Senators Katie Britt, Marco Rubio, and colleagues demand answers on Iran’s nuclear program violations following attacks on Israel
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and 13 colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting an update on U.S. action to hold Iran accountable for multiple violations of nuclear program restrictions. The letter comes after this weekend’s multi-pronged attacks on the people of Israel by Hamas fighters that killed over 1300 Israelis and wounded 3,200 more. According to Secretary Blinken, at least 25 Americans are among the dead. Hamas has taken well over 100 hostages, and the White House believes that Americans are among the hostages. Republicans believe that the government of Iran financed and likely helped plan those attacks. “We respectfully request that the U.S. Department of State provide information regarding the status of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) investigation into Iran following the recent IAEA’s Board of Governors meeting,” the Senators wrote. “The Iranian regime is intent on fomenting terror across the region, as evidenced by its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah’s, brutal attacks this weekend on our ally, Israel. Now more than ever, you must ensure that you hold the regime accountable for its failure to comply with obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Further, we were disappointed that the administration did not call for a formal censure of Tehran given its continued non-compliance with the IAEA.” “The Biden Administration has failed to press for concrete action against Iran in Vienna,” the Senators continued. “We are especially disturbed by reports that the United States led efforts to oppose a censure of Iran. As Iran violates its commitments and refuses to comply with the IAEA, your business-as-usual approach to resolving the situation is tantamount to an endorsement of the Iranian regime’s activities.” “It is regrettable that the September 11-15, 2023, IAEA Board of Governors meeting achieved no progress in resolving key questions related to the Iranian regime’s nuclear program,” the Senators wrote. “Once again, Iran was able to escape any shred of accountability. As you know, since 2018, the IAEA has been investigating Iran’s undeclared nuclear material and activities related to a secret 2003 effort to produce atomic weapons called the Amad Plan. Despite the IAEA’s repeated requests to access several Iranian sites, it has not been able to determine whether Tehran retains covert nuclear weapons activities, nor has it investigated all sites, personnel, and documentation related to the Amad Plan and its successor entities, such as Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND).” Joining Senators Britt and Rubio in signing the letter were Senators Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), and Susan Collins (R-Maine). In 2015, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed by the Obama Administration. Iran and other countries agreed to place restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. One condition included the JCPOA tasking the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the regime in Tehran adheres to nuclear restrictions. The Senators claim that even with the signed agreement, Iran has remained non-compliant and continues its nuclear programs. Senator Britt has been an outspoken critic of the Biden Administration’s controversial decision to free up $6 billion of seized illicit oil sales revenue to Iran to facilitate a prisoner exchange with Iran. The five Iranian-Americans appear to have been wrongfully jailed solely because they were American citizens. Britt warned at the time that the ransom payments would only result in more Americans being taken hostage. When the Administration formally notified Congress of the deal on September 11th, Britt warned, “This irresponsible, weak appeasement sends a terrible message across the globe and only incentivizes further hostage taking in the future.” Today, countless Israeli hostages have been taken into Gaza by Hamas. Senator Britt this week joined a letter led by Senator Blackburn (R-Tennessee) calling on the Biden Administration to re-freeze the $6 billion. Sen. Britt was elected to the Senate in 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt and colleagues call for increased funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) announced that she has recently joined Senators Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia.) in calling for additional funding for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to be included in any supplemental funding package Congress may consider amid heightened concerns about the safety and security of the American Jewish community following this weekend’s attacks on Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah. The NSGP, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations, including synagogues and other places of worship, that are at high risk of terrorist attack. “The barbaric attacks on innocent children, women, and men in Israel are heartbreaking and stomach-turning,” said Senator Britt in a statement. “Now more than ever, we must be unequivocally strong in our response and unreservedly clear in our purpose. As I work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the days, weeks, and months ahead to ensure Israel has everything it needs to defend itself with overwhelming force, we must also vigilantly guard against terrorism and the forces of hate here at home. I support robust funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help secure our homeland and keep our families, places of worship, and communities safe.” “The horrific images and videos we are seeing out of Israel are unspeakable, and I am doing everything in my power to ensure Israel gets the support it needs to defend itself. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security,” said Sen. Murphy. “I am also focused on making sure our Jewish community at home is protected from a potential rise in anti-Semitic threats. As Congress considers emergency supplemental legislation in the coming weeks, we must include increased funding for DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help safeguard the Jewish Community here at home.” Booker was in Israel at the time of the attack and experienced the rockets up in the sky raining down while jogging before he was whisked away to a shelter by his staff. “The harrowing images coming out of Israel and the rising toll of confirmed deaths and number of civilians being held hostage by Hamas — including American citizens — are devastating and remind us that we cannot ignore the rise in antisemitism around the world or here at home,” said Sen. Booker. “It’s crucial that we take every precaution to keep all of our religious communities safe. In addition to providing security assistance to Israel, Congress should increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides important resources to safeguard nonprofits that are at an increased risk of violence, including Jewish houses of worship and other religious-affiliated groups across the country.” “The hearts of all Americans are shattered after seeing Hamas’s deadly terrorist attacks on Israel,” said Sen. Rosen. “As we witness a surge in antisemitic activity worldwide, we must make sure that Jewish Americans are protected from the threat of antisemitism. As co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, I’m working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to increase funding for the life-saving Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This critical funding ensures that synagogues, community centers, and other nonprofits have the resources needed to protect themselves from targeted violence.” “Throughout my time on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I have seen and learned about the need so many have for funds through this program,” said Sen. Capito. “Ensuring its inclusion in a supplemental further confirms our commitment to the safety and security for communities of faith, particularly synagogues across the nation that are too often the target of threats.” While Gaza is halfway around the world, Hamas has many supporters worldwide, including in the U.S., as evidenced by the protests that popped up in cities across the U.S. celebrating the Hamas attacks while they were ongoing. The Hamas attacks on Jewish civilians in Israel and the likely Israeli counteroffensive against Hamas and the Gaza Strip may only embolden antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad. In 2019, five men were stabbed at a Hanukkah service in New York. In 2022, an armed man took hostages at a synagogue in Texas. Sen. Britt was elected to the Senate in 2022. She has already visited Israel in her Senate duties. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Robert Aderholt condemns Hamas and cosponsors resolution supporting Israel
On Tuesday, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) released a statement condemning the terrorist group Hamas and announcing that he has cosponsored a resolution in the House of Representatives to show U.S. support for Israel. “The attacks, kidnappings, and murders carried out over the weekend by Hamas were shocking to people around the world who value humanity, justice, and the rule of law,” Rep. Aderholt said. “The videos and pictures coming out of Israel are gut wrenching. I stand with Israel and her people, and I stand against Hamas and anyone who dares defend their heinous actions.” “Let me be clear – these attacks on Israel were terrorist activities at the hands of Hamas and Hezbollah, aided and abetted by Iran,” Aderholt continued. “Like the Nazis of World War II, their only goal is to kill Jews and anyone who dares support Israel. We will not be stopped in our unwavering support of Israel, no matter who is behind these terrorist actions.” A bipartisan resolution has been introduced in Congress declaring U.S. support for Israel in its war against Hamas. “Today I have joined with almost 400 of my colleagues from both sides of the aisles, to sponsor a resolution standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric actions launched by Hamas and other terrorists and condemning Hamas’ brutal strikes against Israel,” Aderholt said. “Israel is a sovereign nation. They have a right to exist and to live peacefully, but if terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, or any nation-state decides to attack Israel directly or through proxy groups, then Israel has every right to defend itself completely. We must stand with Israel and continue to pray for all those hurt, taken hostage, and for the families of the dead. We will not quickly forget about this brutal attack.” Over one thousand Israelis have been killed – many of them women and children – in a completely unprovoked attack by the lawless terror organization Hamas, which occupies the 140 square mile Gaza Strip. At least 14 Americans have been killed. There are 2,800 wounded, and over 100 Israelis have been taken hostage, including some Americans, and are being held in various parts of Gaza City. U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) said on X, ““Babies, their heads cut off. … families completely gunned down in their beds.” The U.S.