{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"AL\" and year = 2018 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/2018-year-in-review", "2018: Year in Review", "2018-12-30", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "2018 was a landmark year in many ways for Alabama and the United States. From defense funding to town halls, agriculture to Red Snapper, there was much to celebrate this year and much to anticipate in the next. Join me as we take a look back at the past year.\nI kicked things off in January by celebrating my 100th Town Hall Meeting in Grove Hill. I always enjoy meeting the folks in our area and hearing about the issues that matter most to them. This year, I hosted 25 town hall meetings throughout Southwest Alabama.\nWe made realstrides in 2018 when it comes to our national defense, including passing much needed funding for Alabama's many defense priorities. I was proud to vote in favor of a funding bill that allows for the construction of three Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and one Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), which are built by Austal USA in Mobile. This funding helps us move toward a 355-ship Navy.\nThis marked the first time in ten years that we were able to fully fund our military on time, and in a bipartisan way. We funded critical Alabama defense priorities like the Austal shipyard; additional UH-60M Black Hawk, Lakota, and Apache helicopters, which are critical to the Army aviation mission at Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass; $22.4 million went to the Stryker Upgrade program, which supports the work at the Anniston Army Depot; and we increased funding to address cyber threats to our missile defense systems, which is critical to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.\nThis year, we were able to celebrate great developments for our local fishermen and coastal communities. In April, a 47-day Red Snapper season for recreational fishermen was announced. And just this December, NOAA Fisheries published a new rule to increase the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the Red Snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. These latest numbers further drive us forward in the fight for greater state control over the Red Snapper fishery.\nThanks to bipartisan reforms to our career and technical education programs, we are better able to give students tangible skills that help them succeed in real-world careers. In July, the House passed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which made reforms to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to ensure more Americans enter the workforce with the skills they need.\nIn 2018, we made real progress on infrastructure. We passed critical legislation to support our nation's water infrastructure, including the Port of Mobile. We are also closer than ever before to building the I-10 Bridge.\nAnd lastly, we were able to reach a bipartisan agreement on the 2018 Farm Bill to benefit our farmers and foresters in Alabama. The Farm Bill will allow for improved crop protections and loan options for farmers, incentivize rural development, support animal disease prevention and management, and will continue our nation's commitment to agriculture and farmers. I am especially pleased to see the substantial resources provided to improve rural broadband access to communities.\nThe many victories we were able to secure for the American people cannot be condensed into this brief article, but rest assured that this year, Alabama and the America are better off for the accomplishments made by the 115th Congress.\nThe next year will bring many changes with the Democrat majority in the House, but my New Year's Resolution is simple: I will continue to fight for the people of Alabama each and every day.\nFrom all of my staff, my family, and myself, we wish you a Happy New Year!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-commutation-mayor-langford-s-sentence", "Rep. Sewell Statement on Commutation of Mayor Langfords Sentence", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Friday, December 28, Judge L. Scott Coogler of the Northern District of Alabama issued a ruling reducing the sentence of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford to time served. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) has been in communication with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and the White House, urging officials to permit Mayor Langford's release after she was informed by his attorneys of the Mayor's most recent hospitalization.\nAs I have said before, justice should be fair, but merciful. I am deeply grateful to all those who heeded our renewed call for the immediate compassionate release of Mayor Larry Langford, said Rep. Terri Sewell. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Jay Town, Senator Doug Jones, our federal partners, and all those who worked side-by-side with our office despite the government shutdown to secure Mayor Langford's release. The holiday season is a reminder of the importance of family, and the commutation of Mayor Langford's sentence means that our former Mayor can spend his final days at home in Alabama with loved ones. My prayers are with the whole Langford family as they reunite and provide comfort to Mayor Langford in the days and weeks ahead.\nRep. Sewell previously advocated for the compassionate release of Mayor Langford in 2015 and 2016 during the Obama Administration. Mayor Langford has suffered from worsening chronic health conditions for years and meets all of the legal criteria for a reduction in sentence.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/speeches/larry-langford-order", "Larry Langford Order", "2018-12-28", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "908 Alabama Avenue\nFederal Building, Suite 112", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-renews-request-immediate-reduction-sentence-former-birmingham", "Rep. Sewell Renews Request for Immediate Reduction in Sentence of former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford", "2018-12-26", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Wednesday, December 26, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) sent a letter to the Trump Administration renewing her request for an immediate reduction in sentence for former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford due to his deteriorating health. In spite of difficulty due to the government shutdown and the holiday season, Rep. Sewell has been in communication with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Trump Administration since Sunday, December 23, urging officials to permit Mayor Langford's release after Rep. Sewell was informed by Mayor Langford's attorneys of his most recent hospitalization. According to his attorneys, the former Mayor is in critical condition, and his family has been called to the federal prison in Kentucky where he is serving 15 years.\nDuring this season of hope, I am calling on the Trump Administration to act with compassion and immediately reduce Mayor Langford's sentence due to his deteriorating health, said Rep. Terri Sewell. Justice should be fair but also merciful. Mayor Larry Langford has served over eight years in federal prison and should spend his final days surrounded by family in Birmingham, Alabama.\nRep. Sewell previously advocated for the compassionate release of Mayor Langford in 2015 and 2016 during the Obama Administration. Mayor Langford has suffered from worsening, chronic health conditions for years and meets all of the legal criteria for a reduction in sentence as an elderly inmate with medical conditions.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/christmas-traditions-old-and-new", "Christmas Traditions Old and New", "2018-12-23", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I was recently asked what my favorite Christmas tradition is and found that a surprisingly hard question to answer.\nIt seems that nearly every moment is a tradition with my family, and that makes it hard to pick just one.\nFrom making gumbo Christmas Eve morning to wrapping presents to gathering on Christmas Day, there are so many individual moments that add up to make the season special.\nThis year, we have added new traditions to our family's celebration with our grandchildren, MacGuire and Ann-Roberts. There was no greater scene of pure joy than when we picked out our Christmas tree with them, and then as they helped Rebecca and me decorate the tree.\nAfter I thought more on my what favorite Christmas tradition is, I reflected on why we celebrate the Christmas season in the first place.\nThe church's liturgical calendar begins with the season of Advent. From the lighting of the first candle, the new year has begun, anticipating the birth of our Savior on Christmas. The entirety of the year depends upon the preparation for and celebration of the birth of Christ. Epiphany, Lent, and Easter all rely on that first candle's light proclaiming the coming of the Lord, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.\nSimilar, yet still very different, to our holiday preparations today, there were many small moments that added up to the joy of that first Christmas night. From the angel proclaiming the news to Mary, Mary telling Joseph, and the long trek to Bethlehem, many small parts had to come together in the Town of David.\nMy favorite Christmas tradition is without a doubt going to church as a family on Christmas Eve and worshipping Jesus on his birth.\nFrom the light of the first candle, all those in attendance on Christmas Eve light their own candles. No one person's candle could light the church, but together, we all fill the church with the soft amber glow.\nIn the same way, the good news of the birth of Christ cannot be proclaimed by one person alone. His light must be carried by millions, proclaiming His word and salvation.\nAfter the readings, hymns, prayers, homily, and communion my favorite portion of the service occurs.\nThe first few bars of Silent Night are played, and the church joins in together with the choir. Slowly, all the lights in the church are extinguished, and we are left to sing the last verse in darkness.\nThe last line fades into the dark of the night, sleep in heavenly peace and all is still.\nThat moment of calm reflection on the entirety of the past year, the highs and lows, rejoicing and tears, makes one think of how truly blessed we are in our daily lives.\nThose living in the darkness of fear, illness, poverty, or other challenges this year, I hope you take comfort this Christmas season in the words written in John 1:5, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.\nFor my family, friends, and staff, I am thankful for the past year we have shared together and anticipate the joys of the next.\nAndto the people of Southwest Alabama, I say thank you for your generosity, kindness, and prayers throughout the years. I look forward to hearing from you and serving you next year.\nAs you celebrate your favorite Christmas traditions this year, I hope you take a moment to give thanks for your blessings and remember the birth of our Savior.\nFrom my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-house-stands-president-trump", "Rogers:  The House Stands with President Trump", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers:  The House Stands with President Trump             \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Dec 20, 2018      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    (WASHINGTON, D.C.)Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after supporting the House of Representatives' version of the Continuing Resolution that includes funding for President Trump's request for a border wall and funds the government through February 8, 2019.\n\nSecuring our porous border with Mexico is a matter of national security. I fully support building the wall and helping President Trump fulfill his promise to Americans.\n\nWe are also keeping our promise to America's farmers and producers by providing important and necessary disaster relief to those hit hardest by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Rogers said.\n\nThe House bill includes $5.7 billion for a wall along our Southern border and $7.8 billion for natural disaster relief.  \n\nPlaying political games over a matter of national security is unacceptable, and I urge the Senate to support our national security and farmers, Rogers added.\n\nRogers will serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the 116th Congress and serves as a member of the House Armed Services and Agriculture Committees.  \n\n                      -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/december-greetings", "December Greetings", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nAt this time of year, when people are thinking about gathering with family and friends to celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, to share gifts and family time and the joys of the season, a message about Washington, D.C. is not high on the list of things people want to read. In that regard, let me just say that it is my honor to serve as your Congressman. It is my objective every day that I represent you in a way that will make you proud by the way I conduct myself, by making thoughtful well-founded decisions, and by exhibiting the strength of character that you desire and expect in the person that represents you.\nTo read the full newsletter, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/columns/sharing-true-spirit-season", "Sharing the True Spirit of the Season", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For many of us, life can get really busy during the holiday season. There are countless errands to run, meals to prepare, friends and family to visit, and so much more. It is all too easy to become distracted from what really matters during this special time of year.\nI hope we will all commit to making a dedicated effort this year to demonstrate the true spirit of the season by spreading joy and hope in our communities. In particular, I encourage all of us to spread these holiday blessings to those who will spend this time of year in more difficult circumstances than most of us.