Alabama reacts to Supreme Court rejecting EPA regulatory initiative
Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked one of the Obama administration’s most aggressive environmental initiatives — an Environmental Protection Agency effort to limit certain power plant emissions — saying the agency “unreasonably” failed to consider the cost of the regulations. Writing for the majority, in the 5-to-4 decision, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote: “It is not rational, never mind ‘appropriate,’ to impose billions of dollars in economic costs in return for a few dollars in health or environmental benefits. Statutory context supports this reading.” The challenge against the EPA was brought by industry groups and 21 Republican-led states, including Alabama. Here are reactions from elected officials and political groups in Alabama: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: The Supreme Court’s ruling rightly pointed out that the Obama Administration’s EPA failed to weigh the costs of its regulation on the economy and job creation. The EPA’s blatant disregard of the impact that its policymaking would have on the American people underscores the need to rein in this out-of-control agency. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): The Supreme Court ruled today that the EPA “unreasonably” failed to consider the cost of a proposed regulation on power plants. This should be considered a major victory for families and small businesses who would have likely seen their power bills go up. I will continue to look for ways to push back against the activist EPA as they continue to churn out expensive regulations. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): The Supreme Court’s ruling to block the EPA’s aggressive, costly regulation of power plants is a win for our state and consumers. This attempt at ‘backdoor-legislating’ is all too common at federal agencies, and the Court was right to put a stop to it. There hasn’t been a lot out of this Supreme Court to be happy about out lately, but I am glad to see them stop this agency’s radical environmental agenda, and I hope lower courts do the same. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): I’ve long believed the EPA under President Obama has greatly overstepped its authority, especially with its War on Coal. This ruling is the latest evidence. Congress must continue to work to stop the EPA from pursuing its radical, jobs-threatening agenda. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): When deciding whether or not to propose new regulations, the first step should always be determining whether the benefits outweigh the costs. The EPA’s decision to move forward without considering the impact on individuals and the economy was ill-advised and I am pleased the Supreme Court recognized that. This Administration has been open about the fact that they want to put the coal industry out of business, regardless of what reasonable standards they may meet. This case is a blow to those efforts. I will continue to work in Congress to rein in the EPA when they overreach on environmental policy. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange: Alabama and 21 other states joined Michigan in the successful lawsuit challenging the EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act in which the agency ignored its legal obligation to consider costs of new power plant regulations as well as the impact upon health and the environment. The EPA chose to impose costly new regulations on electric utility emissions without considering the financial impact upon both the plant operators and the consumers. In this case, the EPA’s projected cost for a new mercury emission regulation would outweigh the benefit by a factor of 2 to 1. The EPA claims they don’t have to consider cost in power plant regulations under the Clean Air Act. However, the law requires both a study to evaluate health risks and a separate consideration of whether the regulation would be ‘appropriate and necessary.’ Today’s decision deals a major setback to the EPA’s overreach agenda and should send a signal to the agency that it cannot continue to end run the law in pursuit of a radical political agenda. Commissioner of the Alabama Public Service Commission Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh: Today’s ruling on the EPA by the U.S. Supreme Court was too little and too late for the hard-working people of this country. The U.S. Supreme Court simply acknowledged what we already knew. They rightly recognized that the EPA, in its zeal to push through the liberal agenda of President Obama and his radical environmental cronies, completely disregarded the harm it would cause consumers. These mandates have already cost the consumers and small businesses across this state and nation billions in unnecessary expenses. The simple analogy is you can’t put toothpaste back in the tube. Companies have already shut down coal-fired units and spent billions of dollars to comply with EPA regulations. That is why I will continue to fight for affordable and reliable electricity and against the radical environmental agenda.
