Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 3/18/16
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week: House votes H. Con. Res. 121, which condemns the Syrian government for war crimes against its civilian population. Pass House 392-3. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H. Con. Res. 75, which expresses the sense of Congress that Islamic State atrocities against religious and ethnic minorities constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Passed House 393-0-40. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 3797: the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (SENSE) Act. The bill establishes separate standards under which electricity-generating power plants that primarily use waste coal as a fuel source could comply with EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule, by blocking reductions in emissions allowances for sulfur dioxide for purposes of the cross-state rule and by setting an alternative standard for sulfur dioxide under the MATS rule. Passed House 231-183. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 4596: the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act. The bipartisan bill exempts, for five years after enactment, small-business broadband Internet service providers that have 250,000 or fewer subscribers from the enhanced disclosure requirements of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 2015 net neutrality rule. Passed House 411-0-22. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) A resolution authorizing Amicus Curiae in United States v. Texas. The measure authorizes the House of Representatives to file a friend of the court brief (an amicus curiae) against the administration’s position in United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., the Supreme Court case involving the president’s executive actions on immigration. Passed House 234-186. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Senate votes On the Nomination: Confirmation John B. King to be Secretary of Education. Passed the Senate 49-40-11. Nay: Sen. Richard Shelby Not Voting: Sen. Jeff Sessions
Alabama reacts to Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee
President Barack Obama Wednesday nominated U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia who died last month after sitting on the court for three decades. Here’s what Alabama politicians are saying about the President’s nominee: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: President Obama and I strongly disagree on which direction to take our nation, and I believe that we should do everything in our power to block him from further damaging the future of America. Rather than nominating an individual who will preserve the conservative legacy of the late Antonin Scalia, President Obama is attempting to solidify his liberal agenda by drastically changing the direction of the Court for decades to come. This critical decision should be made after the upcoming presidential election so that the American people have a voice. I am adamantly opposed to any Senate action on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Garland to the Supreme Court, and I urge my conservative colleagues to join me. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): The President has the authority to nominate anyone he wants to serve on the Supreme Court; however, only with the advice and consent of the Senate may that person be appointed to the Court. As I have said before, the Senate should not confirm a new Supreme Court justice until a new president is elected. This is not about Judge Garland. This is about ensuring the American people have a chance to weigh in through the electoral process before such an impactful decision is made. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): As a conservative, Representative Roby believes a strict constitutionalist in the mold of the late Justice Scalia should fill this important vacancy. However, the House of Representatives plays no role in the process of filling Supreme Court vacancies. The Constitution grants the president the authority to nominate justices to the high court, but only with the consent of the Senate. While President Obama has selected his nominee, the Senate has every authority to withhold its consent, which appears to be the case here. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): Has not responded to request for comment. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): Has not responded to request for comment. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05): Has not responded to request for comment. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): No comment. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): In fulfillment of his constitutional duty, President Obama has nominated a qualified jurist to the United States Supreme Court. Merrick Garland is a highly qualified jurist on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and is deserving of a confirmation hearing from the Senate. America expects the United States Senate to do its job and give the President’s nominee fair consideration and a timely vote. Our democracy demands that our leaders lead and do their jobs– the American people deserve no less. This article will be updated as additional reactions come in.