\nAt this very moment, there are brave men and women, moms and dads, in our Armed Forces who are stationed overseas. They won't experience the joy of spending this Christmas at home with their families. During my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity on several occasions to participate in the American Red Cross' Holidays for Heroes campaign by writing holiday greeting cards to our active duty military personnel stationed around the world. For me personally, this has always been a moving experiencing. Sitting down to write directly to the men and women who spend their holiday away from family so that I might be able to spend the season with my own is incredibly humbling. I encourage you to reach out to the American Red Cross Central Alabama Chapter to find out how you and your family can spread joy to our troops overseas this Christmas. The Central Alabama Chapter is located at 5015 Woods Crossing in Montgomery and can be reached by calling (334) 260-3980.\nAt the same time, there are individuals right here in our own communities who are less fortunate and could greatly benefit from our efforts to offer hope by lending a helping hand. For those among us who are struggling financially, fighting an illness, or dealing with emotional difficulties, the holiday season can especially challenging. There are many organizations, including charities, shelters, volunteer organizations, and food banks, in our state that help connect individuals in need to others with the means to help. There are local opportunities to provide Christmas gifts to children in families who need assistance providing them. There are other opportunities to help organizations provide food for families who are unable to afford a nice holiday meal. If you cannot commit to some of these efforts for financial reasons, you can always serve your community by volunteering. The Alabama Governor's Office of Volunteer Services is a great place to start if you'd like to find ways to give back and offer hope to those who need it. You can reach them by visiting www.servealabama.gov or by calling (334) 242-1549.\nAs the busyness of the holiday season continues, let us all commit to making a special effort to spread joy to our servicemembers overseas and offer hope to those who are less fortunate by giving back to our communities. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! We have so much to be thankful for, and I am thankful to serve you in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-trump-s-government-shutdown", "Rep. Sewell Statement on Trumps Government Shutdown", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -At midnight on Friday, the United States federal government shut down after the Republican-led Congress and Trump Administration failed to pass legislation extending government funding. Congressional leaders had announced a bipartisan funding deal earlier in the week, but President Trump refused the deal because it did not include funding for a $5 billion border wall.\nIt is unconscionable that President Trump would shut down the federal government to secure $5 billion for a wall that the American public does not want, said Rep. Terri Sewell. This Republican Congress could not find funding for teacher pay, for access to health care, or for infrastructure investments, but they are willing to trigger a shutdown to fund a border wall that is impractical, expensive, and ineffective. This is a one-two punch for American taxpayers, who will both have to pay for the expense of a government shutdown and are now being asked to pay for the expense of Trump's pet project. I urge Republican leadership and this Administration to come to their senses and work with Democrats to pass a funding bill that keeps our government open and focuses government funding on our top national priorities rather than Trump's border wall.\nAccording to a poll conducted this year by Gallup, 57 percent of the American public opposes expanding the construction of walls along the nation's Southern border. Academic studies reviewing the impact of walls and fences around the world fail to provide substantive evidence of the deterrent effect of physical barriers on immigration. In a 2016 study, the Migration Policy Institute found that walls appear to be relatively ineffective, in deterring illegal immigration.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jones-cruz-announce-house-passage-of-civil-rights-cold-case-legislation", "Jones, Cruz Announce House Passage of Civil Rights Cold Case Legislation", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation led by Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to require the review, declassification, and release of government records related to unsolved criminal civil rights cases. Senators Jones and Cruz have led a months-long bipartisan effort to provide public access to unsolved civil rights crime documents through their Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act. Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) led the companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Their bill will now go to the President's desk to be signed into law.\r\nThis legislation has made a remarkable journey from its conception in a high school classroom to its passage in Congress today. From the students who first brought their draft bill to my attention years ago to the journalists and researchers who study these civil rights cold cases to my colleagues Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Bobby Rush, this was truly a team effort to do the right thing by these victims and their families. While we can't change history, we can and should do whatever we can to seek truth and healing. Today, we took an important step forward in the effort to ensure justice delayed is not justice denied, said Senator Jones.\r\nSenator Jones, who successfully prosecuted two of the former KKK members responsible for the bombing of the 16thStreet Baptist Church, has long been an advocate for greater access to civil rights cold case records. In 2007,he testified to the House Judiciary Committeein support of theEmmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Actthat established a special initiative in the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate civil rights cold cases. He spoke about the difficulty of prosecuting these cases so many years after the crimes were committed and pointed to the importance of sharing information in order to find the truth.\r\nThis week has been a historic week for justice, Senator Cruz said. Crimes committed against Americans seeking their rightful place in the American dream during the civil rights movement too often went unsolved. But this bill seeks to right these historic wrongs by disclosing case records so that the public may pursue leads and document these tragic events. I am grateful my colleagues in the House recognize the importance of this issue, and am proud to have worked with Sen. Jones on this bipartisan bill. It is my hope that, with additional sunlight to these cold cases, there will be revelation, justice, and closure where it has long been lacking.\r\nI was delighted when Senators Jones and Cruz introduced companion legislation to my bill, H.R. 1272, and I am even more excited to see that this bill is on its way to the President's desk. With the passage of this legislation, families and communities that have waited too long for answers about the loss of loved ones may finally have the chance for closure. This bill came to fruition because of the hard work of a group of students from Hightstown High School in New Jersey and their teacher, Mr. Stuart Wexler, who started this legislative journey when they first visited my office in 2016. I thank these devoted students for their dedication to this cause and applaud them for their diligence, said Congressman Bobby L. Rush.\r\nThe legislation was modeled after the President John F. Kennedy, Jr. Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, which created an orderly and effective process for reviewing, declassifying, and releasing thousands of documents related to the assassination of President Kennedy. The bill was originally envisioned by students from Hightstown High School in Hightstown, New Jersey, and their teacher, Mr. Stuart Wexler.\r\nBackground\r\nThe Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 will:\r\n \r\nRequire the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to establish a collection of cold case records about unsolved criminal civil rights cases that government offices must publicly disclose in the collection.\r\nEstablish a Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board to facilitate the review, transmission to NARA, and disclosure of government records related to such cases.\r\n \r\nWatch\r\n\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-senator-jones-statement-on-vote-to-continue-debate-on-government-funding", "VIDEO: Senator Jones Statement on Vote to Continue Debate on Government Funding", "2018-12-21", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington,\r\nDC\r\n U.S. Senator Doug Jones today released the statement below on his vote to\r\nproceed to debate on the continuing resolution bill passed by the House of\r\nRepresentatives. Senator Jones has been working with his colleagues on both sides\r\nof the aisle today to find common ground to fund the government.  On\r\nWednesday, the Senate passed with unanimous bipartisan support a bill that\r\nwould have funded the federal government. Unfortunately, the House sent us a\r\nbill that clearly could not earn the necessary votes to pass in the Senate.\r\nWorking with Senators Corker and Flake, and leadership of both parties, a\r\ncommitment was forged that we would proceed with debate but that no further\r\nvotes would be taken until an agreement is reached that would pass both houses\r\nof Congress and be signed by the President. In essence, my vote tonight was a\r\nvote to proceed to find common ground. It is only by finding common ground that\r\nwe can fulfill our duty to govern effectively, said Senator Jones. Watch\r\nSenator Jones' remarks on the Senate floor after the vote. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/alreportercom-brooks-byrne-say-fight-over-border-wall-funding-worth", "ALREPORTER.COM: Brooks, Byrne say fight over border wall funding is worth fighting", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "102 South Court Street\nSuite 310\n\n\nFlorence, AL 35630\n\n  Phone: (256) 718-5155  \n\tFax: (256) 718-5156", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/yellowhammernewscom-tough-crime-mo-brooks-touts-no-vote-criminal-justice", "YELLOWHAMMERNEWS.COM: Tough on crime: Mo Brooks touts no vote on criminal justice reform package", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "102 South Court Street\nSuite 310\n\n\nFlorence, AL 35630\n\n  Phone: (256) 718-5155  \n\tFax: (256) 718-5156", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-supports-border-wall-funding", "Brooks Supports Border Wall Funding", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCThursday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted Yes on the House Amendment to H.R. 695 that provides $5.7 billion in border wall funding and avoids a presidential veto and government shutdown. The House passed wall funding on a 217 aye to 185 nay vote, thus sending H.R. 695 to the Senate. Republicans supported wall funding and border security by a 217 to 8 margin. All 178 Democrats voted against wall funding and border security. No Democrat voted aye.\nCongressman Brooks said,Illegal aliens are a scourge on America that flood across America's borders with impunity. America must stop this arrogant and dangerous defiance of American sovereignty! Each year, thousands (and perhaps tens of thousands) of American citizens are dead because of murders, vehicular homicides, and drug overdoses caused by illegal aliens and their related drug cartels. Quite frankly, I don't understand those elected officials who put political power, their own egos, and illegal aliens over the interests of American citizens. It may sound cold but it is true. These elected officials have the blood of innocent and dead Americans on their hands.\nBrooks continued,In places where the U.S. has a border wall, illegal crossings are far less frequent that in places where we don't. It's not rocket science. While a border wall will not stop all illegal aliens, it will dramatically cut the flow and save American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars that are now diverted from struggling American families to support illegal aliens.\nBrooks continued,Some estimates peg the number of illegal aliens currently living in the United States as high as 22 million,[1] and estimates are that illegal aliens cost American taxpayers $116 billion annually.[2] That's $300 in additional taxes each man, woman, and child in America is forced to pay in local, state, and federal levels for people whose first act on American soil is to violate American law. $5.7 billion is a small investment when you think we could save $116 billion a year simply by securing our border and building the necessary wall.\nBrooks continued,Far too many illegal aliens have taken American jobs and suppressed American wages. What's more, far too many illegal aliens have committed crimes against American citizens. Only a few months ago Mollie Tibbets was murdered by an illegal alien in Iowa. In my home county of Madison, illegal aliens murdered a grandmother, and then brutally murdered her young, innocent granddaughter.\nBrooks concluded,Open-borders Democrats are more committed to illegal aliens than they are protecting American citizens. As for me, I stand with American citizens. I want border security.I want the wall. It helps saves American lives.It helps saves American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars at a bargain price of a relatively paltry $5 billion.\n###\n[1] Federation for American Immigration Reform, The Fiscal Burden of Illegal Immigration on United States Taxpayers, September 27, 2017. https://fairus.org/issue/publications-resources/fiscal-burden-illegal-immigration-united-states-taxpayers\n[2] The number of undocumented immigrants in the United States: Estimates based on demographic modeling with data from 1990 to 2016, September 21 , 2018.