Alabama politicians react to Supreme Court upholding Obamacare tax subsidies
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision on King v. Burwell that the 8.7 million Americans living in states without state based Obamacare exchanges are eligible to receive federal healthcare subsidies. The opinion was written by Chief Justice John Roberts, who also wrote the Obamacare opinion in 2012 upholding the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Here is a compilation of reactions from Alabama’s elected officials and politicians: Gov. Robert Bentley: Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court is disappointing. As the law is clearly written, subsidies do not apply to states that did not establish a state-based health insurance exchange. With today’s decision, the Supreme Court became an activist court by rewriting the law, clearly overstepping the role of the Judicial Branch to interpret the law. The Supreme Court had an opportunity to repair what I, as a physician, have always believed, that the Affordable Care Act is deeply flawed and does little to help improve the health of our citizens. As a physician and Governor of one of the 34 states that did not establish a state-based healthcare exchange, I agree with Justice Scalia in his dissent that States are clearly not the federal government and that definition of a state shouldn’t be rewritten for the purpose of this law. I believe the ACA is, at its core, enormously expensive for families and businesses and does little to address the health care issues we face in our state and nation. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: Today’s Supreme Court decision does not change the fact that Obamacare is an unworkable, deeply flawed, and damaging law. The problems with Obamacare go far beyond the issue debated in King v. Burwell and continue to harm American families and small businesses. Obamacare’s long list of broken promises has already caused Americans to struggle with higher premiums, to lose their preferred health insurance and doctors, and to be left with fewer choices. Despite this ruling, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to put an end to the negative impacts of this disastrous law. U.S Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): Today’s ruling does not change the fact that Obamacare is an unworkable law that is hurting far too many families across Southwest Alabama and the United States. I will continue to push for a full repeal of the law and work toward patient-centered health care solutions that aren’t run by the federal government. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): So many people across the nation and throughout Alabama have been negatively affected by this law. Under Obamacare, many lost the health plans they liked. Many were forced to go to different doctors, to say nothing of the doctors who stopped practicing altogether. Premiums skyrocketed, and many middle class families are now impacted by new taxes, fees and penalties. I have repeatedly voted to repeal Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered health care that isn’t run by the government. This ruling does not change my commitment to working to replace the president’s health care law with policies that make sense. It does show how important it is for us to elect a president who will uphold the rule of law and appoint Supreme Court justices who will do the same. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): I am extremely disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today concerning Obamacare subsidies. The Supreme Court continues to see gray when it comes to the black letter of the law as written in Obamacare’s base text in the Affordable Care Act. If you look at the way the Democrats actually wrote the law, it seems to be very clear that subsidies were not available for those in the federal exchanges. This was not a typo. The language was written as it was written. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): I’ve long been an advocate for repealing this unworkable and unaffordable law. Today’s decision by SCOTUS makes it even more imperative that Congress work to fully repeal it. As far as the opinion is concerned, I agree with Justice Scalia when he writes in dissent: The Court holds that when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act says “Exchange established by the State” it means “Exchange established by the State or the Federal Government.” That is of course quite absurd, and the Court’s 21 pages of explanation make it no less so …. This Court, however, concludes that this limitation would prevent the rest of the Act from working as well as hoped. So it rewrites the law to make tax credits available everywhere. We should start calling this law SCOTUScare. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): Millions of Americans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. An estimated 6.4 million Americans will be able to keep their health insurance, including 17,000 people in my district! Chairman Terry Lathan, Alabama Republican Party: The nightmare continues for America with the United States Supreme Court upholding parts of the wildly unpopular Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. This destructive legislation forced upon Americans pertaining to their health care and health insurance is an abomination and a plight on our nation. America is the most loving country in the world and our citizens should have access to superb health care, but this legislation is an albatross of government intervention and bureaucracy. It has little to do with care and mostly to do with more legislative strangleholds and controlling our daily lives. No American should be forced to sign up or buy health insurance that is not their choice. This alone is enough to remind us all how important the elections of 2016 will be to America. We must reverse this course, starting by removing Democrats from the White House all the way down to our county courthouses. Let us never forget the words of Barack Obama when he and the Democrats forced their will on all of America: ‘If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health care plan, you
Google to make $600M investment in Widows Creek steam plant
Gov. Robert Bentley joined other state officials, local officials from the Jackson County community and officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to announce that Google will make an initial $600 million investment to create a data center on the grounds of TVA’s Widows Creek Steam Plant in north Jackson County. On its website Google noted that the location would be its 14th. Recent additions include data centers in Iowa, Georgia, Singapore and Belgium. In a prepared statement Google said, “This time, we’re doing something we’ve never done before: We’ll be building on the grounds of the Widows Creek coal power plant in Jackson County, which has been scheduled for shutdown. Data centers need a lot of infrastructure to run 24/7, and there’s a lot of potential in redeveloping large industrial sites like former coal power plants. Decades of investment shouldn’t go to waste just because a site has closed; we can repurpose existing electric and other infrastructure to make sure our data centers are reliably serving our users around the world.” They went on to describe, “Of course, the cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use. Our Alabama data center will incorporate our state-of-the-art energy efficiency technologies. We’ve built our own super-efficient servers, invented more efficient ways to cool our data centers, and even used advanced machine learning to squeeze more out of every watt of power we consume. Compared to five years ago, we now get 3.5 times the computing power out of the same amount of energy.” In a prepared statement released Wednesday afternoon, Governor Bentley said, “Google is one of the world’s most innovative companies that just about every Alabamian interacts with daily. Google’s decision to expand its data center network to Alabama is the start of a long-lasting state partnership that will provide a significant boost to our state’s high-tech sector, provide good jobs for our citizens and position the state for additional growth in this important industry.” Bentley welcomed the media giant to the state saying, “I appreciate Google’s significant investment in Alabama, and I am pleased to welcome them to Sweet Home Alabama.” U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby also issued a prepared statement saying, “Google’s announcement that it will open a data center in Jackson County is positive news for Alabama and proves that our state is a great place for companies of all sizes to do business. I am delighted that Google has chosen Alabama as the home to this investment, and I look forward to the jobs and economic growth that it will bring.” Bill Johnson the President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority said, “Economic development is a vital part of TVA’s mission to serve the people of the Tennessee Valley. TVA is committed to a diverse energy portfolio and providing reliable, low-cost and ever-cleaner energy to attract new companies and investments to the region.” “Google could have located their next data center anywhere in the world, but they chose a soon-to-be retired coal plant site with the right infrastructure in rural Alabama,” Johnson said. “What began as a power generation facility will now become a data center harnessing the power of the Internet to connect people all over the world.” According to the governor’s office projections, Google will make an estimated $600 million initial investment, with opportunities for expansion. The initial project is expected to create 75 to 100 jobs. Last year, Google passed over Alabama for one of its high-speed fiber-optic network cities.
