Will Ainsworth, Alabama lieutenant governor will not run for Senate in 2022
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said Friday he will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being given up by longtime incumbent Richard Shelby next year. Ainsworth, a first-term Republican from Guntersville, announced on social media that he had considered a bid but decided against running because his three children need a father who’s present and involved in their lives. “I feel strongly that God’s plan currently calls for me to continue leading on the state, not federal, level of government,” he said in a tweet. Elected lieutenant governor in 2018, Ainsworth served a term in the Alabama House before that. Shelby, 86, announced earlier this month that he won’t seek a seventh term. Several other people are considering campaigns, but only former Trump administration ambassador and businesswoman Lynda Blanchard has announced a run. Rep. Mo Brooks of Huntsville has said he is considering a campaign, as is Secretary of State John Merrill. Another possible candidate is Shelby’s former chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, who now heads the Business Council of Alabama and likely would have the senator’s backing if she decided to run. Blanchard, 61, said she never considered running for office until former President Donald Trump appointed her to serve as ambassador to Slovenia, the home country of former first lady Melania Trump. Blanchard and her husband began a commercial real estate company that has apartment complexes throughout the South. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Conservative gathering to feature Donald Trump’s false fraud claims
A gathering of conservatives this weekend in Florida will serve as an unabashed endorsement of former President Donald Trump’s desire to remain the leader of the Republican Party — and as a forum to fan his false claim that he lost the November election only because of widespread voter fraud. Matt Schlapp, chairman of the Conservative Political Action Conference and a Trump ally, said discussion panels on election integrity would highlight “huge” evidence of illegal voting in Georgia, Nevada, and elsewhere that ultimately swung the election for Democrat Joe Biden. Such baseless claims fueled the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and have been repeatedly dismissed by the courts, the Trump administration’s leading security officials, and senior Republicans in Congress, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The conference marks the first significant gathering of Republicans since the election and its aftermath as the party reckons with the faction that continues to support Trump as its leader and those who think the GOP needs to move quickly beyond the turbulent era of his presidency. Conference organizers, representing the first camp, did not invite any of the 17 Republican members of Congress who voted to support Trump’s second impeachment or any major Trump critics. McConnell, a regular at the annual conference, will not be on the program after publicly chastising Trump for inciting last month’s deadly insurrection at the Capitol. McConnell and his allies are worried that Trump will undermine the party’s political future should the former president and his conspiracy theories continue to dominate Republican politics. But at the conference, which will feature Trump along with most of the GOP’s leading 2024 presidential prospects, organizers say election fraud will be a major theme. “Because we pretty much wiped away scrutiny in a lot of these important swing states, you had a lot more illegal voting. That is not an opinion, that is fact,” Schlapp told The Associated Press before the conference’s kickoff Thursday evening. But in five dozen court cases around the country after the election, no such evidence was presented, and Trump’s then-attorney general, William Barr, said the Justice Department also had found none. At the conference, though, those fact-based assessments are likely to be few, if any. Trump himself is headlining the three-day session in a Sunday speech that will be his first public appearance since leaving the White House on Jan. 20. The event is being held in central Florida, having been blocked from meeting at its usual Maryland hotel by coronavirus restrictions in that state. Trump has been keeping a relatively low profile since he moved from the White House to Palm Beach a month ago. He is expected to use his speech to assert his standing as the head of the party, as well as to harshly criticize Biden’s first month in office, including the new president’s efforts to undo Trump’s immigration policies. “I think the broader point will be: Here’s where the Republican Party and conservative movement and the America First movement goes from here,” said senior Trump adviser Jason Miller. “In many ways, this will be a throwback to 2016, where the president ran against Washington. Here we’ll see the president address the fact that the only divide in the Republican Party is between the elites and the conservative grassroots in the party.” Trump has begun to wade back into the public, calling into friendly news outlets after the death of conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh and after golfer Tiger Woods’ serious car accident. His aides have been meeting this week to set benchmarks for fundraising and organization for candidates seeking his endorsement as he tries to plot a future that will include backing those who will challenge lawmakers who voted for his impeachment and whom he deems insufficiently loyal. “They need to show that they’re going to be serious candidates before asking the president to get out there for them,” Miller said. Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, among several scheduled speakers who are contemplating a 2024 presidential run, declined to describe Trump as the outright leader of the GOP. “In opposition, when you don’t have the White House, there are many more voices that lead the party,” Cotton said in an interview. The event will feature a seven-part series on “Protecting Elections,” including one titled “Why Judges & Media Refused to Look at the Evidence,” featuring Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala. The conservative congressman addressed the rally near the White House just before the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, telling the crowd, “Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.” Others who attended “Stop the Steal” rallies and participated in efforts to overturn the results will also be featured alongside panelists bemoaning China’s power, “Cancel Culture,” and “California Socialism.” Trump has a long history with CPAC, which played a key role in his emergence as a force in conservative politics. He attended the conference every year he served as president. While he is mulling running again four years from now, the event will feature speakers thought to be considering their own runs in 2024, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Kristi Noem of South Dakota. In the interview, Cotton refused to say there was widespread election fraud in the 2020 election. In an implicit nod to those who do, he encouraged efforts by Republican officials in various states to strengthen election security. Voting rights groups fear that such efforts will make it more difficult for many people, especially nonwhite voters, to cast ballots. “I don’t want election procedures that were adopted in the middle of a pandemic to become the normal practice,” Cotton told the AP. “Especially when those procedures are — just as a factual matter — more susceptible to potential fraud.” Among those who will not be in attendance this weekend: Former Vice President Mike Pence, who has maintained a low profile since leaving the White House and
Steve Flowers: Benefactor or idealogue
Over the years, I have discussed my observations and concepts of the two different roles or routes taken by a U.S. Senator or Congressman during their tenure in Washington. One clearly chooses one of two postures in their representation of you in Washington. Our delegates in D.C. are either benefactors or ideologues. The role of benefactor is much better for any state, especially Alabama. This public figure is not only a benefactor but also a facilitator and a statesman. In other words, this person is interested and diligent in bringing home the bacon to the Heart of Dixie. The perfect example of a benefactor, facilitator, and statesman senator is our current senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. No senator in Alabama history has brought home more bacon to our state than Senator Shelby. He has helped Alabama more during his 34 years in the Senate than any other Senator. The second role is the ideologue. This politician sees his or her role as a zealot on issues. The ideologue is more interested in advocating for popular social and non-economic issues with no regard for the state’s financial interests. Beginning in the 1930s and extending for 30 years through the 1960s, we had two of the greatest U.S. Senators in history. Lister Hill and John Sparkman were giants in Washington and were erudite diplomats for our state. They can be aptly described as benefactors, facilitators, and statesmen for Alabama. During the 1970s and 1980s, we had two well-respected and effective senators in “Judge” Howell Heflin and Richard Shelby. Upon the arrival of Jeff Sessions in 1996, as the state’s first true blue Republican, we witnessed the portrayal of our first true ideologue. Sessions was the most right-wing, reactionary Republican in the U.S. Senate. However, he was not a demagogue. He was a true believer and one of the most honest and gentlemanly men I have ever observed in the public arena. He was also well-qualified and prepared to be U.S. Senator, having been a U.S. Attorney and Attorney General of Alabama. Nevertheless, during the 20 years that Sessions and Shelby served together, we had two distinctly different prototypes. Shelby was the benefactor, facilitator, and breadwinner, while Sessions was the ultimate ideologue, conservative, Fox News darling. Currently, we have one benefactor, Shelby, and one ideologue, Tommy Tuberville. Senator Shelby recently announced that he will retire after his sixth six-year term at the end of 2022. Alabama is going to be in the proverbial boat without a paddle at that time. We will have negligible power in Washington and, for a state that depends on federal dollars, that is not going to be a good position to be in for Alabama. A large portion of Alabama’s federal largesse dollars goes to the Huntsville area. It is truly ironic that Huntsville is represented by a Congressman named Mo Brooks, who epitomizes the term ideologue and demagogue. Brooks is an embarrassment to Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley. He truly has not accomplished anything of significance to help his district in the few years he has been in Congress. He prefers being a bomb-thrower to being an effective representative. Yet, there is probably not a congressional district in the country that benefits more from federal defense spending than Huntsville and the Redstone Arsenal. The entire growth and prosperity of the Huntsville area can be attributed to Senator Richard Shelby, with local assistance from Mayor Tommy Battle. Shelby has carried all of the weight for Huntsville, despite Brooks and his laisse faire attitude. In fact, Brooks’ total disregard for helping his people or district arguably has been a deterrent and obstacle for Shelby and Battle. While Brooks has had the luxury of being an irrelevant, right-wing gadfly who people just laughed at like a crazy uncle they keep locked in the closet, his latest exploits in Washington have made him a national poster boy for right-wing crazy theatrics and reflects poorly on Huntsville and indeed Alabama. Brooks has become a pariah and now actually hurts the growth and expansion of Alabama. Brooks is now in negative territory when it comes to recruiting industry and federal facilities to Huntsville and North Alabama. When industry or national leaders learn that Mo Brooks represents this area, they will run for the hills. Huntsville and the 5th district would be better off without a congressman than with Mo Brooks. The only savior that the region has is Richard Shelby, and he will be gone as the guardian savior in 20 months. God forbid the ultimate demagogue, Mo Brooks, could run for and win Shelby’s Senate Seat. We would have a plague on our entire state. 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.