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0201193", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-supports-cutting-taxes-raise-health-care-costs-and-free-speech", "Brooks Supports Cutting Taxes That Raise Health Care Costs and Free Speech for Churches", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Thursday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted Yes on H.R. 88, the combined Retirement, Savings, and Other Tax Relief Act of 2018 and Taxpayer First Act of 2018, which passed the House 220-183. Amongst other things, the bill delays many of Obamacare's more egregious taxes that drive up health care costs and protects churches from losing their tax exempt status for engaging in normal political speech in the regular course of their activities.\nCongressman Brooks said, Today's vote delays or repeals some of Obamacare's most egregious taxes on health care that, in turn, drive up health care costs. One delayed tax, the Medical Device Tax, is a 2.3% excise tax on medical devices sold in the United States (wheelchairs, devices for amputees, and the like). Another, the Health Insurance Tax, taxes health insurance providers, thus forcing insurers to raise health insurance premiums to cover the higher cost of health care. The Cadillac Tax is a monstrous 40% tax on high quality health insurance plans that actually acts to encourage employers to give their employees cheaper and lower quality health insurance! Each of these Obamacare taxes is counterproductive and makes it harder for Americans to pay their medical bills. I am pleased to have the opportunity to vote to repeal or delay them.\nBrooks continued, Another positive in the bill is its elimination of IRS restrictions on churches' free speech rights. Specifically, this bill rolls back the prohibition against churches engaging in political speech. No church should be at risk of losing its tax exempt status because it expresses political views in the regular course of its long-held religious beliefs and activities. This is particularly true when a church's expression of its political views is nothing more than its expression of religious values and views that have been the underpinning of its religion for thousands of years. Taken further, this bill eliminates the possibility the IRS, under a liberal president, will target churches for political retribution, like Obama's IRS did when it targeted Tea Party and other conservative groups. Reducing the federal government's intrusion in American's daily lives is always a winner.\nH.R. 88 is supported by key conservative and religious groups:\nAmericans for Tax Reform\nFamily Research Council\nFreedomWorks\nNational Taxpayers Union\nAmericans for Prosperity\nHome School Legal Defense Fund\nArchdiocese of New York\nArchdiocese of Washington, DC\nAmerican Association of Christian Schools\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/tough-crime-brooks-opposes-first-step-act", "Tough on Crime: Brooks Opposes First Step Act", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCThursday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted No on S. 756, the First Step Act of 2018, legislation that releases violent criminals from prison early, making Americans less safe and more likely to be victims of violent crimes and drug overdoses.\nCongressman Brooks said,The Senate version of the First Step Act is a step backward. My experience in law enforcement taught me early on that strong enforcement of criminal statutes and tough penalties for criminal conduct help keep dangerous criminals off the street. To be clear, I joined 359 of my House colleagues in voting Yes' on the House version of the First Step Act, which did not include dramatic cuts in criminal penalties and early release provisions for violent criminals. It is only a matter of time before the verdict on this legislation is rendered: more crime, more crime victims, and more dead Americans. To cite but one major flaw, S. 756 as amended CUTS penalties for gun use during the commission of violent crimes. That is nuts! Further, this soft-on-crime bill even provides for early release of offenders who commit sex crimes, assault law enforcement officers, commit hate crimes, and assist with jailbreaks.\nBrooks continued,Many major, national law enforcement groups strongly oppose this bill including but not limited to the National Sheriffs Association, the Major County Sheriffs Association, the Major City Chiefs Association,[1] and the National Association of Police Organizations.[2] In sum, this bill makes America a more dangerous place to live. According to FBI annual Crime in America' data, violent crime has fallen sharply over the last quarter decade in America.[3] Why? Because, as every law enforcement officer knows, the greater the penalty for violation of criminal laws, the greater the deterrence and the less the crime. Further, stiff criminal penalties keep violent repeat criminals off the streets and in jail. The Senate-amended First Step Act kicks violent, repeat offenders out of jail much quicker than under current law.Reform efforts should focus on reducing crime and apprehending suspects. This bill does none of that.\nBrooks concluded,The bottom line is, at a time when fatal drug overdoses plague our nation, Congress has irresponsibly passed legislation that increases the likelihood that even more fatal drugs will be imported into America by illegal aliens and foreign drug cartels. Let the record show, I voted against this irresponsible, soft-on-crime, and dangerous legislation.\nIn aletter to Senate leadership, the National Sheriffs' Association and the Major County Sheriffs of America said,The current draft of the First Step legislation remains troubling to the leaders of law enforcement. Sheriffs are elected solely to protect our communities, and Police Chiefs have taken an oath to protect the public. We feel unless the changes recommended below are enacted, this legislation creates a high-risk path for dangerous criminals with gun crime histories to early release from prison. This amounts to a social experiment with the safety of our communities and the lives of Sheriffs, deputies and police officers in the balance. Please know that we did not come to this conclusion lightly. We have been working diligently with the Administration to correct these inequities. It is our hope the Senate will listen to the nation's elected Sheriffs and the Chiefs of Police of our nation's most populous cities.\n###\n[1]https://www.sheriffs.org/NSA-MCSA-and-MCCA-Oppose-FIRST-STEP-Act-0\n[2]http://www.napo.org/washington-report/latest-news-updates/congress-set-pass-first-step-act-bill-barr-nominated-attorney-general-napo-meets-fema-law-enforcement-liaison-napo-protects-blue/\n[3]http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/30/5-facts-about-crime-in-the-u-s/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-building-the-wall-is-a-fight-worth-fighting", "Byrne: Building the Wall is a Fight Worth Fighting", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this afternoon in support of border security and providing funding for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall.\nThe text of Congressman Byrne's speech can be found below.\nCongressman Byrne said: I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to add my support to this rule.\nMr. Speaker, when did protecting the American people, knowing who is entering our country, and having a secure border become some kind of radical or partisan idea? \nI'm stunned to see the length to which some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will go simply to oppose enhanced border security, including a border wall. In fact, it seems they are willing to shut down the federal government instead of supporting President Trump's urgent request for $5 billion to fund the border wall.\nWhatis especially strange is that some of my colleagues on the other side have supported a wall in the past. Some of have even voted in support of a border wall. \nWhat has changed?\nI think the answer is very simple. I think some of my colleagues are so committed to appeasing the so-called resistance' that they find themselves opposing a very basic and commonsense idea like border security just because they want to earn points from the most extreme part of their political base.\nThis is really not a complicated issue. This is about the safety and security of the American people. This is about keeping terrorists out of our country. This is about keeping illegal drugs out of our country. This is about keeping criminals out of our country. This shouldn't be hard.\nWhy am I so passionate about this? Because this is a critical issue. When I talk to the people I represent back in Alabama, they are passionate about it. This is one of the top issues I hear about at events and town halls throughout Alabama. In fact, the phones in my office have been ringing all day with people urging us to stand strong, secure our borders, and build the wall. \nMr. Speaker, I think this is a fight worth fighting. I think pushing to ensure the safety of the American people is a worthy and absolutely critical fight. \nSo, I urge my colleagues to stop playing to the resistance.' Come back toward a commonsense idea like securing our border. Pass this amendment, pass this funding bill, and ensure the safety of the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=666", "Rogers:  The House Stands with President Trump", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after supporting the House of Representatives\u2019 version of the Continuing Resolution that includes funding for President Trump\u2019s request for a border wall and funds the government through February 8, 2019.\n\n\u201cSecuring our porous border with Mexico is a matter of national security. I fully support building the wall and helping President Trump fulfill his promise to Americans.\n\n\u201cWe are also keeping our promise to America\u2019s farmers and producers by providing important and necessary disaster relief to those hit hardest by Hurricanes Florence and Michael,\u201d Rogers said.\n\nThe House bill includes $5.7 billion for a wall along our Southern border and $7.8 billion for natural disaster relief.\n\n\u201cPlaying political games over a matter of national security is unacceptable, and I urge the Senate to support our national security and farmers,\u201d Rogers added.\n\nRogers will serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the 116th Congress and serves as a member of the House Armed Services and Agriculture Committees.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-selected-chief-deputy-whip-116th-congress", "Rep. Sewell Selected as Chief Deputy Whip for the 116th Congress", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  House Majority Whip-Elect James E. Clyburn has announced the Chief Deputy Whips selected for the 116th Congress. Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), who has served as a Chief Deputy Whip since she was appointed in the 113th Congress in 2013, was selected again to serve in the 116th Congress.\nI am proud to accept the honor of serving as one of Democratic Whip James Clyburn's Chief Deputy Whips for the 116th Congress, said Rep. Terri Sewell. I am thrilled to work side-by-side with our Democratic leadership team supporting an agenda focused on good-paying jobs, access to affordable health care, infrastructure investments, and democracy reforms. Working to advance these priorities with our Democratic leadership team and with my colleagues on the Steering and Policy Committee, I believe we can make a real difference for working families in Alabama and across the country in the new year.\nRep. Clyburn announced ten total representatives who will serve as Chief Deputy Whips in the 116th Congress, including: Rep. John Lewis (GA-05) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), who will serve as Senior Chief Deputy Whips, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Rep. Peter Welch (VT-AL), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (TX-18), Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-05), Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-31), and Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) as Chief Deputy Whips.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-urges-secretary-devos-to-assist-students-impacted-by-recent-for-profit-campus-closures", "Senator Jones Urges Secretary DeVos to Assist Students Impacted by Recent For-Profit Campus Closures", "2018-12-20", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senator Doug Jones today wrote to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on behalf of the students impacted by the Education Corporation of America's (ECA) sudden closure of its campuses nationwide. ECA represents Brightwood Career Institute, Brightwood College, Ecotech Institute, Golf Academy of America, and Virginia College throughout the country. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, ECA operates for-profit Virginia College campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery and serves more than 3,800 Alabama students. Of those students, 670 are using GI Bill benefits.\r\nFederal law allows for students who withdraw from a college 120 days before the school closes to be eligible for a discharge of their federal loans. In his letter, Senator Jones asks Secretary DeVos to use her authority to extend the period of relief to May 8, 2018.\r\nIn his letter to Secretary DeVos, Senator Jones wrote, Though many of ECA's students and teachers were blindsided by the sudden closure, the higher education community was not. ECA is the third major for-profit chain in three years to collapse. Its shutdown continues a troubling pattern of for-profit closures that has devastated students, educators, and communities across the country.\r\nOn December 6, 2018, Senator Jones wrote to ECA's CEO Stu Reed calling for ECA to help students navigate their options and understand the resources available to them. ECA operates more than 70 campuses nationwide and serves more than 20,000 students, including 4,000 who are veterans or military service members.\r\nFull text of the letter is available below and here.