Alabama man to lobby for carbon fee in Washington
Montgomery’s own Bryan Seigneur, a computer programmer with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, will advocate for what he calls a “Carbon Fee and Dividend” to Alabama’s congressional delegation in Washington. Seigneur is a member of a group called the Citizens’ Climate Lobby. The group will send Seigneur and others to D.C. in a push to convince national legislators to adopt a $15-per-ton fee on greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. That fee would increase to $25 per ton after one year, and continue to ramp up $10 a year in order to discourage the use of carbon-emitting industrial processes used in producing fossil fuels. Alabama is an unlikely place to begin with its Republican-dominated legislative delegation. But although it may seem like a stretch to think free-market conservatives such as Sen. Jeff Sessions and U.S. Rep. Marth Roby, will buy into his plan, which evokes the erstwhile “cap and trade” scheme popular a few years ago to many observers, Seigneur says it’s all about getting the ball rolling. Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Gary Palmer, then president of the Alabama Policy Institute, wrote an opinion piece “Cap-and-Trade by other means” that highlights estimated cost that cap-and-trade legislation or regulations would have on the state. He cited the higher across-the-board energy costs and business development issues related to proposals such as the one Seigneur is pushing, and advocated that lawmaker stand up for those he believes would be stuck paying the bill. “We believe that our proposal is a conservative proposal,” Seigneur told the Montgomery Advertiser recently. “It is part of the role of government to protect the rights of its people and the right of their property. When that is endangered by specific things occurring and harming the environment in the future, and threatening real reduction in GDP out one or two generations, then the role of government is to reduce the harmful behavior.” “We have one primary interest, and of course that’s creating the political will for the climate,” Seigneur said. Advocates are buoyed by comments by Pope Francis in a recent church encyclical that called for greater stewardship of natural resources in the face of what he called a serious threat posed by climate change. “I think the Pope needs to continue to study this,” Sen. Sessions told The Associated Press late last week. “I think it will be given respectful treatment, but I don’t think it’s going to change a lot of votes. According to the Advertiser, Seigneur’s itinerary also calls for a meeting with Sen. Richard Shelby, who has a strong history of advocating against policies dealing with emissions that he thinks will drive up energy prices for Alabama families and businesses. Among the actions taken by both Alabama senators, Shelby and Sessions, was joining 40 others to co-sign a letter decrying the Obama administration’s proposed rule that dealt with emissions, voting against cap-and-trade and being outspoken advocates against the EPA.
AL congressional delegation disagrees with new EPA Clean Water Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rolled out a new plan Wednesday to expand the Clean Water Act to include more bodies of water. According to EPA, the 297-page “Waters of the United Sates” (WOTUS) rule ensures that waters protected under the existing Clean Water Act are “more precisely defined, more predictably determined, and easier for businesses and industry to understand,” as two Supreme Court rulings in 2001 and 2006 have left the current scope of the law uncertain. “Today’s rule marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the Clean Water Act,” Assistant Secretary for the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy said. “This rule responds to the public’s demand for greater clarity, consistency, and predictability when making jurisdictional determinations.” However, that’s not the way the Alabama delegation and critics across the country see it, calling it a massive federal government power grab. “For decades, water quality regulation has been primarily the responsibility of state governments, but this rule would significantly shift that responsibility to the federal government,” U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne told Alabama Today. “This rule would have an especially harmful impact on our farmers and foresters, who could face new compliance requirements and costs.” U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer also expressed his disdain for the rule. “This expansive rule would allow the EPA to place onerous regulations on almost any body of water. While the EPA claimed to listen to the extensive public outcry over this proposal by making cosmetic changes, the rule is still well beyond EPA’s rightful authority,” Palmer said in a statement issued Wednesday evening. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers joins in the disapproval. According to the congressman’s press secretary, “Congressman Rogers was extremely disappointed the overreaching EPA chose to go forward with the ‘Definition of “Waters of the United States” Under the Clean Water Act,’ despite House passage of H.R. 1732, which Congressman Rogers strongly supported. This rule includes EPA control of puddles and ditches and could hurt family farms and landowners.” H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act designed to block the implementation of the new EPA rule, was voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives this month with support of all of Alabama’s representatives excluding Rep. Terri Sewell who did not vote. It passed the House on May 11 by a vote of 261-155. The bill was received in the Senate on May 13, but has yet to be considered. But there’s hope for the legislation, as Alabama’s House members aren’t the only ones concerned with the new EPA Clean Water rule. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby told Alabama Today that he thinks the EPA is overreaching. “The EPA’s final rule redefining ‘waters of the United States’ is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s overreach. The rule will place thousands of streams, creeks, wetlands, ponds, and ditches throughout the country under the control of Washington bureaucrats instead of private property owners. I have supported legislation in the Senate to prohibit this harmful rule, and I will continue to fight against it as well as other burdensome rules and regulations from the EPA.” U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions joined seven of his Republican colleagues on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee last April sent a letter to President Barack Obama regarding the then proposed WOTUS rule. “The scope of CWA jurisdiction is one of the most important regulatory issues facing landowners, businesses, and municipalities today,” the senators wrote. “The proposed ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule will exponentially impede economic recovery and is a significant step in the wrong direction. Mr. President, the decision to move forward would be a clear breach of your promise to cut through red tape.”