In U-turn, feds defend including undocumented in House count
In a reversal of policy under then-President Donald Trump, Biden administration attorneys are arguing that the state of Alabama has no standing in trying to stop the U.S. Census Bureau from including people in the country illegally from the numbers used for divvying up congressional seats. A federal judge should dismiss a lawsuit from Alabama and Republican U.S. Rep. Morris “Mo” Brooks seeking the exclusion of people in the country illegally from the apportionment numbers, attorneys for President Joe Biden’s administration said in court papers Wednesday. At the very least, the judge should put the court case on hold until the Census Bureau releases apportionment figures by the end of April that will show whether Alabama keeps seven congressional seats or drops to six, they said. “The possibility that Alabama might receive only six House seats is, by definition, contingent and speculative,” Biden administration attorneys said. “After all, Alabama might well retain seven House seats regardless of whether undocumented immigrants are included in the apportionment base.” A lot has happened since Alabama first filed the lawsuit in 2018 in a preemptive move to save the state from losing a congressional seat during the process in which the House of Representatives’ 435 voting seats are divided up among the states based on a population count conducted during the once-a-decade census. Last year, Trump issued a memorandum that aligned his administration’s position with Alabama’s efforts to exclude people in the country illegally from the apportionment count. After the memorandum was challenged in multiple lawsuits, the Supreme Court ruled it was premature to decide on its legality because it wasn’t yet clear how many people would be excluded and whether the division of House seats would be affected. Finally, on his first day in office last month, Biden rescinded Trump’s memorandum, as well as a Trump order directing the Census Bureau to produce citizenship data. With all that going on, the judge in the Alabama case wanted an update this week on how to proceed from all sides, including several states and civil rights groups that are fighting Alabama’s efforts and say any harm to the Cotton State is too speculative at this point. The Alabama case is the last one pending over whether people in the U.S. illegally can be excluded from the apportionment count. The Justice Department asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit two years ago. But it was well before Trump issued his memorandum on apportionment, putting Department of Justice attorneys in the awkward spot of defending a position in opposition to administration policy. But U.S. District Judge David Proctor allowed the case to proceed. After Trump issued his memo last July, the Alabama case was placed on hold until the Supreme Court could rule on the memo’s challenges in other lawsuits. Biden’s order has nullified Alabama’s challenge to a Census Bureau rule that says people should be counted where they live and sleep most of the time since the new president’s directive requires the apportionment count to include the total number of people living in each state regardless of immigration status, Biden administration attorneys said. If Alabama wants to continue the case, a three-judge panel needs to be appointed since it will present a challenge to the constitutionality of the apportionment process, they said. Alabama said in court papers this month that Biden’s order puts the state at risk of losing political representation. Rather than challenging the apportionment process, Alabama is merely challenging Census Bureau operations, so it’s unlike the earlier case in which the Supreme Court ruled a challenge was premature, attorneys for Alabama said. “What is more, the States holding disproportionately more illegal aliens than Alabama are the very states threatening Alabama’s representation,” attorneys for Alabama said. Any ruling would only affect the numbers used for dividing up congressional seats among the seats and not affect other ways the 2020 census figures are used, such as the distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funding each year. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Reactions to Richard Shelby’s retirement in 2022
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby has announced that he will not be seeking a 7th term in 2022. Shelby has spent 42 years in Washington, serving in both the House and the Senate. He stated, “For everything, there is a season. I am grateful to the people of Alabama who have put their trust in me for more than forty years. I have been fortunate to serve in the U.S. Senate longer than any other Alabamian.” Shelby stated on Twitter, “Although I plan to retire, I am not leaving today. I have two good years remaining to continue my work in Washington. I have the vision and the energy to give it my all. I look forward to what is to come for our great state and our great nation.” Although I plan to retire, I am not leaving today. I have two good years remaining to continue my work in Washington. I have the vision and the energy to give it my all. I look forward to what is to come for our great state and our great nation. https://t.co/UXNJyc3OPC — Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) February 8, 2021 Mo Brooks posted on Twitter, stating, “@SenShelby has had an enormous impact on Alabama and America. He has been an exemplary and honorable public servant and devoted family man. I have enjoyed working with Senator Shelby on a myriad of Alabama projects and national policy issues.” .