—and the civilized world—must respond with unequivocal strength to these barbaric, monstrous atrocities. I stand with Israel as they rightfully defend themselves with overwhelming force.” Gaza was an occupied territory from 1967 to 2005. Israel removed its settlers and occupation forces in 2005 in a land-for-peace deal that quickly went wrong for both Israel and ordinary Palestinians. Hamas overthrew the Palestinian Authority government there and has since ruled the two million people of Gaza with an iron fist while periodically firing rockets at the people of neighboring Israel. Despite international efforts to keep arms out of Gaza, Hamas has been able to fire rockets at Israel by the thousands and equip a large ground force for its cross-border raids in force. Israel has declared war on Hamas and is vowing to seek retribution. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that has autonomous authority in southern Lebanon and routinely fires rockets across the border into Israel, including over the past several days. Aderholt is the senior member of the Alabama Congressional delegation, having served the people of Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District since 1996. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville says net neutrality rules would be burdensome government involvement in broadband
U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt joined U.S. Senators John Thune (R-South Dakota) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in pushing back against the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposal to reinstate Obama-era broadband regulations. In a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the senators warned that reviving these burdensome regulations would devastate the free market, leading to fewer choices and slower speeds for broadband customers. “Our country faces real challenges,” the Senators wrote. “A lack of public-utility regulations for the internet is not one of them. Instead, the FCC and the Biden administration should be focusing on bipartisan efforts to address real problems, such as addressing rampant waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government’s broadband subsidy programs, and regulatory and permitting obstacles to broadband deployment, both of which divert funds and resources from the goal of connecting unserved Americans.” Net neutrality rules were passed under former President Barack Obama and then rescinded under former President Donald Trump. They could return under a new push by FCC chair Rosenworcel. The rules would reclassify broadband access as an essential service on par with other utilities like water or power. “For everyone, everywhere, to enjoy the full benefits of the internet age, internet access should be more than just accessible and affordable,” Rosenworcel said at an event at the National Press Club. “The internet needs to be open.” The proposed rules would return fixed and mobile broadband service to its status as an essential telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act. It would also prohibit Internet service providers from blocking or throttling lawful Internet traffic and from selling “fast lanes” that prioritize some traffic over others in exchange for payment. The move comes after Democrats took majority control of the five-member FCC on Monday for the first time since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021 when new FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez was sworn in. Rosenworcel said the FCC will vote in October to take public comment on the proposed rules. Net neutrality is the principle that internet providers treat all web traffic equally. Telecom companies say the rules can undermine investment in broadband and introduce uncertainty about acceptable business practices. Telecommunications companies argue that they should be able to control the pipes they built and own. Tuberville serves on the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG) Committee. Tuberville has championed expanding broadband access for rural and agricultural communities. He has made that one of his 2023 Farm Bill priorities because he understands the importance of reliable internet access for successful farming operations. Tuberville is the Ranking Member of the AG Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy. His first hearing as a Ranking Member focused on expanding broadband access for rural areas, with discussions revolving around streamlining the application and permitting process, service speeds, broadband deployment infrastructure, and prioritizing internet access to rural communities. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt and Pete Ricketts want Senate to remain in session until all appropriations bills are passed