5 Alabama delegation members noted for conservative records
The Washington, D.C.-based American Conservative Union, the oldest active conservative lobbying and activism organization in the United States, has released its 44th annual congressional scorecard. It ranks all members of the 114th Congress based on their votes concerning a cross-section of issues important to pro-business, traditionalist influencers. “For 44 years, our ACU Ratings have been considered the gold standard in determining a member of Congress’ courage to stand up to big government liberals and to stand strongly in favor of policy positions important to conservatives,” said ACU Chairman Matt Schlapp, a former aide to the George W. Bush administration and Koch Industries. “Our award-winning senators and congressmen are fighting to protect the rights and freedom of all Americans by honoring President [Ronald] Reagan’s three-legged stool of economic, national security, and cultural conservative issues.” The Alabama delegation scored higher on the ACU’s scale — where 100 is “most conservative” and zero is “most liberal” — than most other states’ by far. Members whose voting records rank in the top 20 percent, a score of 80 and above, were awarded the the ACU Award for Conservative Achievement. Sen. Jeff Sessions was rated the most conservative of all Alabama members with a 96 rating, up from 88 a year ago. Sen. Richard Shelby posted an 88 this year, up from last year’s 76. The House delegation was especially interesting, because it gave a look into the political calculus Alabama members use to legislate while stumping for re-election on a near-constant basis. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne nearly aced the ACU exam on his first try: The freshman scored a delegation-best 88. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers jumped 24 points from last year to achieve an 84, while U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers finished out the top three by holding steady at 84. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, whose district includes parts of centrist-leaning Montgomery, scored 56, down from last year’s 64; U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholdt scored a 61, slightly down from 67; and U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer as a freshman was not scored. All are Republicans. Democrat Terri Sewell, who largely ignores the group’s advocacy, scored an 8, down from last year’s 12.5. Here’s a list of some of the key votes scored by ACU, according to its website: In favor of HR 7 (Roll Call 30) Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would have permanently prohibited the use of federal funding, facilities or staff to provide abortion coverage and services with exceptions for rape and incest and to save the life of the mother. Opposing HR 3590 (Roll Call 38) Federal Land Use. The DeFazio amendment would have defeated the purpose of a bill to open more federal land for recreational hunting, fishing and shooting by requiring a lengthy environmental review of each area of land affected. In favor of H Con Res 96 (Roll Call 175) Conservative Budget. The Woodall amendment to the budget bill presented a conservative alternative that would have balanced the budget in four years by freezing domestic spending at $60 billion below current levels, reformed entitlement programs, and eliminated wasteful programs. Brooks/Roby/Sewell voted against it. In favor of HR 4435 (Roll Call 231) Defense Spending. The McKinley amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill bars the use of federal funding to conduct climate change assessments and reports. In favor of HR 4745 (Roll Call 290) Housing Programs. The Schock amendment to the Transportation and Housing Appropriations bill to reduce the power of the HUD Secretary to hand out Section 8 vouchers above the authorized limit, in some cases valued at $4,000 a month, while keeping others on a waiting list for any type of affordable housing. In favor of HR 5016 (Roll Call 425) Second Amendment. The Massie amendment to the Financial Services Appropriations bill that would prohibit the District of Columbia from taking any action to prevent law-abiding citizens from possessing, using or transporting a firearm. Opposing HR 5272 (Roll Call 479) Immigration. This bill reverses President Obama’s executive order deferring action on some illegal immigrants but not others. The full list of scored votes is available here.