@SenShelby has had an enormous impact on Alabama and America. He has been an exemplary and honorable public servant and devoted family man. I have enjoyed working with Senator Shelby on a myriad of Alabama projects and national policy issues. — Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) February 8, 2021 House Rep. Robert Aderholt commented on Twitter, “The retirement of @SenShelby will be a huge loss to Alabama and to our nation. His work and influence has been felt in every corner of our state. Alabama’s economic strength owes a lot to his leadership.” The retirement of @SenShelby will be a huge loss to Alabama and to our nation. His work and influence has been felt in every corner of our state. Alabama’s economic strength owes a lot to his leadership. — Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) February 8, 2021 Rep. Jerry Carl commented, “@SenShelby’s impact on the state of Alabama is immeasurable, and he will be greatly missed when he retires at the end of his term. During his more than forty years of public service, Senator Shelby has been a consistent fighter for the entire state and especially #AL01.” .@SenShelby’s impact on the state of Alabama is immeasurable, and he will be greatly missed when he retires at the end of this term. During his more than forty years of public service, Senator Shelby has been a consistent fighter for the entire state and especially #al01 https://t.co/1Adab0VhPN — Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) February 8, 2021 Jeff Sessions also commented on Shelby’s retirement, stating, “The announcement by my friend and colleague, Richard Shelby, that he will not seek re-election is a significant moment in Alabama history. No one in the history of the senate or congress has delivered more financial benefits for Alabama than Senator Shelby. His work has been of monumental importance.” Sessions continued, “The good news is that he will continue to serve and work for us for another two years as the top, Ranking Republican, on the extremely important Appropriations Committee. There he is critically positioned to protect Alabama interests. I send my thanks for Richard’s friendship for me personally over the 20 years we served together in the Senate and afterwards. I cherish that partnership which was productive for Alabama and the nation in many ways. Mary and I send our best wishes to wonderful Annette and Richard and our sincere appreciation for their vital and continued service for the state we love.” Representative Terri Sewell posted, “@SenShelby has been an influential and powerful voice for Alabama in Washington D.C. for over 40 years, and I hold deep respect for him as a friend and faithful public servant.” @SenShelby has been an influential and powerful voice for Alabama in Washington D.C. for over 40 years, and I hold deep respect for him as a friend and faithful public servant.https://t.co/KhEXZX6Bx0 — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) February 8, 2021
Alabama senator Richard Shelby has indicated he won’t run again
U.S. Sen. Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, the Senate’s fourth most senior member, has told confidants that he does not intend to run for reelection next year_— prompting some Republicans to urge the powerful, establishment politician to reconsider, even as potential replacements prepare to run for his seat. The senator in recent weeks told one close Alabama ally that he was not planning on running in 2022 for what would be his seventh term, according to the ally, who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The person said some in the state were still trying to get Shelby to change his mind out of concern about losing clout and worries that the senator might be replaced by a fringe candidate who would not be as effective. Shelby spokeswoman Blair Taylor said Friday that the senator has not made a decision, “but there will likely be an announcement forthcoming in the next few weeks.” “As I previously stated, the Senator has not made a decision or an announcement regarding whether or not he plans to run in 2022. Any speculation is just that, speculation,” Taylor wrote in an email Friday. A titan of Alabama politics, the 86-year-old politician has spent 42 years in Washington, serving first in the House before the Senate. His stepping down would leave a power void for the region. It would also set off a free-for-all primary in a national party deeply divided between traditional Republicans like Shelby and those who model themselves on former President Donald Trump. Shelby was elected to the Senate in 1986 as a conservative Democrat during the party’s waning days of power in the Deep South, but he switched to the GOP in 1994. He’s spent the past two years as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee before Democrats gained control of the chamber. All along, he has used his influence to benefit the state’s interests, particularly ports and military manufacturers. He played a key role in bringing an FBI campus and the newly announced Space Command to Huntsville. “I don’t know anybody who knows how to wield power like Shelby does,” said David Mowery, an Alabama-based political consultant. “I would say that is his greatest accomplishment, to get money allocated to the state for many different projects,” former Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said. Alabama’s political circles have long braced for a Shelby retirement. Armistead said the senator told him during his 2016 bid for reelection that it was his last campaign, but Armistead added the caveat that, “Things change.” Several months ago, Shelby told a group of business leaders at a private meeting that he would retire rather than run again, according to a person in attendance who was not authorized to discuss the event and also spoke on condition of anonymity. A list of potential GOP replacements is waiting in the wings. Possible candidates include Shelby’s former chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, who now heads an influential business lobby and who would likely have the senator’s backing if she decided to enter the race. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, who suspended his 2020 Senate campaign when former Attorney General Jeff Sessions jumped in the race, said he would consider a run. Rep. Mo Brooks is also expected to eye the seat. Brooks has faced criticism for his role in the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol. At a rally before the deadly riot, he told the crowd it was time for “taking down names and kicking ass,” but has maintained since that he was talking about fighting at the ballot box. Brooks declined to comment. Britt did not immediately respond to a text message and a message on social media. Shelby could use his power to give his preferred successor a boost. The senator has gone much of his career without serious opposition and has nearly $10 million in campaign money that he could throw toward his candidate of choice. Still, the GOP primary could serve as a microcosm of the larger national tug of war over the direction of the Republican Party. While Shelby has amassed a conservative voting record, the measured Republican senator has not embraced the bombastic populist style of Trump and Trump-like candidates. “I think it would be a total free-for-all,” said Mowery. Shelby was one of the last of the “old style-Southern politicians who saw as their main job as to steer as much of the federal budget to the state, instead of jumping on the hot-button issue of the day,” Mowery said. In 2017, Shelby bucked his party when he announced that he could not support Republican Roy Moore, who faced sexual misconduct allegations, in the special election for Alabama’s other Senate seat. “You’ll have a lot of candidates that will try to be as loud or as dumb as possible because they think that is what plays to 50% or more of the Republican electorate — not realizing that’s not how you get things done in Washington,” Mowery said. Some prominent state figures are still hoping that Shelby will reconsider. “I hope he will run again. I don’t think there is anyone who has meant more to the state of Alabama in that position in my lifetime,” former Gov. Bob Riley said. ___ This story has been edited to correct that Bill Armistead is the former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Will Hampson: Biden administration gas tax hike could be a double whammy for Alabamians
In his first few hours in office, Joe Biden took a number of actions, all by executive fiat, that will have negative impacts on the state of Alabama. On day one Biden effectively took away a Congressional seat from Alabama, with an Executive Order that will count illegal aliens towards Congressional apportionment. This will reward California, New York, and other states that have been illegal immigration friendly. More importantly, it will severely hurt the states like ours that have rejected illegal aliens and sanctuary cities. In addition to his executive actions, Biden and his Cabinet nominees have floated other liberal policy ideas that they hope to enact in the coming term. Alabamians are all too familiar with one of these policy proposals. Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Democratic Presidential nominee and now appointed to be Biden’s Secretary of Transportation, floated the idea of a gas tax hike in his confirmation hearing with the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The national gas tax has not been raised since 1993, when Congress approved a 4.3 cent per gallon increase. The idea has been brought up since 1993, even as recently as 2017, but many Republicans in Congress have said raising taxes is a non-starter. Additionally, Buttigieg suggested they may try to tie gas tax raises to inflation, meaning the tax could increase over time without Congress having to approve it again. The political climate is currently well-suited for Democrats to increase taxes on whatever they please. For the first time since 2008, they control the House, Senate, and Presidency. As Republicans are now well-aware, everything floated by Democrats could come to fruition. This puts Alabamians in a difficult, but familiar, position. In 2019, the Alabama legislature, at the behest of Governor Kay Ivey, passed an unpopular ten cent per gallon gas tax throughout the state. The tax was raised six cents per gallon in October 2019, another 2 cents per gallon in October 2020, and is scheduled to be raised a final 2 cents per gallon in October of this year. With this being the case, Alabamians could be particularly hard hit by a gas tax increase by both the federal and state governments. While the exact numbers from the Biden Administration have not yet been discussed, Alabamians could be in store for a double-dipping that could raise gas prices in the neighborhood of 15 cents per gallon from what they were paying in early 2019 before the Rebuild Alabama Act became law. Of course, a global pandemic was nothing that legislators could have seen coming, but nonetheless, it is not a good look for state lawmakers raising taxes during the COVID pandemic, which is exactly what happened, albeit automatically, this past October. The last thing they wanted was the federal government to do the same thing at nearly the same time. To make matters worse for Alabama Republicans, Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate are expected to vehemently oppose the gas tax if it makes it into a bill. The optics of Alabama Republicans raising taxes while their national counterparts refuse to do the same could be devastating and could have major impacts in 2022 when they are up for re-election. It will reignite a hot-button issue that many legislators were hoping would be long forgotten by the time their re-elections rolled around. Having a national debate over this issue will certainly put it fresh in voter’s minds when they go to vote in 2022. But maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this is just what we as voters need. It will be clear as day if Mo Brooks, Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, and Jerry Carl vote against a gas tax raise while your local State Rep. or State Senator did not. The voters tried to say back in 2019 that they would not stand for this. That they would remember. Well, now we’ll see. In the meantime, as is usually the case, we the people will be the biggest losers in all of this. The government will try to get their double-dip, and it seems that just like the first time we will have little say in the matter. Start saving your pennies for gas now. You’re going to need them. Will Hampson is a graduate of Alabama A&M. He hosts Will Hampson Weekends on WVNN in Huntsville, Alabama. You can follow and contact him via Twitter @thewillhampson.