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate: Mar. 14 – Mar. 18, 2016
It’s going to be a busy week on Capitol Hill as the U.S. House of Representatives returns from a week-long district work session, and the U.S. Senate endeavors tackle its workload in order to adjourn for spring recess by week’s end. On Monday, the House is in session and will consider several bills under Suspension of the Rules.A full list of bills can be found here. Most notably, two concurrent resolutions regarding atrocities in the middle east: H. Con. Res. 121, which condemns the Syrian government for war crimes against its civilian population. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. H. Con. Res. 75, which expresses the sense of Congress that Islamic State atrocities against religious and ethnic minorities constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Additional items on the floor this week: H.R. 3797: the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (SENSE) Act. The bill establishes separate standards under which electricity-generating power plants that primarily use waste coal as a fuel source could comply with EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule, by blocking reductions in emissions allowances for sulfur dioxide for purposes of the cross-state rule and by setting an alternative standard for sulfur dioxide under the MATS rule. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. H.R. 4596: the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act. The bipartisan bill exempts, for five years after enactment, small-business broadband Internet service providers that have 250,000 or fewer subscribers from the enhanced disclosure requirements of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) 2015 net neutrality rule. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. A resolution authorizing Amicus Curiae in United States v. Texas. The measure authorizes the House of Representatives to file a friend of the court brief (an amicus curiae) against the administration’s position in United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., the Supreme Court case involving the president’s executive actions on immigration. Background: In November 2014, the Obama administration announced executive actions on immigration intended to prevent nearly 5 million illegal immigrants from being deported, including illegal immigrants who have been in the country for more than five years and are parents of children who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Texas led nearly two dozen states in suing the Obama administration over that initiative, and the case is expected to be argued before the Supreme Court in April. On Friday, the House is not in session. Highlights of what is happening in House Committees this week: Budget Season: Budget season continues with the House Armed Services Committee, House Homeland Security Committee, House Education and Workforce Committee, and House Foreign Affairs Committee all holding related hearings. The House Appropriations committee also continues its FY17 hearing slate, a full list of those hearings can be found here. Possible Budget Markup: Though not confirmed as of the time of this writing, it is possible the House Budget Committee could hold a markup of the House FY17 Budget Resolution this week. Concussions: On Monday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a panel discussion titled “Broad Review on Concussions: Initial Roundtable” focusing on the causes, effects and treatments of concussions and head trauma. More information here. Flint, MI Water Crisis (two hearings): On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining Federal Administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Flint, Michigan, Part 2.” (Part one of the hearing took place on February 3.). Tuesday’s hearing will feature the testimony of Susan Hedman, former EPA Region 5 administrator, Darnell Earley, former emergency manager of Flint, Dayne Walling, former mayor of Flint, and Marc Edwards, professor of environmental and water engineering at Virginia Tech. Then, on Thursday, the committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining Federal Administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Flint, Michigan, Part 3.” Thursday’s hearing will feature EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. More information about these hearings can be found here and here. E&C Markup: On Monday and Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a markup of H.R.2666, the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act and H.R.4725, the Common Sense Savings Act. More information here. Women and Terrorism: On Tuesday, the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a roundtable discussion titled “Women and Terrorism”. The panel features Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY). More information here. Resources Markup: On Tuesday, the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a markup of more than a dozen bills. More information here. Afghanistan: On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “Rebuilding Afghanistan: Oversight of Defense Department Infrastructure Projects.” More information here. Veterans: On Wednesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will continue their series of joint hearings on the legislative priorities of veterans service organizations. This hearing will be on the legislative priorities of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Retired Enlisted Association, the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, the Military Officers Association of America, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization, the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. More information here. Foreign Affairs Markup: On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will markup H.R. 4678, the United States Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Preservation Act, which would prohibit modification, abrogation, abandonment, or other related actions with respect to United States jurisdiction and control over United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, without congressional action. More information here. SBA Oversight: On Wednesday, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled “Small Business Administration Management and Performance Challenges: The Inspector General’s Perspective.” More information here. USDA: On Thursday and Friday, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining USDA organization and program administration.” More information here. Senate Schedule The Senate will resume legislative business on Monday. Up for consideration this week is the nomination of John King to be Education secretary.