Terri Sewell hosts Obama trade chief Michael Froman for trade summit
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell says Alabama businesses and workers would benefit from expanding U.S. trade opportunities. Sewell invited U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, President Barack Obama’s chief official on international trade, to visit Alabama to discuss the importance of exports for the state economy. “Exports help drive Alabama’s economy,” Sewell said. “Alabama businesses exported $19.5 billion in merchandise last year, which supported more than 95,000 jobs. Access to foreign markets and fair trade policies that benefit American workers are integral, necessary components that will help Alabama exporters to continue to thrive and spur new job growth.” Froman said reducing taxes that the U.S. pays to export products from Alabama and other states, as well as improving labor standards abroad, were key to supporting jobs in the state. “By tearing down those barriers and raising the standards in other countries, we level the playing field,” Froman said. “And we know when we level the playing field, our workers, our farmers, our ranchers, and our small to medium-sized businesses can compete and win.” Alabama exports — transportation equipment, poultry, soybeans, and cotton — could face tariffs as high as 50 percent, Froman said. “If we can get rid of those taxes and we can eliminate those tariffs, right now 62 percent of all Alabama’s exports go to either the Asia Pacific or the European Union,” he said. “They can do so much more if they get rid of those other barriers. Every billion dollars of additional exports support up to 5,000 jobs. These are good, high-paying jobs.” The ambassador’s visit comes at a pivotal point in the Obama Administration’s battle with Congress over expanding the President’s authority to negotiate trade agreements. Politico reported that so far only 20 House Democrats have agreed to vote in favor of giving the president “fast-track” authority to negotiate trade agreements and that the bill has well below the votes needed on either side to pass in the House and Senate. The legislation would also grant the president authority to finish a sweeping trade deal with several Asian countries. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has taken more than 10 years to negotiate and sets trade terms with 11 countries along the Pacific Rim, including Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. The group of nations has a combined gross domestic product of $28 billion and represents about 40 percent of the world economy. Sewell called the “fast track” or trade promotion authority a “hallmark” legislation that would provide a framework for the upcoming discussions over trade between the U.S., Asia, and the European Union. Passing the agreement is one of the president’s last major priorities, but so far Democrats have been unwilling to support the deal. “Congress has before it some big decisions when it comes to trade,” Sewell said. “Today has given me the opportunity to ask some very important, pressing questions from my constituents, especially labor, and to raise concerns that they’ve had. The ambassador has left me with a lot of food for thought.” Among those concerns, Sewell said, were that companies not be lured away by relaxed labor and regulatory standards in other countries. “I think it’s important that, especially in Alabama, where we’ve seen some trade agreements in the past have caused certain companies to close and take up shops overseas,” Sewell said. “I just want to make sure that the American workers are not left behind and so one of the big concerns that I had, and that some of the local labor unions had, was making sure that they had a seat at the table and that the negotiating would take into account their concerns as well.” In a prepared statement issued late Monday, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions called the fast track legislation “unenforceable” and said that the administration is seeking “blind faith” that the Trans-Pacific Partnership will increase U.S. jobs and wages. “Everyone supports trade. The question — the most fundamental question of all — is whether they are good trade deals, that advance America’s core national interests, or bad trade deals, that undermine them,” Sessions said. “Poorly negotiated trade deals, instead of opening new markets for our industries, tilt the playing field even further in their competitors’ direction. The result is not freer global trade, but more mercantilist market domination.” Congresswoman Sewell remains undecided on both TPP and TPA. U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby and Sessions voted against expanding trade promotion authority in 2002. It remains unclear whether Shelby will support the deal.
Tuscaloosa Veterans greeted by Richard Shelby during Honor Flight to D.C.