\r\n\r\nDecember 19, 2018\r\nThe Honorable Betsy DeVos\r\nSecretary of Education\r\nU.S. Department of Education\r\n400 Maryland Ave., S.W.\r\nWashington, D.C. 20202\r\n\r\nDear Secretary DeVos:\r\nI write today on behalf of the students affected by the closure of Education Corporation of America's (ECA) chain of for-profit colleges around the country. As you know, this closure will affect more than 20,000 students enrolled at more than 70 campuses across 20 states. This includes more than 4,000 veterans and military service members using benefits from the G.I. bill.\r\nThough many of ECA's students and teachers were blindsided by the sudden closure, the higher education community was not. ECA is the third major for-profit chain in three years to collapse. Its shutdown continues a troubling pattern of for-profit closures that has devastated students, educators, and communities across the country. It is critical that the Department of Education (Department) takes every possible step in order to relieve and remedy this harm.\r\nAs you know, federal law states that students who withdrew from college in 120 days before the school closed are eligible for a discharge of their federal loans. However, you possess the authority to extend the 120-day period under exceptional circumstances related to the school's closing.\r\nWe ask you to extend this period of relief through May 8, 2018. On this day, ECA's accreditor, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools issued an institutional show-cause directive to ECA's largest chain, Virginia College. This occurred after Virginia College was denied accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) . The ACCET found that Virginia College was noncompliant on 23 standards, and publicly reported a long list of issues affecting the for-profit college chain . Since this series of events publicly signaled ECA's underlying problems and students may have chosen to withdraw, we believe students who withdrew after May 8th should also be eligible for loan discharge.\r\nWe urge you to grant this extension as part of the Department's broader efforts to support the students harmed by this closure. We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to your response.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/speeches/rep-sewell-2019-annual-report", "Rep. Sewell 2019 Annual Report", "2018-12-19", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I believe our democracy is stronger with transparency and that constituents deserve open communication from their elected officials. That is why, each year, I release my annual report, providing families in Alabama's 7th District with aneasy-to-follow guide to our work over the past year and our goals for the coming year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rollcallcom-22-images-defined-2018-congress-photos-year", "ROLLCALL.COM: 22 Images That Defined 2018 in Congress: Photos of the Year", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "102 South Court Street\nSuite 310\n\n\nFlorence, AL 35630\n\n  Phone: (256) 718-5155  \n\tFax: (256) 718-5156", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-applauds-funding-to-benefit-dauphin-island", "Byrne Applauds Funding to Benefit Dauphin Island", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today celebrated news that the Army Corps of Engineers is dedicating $4 million to place dredge material in the expanded Sand Island Beneficial Use Area (SIBUA). The Army Corps also obtained environmental clearances to expand the SIBUA.\nCongressman Byrne said: We received good news that the Army Corps will dedicate $4 million to benefit Dauphin Island by placing dredge material in the Sand Island Beneficial Use Area. Doing this will help support the restoration and long-term stability of Dauphin Island. This has been an ongoing priority for our office for some time now, so I appreciate the help of Senator Richard Shelby in securing this funding. I am committed to working with the Army Corps, Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier, and local leaders to ensure Dauphin Island is protected in the years ahead.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/grants/guide-grants/issue-three-hundred-thirty-five-december-18-2018", "Issue Three Hundred Thirty Five - December 18, 2018", "2018-12-18", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "908 Alabama Avenue\nFederal Building, Suite 112", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=665", "Rogers names Chris Vieson as Staff Director of the Committee on Homeland Security", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) announced today that Chris Vieson will be the Staff Director for the Committee on Homeland Security.\n\nRogers said, \u201cI am thrilled that Chris will be joining the Committee as the Staff Director. His knowledge and leadership abilities are extraordinary and make Chris a perfect choice for this role.\u201d\n\nMr. Vieson said \u201cI am honored for the opportunity to work for Ranking Member Rogers and all the Members on the Committee. The Committee is at the forefront of vital issues facing the nation and I am thrilled that Rep. Rogers has placed his trust in me to help him lead.\u201d\n\nMr. Vieson was most recently Staff Director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Prior to that, he served as a trusted aide to former Majority Leader Eric Cantor and the House Republican leadership for nearly a decade. Vieson also was a partner at Public Strategies Washington where he advised numerous Fortune 500 companies.\n\nCongressman Rogers was elected Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security by the House Republican Conference for the 116th Congress. He has served on the Committee on Homeland Security since 2005 and has served as a subcommittee chairman or ranking member on three separate occasions. Moving into the next Congress, Congressman Rogers will continue to focus on defending our borders, visa security and protecting our transportation systems across the nation. Further, as the threat environment of tomorrow changes, Congressman Rogers will spend considerable time discussing cybersecurity, including the security of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and hardening our critical infrastructure. Each of these issues presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the Committee and Congressman Rogers will be steadfast in examining them and their impacts on national security.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-names-chris-vieson-staff-director-committee-homeland-security", "Rogers names Chris Vieson as Staff Director of the Committee on Homeland Security", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) announced today that Chris Vieson will be the Staff Director for the Committee on Homeland Security.\n\nRogers said, I am thrilled that Chris will be joining the Committee as the Staff Director. His knowledge and leadership abilities are extraordinary and make Chris a perfect choice for this role.\n\nMr. Vieson said I am honored for the opportunity to work for Ranking Member Rogers and all the Members on the Committee. The Committee is at the forefront of vital issues facing the nation and I am thrilled that Rep. Rogers has placed his trust in me to help him lead. \n\nMr. Vieson was most recently Staff Director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Prior to that, he served as a trusted aide to former Majority Leader Eric Cantor and the House Republican leadership for nearly a decade. Vieson also was a partner at Public Strategies Washington where he advised numerous Fortune 500 companies.\n\nCongressman Rogers was elected Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security by the House Republican Conference for the 116th Congress. He has served on the Committee on Homeland Security since 2005 and has served as a subcommittee chairman or ranking member on three separate occasions. Moving into the next Congress, Congressman Rogers will continue to focus on defending our borders, visa security and protecting our transportation systems across the nation. Further, as the threat environment of tomorrow changes, Congressman Rogers will spend considerable time discussing cybersecurity, including the security of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and hardening our critical infrastructure. Each of these issues presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the Committee and Congressman Rogers will be steadfast in examining them and their impacts on national security.\n\n                                    ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-jones-cruz-bill-to-release-civil-rights-cold-case-records-passes-full-senate", "Bipartisan Jones-Cruz Bill to Release Civil Rights Cold Case Records Passes Full Senate", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today announced that their bipartisan Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act has passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support. Senator Jones introduced the legislation in July to require the review, declassification, and release of government records related to unsolved criminal civil rights cases. Despite being nearly 50 years old, many of these documents are not publicly available and some remain classified unnecessarily. Since its introduction, Jones and Cruz have worked together to earn support for the bill both at the committee level and in the full Senate.\r\nThis legislation means a great deal to the families and communities that have been impacted by these civil rights-era crimes, and I am so proud that we have been able to move the bill quickly through the Senate this year, said Senator Jones, a former U.S. Attorney who successfully prosecuted two former Klansmen in 2001 and 2002 for the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham that killed four young girls. I understand well how important it is to confront the darkest moments in our history so that we can begin to heal and move forward together. This bill will unlock records that can help us better understand that history and give victims' families a chance at a sense of closure. I thank Senator Cruz for his partnership in this effort and I look forward to seeing this bill move through the House and to the President's desk.\r\nDuring the civil rights movement, far too many violent crimes committed against black Americans went unsolved, Senator Cruz said. This bill attempts to address this injustice by disclosing case records so that the publicincluding private detectives, historians, victims, and victims' familiesmay access these files, pursue leads, and document these tragic events. I want to thank Sen. Jones for his efforts on this important bill. It is my hope that this bill will bring justice for the victims, closure to their families, and another victory for the legacy of the civil rights movement.\r\nSince its introduction, the legislation has earned bipartisan support and has brought renewed national attention to the issue of civil rights cold cases. Among the most well-known of these cases is that of Emmett Till, who was murdered in Mississippi in 1955 at the age of fourteen. Till's case was re-opened by the Department of Justice earlier this year after it had received new information. However, more than 100 other cold cases remain closed without any resolution.\r\n\r\nBackground\r\nThe Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 will:\r\n \r\nRequire the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to establish a collection of cold case records about unsolved criminal civil rights cases that government offices must publicly disclose in the collection.\r\nEstablish a Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board to facilitate the review, transmission to NARA, and disclosure of government records related to such cases.\r\n \r\n\r\nWatch\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-applauds-passage-of-the-modern-fish-act", "Senator Jones Applauds Passage of the Modern Fish Act", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senator Doug Jones today released the statement below on the Senate's passage of the Modern Recreational Fisheries Management Act (Modern Fish Act, S.1520), a bill that will expand recreational fishing opportunities through improved data collection for fishery managers. The legislation, introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), recognizes that recreational anglers should not be subjected to the same regulations that commercial anglers must follow.\r\nEarly on this year, I heard from hundreds of Alabamians who wrote to me in support of the Modern Fish Act legislation. As a recreational fisherman myself, I knew I wanted to be a part of this effort to bring our fisheries management practices into the 21st century and protect one of our most beloved pastimes for future generations. This is a smart policy change that will protect our fish stocks and support a vital part of our state's economy. I urge my colleagues in the House to take the next step by passing the legislation and sending it to the President, said Senator Jones.\r\nFrom the moment he stepped into office, Senator Jones has made it clear that he understands and appreciates the importance of recreational fishing to Alabama and the entire nation, said Mike Leonard, the American Sportfishing Association's Vice President of Government Affairs. The Modern Fish Act, which Senator Jones was instrumental in helping to pass out of the Senate, will bring much needed improvements to how federal marine fisheries are managed to the benefit of anglers, recreational fishing-dependent businesses and our precious marine resources.\r\nIn Alabama, the boating and fishing industry supports more than 14,000 jobs and nearly 500 local businesses. Nationally, boaters and anglers fund the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through boat and fishing item taxes and license fees. In 2017, the fund collected more than $600 million, more than half of which went to fund sportfish restoration across the country. Over the past eight years, 64,000 acres of fish habitats have been protected using funds raised through this trust.