the top priority for the House Armed Services Committee, and I am incredibly proud of the bipartisan work we’ve accomplished in the FY24 NDAA,” said Rogers. This year’s NDAA includes provisions that counter China’s aggression, boost oversight of the Department of Defense, and support our servicemembers and their families. Additionally, this year’s bill saves taxpayers billions of dollars while still making critical investments in innovative technologies and our defense industrial base.” “I am especially proud of the strong provisions in the FY24 NDAA that support the critical role Alabama plays in our national defense and strengthens that role for years to come,” said Rogers. “I thank my colleagues on the committee for their hard work in support of our national security. I look forward to advancing this bill to the full House in the coming weeks.” The House Armed Services Committee oversees U.S. military forces, both here and across the globe. “Recently I traveled to the U.S. Africa Command region with the House Armed Services Committee,” said Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL05 on Facebook. “We met with many servicemen and women, serving in some of the harshest conditions anyone can imagine.” “One of the bases was located in the middle of the Saharan Desert – 350 individuals with the armed forces all volunteered for the assignment (it was 106°),” Strong said. “They are executing an extremely important role that protects American lives and interests. They had very few complaints, but they did say mail was often delayed getting there. I’m asking that you take a moment from your day to write a letter to these service members. You can mail or deliver the letters to my Huntsville office for us to send them overseas. Let these men and women know their voice was heard by Congressman Strong and AL-05. Let’s show them how much America appreciates their service which ensures our FREEDOM!!!” The proposed House Defense Department appropriation is $874,212,219, which is unchanged from the DoD’s request. Alabama is represented on the House Armed Services Committee by Rogers, Strong, and Jerry Carl (R-AL01). Alabama is represented on the House Armed Services Committee by Rogers, Strong, Terri Sewell (D-AL07), and Jerry Carl (R-AL01). To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Reps. Terri Sewell and Robert Aderholt vote in favor of the bipartisan debt ceiling bill
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) released statements after voting in favor of the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act. “With the circumstances that we find ourselves in with a divided government, I think this agreement not only reflects the reality of the situation, it is a step in the right direction,” said Congressman Aderholt. ”If Republicans were in control of the Senate and the White House, then I would certainly expect more – more cuts to domestic spending, more funding for our national defense, more restraint on the debt ceiling in the future. However, under this bill, we will, for the first time in our nation’s history, spend less money than we did the previous year. It will lead us to smaller government and more prosperity. We all know that this agreement is not perfect, but let’s be clear: Republicans will not stop here in our ongoing fight for fiscal accountability.” Sewell said that H.R. 3746, the bipartisan budget agreement, was necessary to prevent a devastating default. Sewell said that the bill also rejected Republicans’ extreme demands to make deep cuts to programs that Alabama families rely on. The agreement, negotiated by President Joe Biden, protects against cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ health care, historic infrastructure, and climate investments. It also prevents Republicans from manufacturing a similar crisis in the next two years by suspending the debt limit until January 1, 2025. “House Republicans could have passed a clean bill to address the debt ceiling months ago, but instead chose to hold the American people hostage and bring our economy to the brink of crisis in order to advance their extreme agenda,” said Rep. Sewell. “To be clear, this bill is far from perfect, but it prevents a default. It prevents future efforts to hold this nation hostage for the rest of the 118th Congress, and it prevents cruel Republican cuts. This budget agreement that President Biden negotiated protects funding for education, health care, veterans’ benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Most importantly, it prevents Republicans from forcing a devastating default that would kill countless jobs in my district and destroy our economy.” “I join in expressing my frustration with the crisis that my Republican colleagues have manufactured,” Sewell said. “The American people deserve better than a Republican Majority that chooses to govern crisis-by-crisis.” Sewell shared a section-by-section summary of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement is available here. The legislation was negotiated between the Republican leadership led by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy with President Biden and the Congressional Democrats. The deal will raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion. The legislation passed on a bipartisan 314 to 117 vote. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its consideration. The legislation is expected to receive swift passage as the default deadline looms. The issue divided the Alabama Congressional delegation. Terri Sewel (D-AL07), Robert Aderholt (R-AL04), Jerry Carl (R-AL01), and Mike Rogers (R-AL03) all voted in favor of the debt ceiling agreement. Barry Moore (R-AL01), Dale Strong (R-AL05), and Gary Palmer (R-AL06) voted against the deal. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama legislators urge Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to support congressional investigation into Space Command decision
