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Jones votes with Democrats, six Republicans to re-open government

Two bills that would have reopened the government after nearly six weeks failed to pass the Senate Thursday. One, a Republican-backed plan supported by President Donald Trump, included $5.7 billion for a border wall. Another, backed largely by Democrats, was a clean funding measure that included no funding for a wall. Both plans died, but … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 25, 2019

Shelby votes for Trump-backed bill to end government shutdown

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, spoke on the Senate floor prior to a procedural vote on the End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act, which would have provided money for President Donald Trump’s proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Shelby urged the senators “to come together” and “put the bitterness aside.” The bill was … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 25, 2019

Brooks bill would use $14 billion in seized El Chapo funds for border wall

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, has reintroduced a bill that reserves approximately $14 billion in assets seized by the U.S. government from the criminal prosecution of El Chapo for border security. Brooks reintroduced the “Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act,” or the “EL CHAPO Act,” House companion legislation to Sen. Ted … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 24, 2019

Zeigler kicks off “exploratory campaign” for Jones’ U.S. Senate seat

State Auditor Jim Zeigler, a Republican, delivered the first official campaign speech in his run for U.S. Senate “We need a watchman against waste in Washington,” Zeigler told the South Baldwin Republican Women’s Club in Foley. Zeigler is conducting an “exploratory campaign,” weighing a 2020 run for the U.S. Senate for the seat currently held … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 24, 2019

Zeigler: Federal $12 million red snapper study is money wasted

The federal government is spending $12 million of taxpayer money to estimate how many Red Snapper live in the Gulf of Mexico, and State Auditor Jim Zeigler says that he could have saved that money. “I could have saved the federal government $12 million on this study of red snapper in our Gulf,” Zeigler said. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 22, 2019

Brooks, colleagues propose holding State of the Union address in the Senate Chamber

Thursday, Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, and House colleagues sent a letter to President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposing that the President’s annual State of the Union address be held in the Senate Chamber in after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-California, uninvited President Donald J. Trump. It is … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 18, 2019

Senate rejects ban on federal funding of abortions

The U.S. Senate rejected a bill that would have permanently banned federal funding for abortions Thursday. Alabama’s Sen. Richard Shelby, a Republican, voted for the measure, while Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat, voted against the pro-life bill. The measure required the support of 60 Senators.The bill also would have banned Obamacare subsidies for insurance … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 18, 2019

Sen. Cam Ward will again chair the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee

The senator largely responsible for rewriting many of Alabama’s antiquated sentencing laws and who has led an effort to reform Alabama’s prisons will again chair the Alabama Senate’s Judiciary Committee. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, was selected to chair the powerful committee responsible for oversight of Alabama’s criminal justice system. Ward, who has served in the … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 17, 2019

Judge rules Memorial Preservation Act unconstitutional

Jefferson County Judge Michael Graffeo ruled that the state of Alabama’s Memorial Preservation Act is unconstitutional because it limits the free speech rights of cities. The City of Birmingham wants to remove the historic Confederate veterans memorial in Linn Park but was blocked from doing so by the state legislature. Former state Representative Mack Butler (R-Rainbow … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 16, 2019

Roy Moore releases 2017 polygraph results

Former Judge Roy Moore (R) has steadfastly denied the allegations that he abused underaged young women during the 1970s. On Monday, the Moore Defense Team released a polygraph test in which Moore denies the accusations against him that derailed his 2017 senate campaign. The Moore team said that to this day Corfman and her attorneys … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 16, 2019