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) announced that she has joined Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) and 15 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) to keep the U.S. Senate in session until all 12 of the appropriations bills have been debated on the floor and passed. To this point, Schumer has resisted bringing the appropriations bills to the floor even though they have all passed out of the Appropriations Committee. The federal government narrowly averted a shutdown at the end of the fiscal year last weekend with a 45-day continuing resolution (CR) that will run through November 17. “We urge you to modify the Senate calendar so that we remain in session Monday through Friday every week until all 12 fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills are passed in the Senate and House and signed into law by President Biden,” the Senators wrote. “The House of Representatives has already taken the step to forgo their October recess, and the Senate must follow suit. While valuable work is done while Senators are back in their home states, it is imperative that we remain in D.C. until our appropriations work can be completed. That is what the American people expect and deserve of us.” “The continuing resolution extended government funding until November 17,” the Senators continued. “That allows seven weeks for the Senate to consider the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills. The past nine weeks make it clear that we cannot afford to take a weekday off, much less a weeklong recess, with so much work to be completed in such a condensed time.” “My colleagues and I have worked hard this year to advance all 12 individual appropriations bills out of committee through regular order,” the Senators continued. “However, in order to enact judicious, strategic, transparent, and accountable spending measures that benefit the American people, it’s incumbent on Senator Schumer to utilize a novel concept – actually making the Senate work,” said Senator Britt. “Alabamians know this is simply common sense, but that is unfortunately uncommon in Washington, D.C.” Joining Senators Britt and Ricketts in sending the letter were Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). The 2023 fiscal year ended on September 30, and Congress still has not passed the 2024 budget. If the current 45-day CR runs out without Congress having passed a budget or another CR, then the federal government will have to shut down non-essential services. Majority Leader Schumer has scheduled the Senate to be in recess until October 16. The Senate was also not in session the entire month of August, even though budgets had not been passed. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt express their concerns over Pentagon appointee Ariane Tabatabai
On Monday, U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt joined 29 of their Senate Republican colleagues in a letter to the Secretary of Defense retired General Lloyd Austin, demanding a full accounting of actions taken by a senior Pentagon official who they claim has close links to the Iranian government. The Senators said that recently leaked emails show that Ariane Tabatabai, the chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SOLIC), was reportedly engaged in an Iranian government-linked initiative to bolster the Iranian government’s image and reinforce Tehran’s national security views. The emails show Tabatabai asking the Iranian government for input on her speaking engagements and offering to consult with the Iranian government on a congressional briefing that she was invited to give. In the letter, the Senators call it “unconscionable” for Tabatabai to continue holding a sensitive national defense-related position. The letter calls for the immediate suspension of her security clearance. “Iran continues to threaten U.S. military personnel in the Middle East and remains intent on assassinating American citizens here in the United States,” the Senators wrote. “Given these facts, we find it simply unconscionable that a senior Department official would continue to hold a sensitive position despite her alleged participation in an Iranian government information operation,” the Senators wrote. “While we note that Assistant Secretary of Defense for SOLIC Christopher Maier, who is Ms. Tabatabai’s current supervisor, testified before the House on Thursday that the Department is “actively looking into whether all law and policy was properly followed in granting my chief of staff top secret special compartmented information,” we urge you to suspend Ms. Tabatabai’s security clearance immediately pending further review, as the State Department did with her former supervisor, Robert Malley.” The Senators also posed a range of questions related to the nature and extent of Tabatabai’s involvement with the Iran-backed initiative, demanding answers within a week of transmitting the letter. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Katie Britt and Bill Cassidy introduce legislation to prevent administrative actions to shut down offshore energy development
On Monday, U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) in introducing legislation to prevent the Biden administration from using administrative actions to shut down offshore energy development. Britt and colleagues recently joined Sen. Cassidy and four of her Senate colleagues in introducing the Warding Off Hostile Administrative Lease Efforts (WHALE) Act to prevent the U.S. Departments of Commerce and the Interior from issuing maritime rules related to the Rice’s whale that would impede offshore energy development and military activities. “The Biden Administration is continually putting a leftwing agenda ahead of common sense and the wellbeing of hardworking American families,” Sen. Britt said. “Prioritizing partisan activism over economic opportunity and domestic energy dominance is irresponsible and further fueling