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of legislators in the Alabama House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Airforce Secretary Frank Kendall supporting the congressional investigation led by U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Congressman Dale Strong. The letter was signed by Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagan, and Speaker Pro Tem. Chris Pringle, as well as Reps. Joe Lovvorn, Danny Garrett, Wes Kitchens, Laura Hall, Parker Moore, David Cole, Rex Reynolds, Andy Whitt, James Lomax, Ritchie Whorton, and Phillip Rigsby. An NBC news report released on May 15 claimed that President Joe Biden will intervene to keep the Pentagon from moving Space Command from Colorado to Huntsville. The President’s objections to the state of Alabama are reportedly due to the state’s ban on abortion. Many speculate that the real reason could be political in that Colorado voted for Biden in 2020, while Alabama did not. Below is the text included in the attached letter: “Dear Secretary Kendall, “As members of the Huntsville and Madison delegations of the Alabama House of Representatives, and as House leadership, we are writing to you in support of the House Committee on Armed Services’ investigation into the delay in implementing the recommendation to place U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal, which is being led by U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Congressman Dale Strong.” “As you are aware, it has been made clear through multiple U.S. Air Force recommendations that the most strategic location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters is Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The Government Accountability Office and Department of Defense Inspector General have both confirmed this recommendation was made through a sound process. Huntsville has the infrastructure, the workforce, the education system, engineering base, existing military and defense apparatus, and quality of life to be the ideal location for U.S. Space Command. This is why this site has received the unanimous number one recommendation from the U.S. Air Force.” “As representatives of the communities surrounding Redstone Arsenal in the Alabama House of Representatives, we felt the need to respectfully encourage you to support and comply with the congressional investigation into the delay of this critical national security decision. We are also concerned to learn the U.S. Department of Defense was not aware, and not involved, in this change. The people of Alabama and the United States of America need and deserve transparency on the apparently revised mission requirements of SPACECOM as it relates to its decision to locate its headquarters.” “A lengthy delay in making a decision this important to national security deserves Congressional oversight, and we are thankful that Congressmen Rogers and Strong recognized this need and are taking action by launching this investigation. We greatly appreciate your service to our nation and the role that the U.S. Air Force has in keeping our country, and the world, safe from threats, and we believe that you also appreciate the need for transparency and Congressional oversight.” On Friday, Fox News published a story detailing an announcement from Rogers that he is opening an investigation into the continued delays in the selection of a permanent base for the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters. “Today, I launched an investigation into the continued delays in the SPACECOM Headquarters basing decision,” said Chairman Rogers. “The fact is, the Air Force already made the correct decision well over two years ago. That decision was affirmed by the GAO and the DoD Inspector General over a year ago. This decision was based on multiple factors, and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, was the clear winner in the Evaluation and Selection phase. I am deeply concerned that the continued delays in making this move final are politically motivated and damaging to our national security.” “I have requested that House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Mike Rogers, open a formal investigation into the Biden Administration’s failure to announce a permanent location for U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters,” said Rep. Strong.“The Administration’s delay risks politicizing a process which must remain fact-based. Injecting politics into America’s basing decisions serves to do unprecedented harm to our national security. American men and women in uniform must be given the very best, not the third or fourth choice. Redstone Arsenal was chosen as the preferred location after a years-long process. The decision was later confirmed not just once, but twice with the results of the Government Accountability Office and Department of Defense Inspector General investigations. It is plain and simple: Redstone Arsenal is the best possible location to host U.S. Space Command headquarters. The Air Force’s basing process established this, and it was confirmed. I thank Chairman Rogers for agreeing to this investigation. The members of the House Armed Services Committee, and our service members awaiting a final basing decision, deserve answers and swift action from the Air Force.” The letter by the State Representatives followed the announcement of the investigation by Rogers. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Report claims Joe Biden will block Space Command’s move to Huntsville