US Space Command site to be located in Huntsville, Alabama
The U.S. Air Force announced Wednesday that the new U.S. Space Command headquarters will be in Huntsville, Alabama, after the state was selected over five others competing for the project, including Colorado, where Space Command is provisionally located. The role of Space Command is to conduct operations such as enabling satellite-based navigation and troop communication and providing warning of missile launches. That is different from the Space Force, which is a distinct military service like the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. “I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command,” Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. “Our state has long provided exceptional support for our military and their families as well as a rich and storied history when it comes to space exploration,” she said. Huntsville’s nickname, Rocket City, is thanks largely to Wernher von Braun and his team of fellow German-born rocketeers who settled there in the 1950s. The city has long been home to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett, an appointee of President Donald Trump, announced the decision days before leaving office. Colorado officials lambasted the move, saying military officials had recommended to Trump that Space Command remain at the Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, but they were “overruled for politically motivated reasons.” They did not say what those alleged political reasons were. Trump won Alabama in the November election and President-elect Joe Biden won Colorado. “This move threatens jobs, could cause serious economic damage, and upend the lives of hundreds of military and civilian families that were counting on U.S Space Command staying at home in Colorado Springs as well as harm military readiness,” Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera said in a statement. In a letter, U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado urged Biden to reverse the decision upon taking office, saying moving Space Command from Colorado would “damage America’s national security” at a time when Russia and China are actively competing with the U.S.’s space capabilities. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama said Barrett told him the decision was based “solely on merit and the interests of national security.” Brooks suggested politics will be at play if the site gets moved back to Colorado under the new administration. “Partisan politics should not play a role in national security. Time will tell what happens in a red state when the federal government is totally dominated by Democrats,” the Republican congressman said. The Secretary of the Air Force said Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville had been selected for the new headquarters. The city was chosen after site visits to six states that compared factors such as infrastructure capacity, community support, and costs to the Department of Defense. Redstone Arsenal offered a facility to support the headquarters, at no cost, while the permanent facility is being constructed. The Department of the Air Force said the decision to move to Huntsville will become final pending the results from the required environmental impact analysis. That is expected in the spring of 2023. The headquarters will remain in Colorado until then. Other finalists for the site were Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Port San Antonio in Texas, and Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida. Those sites will remain alternative locations until the final announcement. Trump in 2019 authorized the creation of the U.S. Space Command to preserve American dominance on what he called “the ultimate high ground.” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the city is honored to have been selected. Ivey in a tweet thanked U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, and local officials for advocating for the site to be in Alabama. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Mo Brooks will not apologize for remarks
An Alabama congressman who told a pro-Trump crowd that it was time for “kicking ass” said he saw no relationship between his remarks and the violence that erupted later at the U.S. Capitol. “Today is the day that American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass,” Mo Brooks said at the Save America rally on Wednesday that preceded the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Brooks has come under fire for the comments at the rally in which he told the crowd that he wanted them to take a message back home and “along the way stop at the Capitol.” The rally brought thousands to Washington as President Donald Trump continued to dispute his loss to President-Elect Joe Biden. The demonstrations turned violent as a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol. A law enforcement officer and a protestor were killed. Brooks gave a fiery 10-minute speech at the rally near the White House in which he railed against the socialist Democrats. Brooks said while the 2020 election was over that the certification vote of Joe Biden’s win that was about to take place was a defining moment for Republicans. He told the crowd it will show whether they “will join us and they will fight and vote against voter fraud and election theft and for keeping America great.” Brooks in a Friday interview with WAFF said, both he and Trump wanted the crowd to go protest at the Capitol, but “it never occurred to me that anyone would engage in any kind of violence.” Brooks said he was trying to be like a “locker room coach” and encourage the crowd for future elections. “You talk about kicking ass, the Democrats these past three months they just kicked ours,” Brooks said, adding that ass is another word for a donkey, a symbol of the Democratic Party. State Rep. Chris England, the chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, in a series of tweets, said Brooks played a role in inciting the violence and had for weeks “been lying to the public and whipping people into a frenzy that he and crew were going to ‘stop the steal’ Wednesday.” “So, @RepMoBrooks, what did you think was going to happen after you spent weeks lying to people to get them riled up and then ask them are they willing to sacrifice their blood, sweat, tears, livelihoods and even their lives? This is your failed coup,” England tweeted. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