persistent inflation. I’ll continue to fight back against President Biden’s reckless regulatory regime.” “At the last minute, the Biden administration imposed additional mitigation measures the Department of the Interior previously said were unnecessary and removed six million acres offshore for Rice’s whales at the request of their environmental donors. Is there really no way for the whale to swim away from and around the area?” Senator Cassidy said. “We can protect wildlife, military activities, and vital energy production in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time.” Joining Senators Britt, Tuberville, and Cassidy in cosponsoring this legislation are Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). The WHALE Act prevents the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior from issuing rules or offshore oil and gas lease requirements or recommendations that establish vessel speed or vessel operational restrictions. The legislation is partially in response to administrative actions to reduce the speed of ships to protect endangered whales from collisions. The WHALE Act would require the Departments to complete a study demonstrating that any mitigation protocols developed to protect Rice’s Whales (RWs) in the Gulf of Mexico will not hurt supply chains, United States offshore energy production and generation, military activities, including readiness, and United States commercial and recreational fishing or maritime commerce. Sen. Tuberville has already spoken out on this issue. “Designating a Critical Habitat for the Rice’s whale throughout this expansive area will impose undue burdens and restrictions on all vessel traffic, especially in and out of the Port of Mobile in Mobile, AL,” said Sen. Tuberville. “The Port of Mobile covers over 4,000 acres, generates nearly 313,000 jobs, provides approximately $2 billion in state and local tax impacts, and $85 billion in economic value to Alabama as a whole.” The legislation also requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop mitigation protocols that make use of real-time location monitoring and location information, prohibits mitigation protocols, and forbids evening transit or vessel speed or vessel operational restrictions. Environmentalists have filed a petition with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish year-round vessel speed restriction zones and other mitigation measures for Rice’s whales—a species of whale that was only recognized by NOAA as a distinct species two years ago. NOAA also proposed a rule to establish critical habitat for the species where they acknowledged critical oil and gas and military activity occurs. The Senators are also concerned by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) reaching a sue and settle agreement with environmentalist groups to establish vessel transit restrictions and other obligations for offshore oil and gas leaseholders only, including removing millions of unleased acres from leasing. Although a federal district court recently ruled that BOEM could not do so, it’s expected these stipulations and the effort to withdraw acreage will appear in the next 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Congress passes deal to keep government funded
On Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution (C.R.) to keep the U.S. government funded and avoid a crippling government shutdown. President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan C.R., giving both houses of Congress another 45 days to finish their 12 funding bills for the 2024 fiscal year, which began on October 1. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville blamed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) for not bringing the bills to the floor for regular order. “I am glad that the government is not going to shut down. But this is no way to run a government. This entire spectacle up here never should have happened,” Sen. Tuberville said. “This Clown Show in Washington needs to learn how to govern. That means passing 12 appropriations bills, which a bipartisan group of Senators on the Appropriations Committee did a long time ago. But Chuck Schumer and the Democrats who run Washington don’t want to do that. We cannot lurch from crisis to crisis anymore. We need to finally get to regular order and govern like adults.” Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) blamed President Biden for a lack of leadership. “After completely unnecessary political fire drills, ultimately both chambers were able to come together not only to keep the federal government open but reject President Biden’s misguided supplemental request,” said Sen. Britt. “Now, we will be able to pay our troops, the Border Patrol, and Capitol Police and help our neighbors in Florida and the people of Hawaii recover. We will continue the critical fight for border security while we work to pass responsible appropriations bills through regular order. In the coming weeks, I’ll work with my colleagues to advance spending measures that are judicious, strategic, transparent, and accountable.” Both Houses of Congress were working on a bipartisan C.R. to keep the government funded. The House of Representatives passed theirs Saturday afternoon in a 335 to 91 vote. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) then announced that the Republicans in the Senate would be withdrawing their support for the Senate bill and instead be backing the House bill. Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) voted for the bipartisan 45-day C.R. “While I remain frustrated that my Republican colleagues have brought us to the brink of a costly and devastating government shutdown, I am grateful that Speaker [Kevin] McCarthy has finally chosen to work with Democrats at the last minute to extend government funding,” said Rep. Sewell. “While this measure is not perfect, it avoids deep cuts that House Republicans attempted to push through earlier this week and provides critical disaster relief funding that communities in Alabama depend on.” The House version of the C.R. was then voted on and passed by the Senate on Saturday night. The government is funded, but no deal has been reached on federal spending or addressing the crisis on the U.S. southern border. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
