Get to know Ron Crumpton, Democratic challenger to GOP incumbent Richard Shelby
Sen. Richard Shelby, who has represented Alabama in Washington since 1986, is facing opposition on both sides this year. One of those opposing the long-time senator is Ron Crumpton, a Democrat from Shelby County with a history of political activism and big ideas for Alabama. Crumpton took his first job at Vestavia Bowl, where he learned to repair the various machines that run the bowling alley, and worked as a landscaper spring and summer. After a back injury ended his career in mechanics and landscaping, Crumpton pursued a degree in Political Science and Journalism at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Originally planning to be a journalist, Crumpton wrote an article for UAB’s school magazine on the merits of medical marijuana. The article was picked up by several state news outlets and eventually led Crumpton to get involved with legislation that was making its way through the state Legislature. From there, Crumpton spent about eight years lobbying politicians in Alabama and testifying before multiple committees, including the first joint hearing on sentencing reform. When Jeff Sessions, Alabama’s junior U.S. senator, faced no opposition in 2014, Crumpton vowed that Shelby would not have that opportunity in 2016. “I was tired of seeing Republicans run unopposed,” Crumpton said. “And I was tired of seeing Democrats run to the right and get trampled in general elections.” Through his website, Crumpton has released an ambitious “9-Point Plan for the Economy” and an “11-Point Plan for Social Justice.” His plan for the economy calls for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, addressing equal pay for women, breaking up the “too-big-to-fail” banks, ending tax breaks for companies moving overseas, investing in infrastructure and education and more. “The majority of these schools are too small, antiquated and just don’t serve their purpose,” Crumpton said of his plan to invest in education. “How can we expect our children to learn the technology of the future when they’re using the technology of the past?” “You can’t be against raising the minimum wage and support cutting social programs and say you’re for the people of Alabama,” Crumpton said, taking a dig at Shelby’s record. Crumpton noted that Shelby currently sponsors and co-sponsors the fewest bills in the Senate and garners the lowest number of co-sponsors for his legislation. “Apparently, all he’s doing is running around fighting Obama,” Crumpton said. “That’s not doing the people of Alabama any good.” While Crumpton acknowledged it will be difficult to match Shelby’s campaign account – whose money comes mostly from Boeing, Lockheed Martin and others, according to OpenSecrets.org – he believes his message will effectively reach its audience. “I think Senator Shelby is under the misconception that working for defense contractors is the same as working for Alabamians; it’s not,” Crumpton said. “I think we can get the support; we’ve just got to point out that he’s not working for Alabama.” Specifically, Crumpton plans to discuss Shelby’s votes to raise the retirement age, to turn Social Security into a voucher program, and to create a flat-tax that would cause seniors to pay highers taxes on Social Security and Medicare benefits. Further, Shelby has voted against provisions to assist veterans and Sessions has called such efforts an “entitlement we can’t afford.” “I think our veterans are an entitlement that we can afford,” Crumpton said. “We seriously need to look at how we do things in this country and in this state.” — This part is part of our ongoing “Get to know” series spotlighting the various candidates in the 2016 Senate race. Click here to get to know the other candidates we’ve highlighted thus far.
Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 1/15/16
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate this week: House votes H.R. 1644: the Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining (STREAM) Act. The bill prevents the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from issuing any final rules related to coal-mining activities near streams, including updating a stream buffer zones (SBZ) rule, until after the National Academy of Sciences submits a study on the effectiveness of existing rules in effect — effectively delaying any new or revised SBZ rules for at least three years. Passed House 235-188: Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 3662: the Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act. The bill restricts the president’s ability to lift sanctions on Iranian and other financial institutions as called for by the Iran Nuclear agreement, by allowing sanctions to be lifted only if the president certifies that the institutions have not knowingly helped fund Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards, foreign terrorist organizations, and other entities sanctioned in connection with Iran’s weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missile programs. Pulled by unanimous consent. S.J. Res. 22: a joint resolution to disapprove a EPA/Corps of Engineers rule governing Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The resolution disapproves of the rule issued by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on June 29, 2015, commonly known as the “waters of the United States” rule that seeks to clarify the federal government’s authority to regulate certain intrastate waters under the Clean Water Act, providing that the rule will have no force or effect. The Senate passed the resolution in November, acting under the Congressional Review Act. Passed House 253-166. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06); Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) Senate votes PN11. On the nomination of Luis Felipe Restrepo of Pennsylvania to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 3rd Circuit. Passed the Senate 82-6-12. Yea: None Nay: Sen. Jeff Sessions; Sen. Richard Shelby
Alabama delegation responds to Barack Obama’s final State of the Union
Tuesday night President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union address before Congress. Nationally televised, the hour-long speech in the House chamber was short on policy details and focused more on being urging Americans to be more tolerant. “I want to focus on the future,” the president opened his speech. Obama continued, “America has been through big changes before – wars and depression, the influx of immigrants, workers fighting for a fair deal, and movements to expand civil rights. Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future; who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, promising to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control. And each time, we overcame those fears.” Here’s what the Alabama delegation had to say about his final speech: U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL): President Obama’s policy agenda on trade, crime, immigration, spending and debt all have one common feature: they make life harder for working Americans and put the country at needless risk. With wages down, record numbers not working, and crime rising in cities across the U.S., the next person to occupy the oval office will have to chart a dramatically different course. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL): Tonight’s address was another political speech full of empty rhetoric that offered no real solutions to the issues facing American families and businesses each day. While the President used the podium tonight to tout his record, Americans at home know that he is poised to leave behind a legacy of failed policies that have damaged our economy and made America weaker across the globe. The American people deserved to hear from the President tonight about his real, comprehensive plan to defeat ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism. They also deserved to hear that he will not circumvent Congress, unilaterally infringe on law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights, or allow thousands of improperly vetted Syrian refugees into our nation. The American people are sick and tired of this President’s blatant disregard for the Constitution, policies that prioritize what is best for Washington over what is best for America, and speeches to score political points. While I’m pleased that this is his last State of the Union address, the American people would be better off if it were his last day in office. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): If you like the direction our country is headed, then you probably enjoyed tonight’s speech. If you don’t think our country is headed in the right direction, then you were probably disappointed. I certainly was. President Obama tried to paint a rosy picture tonight, but the facts simply aren’t on his side. A quick glance around the globe shows our enemies growing stronger and our allies under attack. Right here at home, wages are stagnant, our borders remain unsecured, and veterans still aren’t receiving the care they deserve. Tonight marks the beginning of the post-Obama era, and it is time to start looking past this time of big government toward an America where the government actually works for the people and not the other way around. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02) For all President Obama’s lofty rhetoric and aspirational soundbites, tonight’s speech offered little in substance for how to actually address the nation’s problems. I was particularly disappointed that, once again, the president came up short of delivering a bold, decisive, comprehensive strategy to defeat Islamic State terrorists. Instead, we got a lecture on the semantics of war. I did appreciate President Obama admitting how he regretted the deep divisiveness of his presidency. He said he wants to ‘do better,’ and if he’s serious, he can start by engaging with the people’s elected representatives rather than attempting unilateral executive orders every time he doesn’t get his way. Unfortunately I believe we can count on the opposite. That’s why I remain committed to fighting Executive Branch overreaches at every turn, should they occur. Whether it’s an attempt to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants or a power grab by the Environmental Protection Agency or a threat to erode Second Amendment rights, Congress must stand up and fight back against abuses of executive power during this last year of President Obama’s time in office. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): Tonight’s speech will be more of the same. Over the past seven years, we have seen our country’s economy struggle, watched our national debt grow to astronomical numbers and lost our spot as a defense superpower in this world. We have watched the Federal government grow and become more intrusive in our day to day lives at the expense of our Constitutional rights. I am relieved President Obama’s time in office is coming to an end because no matter how much ‘hope and change’ was promised, our country is weaker and more polarized than ever. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): The good news is that this was the President’s final State of the Union address. The bad news is that just like his previous seven addresses to Congress, it was unfortunately filled with the rhetoric, partisanship and divisiveness the American people have rejected. President Obama is probably now worried about his legacy and exactly how he will be remembered. I do not think history will be kind to President Obama. We have seen that Obamacare is an abject failure. There is still no plan for defeating ISIS. The Iranian deal has isolated our allies while emboldening our enemies. And it is not fiction that our economy actually remains stagnant both in terms of growth and take home pay. The focus of my conservative colleagues and I is to spend the next year focused on restoring a confident America and getting back to the basic principles of the Constitution. An America where people are empowered to make their own decisions and go after their own dreams and get government out of the way. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05): No statement available at this time. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): No statement available at this time. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell
U.S. Senate hopeful Jonathan McConnell releases first TV ad
Election 2016 is in full-swing in the Yellowhammer State and U.S. Senate hopeful, Republican Jonathan McConnell released his first TV ad of the season Tuesday morning. The ad, which will air on both broadcast and cable networks statewide, emphasizes what McConnell says are the core differences between himself and his opponent, five-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby. “Washington politicians have failed to lead, leaving significant security risks both domestically and internationally,” McConnell said. “The rise of ISIS, the tragedies in Benghazi, and the spread of radical Islam can be attributed to the failures of career-minded politicians like Richard Shelby.” The commercial hits the airwaves in the wake of a fundraising uptick following two major endorsements from Special Operations Speaks and Citizens United just last week. “After the last 37 years of Shelby’s politics as usual, the people of Alabama are ready to be represented by a principled conservative,” McConnell said. “The culture of politics in Washington has failed us and left America unsafe. .. It’s time to send in a Marine.” Watch the ad below:
Yeas and Nays – How the Alabama delegation voted this week: 1/8/16
Here’s a look at how the Alabama delegation voted on major issues this week in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate was not in session this week. House votes H.R. 3762: the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act. The bill repeals or significantly modifies numerous major provisions of Obamacare, including repeals of the individual and employer mandates, tax subsidies for individuals to purchase health insurance from exchanges, the expansion of Medicaid, and the Prevention and Public Health Fund. It also effectively eliminates more than a dozen taxes included in the law, including the medical device tax, the “Cadillac” tax, the net investment tax, and the additional Medicare tax. Finally it blocks federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year and provides alternative women’s health funding for community health centers. Passed the House 240-181. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 1155: the Searching for and Cutting Regulations That Are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act. The bill establishes a nine-member commission to review existing federal regulations and identify those that should be repealed in order to reduce costs on the U.S. economy — including those that should be immediately repealed and those that should be repealed over time through a new regulatory “Cut-Go” system under which agencies could not issue new rules unless the cost of a new rule was offset by repealing existing rules identified by the commission. Passed the House 245-174. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 712: the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act. The bill requires the federal government to provide advance public notice when it plans to enter into discussions regarding consent decree or settlement agreement, and allows affected third parties to intervene in that process. It also requires federal agencies to file monthly status reports of their rule-making activities and requires that a 100-word summary of each proposed rule be posted online, along with the proposed rule itself. Passed the House 244-173. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) H.R. 1927: the Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act. The bill prohibits federal courts from certifying proposed classes of individuals for a class action lawsuit unless each member of the class has suffered the same type and degree of injury. Passed the House 211-188. Yea: Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01); Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02); Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03); Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04); Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05); Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) Nay: Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Jonathan McConnell nabs endorsement of Citizens United PAC for Senate run
Taking on 29-year incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby in the Republican primary this March, Marine Corps Iraq War veteran and small-business owner Jonathan McConnell landed a major endorsement Thursday from Citizens United Political Victory Fund (CUPVF), the PAC affiliated with Citizens United. “Citizens United Political Victory Fund is proud to support true conservative candidate Jonathan McConnell against career Washington politician Richard Shelby”, said Citizens United President David N. Bossie. “As a conservative change agent, Captain McConnell will be a breath of fresh air in a United States Senate that is full of stale ideas and outdated big-spending politicians.” In the endorsement, there were obvious jabs at Senator Shelby, who has been in Washington over 37 years, between his current Senate gig and a previous position in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bossie continued, “Over the 37 years Richard Shelby has been in Washington, he has gleefully presided over the out of control federal spending habits that has resulted in our $19 trillion national debt. America needs a new generation of conservative leaders like Jonathan McConnell who will join Senator Ted Cruz and others in challenging the failed status quo in Washington. Big spending politicians no longer have a place in the U.S. Senate because there is no more money to spend. It’s time for Richard Shelby to go.” “It’s this mindset of indifference by entrenched career politicians that so desperately needs to be swept from office in Washington. All Alabamians who are Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, or Ben Carson voters should also pull the lever for fellow-change agent Jonathan McConnell in the rapidly approaching primary election on March 1st,” Bossie concluded. CUPVF has also contributed $5,000 to McConnell’s primary campaign.