An NBC news report released Monday claimed that President Joe Biden will intervene to keep the Pentagon from moving Space Command from Colorado to Huntsville. The President’s objections to the state of Alabama are reportedly due to the state’s ban on abortion. Many speculate that the real reason could be political in that Colorado voted for Biden in 2020, while Alabama did not. Congresswoman Terri Sewell responded to the report on Twitter, “Both a GAO and Inspector General report confirmed that the Air Force used a merit-based process in its decision to locate U.S. Space Command headquarters in Huntsville. This conclusion was made under two separate administrations. Huntsville is without question the best home for SPACECOM.” “The White House should immediately reconfirm Huntsville as the headquarters of SPACECOM,” the Democratic Congresswoman continued. “To change course would be because of politics and not merit. Surely, the Biden Administration would not allow politics to improperly influence this decision.” U.S. Senator Katie Britt echoed Sewell’s criticism of the report. “President Biden’s plans would irresponsibly yank a military decision out of the Air Force’s hands in the name of partisan politics,” Sen. Britt said on Facebook. “Huntsville finished first in both the Air Force’s Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase, leaving no doubt that the Air Force’s decision to choose Redstone as the preferred basing location was correct purely on the merits. That decision should remain in the Air Force’s purview. Instead, President Biden is now trying to hand the Gold Medal to the fifth-place finisher. The President’s blatant prioritization of partisan political considerations at the expense of our national security, military modernization, and force readiness is a disservice and a dishonor to his oath of office as our nation’s Commander-in-Chief. Locating the permanent Space Command Headquarters on Redstone Arsenal undoubtedly remains in the best national security interest of the United States. President Biden should allow the Air Force to proceed with doing its job. Alabama’s world-class aerospace and defense workforce, capabilities, and synergies stand ready to fulfill the mission and strengthen our national security long into the future.” Congressman Dale Strong said on Twitter, “I’ve seen all the reviews and reports on the basing process – but don’t remember access to late-term abortions being one of the 21 criteria used to evaluate the sites. President Biden, already the oldest man to ever serve as President of the United States, recently announced his re-election plans. There was very little enthusiasm for the 80-year-old President’s re-election announcement. Nine of the last ten polls on Biden’s job performance show more Americans disapproving of Biden’s performance rather than approving. One recent ABC News/Washington Post poll had President Biden trailing former President Donald Trump by six points in the popular vote. Building a pathway to electoral college victory for Biden without Colorado, which he won in 2020, could be problematic. However, Alabama has not been carried by a Democratic presidential nominee since Jimmy Carter in 1976. There is no plausible scenario where Biden can win Alabama’s electoral college votes in 18 months. The Democratic Party hasn’t contested the state in years. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama legislators respond to Donald Trump indictment
On Thursday, the political world was turned upside down by the indictment of former President Donald Trump. Congressmen Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, Dale Strong, and Mike Rogers, along with Senator Tommy Tuberville, all issued statements denouncing the actions of the Manhattan District Attorney as a political prosecution. The indictment was announced Thursday that a Manhattan grand jury had voted to indict President Trump. The indictment was sealed, so the specific charge or charges are not publicly known. “What we are seeing is the attempted political assassination of a former President. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s spurious legal case should never have been entertained, and his flagrant abuse of the justice system is leading the nation down a very dark and dangerous path,” Rep. Palmer wrote on Facebook. “A path where one side weaponizes the law to attack their political opponents inciting more distrust of our judicial system and undermining the future of our democracy. For the good of the nation, this case should immediately be thrown out.” “This is a dark day in American history,” said Rep. Moore in a press release. “The arrest of President Trump demonstrates more than ever how the Democrats have weaponized the government against the American people. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I am committed to holding the Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney accountable by requesting to review all documents in this case and working to ensure that federal funds are not used on this political witch hunt.” “I am deeply disturbed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s pursuit of bogus charges against President Trump,” Rep. Rogers said. “Should he choose to go through with indicting President Trump, it would be a slap in the face to the American judicial system and an absolute disgrace. This drawn-out political witch hunt is another example of the radical Left’s weaponization of the law against President Trump and conservatives. Moreover, violent crime in New York has skyrocketed under Bragg’s watch, and one of America’s most richly historic cities has descended into mayhem. Instead of pursuing sham charges, Bragg should either focus his time on protecting New Yorkers from violent criminals or resign immediately.” “Indicting a former President is an unprecedented step, and it’s a threat to our democracy,” Sen. Tuberville wrote on Twitter. “Stop the witch hunt now.” “This is nothing more than a political witch hunt and an abuse of office by the Manhattan District Attorney,” said Rep. Strong on Twitter. “We must not stand for the politicization of our nation’s justice system to influence elections.” Speculation is that the charges are related to an alleged payoff made to former porn star Stormy Daniels before he was elected president. Trump is expected to turn himself in and appear in court on Tuesday at 2:15 p.m., according to the Washington Post. Trump is the clear Republican frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. It is not known how Thursday’s indictment will affect Trump’s campaign. An indictment merely means that the state has made an accusation. Trump, like every American accused of a crime, is presumed to be innocent until he is convicted of a crime by a jury of his peers. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Dale Strong introduces legislation to build a border wall