California Senator Dianne Feinstein dies at age 90
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California has died, the Associated Press reported. She was 90 years old. Feinstein died on Thursday night at her home in Washington, D.C. Feinstein’s chief of staff, James Sauls, said in a statement, “Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C. Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving. Senator Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right. At the same time, she was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation. There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother. Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state. She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary. There is much to say about who she was and what she did, but for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor and friend.” Feinstein was born on June 22, 1933, and was the oldest sitting U.S. Senator. Many leaders had expressed concern about her health in the past few years and questioned if she was fit to continue to work as a Senator. Feinstein stepped down as the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel after the 2020 elections. In February, she announced that she planned to retire at the end of 2024 when her term was up. Elected to the Senate in 1992, Feinstein was seen as more of a centrist Democrat and was known to work to find common ground with Republicans. “In San Francisco, she showed enormous poise and courage in the wake of tragedy and became a powerful voice for American values. Serving in the Senate together for more than 15 years, I had a front-row seat to what Dianne was able to accomplish,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties. She’s made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations.” “As we mourn with her daughter Katherine and the Feinstein family, her team in the Senate, and the people of California, we take comfort that Dianne is reunited again with her beloved Richard. May God Bless Dianne Feinstein.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X, “Sen. Dianne Feinstein was a friend, a hero, a leader who changed the Senate and America for the better. Mourning this tremendous loss—we’re comforted in knowing how many mountains she moved, lives she impacted, glass ceilings she shattered. America’s a better place because of her.” Senator Katie Britt wrote on X, “Dianne Feinstein lived a life of service, blazing a path for women in the Senate and girls across our nation. In the face of tragedy and tribulations throughout her career, she was fearless. Our prayers are with her loved ones.” Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “Sad to hear about the loss of my friend Dianne Feinstein. Grateful I got to know her. Keeping her family and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”
Tommy Tuberville addresses potential government shutdown; “What a mess we are in”
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) spoke with the Alabama press about the growing possibility that Congress will not get a budget passed in time to prevent a government shutdown at midnight on Saturday. “What a mess we are in,” Sen. Tuberville said. “I don’t like shutdowns. No Republican wants to shut the government down. Senator [Susan] Collins and Senator Pattie Murray of the Appropriations Committee did their job. They want regular order, and so do I. Regular order means that you have 12 bills, and you do each one of them individually. We haven’t done that in a long time. It is time for the Senate to have an amendment process on each one of these bills. It gives everybody an opportunity to express their thoughts, but (Senate Majority Leader) Chuck Schumer, he doesn’t want to do that. He is doing everything he can to prevent the Senate from acting on any of these bills. That will eventually lead to a shutdown if we’re not careful. You have got to remember Chuck Schumer controls the floor, so this will be a Schumer shutdown. If a continuing resolution gives us time to consider all 12 of these bills, then I am for it, but we will have to see what the House does also.” Tuberville responded to a reporter’s question about criticism of the Senate by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-California). “It is hard to compare both the House and the Senate, to be honest with you,” Tuberville said. “They have got different personalities over there – as me. I didn’t vote for a supplemental for Ukraine. We are spending somewhere around $260 million a day, somewhere in that range in Ukraine. We are spending it for their farmers, helping them plant their crops. We are spending it for their borders when we have farmers here who need money. We have