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-jones-hoeven-urge-president-trump-to-deliver-on-aid-for-farmers-hurt-by-chinas-retaliatory-tariffs", "Senators Jones, Hoeven Urge President Trump to Deliver on Aid for Farmers Hurt by Chinas Retaliatory Tariffs", "2018-12-17", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) on Friday wrote to President Donald Trump calling on his administration to announce the second round of the agriculture tariff trade assistance. The first round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments was announced on August 27, 2018. The second round of assistance was anticipated on December 3, 2018, but has not been made publicly available.\r\nIn their letter, Jones and Hoeven urged President Trump to act, writing, We believe that these payments are necessary in the hopes that the majority of farmers are able to break even this year. While the latest round of soybean purchases by China has received a positive response and is appreciated, the status of the current or future sales remains to be seen. We ask that you proceed with the second round of MFP payments and make the announcement before the end of the year.\r\nThe first round of assistance included payments to producers of soybeans, sorghum, corn, wheat, cotton, dairy, and hogs based on the size of this year's harvest. Since the start of China's unfair retaliation, soybean sales and prices in particular have been hit hard. According to the Farm Bureau, it is estimated that soybean exports to China are down 97 percent and that prices per bushel have dropped by two dollars. Because of these challenges, some soybean producers have opted not to harvest or sell their crop, choosing instead to leave it stored or, in some cases, in their fields to rot.\r\nFull text of the letter is available below and here.\r\nDecember 14, 2018\r\n\r\nPresident Donald J. Trump  The White House  1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20500\r\n\r\nDear Mr. President:\r\nWe are writing on behalf of our farmers, producers, and communities that have been harmed by the retaliatory tariffs imposed by China. Our farmers rely in large part on China for their commodities, and they have worked hard over decades to build these markets which are now unfairly being targeted by the Chinese government.\r\nFarmers have been waiting for the second round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments to be announced. It was recently reported that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Steve Censky is working to assure your administration, including the Office of Management and Budget, that these payments are still needed for our agriculture producers. We applaud USDA's work to ensure this commitment to farmers and producers is met.\r\nAs you well know, the passage of a new Farm Bill gives assurance to farmers that safety-net policies, which are critical to continuing farm operations, will be implemented. The delivery of a second round of promised trade mitigation payments is also paramount to alleviate damages caused by China's unfair trading practices and retaliatory tariffs.\r\nWe believe that these payments are necessary in the hopes that the majority of farmers are able to break even this year. While the latest round of soybean purchases by China has received a positive response and is appreciated, the status of the current or future sales remains to be seen.\r\nWe ask that you proceed with the second round of MFP payments and make the announcement before the end of the year. The recent passage of a long-term farm bill, coupled with the expected second half of agriculture mitigation payments, will go a long way toward ensuring our farmers and ranchers can continue to produce the highest quality, lowest cost food supply in the world.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/a-week-of-good-news", "A Week of Good News", "2018-12-16", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There was much to celebrate this past week in Washington.\nThat sentence may surprise you if you just go off what you hear from the national news media, but the reality is we continue to get work done here in the People's House.\nTo be clear, there is still work to be done, and that starts with passing funding necessary to secure the border and protect the American people. That said, I think it is worth pausing for a moment and reviewing the wins from this past week.\nOne of the biggest wins last week was passage of the 2018 Farm Bill.\nAs I have said before, our farmers and foresters are our future. I am pleased to have voted for this bipartisan legislation to better support our farmers in Alabama and throughout the country.\nThe 2018 Farm Bill will allow for improved crop protections and loan options for farmers, incentivize rural development, support animal disease prevention and management, and will continue our nation's commitment to agriculture and farmers.\nI am especially pleased to see the substantial resources provided to improve rural broadband access to communities. Providing Internet access to people in rural Alabama is absolutely critical to economic development and the success of these communities in the 21st Century.\nA few of the other provisions in the bill will greatly benefit the cotton and peanut growers here in Alabama; help maintain access to crop insurance through reduced premiums and waived fees; boost critical funding for feral swine control; and restore funding for trade promotion efforts in an attempt to keep pace with trading competitors around the world.\nMost importantly, the 2018 Farm Bill will help equip and train the next generation of farmers both here in Alabama and throughout the United States. I was proud to support this bill, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.\nAnother piece of good news we received this week was the passage of a bill to help drain the Washington swamp.\nThe American people are sick of Congress being able to play under different rules than the rest of the country, and that must change.\nThat is why I am proud to be one of the leaders on the effort to reform the way sexual harassment claims are handled on Capitol Hill to increase transparency and accountability.\nNo longer will members of Congress be able to use taxpayer dollars to pay settlements for their own misconduct when it comes to sexual harassment. No longer will members of Congress be able to cover up their personal wrongdoings at the expense of the American people.\nIt was important for Congress to make this statement. With this legislation, we did the right thing. By doing the right thing, we not only do right by the people who work around us and for us, but we do right by the American people.\nThis has been a tough fight, but with these reforms we will make the Washington swamp a little less swampy and shine light on what is happening in the halls of Congress.\nWith this week of good news, it is also important to remember that the best news of all will be celebrated next week: a small baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.\nThis good news is the birth of our Savior, bringing God's light directly into the world through His son.\nIt is easy to lose sight of the meaning of Christmas with all the bustle of daily life and routine. But this week, I challenge you to stop and remember what this season is about in preparation for the good news yet to come.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-announces-congressional-app-challenge-winners", "Byrne Announces Congressional App Challenge Winners", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today announced the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Alabama's First Congressional District during a visit to Fairhope Middle School.\nKaleigh Chambers, Alex Etheridge, and Logan Lanicek of Fairhope Middle School won the Congressional App Challenge for their application entitled Student Shuffle. The students' app will be displayed in the United States Capitol and will be featured on the House of Representatives' website.\nCongressman Byrne said: Congratulations to Kaleigh, Alex, and Logan on winning the Congressional App Challenge. Understanding and being proficient in technology is critically important in the 21st Century economy, so I applaud all students who take an interest in coding. I also want to thank the teachers and administration at Fairhope Middle School for encouraging students to take part in the Congressional App Challenge and for expanding interest in coding and technology.\nTo view the winning submission, click here.\nThe Congressional App Challenge is open to all students in Alabama's First Congressional District. For more information on the competition, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/columns/congress-delivers-2018-farm-bill", "Congress Delivers the 2018 Farm Bill", "2018-12-14", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Agriculture is the largest revenue-producing industry in the State of Alabama, responsible for more than $70 billion in economic impact annually. Our state is a national leader in food production and a global competitor in the livestock, peanut, cotton, poultry, timber, and catfish industries. In Alabama's Second District, agriculture is the largest employer, responsible for more than 93,000 jobs.\nAgriculture is at the core of countless issues that impact the Second District and our state as a whole. Throughout my time in Congress, I have been proud to serve as a strong voice for our farmers of all commodities and to ensure that we craft smart agriculture policy that they can rely on in their important work. It is imperative that Congress honor our commitments to the hardworking farmers and producers across the country.\nThat's why I am glad to report that both the House and Senate have approved the 2018 farm bill. This legislation now heads to the White House where it awaits President Trump's signature. The 2018 farm bill provides certainty to the American families who work every day to provide the food and fiber we all depend on. I was proud to support it on behalf of our Second District farmers.\nThe 2018 farm bill includes key wins for farmers and our rural communities. It improves farm policy by providing a nationwide yield update for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) commodity program, beginning with the 2020 crop year and allowing PLC to better respond to market conditions; making several key improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) commodity program, including increased yield plugs and yield trend adjustments; protecting and improving crop insurance; investing in research, extension, and education projects, and protecting farmers from additional costly, burdensome red tape.\nThe bill also lays the groundwork for an improved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by preserving the Trump Administration's flexibility to rein in SNAP work requirement waivers for able bodied adults without dependents. We are focused on improving welfare integrity by encouraging able-bodied Americans to work rather than enabling dependency on the federal government.\nAdditionally, the 2018 farm bill dedicates funding to rural health projects to help Americans battling opioid addiction and other substance abuse disorders. It's no secret that the opioid epidemic is gripping our state and the entire country, so it is imperative that we utilize every tool available to combat it. I'm especially proud this legislation allocates increased resources to that end. \nImportantly for Alabama's Second District, the farm bill also makes significant improvements to rural broadband delivery. This includes the implementation of forward-looking standards to ensure we are meeting the next generation's rural broadband needs.\nThis farm bill makes good on our commitment to farmers, producers, and all of rural America by providing certainty moving forward. My goal with agriculture policy is always to create a responsible framework of laws and programs that promote a sustainable and profitable agriculture industry in Alabama while allowing our farmers to do what they do best: provide the sustenance that feeds our state, our country, and the world. I am proud of Congress' action to make this happen, and I'm eager to see President Trump push the farm bill over the finish line.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/senate-passes-brooks-bill-naming-athens-post-office", "Senate Passes Brooks Bill Naming Athens Post Office", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Wednesday afternoon, the United States Senate passed by unanimous consent Congressman Mo Brooks' (AL-05) bill, H.R. 6513, to designate the United States Postal Service Office located at 1110 West Market Street in Athens, Alabama, as the \"Judge James E. Horton, Jr. Post Office Building. Judge Horton bravely issued an order setting aside the jury's guilty verdict and ordered a new trial for one of the Scottsboro Boys in 1933.\nCongressman Brooks said, I'm pleased the United States Senate unanimously passed my bill naming the Athens Post Office for Tennessee Valley luminary, Judge James E. Horton Jr. Now, the only remaining hurdle for the bill to become law is presidential signature, and I encourage President Trump to sign the bill.\nBrooks continued, Judge Horton took a stand against extreme racial prejudice that risked and ended his judicial career. For championing blind justice and for his bravery in the face of intense pressure, Judge Horton deserves the posthumous honor of having the Athens, Alabama Post Office named for him. It is appropriate that his legacy be held up as a guide for future Tennessee Valley generations.\nBrooks concluded, While this bill wouldn't have passed the House and Senate if it weren't for the support of key Congressional colleagues, Judge Horton's descendants and Limestone County community leaders were the driving force behind this bill. Their efforts meant the difference, and I'm grateful for their assistance and insight without which this bill would not be heading to President Trump's desk.\nA life-size statue of Judge Horton and a historical marker were erected in October 2017 on the Limestone County Courthouse square. Click HERE to read more about the statue and marker.\nJudge Horton's full biography is attached.\nClick HERE for Congressman Brooks' November 29 news release on House passage of H.R. 6513.