Congressman Dale Strong spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to call for the Biden Administration to resume building the wall along the Southern Border with Mexico. This was the first speech that Strong has given on the floor of Congress. Rep. Strong recently traveled to the border with House Committee on Homeland Security members to see the crisis firsthand. “The Secretary of Homeland Security says that the American border is secure,” Strong said. “The American people know better.” “While heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and human smuggling are flowing into our country at alarming rates, America is under attack,” Strong said. “The problem is not with the laws. The problem is with this administration because they are not enforcing the laws that are on the books.” “On our visit to the border, we met with the Texas National Guard, U.S. Homeland Security, [Customs and] Border [Protection] (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Texas State Troopers,” Strong said. “Not one of these agencies or officials could say that the U.S. border was secure. Not one.“ “During our trip, I was reminded that on his first day in office, the president terminated the emergency declaration at the southern border and halted border wall construction,” Strong stated. “Over the last two years, Customs and Border Patrol have encountered over 4.7 million illegal immigrants trying to enter our country. That doesn’t include the 1.2 million that have evaded border patrol.” Strong has recently introduced legislation to require the administration to resume work on the wall on the southern border. “My bill will resume border wall construction and ensure the president cannot withhold resources while sending our troops to the front lines.” “I am proud to introduce this legislation and other measures to ensure that if the Administration expects our troops to defend our border,” Strong stated. “Then we expect them to provide every tool, resource, and means of support to each of the brave men and women protecting our homeland security.” It has become almost standard practice for Republican members of Congress to go to the southern border and personally review the situation. U.S. Senator Katie Britt has visited the border three times since her election. “There is an unprecedented national security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border,” said Sen. Britt. “I am grateful to have this opportunity to see the problem in the Rio Grande Valley firsthand, ask tough questions, listen, and learn – so we can fight for the best possible solutions in the Senate. The number of Americans dying from fentanyl poisoning is equivalent to a commercial airplane going down in our country every single day.” The Biden administration has deemphasized border security and has halted construction of the border wall even though the contracts had already been awarded and many of the materials for the wall had already been purchased. Rep. Strong is in his first term representing Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Alabama, killing 2 crew
A Black Hawk helicopter from the Tennessee National Guard crashed Wednesday in Alabama, killing two crew members, the Tennessee National Guard said. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy,” Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, said in a statement. “We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief.” According to Ross, two members of the Tennessee National Guard were killed during a flight- training mission. The helicopter crashed around 3 p.m. local time and caught fire. The Madison County sheriff’s office said there were no injuries to anyone on the ground when the helicopter crashed. “We have no survivors,” sheriff’s Investigator Brent Patterson said. “We have a crime scene here. We have it taped off.” The UH-60 helicopter, more widely known as a Black Hawk, crashed in the unincorporated community of Harvest along Alabama Highway 53, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement. The highway along which the crash happened passes through commercial areas northwest of Huntsville that are bounded by subdivisions, forests, and fields south of the state line with Tennessee. The sheriff’s office said in a statement that the crash was causing heavy traffic delays that are expected to last into Thursday. Harvest is just northwest of Huntsville, which is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal. The once rural area has become increasingly suburban and is about 90 miles south of Nashville. “Maria and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two Tennessee National Guard members,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday. “Please join us in lifting their families up in prayer and support during this time of unspeakable grief.” A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration referred questions to the military. “Governor Lee, Alabamians will continue to uplift in prayer the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said. “The Guardsmen who lost their lives today will be remembered as heroes. The people of Alabama stand with our neighbors in Tennessee.” Local news outlets showed large plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site. Multiple emergency response vehicles were on scene. “I’m deeply saddened by the fatal helicopter crash that happened in Madison County today,” U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who represents Alabama’s 5th District, said in a tweet. “My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news.” Over the years, a handful of Black Hawk helicopters were in crashes during training exercises. In 2022 in Utah, whiteout conditions caused a Black Hawk helicopter pilot during a training exercise to lose sight of where he was trying to land, causing a crash with another helicopter near a Utah ski resort. None of the men and women aboard the helicopter or the dozens of skiers nearby at the resort were injured. In 2021, three Idaho Army National Guard pilots died when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Boise during a training flight. And in 2020, two soldiers were killed, and three were injured when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training exercise off Southern California’s coast. Republished with the permission of The Associate Press.