a border that needs to be shut down. There is a lot of things going on behind the scenes. I am real interested in how McCarthy handles this. He has got not just a division between Democrats and Republicans but also division in his own caucus, so we will see what happens. We have done our 12 bills over here. We have got them out of committee. If we would do them one at a time like Chuck Schumer should, I think we could really encourage the House to do the right thing, but right now, we are in the middle of the road with no way to get this thing going.” Sen. Tuberville and Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) both have cosponsored legislation to end the repeated government shutdowns and force Congress to pass the budget. Tuberville was asked about why that legislation did not pass. “First of all, there is a lot of people up here that when they do a budget, they just want to jam this thing full of pork, and that has gotten us $33 trillion in debt,” Tuberville responded. “We need to spend what we need to spend. Take care of all of our bills. Get that done. Take care of the American taxpayers, but we need an opportunity to tell everybody: OK, here is the deal: we run out of money at the end of September every year. We have got all year long – eight, nine months to put these bills together and get it passed. I think we need a bill that says we run up to a time restraint, which, at the end of this week, we are basically done. We do not go home. We stay here seven days a week until we get a budget passed for the American citizens and the taxpayers of this country. There is no reason that we need to keep kicking this can down the road and give people up here an opportunity to jam-pack this thing full of pork with things that we shouldn’t spend money on, but take care of the people of this country. That is what we are here for.” Alabama Today asked why the Alabama Legislature can pass two budgets months ahead of the same deadline and roll a surplus over into the next fiscal year while Congress having a budget crisis is almost expected. “Yea, you know there has been a lot of shutdowns,” Tuberville admitted. “A lot of people say this is a terrible thing to do to shut the government down, but sooner or later, we need to wake up and say we are $33 trillion in debt. But we have got to be more competent on understanding what we can and we can’t spend money on. Every year, we just bump it up. If you look at what happened after 2019 in COVID, there is trillions of dollars that we spent then that we don’t need to spend now, but the Democrats want to leave it in the budget. It makes no sense. We should go back to the 2019 budget and look and see where we are at, but you have so many people up here from different states that say, hey, let’s push it all the way to the end where we have to do a budget so we can do whatever we need to do. That’s the reason we want to get to regular order. Really, the Senate Appropriations Committee did their job. Susan Collins really pushed the Republicans to get this done the right way. They are done. We are done with the Senate version. We just can’t get it to the floor where Chuck Schumer will vote on them one at a time. He wants to control this process because he wants to get pork in there for New York. He wants to spend more of the taxpayer money than we should, so it is unfortunate that we have got people who try to do things to benefit themselves rather than the country. That is what we are seeing now. We are $33 trillion headed to 34.” Tuberville was elected to the Senate in 2020 – defeating
Terri Sewell says government shut down “would hurt working families”
With just three days remaining until a government shutdown, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) warned that House Republicans are risking serious consequences for Alabama families. “Alabama families shouldn’t be forced to pay the price for House Republicans’ inability to govern,” said Rep Sewell. “A Republican government shutdown would force troops to work without pay, harm small businesses, risk air travel disruptions, and endanger access to food assistance for families. It is unconscionable that House Republicans would hurt working families, damage our economy, and endanger our national security.” “I will continue to do everything in my power to keep the government open and protect the programs that Alabamians rely on,” continued Sewell. “It’s time for House Republicans to do their jobs, put American families first, and stop charging towards a government shutdown.” Recently, Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt joined Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) in cosponsoring bipartisan legislation titled the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023. This legislation would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until the budgets are passed. “Shutdowns don’t accomplish anything,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Where I come from, you stay at work until you get the job done. Congress should be forced to stay in D.C. until we pass a responsible, fiscally conservative budget.” According to new data released by House Budget Committee Minority, a government shutdown would: Sewell wrote on X, “If Republicans shut down the government, families who rely on food assistance will be turned away at grocery stores, workers will miss paychecks, and our troops will be forced to serve without pay.@HouseDemocrats are ready to prevent a shutdown. We need Republicans to join us.”