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-leads-effort-to-increase-financial-literacy-among-school-age-children", "Senator Jones Leads Effort to Increase Financial Literacy Among School-Age Children", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) today introduced legislation that would establish a competitive grant program at the U.S. Department of Education to help states build in-school financial literacy programs, and to encourage community partnerships to promote financial literacy among school-age youth.\r\nThe Youth Financial Learning Act of 2018 creates a grant for local school districts to implement, expand, or sustain financial literacy curriculum with the goal of enhancing student understanding of personal and consumer finance, including a focus on personal credit and student loan borrowing. Alabama is among the few states that requires personal finance education as a graduation requirement.\r\nThese days, many high school juniors and seniors are making big financial decisions that will follow them the rest of their adult lives. Without strong financial literacy skills, they may not have the tools they need to fully understand the long-term impacts of these decisions. It's important that we prepare them for these financial choices well before they will need to make them, whether they are looking to take out loans forcollege now or eventually preparing to buytheir first home or start their own business, said Senator Jones.\r\nFinancial literacy education will help students make smart financial decisions for their entire lives. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Youth Financial Learning Act that will make it possible for local school districts to start and maintain financial literacy programs. Congress should pass this legislation to ensure that our students are equipped with these critical skills as they begin to prepare for their adult lives, said Senator Gillibrand.\r\nAs we work to support job creation and expand economic opportunity for our young people, we also need to ensure that students are prepared to navigate their current and future finances, including student loan obligations, paying bills on time, establishing good credit, and even planning for retirement, Senator Hassan said. This bill will support the future financial well-being of young Granite Staters and Americans by establishing federal grant programs for states to build financial literacy programs in schools and to encourage community partnerships to promote financial literacy among school-aged students.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-secures-senate-armed-services-committee-assignment", "Senator Jones Secures Senate Armed Services Committee Assignment", "2018-12-13", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today announced he has been appointed to a position on the influential Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) when the 116th Congress convenes in January. The committee is key for Alabama, which is home to five military installations across the state that employ 8500 active duty service members and more than 23,000 civilians. More than 375,000 veterans, including 65,000 retirees, live in Alabama. In 2017, the Department of Defense spent $7.7 billion on contracts in Alabama. Alabama does not currently have any representation on the Senate committee.\r\nAlabama and its citizens have long played a significant role in our national defense, from building or maintaining ships and other vehicles to leading cutting-edge research and development to volunteering to serve in our armed forces. It is vital that we have a voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee, a role that I am honored to be able to fill in the next Congress. I am committed to serving as Alabama's advocate for a strong national defense, which also means a strong and prosperous economy in our state. I look forward to working with Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Reed to advocate for our service members and their families, and for a robust national defense posture that protects our interests at home and abroad, said Senator Jones.\r\nSenator Jones is a tremendous advocate for Alabama and a true champion for our service members and their families. I am pleased to welcome him to the committee and know he'll continue working on a bipartisan basis to help keep America strong militarily and economically, said Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.\r\nIn the new Congress, Senator Jones will remain on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee where he will continue to advocate for improved access to health care and quality educational opportunities for all Alabamians.\r\nSenator Jones will also continue to serve on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. He will no longer serve on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.\r\nFor more information about SASC, please visit the committee website.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-praises-passage-of-2018-farm-bill", "Byrne Praises Passage of 2018 Farm Bill", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today voted in favor of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill represents the final product negotiated by members of the House and the Senate after both chambers passed separate versions of the bill earlier this year.\nThe bill passed by a vote of 369 to 47.\nThe 2018 Farm Bill supports and sustains Alabama's farmers and foresters by reauthorizing farm programs and directing the nation's agricultural policy for the next five years. Despite recent gains in manufacturing, Alabama remains an agriculture state.Farming, forestry, livestock and crop production represent more than $70 billion in annual economic output in Alabama.\nCongressman Byrne said: Our farmers and foresters are our future. I am pleased to support this bipartisan legislation to better support our farmers in Alabama and throughout the country.\nThe 2018 Farm Bill will allow for improved crop protections and loan options for farmers, incentivize rural development, support animal disease prevention and management, and will continue our nation's commitment to agriculture and farmers.\nI am especially pleased to see the substantial resources provided to improve rural broadband access to communities. Providing Internet access to people in rural Alabama is absolutely critical to economic development and the success of these communities in the 21st Century.\nEach year, Congressman Byrne holds an Ag Matters tour and visits family farms and forestland throughout Southwest Alabama. The Farm Bill is consistently the top issues discussed each year.\nThe 2018 Farm Bill is supported by various groups including the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cotton Council, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Alliance of Forest Owners, and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.\nThe 2018 Farm Bill sets the country's agricultural policy for the next five years. Among the many important provisions, the bill:\n Includes provisions critically important to Alabama's cotton and peanut farmers;\n\tMaintains access to crop insurance through reduced premiums and waived fees;\n\tIncludes critical funding for feral swine control;\n\tImproves existing programs to maximize efficiency, reduces waste and maintains fiscally responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars;\n\tRestores funding for trade promotion efforts in an attempt to keep pace with trading competitors around the world;\n\tImproves anti-hunger programs and incentivizes work for federal beneficiaries;\n\tProvides strong incentives for providers to offer quality broadband service to all of rural America; and\n\tHelps equip and train the next generation of farmers.\n Click hereto learn more about the 2018 Farm Bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=664", "Rogers Applauds Farm Bill Passage", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after the Conference Report for H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 passed the House 369-47. The report passed the Senate earlier this week and will now go to President Trump\u2019s desk for signature into law.\n\n\u201cI am proud to vote for the Farm Bill. As a Conferee on the bill, I know firsthand just how important this bill is to our nation. This Farm Bill strengthens the farm safety net for Alabama\u2019s farmers and producers and it provides five years of certainty. America\u2019s farm economy is still struggling, and this bill will be a much-needed shot in the arm.\n\n\u201cThe bill also improves the SNAP (food stamp) program integrity while incentivizing work for those who are on government benefits. The rural development programs in the bill will be great for folks across Alabama who need rural broadband, and the research funding in the Farm Bill is great news for universities like Tuskegee and Auburn. Finally, I am pleased to say language I introduced with Rep. Terri Sewell was included in the bill. This important language helps provide grants for folks with failing wastewater infrastructure.\u201d\n\nRogers serves as a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee and a member of the House Armed Service Committee and House Agriculture Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-applauds-farm-bill-passage", "Rogers Applauds Farm Bill Passage", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, DC)Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after the Conference Report for H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 passed the House 369-47. The report passed the Senate earlier this week and will now go to President Trump's desk for signature into law. \nI am proud to vote for the Farm Bill. As a Conferee on the bill, I know firsthand just how important this bill is to our nation. This Farm Bill strengthens the farm safety net for Alabama's farmers and producers and it provides five years of certainty. America's farm economy is still struggling, and this bill will be a much-needed shot in the arm. \nThe bill also improves the SNAP (food stamp) program integrity while incentivizing work for those who are on government benefits. The rural development programs in the bill will be great for folks across Alabama who need rural broadband, and the research funding in the Farm Bill is great news for universities like Tuskegee and Auburn. Finally, I am pleased to say language I introduced with Rep. Terri Sewell was included in the bill. This important language helps provide grants for folks with failing wastewater infrastructure.\n Rogers serves as a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee and a member of the House Armed Service Committee and House Agriculture Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/house-approves-2018-farm-bill-sends-president-s-desk", "House Approves 2018 Farm Bill, Sends to Presidents Desk", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) today applauded House passage of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, commonly known as the farm bill.\nIn Alabama's Second District, agriculture is the largest employer. It is imperative that Congress honor our commitments to the hardworking farmers and producers across the country,\" Representative Roby said.\"The 2018 farm bill provides certainty to the American families who work every day to provide the food and fiber we depend on. I was proud to support this legislation on behalf of the farmers I represent, and I am eager to see President Trump sign it into law.\nH.R. 2 improves agriculture policy by:\n Providing a nationwide yield update for Price Loss Coverage (PLC), beginning with the 2020 crop year and allowing PLC to better respond to market conditions;\n\tMaking several key improvements to Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), including increased yield plugs and yield trend adjustments;\n\tProtecting and improving crop insurance;\n\tInvesting in research, extension, and education projects;\n\tProtecting farmers from additional costly and burdensome red tape\n H.R. 2 also strengthens the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) capacity to combat the opioid crisis and refocuses efforts to expand quality broadband to rural America.\nThe conference report to accompany H.R. 2 passed the House by a vote of 369-47. The Senate approved the bill yesterday. It now goes to the White House where it awaits President Trump's signature.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rural-septic-tank-access-act-passes-farm-bill-vote", "Rural Septic Tank Access Act Passes in Farm Bill Vote", "2018-12-12", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Wednesday, December 12, the House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill in a bipartisan vote, including legislation sponsored by Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL) to address deteriorating wastewater infrastructure in rural communities. Known as the Rural Septic Tank Access Act (H.R. 5837), the legislation provides grants for the construction and repair of decentralized wastewater systems in underserved areas. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced a companion bill in the Senate. The Farm Bill, including the Rural Septic Tank Access Act, now heads to the White House where it will be signed into law.\nPassage of the Rural Septic Tank Access Act is a huge victory for Alabama and for rural families across the country, said Rep. Terri Sewell. I have seen firsthand the economic, environmental, and health challenges created by failing sewer systems in Alabama. By investing in our rural communities and providing families with adequate resources to afford proper septic systems, the Rural Septic Tank Access Act takes an important step forward in our work to improve wastewater infrastructure in rural communities. As Congress considers bipartisan infrastructure reform in the new year, I will continue fighting for water and wastewater investments that protect our families' health and our environment.\nAs a Farm Bill Conferee, I was proud to fight to include this language in the Farm Bill, said Rep. Mike Rogers. The Farm Bill is critically important to our state, and many Alabamians gain access to rural development and infrastructure through the Farm Bill. Rural America can't be left behind, and this language ensures that folks in our districts and across America have a way forward from failing wastewater infrastructure.