In Alabama congressional races, incumbents stay safe
Despite incessant worrying over what Donald Trump-anti-incumbent-fueled voter turnout would mean at the polls, all members of the Alabama congressional delegation managed to hold on to their seats in Tuesday’s primary election. U.S. Senate Republican Richard Shelby, who was first elected to the Senate in 1986, faced challenges from four Republican opponents. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Shelby won by over 35 points. His closest opponent former Marine Capt. Jonathan McConnell garnered only 28 percent of the vote to Shelby’s 65 percent, with all other challengers taking only about 8 percent of the vote. On the Democratic side, business owner Shadrack McGill, who served in the state Senate from 2010 and 2014, and challengers John Martin, Marcus Bowman and Ron Crumpton faced off also in hopes of unseating Shelby, with Crumpton taking home the Democratic nomination, winning 56 percent of the vote. U.S. House of Representatives AL-01 Former state senator U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne secured his first full term in office after defeating challenger Dean Young. Byrne, first elected to Congress in a special election in 2013, took home 60 percent of the vote, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-02 Former Montgomery City Council member and three-term Congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Martha Roby defeated Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson to represent the 2nd District, which includes much of Montgomery and southeast Alabama. Roby won slightly more than 66 percent of the vote, meanwhile Gerritson took home only 27 percent of the vote, and Bob Rogers just over 5 percent. AL-03 First elected to the House in 2003, former Calhoun County commissioner U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers defeated longtime Auburn public school administrator Larry DiChiara to represent the 3rd District, which covers east-central Alabama. Rogers won 76 percent of the vote to DiChiara 24 percent. Standing between Rogers and his eighth term in Congress is Jesse Smith. Smith, a Phenix City native, was was unchallenged for the Democratic nomination. AL-04 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) defeated opponent Phil Norris the Republican nomination for representative of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, moving one step closer to his eleventh term in office. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996, Aderholt received 102,348 votes, 81 percent, with 100 percent of precincts reporting. AL-05 Third term Congressman Rep. Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama’s 5th District — encompassing the counties of Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and most of Jackson — was un-opposed. AL-06 Co-founder and former longtime president of the Alabama Policy Institute, U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer, was un-opposed. Palmer is Alabama’s newest Congressman and first elected in 2014 to represent portions of Birmingham, nearly all of Jefferson County outside of Birmingham, and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Colbert, Coosa and Shelby counties. AL-07 Alabama’s lone Democratic representative, Terri Sewell, who assumed office in 2011 was un-opposed. Her district encompasses portions of Birmingham,Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.
Alabama delegation reacts to Barack Obama’s plan to close Gitmo “once and for all”
President Barack Obama Tuesday proposed to “once and for all” close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The President delivered his plans to Congress, which also call to transfer remaining detainees to a facility in the U.S., though his plan does not specify where. It didn’t take long for the Alabama delegation to weigh in on the President’s plans: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: Since taking office in 2009, President Obama has vowed to act on his campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. I believe that closing Guantanamo and moving radical terrorists onto U.S. soil is imprudent and reckless, especially when the President failed to detail any specifics to his so-called plan. The prisoners housed at Guantanamo pose a serious threat to our national security, and their release or transfer should not be centered on President Obama’s desire to score political points. Current law prohibits the terrorists held at Guantanamo from being transferred onto U.S. soil. I will fight against this dangerous and misguided decision by the Administration to blatantly disregard the law. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): The law couldn’t be clearer: the President cannot transfer detainees from Guantanamo Bay into the United States. Today’s announcement, like many others we have seen from this President, isn’t a serious proposal. It is short on details and fails to outline how this proposal would help keep the American people safe. Congress should just say no. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): Did not respond to request for comment. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): President Obama’s plan to transfer many of the remaining detainees at Gitmo to U.S. soil is nothing more than nonsensical lip service to fulfill a campaign promise. While we are still waiting for a comprehensive strategy to defeat and destroy ISIL, Obama continues to push for 10,000 Syrian refugees to be resettled in the U.S. These examples demonstrate to me that he is not serious about the very real and dangerous threats posed by terrorists to our homeland. I will continue to strongly oppose any plan by Obama to close Gitmo or allow Syrian refugees on our soil. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): Did not respond to request for comment. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05): Did not respond to request for comment. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-05): Closing Guantanamo Bay would be irresponsible and detrimental to America’s national security, and the authority to do so resides with Congress, not the President. Congress has consistently expressed the position, most recently in the National Defense Authorization Act, that those dangerous detainees should not be brought to facilities in our homeland. Our priority is to keep Americans safe and our enemies off American soil. I strongly urge the President to reconsider this plan and to put the safety of this great nation’s citizens first. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): Did not respond to request for comment.