Veterans of World War II and the Korean War arriving in Washington, D.C., via the Honor Flight from Tuscaloosa were greeted by a familiar face. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby met them at the World War II Memorial on Wednesday “Today, I had the honor of meeting with and paying tribute to World War II and Korean War veterans from Tuscaloosa participating in their Honor Flight,” Shelby said. “This experience was both humbling and exciting, as these Alabama veterans had the opportunity to view the national memorials dedicated to their selfless service to our country. The valor and patriotism of our service members must never be forgotten nor taken for granted.” The Honor Flight helps veterans from across the country visit Washington, D.C., to see the memorials built in their honor. Flights are funded by donations from organizations and individuals. This particular trip was funded by the the Tuscaloosa Rotary Club, which has previously taken 423 veterans to the nation’s capital.
Women of Influence: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell
In the second installment of Alabama Women of Influence is Alabama’s second female congressional representative to be elected in a regular election and Alabama’s first black woman to serve in our congressional delegation – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell. We could spend an entire day, and then some, talking about the accomplishments and friends of Terri. But before we do that it is important to take a step back together … Selma, Ala., in January 1965, Sewell was born into the prelude of the historic Selma March, a day before Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in Selma. She did not allow the stigma of society to get in her way – becoming the first black valedictorian of her high school and going on to study at Princeton University, Oxford University, and Harvard Law School, and later landing a job on Wall Street. During her journey to Congress she was friends with the future first lady, then Michelle Robinson, at Princeton, was later a Harvard classmate of Barack Obama, and was even an intern for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, who then was a House Democrat. Terri Sewell became Congresswoman Sewell in January 2011 when she took her oath of office administered by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Following in her mother’s footsteps — she was the first black woman elected to the city council — Terri is a woman who made her own road. Creating a road that women all over Alabama can be proud to follow on and make their own ways from. Since taking her oath to be a member of Congress, Sewell has taken a strong stand on civil rights. Although the march was 50 years ago, there is still a lot of education to be done and Sewell is doing just that. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate passed Senate Bill 517, a bipartisan bill Sewell introduced in the House “to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the courageous Foot Soldiers whose perilous journey from Selma to Montgomery led to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.” Known for being a team player in Congress, Sewell has continuously spoken out to ensure there is consistent job creation and development for the workforce, specifically economic development. She consistently reaches across the aisle working with conservative members from the Alabama delegation for bills to strengthen the state. She and Rep. Bradley Byrne recently worked together to file a bill bringing back the Workforce Development Tax Credit Act, H.R. 1781. It would help stimulate employment and increase work-skills development by creating incentives for employers to hire apprentices. We can all say we want to see more jobs but the congresswoman has gone as far as to host job fairs and workshops to ensure there is the connection between the employers and potential employees and also to provide the potential employees with the knowledge they need to get back into the workforce. “I am proud of the work my office is doing to address the challenges posed by systemic unemployment in the 7th Congressional District. Through our Project R.E.A.D.Y workshops and annual Job Fair, we are working to make sure that all in the 7th District have access to meaningful career development,” Sewell says on her official website. While her list of accomplishments continues to grow, Sewell will be the first to tell you, “There is still much work to be done.” She’s a visionary whose steadfast dedication to improving the quality of life in Alabama is apparent in everything she does. Need we really say anymore as to why U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is an Alabama Woman of Influence?