What they’re saying: Alabama politicians react to chaos at the U.S. Capitol
Early Wednesday afternoon, chaos ensued on the U.S. Capitol building when a large group of pro-Trump protestors descended on the building. The mob was encouraged by GOP politicians and Donald Trump to meet in Washington D.C. to help “Stop the Steal” and protest the counting of the Electoral College votes that would confirm Joe Biden’s presidential win. In the weeks following the election, Trump has falsely claiming voter fraud, even though none of the dozens of court filings have proven widespread fraud. In a speech to the crowd, Trump encouraged them to “walk to the Capitol.” “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore,” Trump said to the crowd. “Let the weak ones get out. This is a time for strength.” His lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, told the crowd, “Let’s have trial by combat.” Just as the lawmakers, led by Mo Brooks and Ted Cruz, began their effort to undo the election results, the proceedings were halted, and legislators were locked down. Dozens of people were arrested, three people died in “emergency medical situations,” and one woman was shot and killed. It was several hours before the Capitol was secured. Late into the night, the lawmakers finally managed to confirm the votes, and Joe Biden was confirmed as the next President of the United States of America. Vice President Mike Pence announced the tally, 306-232. Here’s what Alabama politicians are saying about the incident. Governor Kay Ivey issued a statement. “Tonight, as our elected representatives reconvened in the U.S. Capitol, Vice President Pence reminded us that violence never wins in our great nation — freedom wins. I am pleased to see the people’s work continue and the rule of law upheld. The resiliency of our country will always prevail.” Mo Brooks issued a news release. “Wednesday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) gave an impassioned speech supporting honest and accurate elections by echoing Arizona Congressmen Gosar (AZ-04) & Biggs’ (AZ-05) opposition to certification of their own state’s electoral college submittal. Congressman Brooks’ speech focused on Democrat support of voting by noncitizens in American elections.” Rep. Gary Palmer issued a press release. “As a strong defender of the First Amendment, I support the right to peacefully assemble. But what we witnessed on the Capitol grounds yesterday was far from a peaceful assembly, and the nation should have only one response to those activities. They must be strongly condemned,” Palmer said. “The senseless actions of a few led to the unnecessary loss of life and multiple injuries. I commend the Capitol police for restoring peace and for their resolute and courageous efforts to protect the members of Congress and their staff, and everyone else who serves in the Capitol complex. “Violence and destruction are not the answer to our problems, no matter how frustrated we become. We have a nation of laws, not a nation of anarchy. The activities yesterday distort what our nation represents, and those engaging in them prove they have no love for country or respect for the rule of law.” Palmer concluded, “I pray that we have seen the end of this reckless violence and that those responsible will be held accountable.” Tommy Tuberville released a statement on Twitter. Yesterday was a sad day for our great country. I strongly condemn the violence and actions we saw from those who stormed the Capitol. It undermines the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and it has no place in our democracy. — Senator Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) January 7, 2021 Robert Aderholt posted a statement on Twitter. God has brought this nation through many dark days over the past 240 plus years. We have always been able to settle our disputes peaceably. I believe He will continue to guide & protect this nation. However, as a nation we need to see His guidance in peace. He is in full control! — Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) January 6, 2021 Terri Sewell posted this to her Twitter account. Congress won’t be deterred or intimidated by this insurrection and violence. We will carry out our constitutional duty to certify the Electoral College results tonight. On January 20 Joe Biden & Kamala Harris will be sworn in as President & Vice President. My full statement👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/WK6hjyAFV2 — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) January 7, 2021
Alabamians heading to D.C. in buses for Trump rally
A bus of Alabama voters is heading to D.C. for the January 6 rally to support Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the November presidential election. Republicans in Congress want to overturn the electoral college votes certifying Joe Biden as president. Monica Moon of Jasper, Alabama, told Al.com, “Everyone is so excited and so pumped, and it’s definitely worth it. We’re looking at a celebration.” The bus Moon and three of her friends are on heads out of Jasper on Tuesday at 5 p.m with another bus full of Trump’s supporters in tow. Those buses aren’t the only ones heading out of Alabama to Washington D.C. There’s also a bus leaving out of Baldwin County spearheaded by the Common Sense Campaign tea party. Pete Riehm helped spearhead the buses which is holding 28 people out of Mobile, Spanish Fort, and Flomaton. Riehm told Alabama Today that more people would have come, but the leadership that started to organize it, canceled. Riehm had decided not to go to the rally, but at the urging of his wife, he took the reins and organized it himself. He managed to put the plan together just last Saturday and got 28 people to go in less than 48 hours. The bus will stop at Henderson, North Carolina