\nThe Farm Bill's Rural Septic Tank Access Act provision will expand the Household Water Well System Grant Program to provide grants of up to $15,000 for rural low- and moderate-income households to install or maintain individually-owned decentralized wastewater systems. This grant program would be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While there is no national study estimating the number of Americans with failing septic systems, estimates suggest that over a million families may face unsafe conditions as a result of inadequate rural wastewater systems.\nIn March, Rep. Sewell worked with House appropriators to secure $1.8 billion in additional funding for water and wastewater infrastructure under USDA as part of an omnibus spending bill. In Uniontown, Alabama, that funding is already at work. In November, USDA announced a $23.4 million grant to Uniontown to repair the city's existing wastewater treatment plant and install new infrastructure.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-remembers-escambia-county-s-scotty-byrne", "Byrne Remembers Escambia Countys Scotty Byrne", "2018-12-11", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressmen Bradley Byrne (R-AL) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday morning in memory of former Escambia County Sheriff Scotty Byrne. Scotty Byrne passed away on November 18th at the age of 92.\nA transcript of Congressman Byrne's speech can be found below.\nCongressman Byrne said: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of long-time Brewton, Alabama, resident and my cousin, G.S. Scotty Byrne, Jr., who passed away on November 18th at the age of 92.\n\"Scotty was a veteran of World War Two having served in the 351st Infantry Division under General Mark Clark, and later went on to serve as Sheriff of Escambia County for 24 years.\n\"In college at the University of Southern Mississippi, Scotty was a premier two-sport athlete excelling in both baseball and golf. He was the first athlete to be inducted into the USM Sports Hall of Fame for two sports. Throughout his life, he was one of the ablest golfers in our part of the state.\n\"During his tenure as sheriff, he was a vocal supporter of the Alabama Sheriff's Boys Ranch, providing resources for children in need throughout Alabama. \n\"Without a doubt, Scotty was one of the most memorable citizens in Escambia County's long history. \n\"So, on behalf of Alabama's First Congressional District, I want to share our condolences with Scotty's family. He will be sorely missed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-doug-jones-champions-rural-alabama-priorities-in-final-farm-bill-legislation", "Senator Doug Jones Champions Rural Alabama Priorities in Final Farm Bill Legislation", "2018-12-11", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senator Doug Jones today supported passage of a final Farm Bill that includes several key priorities for Alabama that he championed. The bill is the result of months of bipartisan negotiations in the Senate and House, and is undertaken only once every five years. It strengthens important commodity safety net programs and other protections for farmers who take on this risky and costly venture. It also provides increased funding for communities across the country and addresses issues from rural development to conservation to food assistance and more. In total, Alabama's agriculture industry includes 43,000 farms, 580,000 jobs, and has an economic impact of roughly $70.4 billion. From timber, cotton, peanuts, and soybeans to peaches, blueberries, cattle, catfish, and poultry, Alabama's agricultural and forestry industries play a significant role in the state's economy.\r\nThe bill includes Senator Jones' first piece of original legislation, the Rural Health Liaison Act, which will improve coordination of federal resources and expand health care access for rural Americans. It also includes provisions that will significantly increase funding for rural broadband, expands grants to install proper wastewater systems for rural residents, and supports programs for farmers of color, new farmers, and military veteran farmers. Senator Jones also successfully included a bipartisan provision to assist farmers who own and operate heirs property, who have long been shut out of federal programs due to a lack of certain documentation. That has been a concern particularly for African-American farmers in Alabama and across the South.\r\nThis is a Farm Bill for rural Alabama and rural America, said Senator Jones. I'm proud that the final legislation ensures that our farmers have the support and resources they need to continue to do their important work. It also addresses several urgent issues for our state, particularly the need for expanded rural health care and broadband access. Since I arrived in the Senate in January, I've worked closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as farmers from across Alabama, to advocate for a strong Farm Bill for all of our rural communities. This bill reflects the priorities we share for a brighter and more secure future for Alabama.\r\nThe Farm Bill includes several specific provisions championed by Senator Jones for Alabama's rural communities. They include:\r\nHealth Care\r\n \r\nThe Rural Health Liaison Act(S. 2894): establishes a rural health liaison at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to better coordinate federal resources and expand health care access to Americans who have for too long struggled to receive quality, affordable care in their own communities. Senator Jones introduced this bipartisan legislation last month with Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).\r\n \r\nSewage Infrastructure\r\n \r\nThe Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act(S.2772): expands the USDA's Household Water Well System Grant Program to provide grants of up to $15,000 to low- and moderate-income households in rural areas for installing or maintaining individually-owned decentralized wastewater systems. Senator Jones was an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to help address the rural sewage system crisis facing Alabama and other states. Senator Jones has visited impacted Alabama residents in Lowndes County and recently co-hosted a public health fair in Hayneville, Alabama with Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) to provide information and other resources to the community.\r\n \r\nBroadband\r\n \r\nThe Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act(S. 1676): increases the authorization from $25 million to $350 million annually for the USDA to provide loans and loan guarantees for broadband services in rural communities. Senator Jones cosponsored this legislation led by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.).\r\nThe Community Connect Grant Program Act(S. 2654): authorizes $50 million annually for the USDA Community Connect Program, which provides broadband grants targeted to the most rural, unserved, and high-poverty communities in the country. The program expands high-speed internet by providing new grants that will connect unserved households and businesses with modern internet access and streamlines broadband application process. Senator Jones cosponsored this legislation led by Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.).\r\n \r\nFarmers and Ranchers\r\n \r\nThe Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act(S. 3117): requires the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide farm numbers to farmers with certain documentation, including in concert with Uniform Partition of Heirs' Property Laws in some states. The bill also authorizes FSA to make loans to qualified intermediaries to re-lend to families seeking to resolve heirs' property issues. Senator Jones introduced this legislation with Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to ensure that farmers of color don't face unnecessary obstacles to use inherited land and to help them preserve this important source of wealth for future generations.\r\nThe Assist Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Act(S.2839) and theNext Generation in Agriculture Act(S. 2762): these two bills were combined to create permanent, mandatory baseline funding to educate the next generation of farmers and reach more minority farmers. Senator Jones was an original cosponsor of both bills.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=105BAB94-9AFA-4F88-B077-11F02D13703F", "Shelby Applauds Passage of 2018 Farm Bill", "2018-12-11", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala) today made the following statement regarding passage of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2, the 2018 Farm Bill:\r\nThis bipartisan legislation provides much-needed predictability that will significantly benefit our state's farmers and the entire agriculture industry, said Senator Shelby. I look forward to the lasting positive impact this bill will have on rural areas throughout Alabama and the nation.\r\nThe 2018 Farm Bill improves the crop insurance program, helps expand rural broadband initiatives, and includes many of the cotton industry's priorities such as the continuation of the Seed Cotton program.\r\nAgriculture is Alabama's top revenue producing industry, generating an annual impact of over $70 billion. With over nine million acres of farmland and more than 48,500 farms, the state is a national leader in food production and a global competitor in the poultry, catfish, timber, cotton, and livestock industries.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-sewell-and-delbene-introduce-legislation-establishing-worker-access", "Reps. Sewell and DelBene Introduce Legislation Establishing Worker Access to Lifelong Learning and Training", "2018-12-10", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) introduced the Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act. This bill would create a tax-preferred savings account with a generous government match to assist low and moderate-income workers seeking to retrain or upskill over the course of their careers. This legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).\nStudies show that in the years ahead, more workers will be forced to learn new skills throughout their careers. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2020, more than one-third of the core skill sets of most jobs will be skills that are not considered crucial to today's workforce. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act would give workers a portable, government-matched savings vehicle for lifelong learning so they can continue to work and provide for their families.\nIf we want to grow our economy and create better jobs for American families, we have to invest in our nation's number one asset  our workforce, said Rep. Sewell. That means providing our workers with opportunities to learn new skills and transition into competitive jobs in a changing economy. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act gives working families the tools they need to save for retraining and continuing education over the course of their careers. For workers in Alabama's 7th District and across the country, today's bill represents a step forward in our fight for better jobs, better pay, and a better future for our families.\nAs our economy continues to change, workers must have access to the opportunities of tomorrow, said Rep. DelBene. Right now, many hardworking Americans don't have the skillsets to transition into a new job. This legislation will give those folks the tools to retrain and learn new skills so they can keep up with advances in technology and earn a good-paying job. Investing in these workers and helping them further their educations will yield benefits that help middle-class families thrive.\nBy 2030, up to one-third of American workers will need to retrain or change jobs to keep up with disruptions due to automation and a changing economy. That means lifelong learning will be the new normal for millions of Americans, said Sen. Warner. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act represents the first major investment towards helping workers pay for the education and training necessary to modernize their skills, and I'm pleased that this important legislation is moving forward in the House of Representatives.\nThe Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act creates employee-owned Lifelong Learning and Training Account (LLTA) savings plans. Contributions to an LLTA by low-to-moderate income workers or their employers are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar federal match of up to $1,000. The federal matching funds are directly deposited into the LLTA immediately after the contribution by the worker or employer. The worker then gets to choose how to use the LLTA funds, which can be applied towards any training that leads to a recognized post-secondary credential.\nThe full text of the bill can be read here.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-jones-cotton-merkley-lead-bipartisan-effort-to-stop-predatory-unsolicited-loans", "Senators Jones, Cotton, Merkley Lead Bipartisan Effort to Stop Predatory Unsolicited Loans", "2018-12-10", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced legislation that would halt the predatory practice of mailing high-interest loans to consumers in the form of live checks. When consumers receive these loan checks, many unknowingly believe they have received money from their bank or financial institution, not realizing that the check is often a high-interest loan.\r\nThe Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018 would prohibit this practice and ensure that consumers access loans only when they proactively apply for them. This legislation mirrors the decades old prohibition on the mailing of live credit cards.\r\nAs working Americans look to make ends meet, lenders will often target cash-strapped families with these mailings. It is unconscionable that someone would take advantage of another person's dire financial situation to make a quick buck for themselves. We need to end this predatory lending tactic and pass this legislation to protect consumers and their pocketbooks, said Senator Jones.