Lawmakers keep VA failures front and center
As a recent spate of news about neglect and fraud in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs continues to develop, a handful of Alabama Congressional delegates are continuing to keep VA issues on the front burner. “I am outraged that our veterans are still being made to wait for medical care,” U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell recently told Alabama Today. “Providing high-quality care and benefits to our nation’s veterans is one of our most fundamental obligations, and we must do more to live up to that promise. I proudly sponsored the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, which President Obama signed into law. “This new law has helped VA medical centers across the country hire more physicians and enabled some veterans to seek private care, yet problems still persist at underperforming facilities like the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System in Montgomery and Tuskegee, Alabama. “We heard more than enough excuses. Our nation’s heroes should not be made to wait for quality care, and to ask them to do so violates our core principles. We need a permanent director who is ready – and willing – to do more for our veterans.” Congressman Bradley Byrne has also taken action to rectify much longer than average wait times at the Central Alabama VA. He recently introduced legislation that would create a new clinic in Mobile to ease the long backlogs currently on the books at VA providers, but has also said the problems run deep and deserve a thorough remediation at the administrative level. “Our veterans have waited far too long for a new VA clinic in Mobile, and it is past time the VA moves the process forward,” Byrne said in a prepared statement last week. “The current Mobile clinic is outdated and too small to adequately meet the needs of our area’s veterans. Years ago the VA committed to the construction of a new clinic in Mobile, but bureaucratic obstacles continue to hold the process up.” Sen. Richard Shelby also spoke with Alabama Today on the matter, indicating that VA scrutiny is a concern in the upper chamber of Congress as well. “It is extremely disappointing and unacceptable that long wait times continue to plague the Central Alabama VA,” said Shelby in a statement special to Alabama Today. “Our veterans in Alabama and across the country deserve better, which is why I will continue to press the VA to correct these issues and fight to ensure that our veterans receive timely and effective health care services.” U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Calhoun County in Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District is working on the issue from his position on the coveted House Armed Services Committee. He says he is displeased to say the least about the way Alabama vets are receiving short shrift from those whose job is to serve them. “The mistreatment at these VA facilities, including in Alabama, of our men and women who have served our country in uniform is unconscionable to me,” told Alabama Today. “Our Veterans deserve the very best at these facilities and I hope these wrongs will be made right.” Last week we chronicled U.S. Rep. Martha Roby‘s efforts on VA care access. She was one of the first high-ranking Alabama officials to speak with whistleblower Richard Tremaine, who recently testified before Congress about a years-long pattern of cover ups and denial of responsibility on the part of the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System where he is associate director. “That culture has festered at Central Alabama for years,” Roby said. “It has carried over through multiple directors, and it isn’t going to change until Secretary McDonald gets serious and puts leadership in place that will clean house. “We need a permanent system director who is empowered and willing to change the lousy culture and turn the place around. I’ll take that message back to Washington … where improving care for veterans remains my top priority.”
U.S. Senator asks 11th Circuit for update on arrested Alabama judge
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is seeking an update on the personnel action involving an Alabama federal judge arrested on a spousal abuse charge in Atlanta now that an investigation into the case apparently is complete. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, released a letter Friday asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for information about its probe of U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller of Montgomery. A judicial panel has been reviewing Fuller’s case for months, and some members of Congress are calling for Fuller’s resignation or impeachment. The letter from Grassley to the court said Congress is interested in seeing the case handled expeditiously. Atlanta police arrested Fuller in August after Kelli Fuller called 911 saying he was beating her in their hotel room. The two have since divorced, said the judge’s lawyer, Barry Ragsdale. Fuller reached a plea deal with prosecutors in Atlanta, and the charge was dismissed and Fuller’s record expunged following about six months of once-a-week group counseling sessions, said Ragsdale. Screening for alcohol and drugs dependency showed no problems, according to Ragsdale. Fuller isn’t currently hearing cases but is still being paid. Grassley said the case needs to be resolved. “The judge’s alleged actions raise serious questions, and, if true, will significantly undermine his ability to serve in his current capacity,” Grassley said in a statement. Ragsdale said the investigation into Fuller’s actions is complete after a special committee of judges heard from about two dozen witnesses including Fuller, Kelli Fuller, and his previous wife. Aside from reviewing what happened the night of Fuller’s arrest, Ragsdale said, the committee considered whether Fuller’s actions were part of a pattern of behavior. “They went back into things that happened five or six years ago,” Ragsdale said. The final hearing was held Tuesday in Atlanta, he said. The committee’s report now goes to the 11th Circuit judicial council, which will decide whether to take action against Fuller. Ragsdale said judges didn’t indicate when a decision might come, but Fuller has “complete confidence” in the thoroughness of the report. Alabama’s two U.S. senators, Republicans Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby, have both said the GOP appointee should quit. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