tonight before getting to D.C. before the rally. Then they will head straight back to Alabama. Overall, Riehm described the riders as excited and eager to get to Washington. When I asked Riehm if any of the bus riders were worried about safety at the rally, he said they were aware of issues, but remained unconcerned. “We are going during the day, and will avoid the rally at nighttime,” he stated. Riehm commented that he wanted Alabama lawmakers to know that the bus riders “expect them to ensure that we have a free and fair election.” And his message to President Trump: “Stand strong. We support him. He needs to expose this fraud.” On Wednesday, Congress is expected to certify the Electoral College votes. However, there is a group of Republicans in the House who are opposing the votes. These GOP senators are claiming voter fraud and stolen votes as their reason behind the opposition. Mo Brooks was one of the first GOP lawmakers on board to oppose the final electoral college vote. Other Alabama lawmakers are on board as well, including Mike Rogers, Tommy Tuberville, and Robert Aderholt. Aderholt released a statement saying, “As Congress will soon be faced with the actual counting of various states’ electoral votes for the next president of the United States on January 6, it is imperative that members of Congress, like myself, look to the United States Constitution, and to the Electoral Act of 1887, to know how we should move forward. From examining these documents on my own, it is clear to me that Congress has the final review of the electoral process and this is not just a ceremonial act. “Therefore, based on the overwhelming questions that have been raised about moving forward with the approval of the electors from the states, I have come to the conclusion, and agree with my fellow Alabamian, Rep. Mo Brooks, along with several my colleagues, that there are too many reports of serious fraud for this not to be debated in the House and Senate.” Mike Rogers posted on Twitter, stating, “On January 6th, I will vote against the electoral college results for the 2020 election. There are far too many instances of alleged voter fraud that have called the legitimacy of the election results into question” On January 6th, I will vote against the Electoral College results for the 2020 election. There are far too many instances of alleged voter fraud that have called the legitimacy of the election results into question. — Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) January 4, 2021 Tuberville, Alabama’s newest Senator, has been vocal on his support for overturning the electoral college results, stating, “I will vote to reject electors from disputed states until that commission has an opportunity to conduct its review, which I believe can and should happen before Inauguration Day.” I will vote to reject electors from disputed states until that commission has an opportunity to conduct its review, which I believe can and should happen before Inauguration Day. — Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) January 2, 2021 Not all of Alabama’s lawmakers are in support of this attempt. Rep. Terri Sewell posted on Twitter, saying, “The GOP’s latest effort to delegitimize the election is a brazen, unconstitutional attempt to overturn the will of the American people. But make no mistake: Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States.” The GOP’s latest effort to delegitimize the election is a brazen, unconstitutional attempt to overturn the will of the American people. But make no mistake: Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States. https://t.co/BbZHRjYpvC — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) January 3, 2021
Alabama lawmakers split on Covid relief and omnibus bill, passed with bipartisan support
Late Monday night, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed a $900 billion relief measure designed to provide long-awaited coronavirus assistance to Americans, small businesses, and industries. The package is paired with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill that funds the federal government through September reported CBS. According to govtrac.us, the bill, which is 5,593-pages, passed overwhelmingly and with bipartisan support in the House. The first portion of the bill was for the appropriations for some federal departments including Commerce, Justice, Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security. It passed by a vote of 327 to 85. The second vote was on the remaining portion of the bill, which included appropriations for the remainder of the federal government as well as coronavirus stimulus passed by a margin of 359 to 53. The Bill was then bundled together and passed the Senate 92-6. The bill will now head to President Donald Trump for approval. Alabama Senators Doug Jones and Richard Shelby both voted in favor of the bill. Alabama House of Representatives were mostly in favor of the bill. Robert Aderholt, Bradley Byrne, Martha Roby, Gary Palmer, and Terri Sewell all voted yea for both parts of the bill. Mo Brooks voted in favor of part one of the bill and against part two. Rep. Mike Rogers did not vote. Gary Palmer posted on Twitter, “The House passed and appropriates and #COVID19 relief package today. Read more here on why I decided to support it.” The House passed an appropriations and #COVID19 relief package today. Read more here on why I decided to support it: https://t.co/kzC9tVkOlz — Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) December 22, 2020 Terri Sewell posted on Twitter, stating, “Last night, Congress finally passed a bill to: provide $600 to each adult and child, add $300 per week in unemployment benefits, and extend the eviction moratorium. But it’s not enough- I’ll keep fighting until families get the help they need.” Last night, Congress finally passed a bill to: – provide $600 to each adult and child– add $300 per week in unemployment benefits – extend the eviction moratorium But it’s not enough — I’ll keep fighting until families get the help they need. https://t.co/0o7Arqa0ZZ — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) December 22, 2020