Martha Roby, Richard Shelby: Housing immigrant detainees at Maxwell-Gunter AFB ill-advised
Republican U.S. Rep. Martha Roby had harsh words for an Obama administration plan to evaluate the feasibility of housing undocumented immigrant minors at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Bace in Montgomery as they await deportation. Roby on Wednesday called the plan, proposed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, a “terrible idea,” and vowed to oppose it. “The Air Force personnel at Maxwell-Gunter, like members of the U.S. Military stationed at bases throughout the country, are working hard to keep America safe. That mission is challenging enough without the added responsibility of housing, feeding and securing detainees,” Roby wrote. Roby pointed to her past advocacy on the issue, saying she helped “shut down” a past attempt to house immigrants detained at the Mexican border along with the Alabama delegation, and that they are “working every angle to shut it down again.” U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby also registered his displeasure with the proposal in an announcement. “This Administration has once again ignored what is in the best interest of the American people. The decision to assess the possibility of housing illegal immigrants at Department of Defense facilities, like Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, will only exacerbate our illegal immigration problem by not enforcing the laws on the books,” said Shelby, Alabama’s senior senator. “President Obama’s disregard for the rule of law and his attempt to push executive amnesty has led us to where we are today,” Shelby inveighed. “I remain steadfast in my opposition to illegal immigration, and I will fight against allowing those who break our laws to be housed at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base.”
Alabama’s elected official react to Barack Obama’s gun grab
Saying that America faces a “gun violence epidemic” President Barack Obama announced Tuesday “a series of common-sense executive actions” to reduce gun violence that critics across the country contend infringes on Americans’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The President’s proposal includes: Requiring those who sell guns at gun shows and online to be licensed. Closing a loophole that allows buyers of weapons such as machine guns to obtain them without going through a background check by buying them through trusts, corporations and other legal entities. Adding 230 new Federal Bureau of Investigation staff to help process mandatory background checks. Adding 200 new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms staff to enforce existing gun laws. Holding gun dealers responsible for reporting missing guns. Spending $500 million to “help engage” individuals with serious mental health issues in care. The Alabama delegation reacted strongly to Obama’s proposed gun grab: U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions: President Obama’s proposal to unilaterally thwart law-abiding citizens’ Second Amendment rights is a blatant abuse of his executive authority. He has chosen to completely circumvent the legislative process, ignore the Constitution, and infringe upon the rights granted to each and every citizen of the United States by the Second Amendment. This is a misguided and unconstitutional power grab, and I will not stand for it. As a lifelong member of the NRA and the Texas Rifle Association, I know that gun laws like those in Texas work better than gun laws like those in Chicago. I have and always will vigorously defend our constitutional right to keep and bear arms and will fight against this tyrannical President’s insistence on eroding our nation’s laws. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: None of the executive actions that we expect to hear from the President would have prevented the recent tragic events in our nation. Instead of looking for ways to truly put an end to violent crime and radical Islamic terrorism, the President is once again looking to score political points by taking away the rights of law-abiding Americans to protect themselves. The President should know better than anyone that disarming law-abiding Americans will do nothing more than empower criminals. After all, his own hometown of Chicago has the strictest gun control laws in the country, yet its violent crime rate is among the highest in our nation. Read the Senator’s full statement here. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-02): These expected changes would not have prevented any of the recent mass shootings where guns were purchased from licensed gun dealers. Instead of continuing to ignore Congress, the President should work with us on commonsense reforms that would actually reduce gun violence, like mental health reform and preventing those who wish to bring us harm from entering the United States. In reality, I don’t think President Obama wants to solve the problem. Instead, he is simply looking for another political talking point and continuing to pander to far-left political groups. Congress must be swift to respond to any executive action, and there will certainly be legal challenges as well. This debate is about more than the Second Amendment. This debate is about standing up to an out-of-control President who refuses to follow the Constitution. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): President Obama is wrong to try to bypass Congress to unilaterally mandate his gun control agenda, and it won’t stand. I’m a gun owner myself, and I strongly value the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment. I will fight on behalf of those I represent to stop any attempt to erode the Second Amendment rights of Americans. There is a reason Congress has repeatedly rejected President Obama’s gun control agenda: on top of being unconstitutional, his proposals would not have prevented the recent attacks he uses to justify new laws. Instead of forcing unconstitutional gun regulations that have little hope of stopping premeditated attacks, I believe our focus should be dealing with the root causes, specifically mental health and terrorism. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): President Obama has spent his time in office expanding the size of government and infringing on our Constitutional rights. This is just another example of his blatant disregard for the Constitution. I remain completely opposed to any action that puts any level of restrictions on our right to bear arms. As a gun owner myself, I will continue to fight for our Second Amendment rights. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): It is unbelievable and I’m at a loss of words at the news President Obama plans to sidestep the Constitution once again in order to circumvent Congress in his efforts to diminish gun owner’s rights in America. This is just another example of President Obama’s attempts to impose his failed agenda on the American people in the waning months of his Presidency. There is not proof that the new restrictions President Obama proposes would have prevented any of the recent cases of gun violence in our country. I’m also confident that these new proposed restrictions on the Second Amendment will not stop any future incidents. As we know our problem in America is not a gun problem. It is a cultural problem and a problem of the heart by these criminals. No new gun laws can change the attitude of someone who is so lost in this world that they are bent on killing others. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05): No statement made thus far. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): The President’s Executive Actions are beyond the scope of his Constitutional powers. This President has developed a pattern over the past seven years of ignoring the Constitution whenever it suits him. This is wrong. Nothing in the President’s Executive Actions would have done anything to stop the most recent incidents of gun violence. I have always been and will continue to be a strong defender of our Second Amendment rights, and will fight any attempt to infringe upon them. Executive actions are not law and, on January 20, 2017, can be rescinded by the next President. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): Our nation must take common sense actions to stem the
Looking back at Alabama delegation’s 2015 in photos
In the world of politics, 2015 was as eventful as they come. As we ring in the new year, let’s take a look back at a few of the images that defined 2015 for the Alabama delegation: U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions: Click “2” to proceed to U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby‘s photos.
Direct mail round-up: Highlighting Alabama’s conservative fighters
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby has sent out a new campaign mailer asking Alabama voters to vote for him in the upcoming Republican primary on March 1. Titled “Alabama’s Conservative Fighters,” the mailer features Shelby alongside fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. Sessions, a well-regarded conservative, is quoted saying, “Richard has been a rock-solid partner for me on immigration and other budget battles we have fought.” The back-side of the mailer lists a myriad of Shelby’s Senate accomplishments — from taking on President Barack Obama‘s Syrian refugee program to challenging Planned Parenthood funding to denying money to Obamacare — and wraps up with “Let’s keep Alabama’s conservative Senators together in the fight, re-elect Sen. Richard Shelby for U.S. Senate March 1st!” Shelby will face Iraq War veteran Jonathan McConnell, former state Sen. Shadrack McGill, John Martin and Marcus Bowman in the March 1 primary — the winner of which will likely take the Senate seat in November. Here’s the full mailer:
Alabama delegation votes on $1.1 trillion Omnibus bill
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill by an overwhelming 316-113 vote Friday morning, wrapping up a frenzied month of legislating just in time for the lawmakers to head home for the holidays. The so-called Omnibus bill — a massive year-end spending bill that incorporates legislation from the 12 appropriations subcommittees as well as reforms to the Visa Waiver program and lifting a ban on U.S. oil exports — funds the federal government through September 2016. The bill now heads over to the U.S. Senate where it is expected to clear the chamber later Friday without the support of Alabama Sens. Richard Shelby or Jeff Sessions. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) was the sole Alabama Republican to vote for the bill. He joined 149 of his GOP peers in supporting the measure, along with 95 Democrats including Alabama’s lone Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07). The remainder of the seven-member delegation — Reps. Bradley Bryne, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers and Gary Palmer — voted against the bill. Here’s what delegation members are saying about their votes: U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): Our nation is at war, and I could not support a government funding bill that fails to address the reality of the serious security challenges our nation is facing. I was disappointed the bill did not include provisions to block any funding from going to the Syrian refugee resettlement program. For months now, I have been warning about the legitimate problems posed by this program, and this bill fails to prevent the President from bringing Syrian refugees into the United States. Statement from U.S. Rep. Martha Roby‘s (AL-02) Communications Director Todd Stacy: Representative Roby takes her role on the Appropriations Committee seriously. For the last year she fought to craft conservative spending policies that kept faith with our priorities and values. Unfortunately, this Omnibus bill abandoned that work and did not reflect the conservative principles she has fought for, so she voted against it. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): I am outraged that the bill that passed today did not prohibit funding for President Obama to bring refugees from the Syrian conflict to America. What happened in California demonstrates that Islamic terrorists are ready and willing to use our lax immigration system to enter our country to do us harm. Now, President Obama will be able to carry out his plan to let thousands of refugees from the Syrian conflict into the U.S. I have no confidence that these refugees can be properly vetted by this Administration. President Obama’s plan is dangerous and I will continue to fight against it. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05) Thursday prior to his Friday vote: Tomorrow, Congress will once again be forced to vote on a hastily thrown together $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that is 2,009 pages long, that very few Senators and Congressmen have had the time to read much less fully understand, that no one was allowed to amend on the House floor, and that further undermines America’s solvency. While I am thankful the omnibus bill increases funding for NASA’s Space Launch System and America’s national security, empowers Decatur’s United Launch Alliance to compete for critical defense space payloads, and reduces burdensome regulations on America’s farmers, these and other positive things could and should be done without increasing the risk of a debilitating American insolvency and bankruptcy, without using taxpayer money to empower President Obama to pay illegal aliens to break our laws and come to America, without increasing terrorism risks by paying Syrians to come to America, without forcing American taxpayers to pay for other peoples’ abortions, and without permitting President Obama to quadruple H-2B visas so that more foreign workers can take jobs from and undermine the wages of struggling American families. Rather than instituting a deliberate, long-term budgeting process that provides certainty for job creators and minimizes America’s risk of a debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy, this omnibus bill makes matters decidedly worse. The dramatic expense, compounded by the increased security and terrorism risks forced on American citizens, is unconscionable. That is why I am voting “No” on this misguided legislation. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): A spending bill should reflect the priorities of our nation. This $1.1 trillion bill does not. It continues to pile debt on our children without sufficient reforms. Furthermore, it fails to include numerous policy priorities that should have been included. Recently, a veto-proof majority of the House passed legislation to strengthen the vetting of Syrian refugees. This reform should have been included in this bill, but was not. This bill also allows funds to continue to flow to Planned Parenthood and does nothing to defund Obama’s unlawful administrative amnesty. The bill does have a few good provisions, like lifting the ban on crude oil exports, which I have long supported. Unfortunately even this significant victory is overcome by the numerous deficiencies. The process to get to this point was no better than the underlying legislation it produced. I hope that going forward, the process will be different. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): My vote was cast in favor of keeping the government operating and to continue to make critical investments agency programs that benefit all Americans. I also firmly believe that we cannot afford another shutdown and this bill provides the Federal Government with funding through September 30, 2016. The omnibus provides much needed increases for a broad range of education programs including Head Start, Title I grants, aid to HBCUs, the TRIO and GEAR UP programs, and rural education. Providing the resources low-income families need to increase their academic success is one of my highest priorities, and this legislation is a first step in the right direction. This is not a perfect bill, but I am proud that both sides of the aisle were able to work out a compromise that benefits our nation, and helps us continue to grow.
Robert Bentley comes out in support of Jeff Sessions, Richard Shelby’s Omnibus votes
In advance of Friday’s impending vote on the Congressional Omnibus appropriations bill, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statement regarding Alabama Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby‘s intentions to vote against the legislation. “As Alabama’s Governor, I have called into question the Obama Administration’s flawed refugee resettlement program and the dangerous refugee vetting process aimed at excluding states,” said Governor Bentley in a news release. “For over a month, I have asked for, and have yet to receive any answers or viable solutions from the Obama Administration. “I commend Alabama Senator Richard Shelby and Senator Jeff Sessions on their intention today to vote no on the omnibus spending bill. That bill does not block the Obama Administration’s Syrian refugee resettlement program and further allows the President to keep states in the dark when it comes to knowing who is being admitted into our country and into our state. A majority of this nation’s governors are in agreement that the refugee vetting process, as it stands now, is unacceptable.” In November, Bentley sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and another federal official with the U.S. Department of State requesting reports on the refugee reception program in Alabama and failed to receive a response. Joined this month by several other primarily Republican governors, Bentley declared his intent to refuse any incoming refugees should the federal government plan to relocate them within their respective states’ borders. “While the omnibus bill contains provisions which are important to Alabama, nothing is more important that protecting our citizens,” Bentley said. “As Governor of Alabama I will do everything I possibly can to protect the people of this state. I commend Senator Shelby and Senator Sessions for standing against the Obama Administration’s unwillingness to solve or address this pressing issue.”