Attorney General, coalition of states announce plan to ask federal court to vacate EPA rule
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced over the weekend he would join a group of mostly Republican states to ask a federal court permanently nix Environmental Protection Agency-proposed carbon rules which recently had a setback in the U.S. Supreme Court. The EPA proposal – dubbed the Clean Power Plan – seeks to reduce carbon emissions by reining in or closing many coal-fired power plants that emit carbon pollution. Strange and a coalition of other state attorneys general filed litigation on Friday that would “go ahead and rule against the plan” now that the Supreme Court has issued a stay against it, holding up progress until further review. “Ten days after winning a stay in the United States Supreme Court of President Obama’s so-called Clean Power Plan, Alabama and a majority of U.S. states are asking the U.S. Circuit Court in Washington, D.C. to permanently vacate the Obama administration’s illegal carbon rule, once and for all,” said Strange, who has long opposed the carbon emissions plan. Strange explained his rationale for filing the claim in a statement Sunday afternoon, calling the environmental agency’s proposal a “power grab” by the federal government. “The EPA not only goes too far in seeking to impose arbitrary and overly restrictive limitations on carbon dioxide emissions, but it does so with the goal of changing America’s energy sources. The EPA’s costly carbon rule is little more than a power grab and just the latest in a long list of Obama administration attempts to end-run Congress,” Strange said. The case is now in the hands of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which will issue a ruling on the merits of the case. Oral arguments are set to begin in June after the court reviews the litigation. “Relying on an obscure provision of the Clean Air Act, EPA’s Rule seeks to effect an ‘aggressive transformation’ of the mix of electricity generation in nearly every State by systematically ‘decarbonizing’ power generation and ushering in a new ‘clean energy’ economy,” the case filed Friday reads. “Although Congress has debated a number of bills designed to achieve that very result, it has not yet adopted any such legislation. Frustrated with Congress, EPA now purports to have discovered sweeping authority in Clean Air Act section 111(d)—a provision that has been used only five times in 45 years—to issue a ‘Power Plan’ that forces States to fundamentally reorganize electricity generation throughout the country.” Strange is not alone among Alabama leaders in opposing the plan. U.S. Reps. Martha Roby and Gary Palmer have derided the plan as a job killer that could cause “enormous harm” to the American economy.
Alabama Republicans quickly dismiss Barack Obama’s 2017 budget proposal
President Barack Obama sent his final budget proposal for 2017 to Capitol Hill on Tuesday, offering a $4 trillion spending blueprint to lawmakers that calls for billions of dollars to be committed to clean energy, education and Medicaid, and would be paid for it by raising taxes on big banks and the wealthy. Unsurprisingly, Alabama Republicans do not support the plan. Here’s what Alabama’s lawmakers are saying about the new budget proposal: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: President Obama’s wildly irresponsible budget plan further cements his legacy of liberal priorities: higher taxes, more borrowing, and wasteful spending. The American people deserve better than a President who continually offers unsustainable proposals to expand our bloated federal government while ignoring our massive $19 trillion of debt. The only positive news coming from this budget blueprint is that it is President Obama’s last. I have consistently advocated for a constitutional amendment that would require the federal government to do what Americans and their families do every day – balance a budget. Our priorities should be to cut wasteful government spending, reform our nation’s complex tax code, and get Washington out of the way so that the private sector can succeed. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): President Obama and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter just don’t get it. At a time when our nation is facing a range of threats from every corner of the globe, they are proposing to ignore the advice of Navy leaders and cut the LCS program. The Navy has made crystal clear they support and need 52 Littoral Combat Ships in order to fulfill their mission. Since my first day in Congress, I have been working with my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee and throughout the House to build support for this important program. That’s why I’m confident Congress will reject this flawed proposal from a lame-duck President and a lame-duck Secretary of Defense. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): Increasing spending, while the Congressional Budget Office projects a shortfall in revenues, is not a path to fiscal responsibility, but that’s exactly what President Obama is proposing. His priorities do not represent the priorities of the American people. Whether it is the government or an individual, it is irresponsible to continue spending more than you earn. A responsible budget would balance without gimmicks, would cut spending, and would not raise taxes on the hard working American people. President Obama’s proposal fails in every category. A summary Obama’s budget request may be found here.
Personnel note: Gary Palmer’s Communications Director Cliff Smith leaves Hill
Monday, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer‘s (AL-06) Communications Director Cliff Smith left Capitol Hill to take a new position as the Washington Project Director of the Middle East Forum. Prior to joining Palmer’s team, Smith was a law clerk on two Senate committees and a legislative correspondent in the House of Representatives for U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04). Smith, a 2002 graduate of Washington State University, has a master’s in public policy from Pepperdine University and a law degree from The Catholic University of America. “It was an honor to have the opportunity to work for Rep. Palmer, a man I respect and believe will continue to do great work for Alabama and the nation,” Smith told Alabama Today. “I am excited to join the Middle East Forum. I have always had a deep and abiding interest in foreign affairs, particularly the Middle East, and I am a former student of Dr. Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum. I am excited for where this venture will take me and I look forward to building more relationships in Washington DC in service of a smart and effective foreign policy toward the Middle East.” In a release, Smith’s former professor and President of the Middle East Forum, Daniel Pipes said, “Clifford Smith brings solid knowledge of Washington and of the Middle East to the Forum. We look to him to build on our existing issues in the U.S. capital and then expand on them.” The Middle East Forum, a Philadelphia-based think tank, is dedicated to defining American interests in the Middle East and protecting America from Islamist threats. It achieves its goals through intellectual, activist, and philanthropic efforts.