Tommy Tuberville cosponsors the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) joined Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) in cosponsoring bipartisan legislation titled the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2023. This legislation would take government shutdowns off the table and force Congress to stay in town until the budgets are passed. “Shutdowns don’t accomplish anything,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Where I come from, you stay at work until you get the job done. Congress should be forced to stay in D.C. until we pass a responsible, fiscally conservative budget.” Lankford said that the problem is out-of-control federal spending. “If you go back 20 years ago to 2003, our total spending was just over $2 trillion,” Sen. Lankford said. “If you go back to 2013, ten years ago, our total spending was less than $3.5 trillion. Our spending this year will be right at $6.5 trillion. So, in the past 20 years, our spending has increased from just over $2 trillion to $6.5 trillion. To again set this in context, the revenue that’s coming into the federal Treasury this year is estimated at $4.8 trillion–$4.8 trillion. We’re spending an estimated $6.4 trillion.” “This is not going to be a simple process to be able to come out of,” Lankford continued. “This is not going to be two Administrations in a row making agreements to be able to get back to balance. This is going to take decades. And my concern is, is that many here are not willing to start the first year of decades of work to be able to get us out. So we have work to do on this.” Lankford said that he and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) crafted the bill to end future government shutdowns. “So Senator Hassan and I came up with a simple proposal,” Lankford said. “If we get to the end of the fiscal year, and the appropriations work is not done, like it is this year, we stay in session seven days a week, and the only bills that can actually come up that actually can be called up during that time period are appropriations bills. The second part of it is there is no travel for anyone, so we couldn’t fly home and fly back. So, no official or campaign funds could be used to be able to travel. So we’re in session seven days a week. The only bills that are allowed to be brought up are Appropriations bills. There is no travel. And the next part of it is simple. There’s what’s called a Continuing Resolution to maintain the government to be open so that the American people and federal workers are held harmless. It puts the pressure on this room, not on federal workers that are working for FAA, not on people that are working for the Housing Administration, not on our Border Patrol. Those individuals don’t get a vote on this. They should not feel the pressure of a government shutdown.” The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act is supported by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, FreedomWorks, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, America First Policy Institute, and Americans for Tax Reform. The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act would require all Members of Congress to stay in Washington and work until spending bills are completed. The bill would prevent a government-wide shutdown and continue critical services while Congress completes the legally required appropriations process. In addition, under the bill, no other votes would be in order in the House or Senate unless they pertain to the passage of appropriations bills or mandatory quorum calls in the Senate. However, after 30 days under the automatic C.R., certain expiring authorization bills and executive calendar nominations would be eligible for consideration on the Senate floor, including a nomination for a Justice of the Supreme Court or a Cabinet Secretary, and narrow reauthorization legislation for programs operating under an authorization that has already expired or will expire within the next 30 days. These restrictions can be waived by a two-thirds vote in either chamber, but not for longer than seven days. Additionally, the bill provides for expedited consideration of bipartisan funding bills if appropriations have not been enacted 30 days after the start of the fiscal year. This would further incentivize Congress to process bipartisan spending bills and fund the government on time. Congress would not be subject to these restrictions if they pass the necessary legislation but await the President’s signature. However, if the President vetoes any of the funding bills, then the restrictions on congressional travel and floor consideration would be re-imposed. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) is also a cosponsor of this legislation. There are only three days left in the current fiscal year, and Congress has not passed the budget for the fiscal year that begins at midnight Saturday while Congress is mired in partisan inertia. The Alabama Legislature, by comparison, passed with bipartisan support, and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed both of its budgets back in May. The budgets are balanced, and the state is expected to roll a surplus into the fiscal year, which begins on Sunday. The federal budget deficit is bigger than the entire budget during the Clinton years. Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and HELP Committees. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