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senate: Feb. 1 – Feb. 5, 2016
Congressional lawmakers are back in Washington after being disrupted by Winter Storm Jonas last week. Both chambers have full agendas and will be busy making up postponed votes and hearings due to the storm. House Schedule Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives is in session and will consider several bills under Suspension of the Rules. A full list of bills can be found here. Other legislation up for consideration this week: H.R. 3700: the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act. The bill modifies various housing laws to try to extend affordable housing options to more low-income families. It allows Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and the owners of private subsidized housing to verify the income-based eligibility of families through other needs-tested federal programs, modifies requirements regarding the inspection of housing units, eases Federal Housing Authority (FHA) requirements for mortgage insurance for condominiums and establishes a Special Assistant for Veterans’ Affairs within the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) to coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None H.R. 3662: the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. The bill restricts the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions as called for by the Iran nuclear agreement. The House debated the bill on Jan. 13 and initially passed it by a 191-106 vote, but that vote was vacated because nearly 140 members missed the vote. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Overriding the president’s veto of H.R. 3762: Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act. The measure repeals numerous major provisions of Obamacare, including the individual and employer mandates, tax subsidies for individuals to purchase health insurance from exchanges and the expansion of Medicaid. It also effectively eliminates more than a dozen of the law’s taxes, including the medical device tax, the “Cadillac” tax and the net investment tax, and it blocks federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year. The Senate passed the measure on a 52-47 vote under the budget reconciliation process, while the House cleared it by a 240-181 vote. The president vetoed the measure Jan. 8. A two-thirds vote of both chambers is needed to override a veto. Alabama co-sponsor(s): N/A H.R. 1675: Encouraging Employee Ownership Act of 2015. The bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct reviews of its existing regulations to determine whether any are outmoded, ineffective or excessively burdensome, and to modify or repeal rules based on those reviews. It also exempts certain firms that broker mergers and acquisitions from SEC registration requirements, increases the allowable size of privately held companies that may sell securities for certain purposes and exempts smaller companies from requirements that they use a certain technology in filing financial statements to the SEC. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None H.R. 766: the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act. The bill prohibits federal banking regulators from requesting that financial institutions terminate their relationships with specific customers or groups of customers unless the agency has a material reason for requesting that termination, and it restricts the conditions under which the Justice Department may conduct investigations involving financial institutions and seek civil penalties. The bill is a response to the Justice department’s Operation Choke Point that sought to protect consumers from unauthorized withdrawals by third-party payment processors acting as intermediaries for fraudulent merchants, which however some banks began to sever services with entire categories of lawful businesses. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None The House is not in session Friday. Highlights of what is happening in House Committees this week: Budget Views and Estimates: Budget season is heating up, with the House Small Business Committee, the House Select Intelligence Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, the House Financial Services Committee marking up their respective “Views and Estimates on the President’s FY2017 Budget” this week. More Budget: On Wednesday, the House Budget Committee will host a “Members’ Day” to allow members of the House to testify before the committee on the policy priorities they wish to see in the FY2017 budget resolution. And on Thursday, the House Budget Committee will hold a hearing on “The Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook” featuring CBO Director Keith Hall. More information here. Prescription Drug Market: On Thursday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing titled “Developments in the Prescription Drug Market: Oversight.” Of note, Martin Shkreli, former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals LLC, may appear as a witness at the hearing. More information here. Flint, MI Drinking Water: On Wednesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “Examining Federal Administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Flint, Michigan.” More information here. Afghanistan: On Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Afghanistan in 2016: The Evolving Security Situation and U.S. Policy, Strategy and Posture.” More information here. Paris Climate Agreement: On Tuesday, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a hearing titled “Paris Climate Promise: A Bad Deal for America.” More information here. Refugee and Visa Security: On Wednesday, the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing titled “Crisis of Confidence: Preventing Terrorist Infiltration through U.S. Refugee and Visa Programs.” More information here. School Choice: On Wednesday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing titled “Expanding Educational Opportunity Through School Choice.” More information here. Education Information Security: On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a hearing titled “U.S. Department of Education: Investigation of the CIO” featuring Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. More information here. Economy: On Tuesday, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing titled “Reaching America’s Potential: Delivering Growth and Opportunity for All Americans.” More information here. Military Acquisition Reform: On Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Acquisition Reform: Starting Programs Well.” More information here. Veterans: House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “Lost Opportunities for Veterans: An Examination of VA’s Technology Transfer Program.” More information here. E&W Markup: On Tuesday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will markup of H.R.4293: the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act and H.R.4294: the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement
Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 1/15/16
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week: House votes H.R. 1644: the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act. The bill prevents the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal-mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of existing rules in effect — effectively delaying any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. Passed House 235-188: Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 3662: the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. The bill restricts the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions as called for by the Iran Nuclear agreement, by allowing sanctions to be lifted only if the president certifies that the institutions have not knowingly helped fund Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards, foreign terrorist organizations, and other entities sanctioned in connection with Iran’s weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs. Pulled by unanimous consent. S.J. Res. 22: a joint resolution to disapprove a EPA/Corps of Engineers rule governing Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The resolution disapproves of the rule issued by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on June 29, 2015, commonly known as the “waters of the United States” rule that seeks to clarify the federal government’s authority to regulate certain intrastate waters under the Clean Water Act, providing that the rule will have no force or effect. The Senate passed the resolution in November, acting under the Congressional Review Act. Passed House 253-166. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Senate votes PN11. On the nomination of Luis Felipe Restrepo of Pennsylvania to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit. Passed the Senate 82-6-12. Yea: None Nay: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby
Alabama delegation responds to Barack Obama’s final State of the Union
Tuesday night President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union address before Congress. Nationally televised, the hour-long speech in the House chamber was short on policy details and focused more on being urging Americans to be more tolerant. “I want to focus on the future,” the president opened his speech. Obama continued, “America has been through big changes before – wars and depression, the influx of immigrants, workers fighting for a fair deal, and movements to expand civil rights. Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future; who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, promising to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control. And each time, we overcame those fears.” Here’s what the Alabama delegation had to say about his final speech: U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL): President Obama’s policy agenda on trade, crime, immigration, spending and debt all have one common feature: they make life harder for working Americans and put the country at needless risk. With wages down, record numbers not working, and crime rising in cities across the U.S., the next person to occupy the oval office will have to chart a dramatically different course. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL): Tonight’s address was another political speech full of empty rhetoric that offered no real solutions to the issues facing American families and businesses each day. While the President used the podium tonight to tout his record, Americans at home know that he is poised to leave behind a legacy of failed policies that have damaged our economy and made America weaker across the globe. The American people deserved to hear from the President tonight about his real, comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism. They also deserved to hear that he will not circumvent Congress, unilaterally infringe on law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights, or allow thousands of improperly vetted Syrian refugees into our nation. The American people are sick and tired of this President’s blatant disregard for the Constitution, policies that prioritize what is best for Washington over what is best for America, and speeches to score political points. While I’m pleased that this is his last State of the Union address, the American people would be better off if it were his last day in office. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): If you like the direction our country is headed, then you probably enjoyed tonight’s speech. If you don’t think our country is headed in the right direction, then you were probably disappointed. I certainly was. President Obama tried to paint a rosy picture tonight, but the facts simply aren’t on his side. A quick glance around the globe shows our enemies growing stronger and our allies under attack. Right here at home, wages are stagnant, our borders remain unsecured, and veterans still aren’t receiving the care they deserve. Tonight marks the beginning of the post-Obama era, and it is time to start looking past this time of big government toward an America where the government actually works for the people and not the other way around. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02) For all President Obama’s lofty rhetoric and aspirational soundbites, tonight’s speech offered little in substance for how to actually address the nation’s problems. I was particularly disappointed that, once again, the president came up short of delivering a bold, decisive, comprehensive strategy to defeat Islamic State terrorists. Instead, we got a lecture on the semantics of war. I did appreciate President Obama admitting how he regretted the deep divisiveness of his presidency. He said he wants to ‘do better,’ and if he’s serious, he can start by engaging with the people’s elected representatives rather than attempting unilateral executive orders every time he doesn’t get his way. Unfortunately I believe we can count on the opposite. That’s why I remain committed to fighting Executive Branch overreaches at every turn, should they occur. Whether it’s an attempt to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants or a power grab by the Environmental Protection Agency or a threat to erode Second Amendment rights, Congress must stand up and fight back against abuses of executive power during this last year of President Obama’s time in office. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): Tonight’s speech will be more of the same. Over the past seven years, we have seen our country’s economy struggle, watched our national debt grow to astronomical numbers and lost our spot as a defense superpower in this world. We have watched the Federal government grow and become more intrusive in our day to day lives at the expense of our Constitutional rights. I am relieved President Obama’s time in office is coming to an end because no matter how much ‘hope and change’ was promised, our country is weaker and more polarized than ever. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): The good news is that this was the President’s final State of the Union address. The bad news is that just like his previous seven addresses to Congress, it was unfortunately filled with the rhetoric, partisanship and divisiveness the American people have rejected. President Obama is probably now worried about his legacy and exactly how he will be remembered. I do not think history will be kind to President Obama. We have seen that Obamacare is an abject failure. There is still no plan for defeating ISIS. The Iranian deal has isolated our allies while emboldening our enemies. And it is not fiction that our economy actually remains stagnant both in terms of growth and take home pay. The focus of my conservative colleagues and I is to spend the next year focused on restoring a confident America and getting back to the basic principles of the Constitution. An America where people are empowered to make their own decisions and go after their own dreams and get government out of the way. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05): No statement available at this time. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): No statement available at this time. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell
This week in the U.S. House of Representatives: Jan. 11 – Jan. 15, 2016
While it may be a short legislative week, both the House and Senate will be in session starting Monday. There are two, big non-legislative events on the schedule this week: President Barack Obama will deliver his final State of the Union address Tuesday evening, and the Republican Conferences of both chambers leave Washington after voting Wednesday for their annual GOP retreat. Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives is in session and will consider several bills under Suspension of the Rules, including H.R. 757: which strengthens and expands existing sanctions against North Korea in the wake of its recent nuclear weapons test. A full list of bills can be found here. Other legislation up for consideration this week: H.R. 1644: the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act. The bill prevents the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of existing rules in effect — effectively delaying any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None. H.R. 3662: the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. The bill restricts the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions as called for by the Iran Nuclear agreement, by allowing sanctions to be lifted only the president certifies that the institutions have not knowingly helped fund Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards, foreign terrorist organizations and other entities sanctioned in connection with Iran’s weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) S.J. Res. 22: a joint resolution to disapprove a EPA/Corps of Engineers rule governing Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The resolution disapproves of the rule issued by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on June 29, 2015, commonly known as the “waters of the United States” rule that seeks to clarify the federal government’s authority to regulate certain intrastate waters under the Clean Water Act, providing that the rule will have no force or effect. The Senate passed the resolution in November, acting under the Congressional Review Act. Alabama co-sponsor(s): Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby Highlights of what is happening in House Committees this week: SBA Access to Capital: Tuesday, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled “SBA Management Review: Oversight of SBA’s Access to Capital Offices.” More information here. Iraq/Syria: Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee will hold a hearing titled “Outside Views on the U.S. Strategy for Iraq and Syria and the Evolution of Islamic Extremism.” More information here. Veterans Backlog: Tuesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “1988 to 2016: VETSNET to VBMS; Billions Spent, Backlog Grinds On.” More information here. Nuclear Energy: Tuesday, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a markup of H.R.4084: the “Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act.” More information here. Judiciary: Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a markup of H.R.3406: the “Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2015”; H.R.4240: the “No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act”; and H.R.1854: the “Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015.” More information here. Senate Schedule: S. 2232: the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. Deemed the “Audit the Fed” bill, the legislation would increase congressional oversight of the Federal Reserve and direct the Government Accountability Office to undertake a full audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the Federal Reserve Banks and report its findings to Congress. Alabama co-sponsor(s): None.