\r\nPeople should understand clearly when they are taking on debt. But because live' checks mailed directly to consumers don't require an application or any previous relationship with the consumer, many individuals don't realize that these checks are actually high-interest loans until it's too late. Just like Congress ended the practice of mailing live' credit cards nearly 50 years ago, Congress should pass our bill now to stop this underhanded practice, said Senator Cotton.\r\nWhen you receive a check in the mail, it's natural to assume that depositing it will helpnot hurtyour bottom line. But these checks don't pad consumers' pocketbooks; instead, they send them into a vortex of debt. The practice of mailing high-interest loans disguised as checks is unconscionable and clearly predatory. Today, we're sending a bipartisan message that this unacceptable practice must end, said Senator Merkley.\r\nBackground on the Unsolicited Loan Act of 2018\r\nIt has been long recognized by Congress that consumer loans should require an application by a customer. In fact, Congress banned the mailing of unsolicited live credit cards nearly 50 years ago. In modern lending, a formal loan application can often take just minutes, and the bill does not prohibit the direct marketing or mailing of a loan application. This legislation would provide common-sense consumer protections without limiting access to credit for consumers who willingly apply and seek lending products.\r\nThe bill would also ensure that companies cannot shift from the mailing of live checks to other forms of transfer, such as a gift card or an e-check. In addition, it would ensure that customers are not liable for debt incurred from an illegal, unsolicited live check loan.\r\nThe National Consumer Law Center has endorsed this legislation on behalf of its low-income clients.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/the-light-and-life-of-president-george-hw-bush", "The Light and Life of President George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-09", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Our nation came together last week as we mourned the loss of a truly great American. No matter our race, religion, creed, or political party, we were drawn toward the light that was President George H.W. Bush.\nHis life spanned nearly one hundred years of American history and was dedicated to serving the United States.\nHistory often records the works of great leaders. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill all led with a sense of service and devotion to their people. But what makes a leader truly special is humility, humor, and a deep moral code guiding their every day.\nPresident Bush embodied those very attributes.\nHis biographer, Jon Meacham, summed up the Bush life code best in his eulogy: Tell the truth. Don't blame people. Be strong. Do your best. Try hard. Forgive. Stay the course.\"\nIn every walk of life, President Bush did just those things. Integrity guided everything he undertook, and his lifetime of achievements testify to this. He was a decorated war hero in the Navy during WWII, an extremely successful businessman in Texas, Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison to the People's Republic of China, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Vice President, and President of the United States of America.\nHis sense of humor was always charming, sometimes teasing, but never out of malice or needling. He knew how to tell and take a good joke, and he loved to make people laugh.\nHe took everything he did seriously and with dignity. His first and foremost goal was to serve the American people to the best of his ability and let the thousand points of light in our communities shine bright by one small act of kindness and devotion to each other at a time.\nIn his inaugural address, President Bush emphasized this point: What do we want the men and women who work with us to say when we are no longer there? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us? Or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better, and stayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?\nSince his presidency, George H.W. Bush has remained an example of leadership. For him, it was never about accolades as much as it was about service to the American people.\nHe was the brightest of those thousand points of light in everything he did. The light that shone through him came from his devotion to his country, to his family, and to God.\nI had the honor to pay my respects to President Bush in the Capitol Rotunda and attend the funeral service held in the National Cathedral last week. It was the most moving church service I have ever attended. The testimony shared by everyone there spoke to a life well lived and firmly grounded.\nHe loved life and loved the people he spent it with. As his son, President George W. Bush, said at the service, The idea is to die young as late as possible.  As he aged, he taught us how to grow old with dignity, humor and kindness. And, when the good Lord finally called, how to meet Him with courage and with joy in the promise of what lies ahead.\nPresident George H.W. Bush will be remembered as a true American leader: someone who served totally, cared deeply, laughed fully, and loved completely.\nAs we move on to the New Year, I hope that in some small way we can embody just a small measure of those traits. If we do, one can only imagine how much brighter the light of our nation will shine.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/november-jobs-report-excellent-37-unemployment-rate-bigger-paychecks", "November Jobs Report: Excellent 3.7% Unemployment Rate & Bigger Paychecks!", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCFriday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) emphasized the good Bureau of Labor Statistics November jobs report.[1]\nCongressman Brooks said,The November Jobs Report is very good in the context of two troubling events: the threatened return of socialist, anti-growth policies of Democrats who have captured the House of Representatives and rising interest rates (caused by Federal Reserve hikes coupled with America's dangerous deficits straining credit markets). These combined threats undermine the economic confidence of job creators which, in turn, risk causing adverse impacts on America's economy.\nBrooks continued, Despite threatened socialist policies and rising interest rates, in November,America's economy added 155,000 new jobs, average hourly income continued to grow at a 3.1% annualized rate, and unemployment remained steady at the 50-year low rate of 3.7% all welcome news for American workers. I am very pleased that Americans are personally benefitting from the tax cuts and deregulation policies that spurred 2018 to be America's strongest growth rate in over a decade!\nKey takeaways from the Bureau of Labor Statistics October jobs report are:\n America's economy added 155,000 new, nonfarm payroll jobs in November 2018.\n\tAmerica's November unemployment rate was 3.7%, a year-to-year improvement of 0.4 percentage points over the 4.1% unemployment rate of November 2017.\n\tOver the past year, the average weekly earnings for all non-farm American workers increased by 0.2%, or six cents (to $27.35/hour). That is an 81 cent improvement in hourly wages over the past year.\n\tAfrican-American unemployment fell by 0.3 percentage points, to 5.9%, which is the all-time record low unemployment rate for African-Americans.\n\tAsian-American unemployment fell from 3.2% to 2.7%.\n\tCaucasian-American unemployment rose from 3.3% to 3.4%.\n\tHispanic-American unemployment rose from 4.4% to 4.5%.\n\tThe labor participation rate remained unchanged at 62.9%.\n\tThe long-term unemployed (those unemployed for 27 weeks or more), declined by 120,000 to 1.3 million.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/columns/honoring-life-and-legacy-president-george-hw-bushhonoring-life-and-legacy-president", "Honoring the Life and Legacy of President George H.W. BushHonoring the Life and Legacy of President George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As Americans, one of our most important, solemn duties is to honor our great heroes and patriots as we lay them to rest. On November 30, 2018, President George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, passed on from this life surrounded by some of the people he loved most in this world. He was a great leader and a truly good man, and our country will be forever shaped by his legacy.\nGeorge H.W. Bush was born on June 12, 1924, to Prescott Sheldon Bush and Dorothy Walker Bush. He graduated from high school on his 18th birthday and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy, becoming one of the youngest naval aviators. In September of 1943, George Bush was assigned to the squadron that would end up being victorious in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, one of the largest air battles of World War II.\nA year later, junior Lieutenant Bush piloted one of the four planes that attacked the Japanese on Chichijima. His plane was shot down, and he was stranded for hours in an inflated raft before being rescued by a U.S. submarine. Between 1943-1944, Bush flew 58 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in September of 1945, one month after Japan's surrender.\nDuring his final year of naval service, George Bush married Barbara Pierce, and they had six children together, five of which are still living. Their second child and oldest daughter Robin passed away at age three from leukemia. At the time of Barbara's death earlier this year, the couple had been married for 73 years, the longest presidential marriage in American history by nearly 20 years.\nUpon receiving his military discharge, George Bush enrolled at Yale University where he continued his remarkable leadership track by serving as his fraternity's president and captain of the university's baseball team. After graduating, he moved his family to West Texas where he became very successful in the oil industry.\nIn 1966, George Bush was elected to serve Texas' Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1968, and then unsuccessfully ran for the Senate in 1970. In 1971, George Bush was appointed by President Richard Nixon to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations. During his impressive career, he also served as the U.S. Liaison to China and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Bush was President Ronald Reagan's Vice President from 1981-1989. He succeeded Reagan as President in 1989 and completed one term, losing his reelection bid to former President Bill Clinton in 1993.\nWhile President George H.W. Bush's resume is certainly impressive, it's not his professional achievement that will stand out in the hearts and minds of Americans for generations to come. President Bush was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was also a dedicated public servant who placed significant emphasis on volunteering as a way to improve American communities.\nHe often used the thousand points of light theme to describe the power American citizens have to solve problems. In his 1989 inaugural address, President Bush said, I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the nation, doing good. Four years later, he offered an update to the country on the Points of Light Movement, saying, Points of light are the soul of America. They are ordinary people who reach beyond themselves to touch the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, care and friendship. By giving so generously of themselves, these remarkable individuals show us not only what is best in our heritage but what all of us are called to become.\nPresident George H.W. Bush lived his life as a shining example of these words he spoke. He is truly among what is best in our heritage. President Bush gave our country the very best of himself, and thereby inspired countless Americans to voluntarism and public service. May we never forget his outstanding leadership and his remarkable legacy. I hope you will join me in keeping the entire Bush family in your prayers as our country mourns the passing of their loved one.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=4A84CC84-E7CF-4E7F-8C77-4ACCD62925DE", "Shelby Announces $14.2 Million Highway Infrastructure Grant for Decatur", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will award the City of Decatur, Alabama, a highway infrastructure improvement grant totaling $14,222,671 in federal funding. The grant is made available as part of the DOT Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant program, which focuses on economic development and infrastructure improvements.\r\nThis $14 million BUILD grant is great news for the city of Decatur and the surrounding region. The funding will allow for much-needed improvements and enhancements to the current infrastructure in Decatur, said Senator Shelby. As Alabama's transportation needs evolve, it is important that we find ways to support rapid growth, especially in rural areas. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and the DOT as we continue to prioritize the infrastructure needs of the state and the nation.\r\nThe grant will aid in the construction of an overpass bridge at the intersection of State Route 20 and Bibb Garrett Road. The project also includes ramps, a new access road, improved highway lighting, and accommodations for safe pedestrian access. According to the city, there has been a significant lack of resources to develop and maintain major rural highway infrastructure. This funding will help bridge the gap between Decatur and other main employment areas in the state, providing necessary funding for these much-needed transportation resources.\r\nThe creation of a Highway 20 overpass and exchange is the catalyst of growth and change our city has been striving to achieve, said Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling. Through the keen oversight of Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, the generosity of Sen. Richard Shelby's office, and the ever-diligent work of the City of Decatur's grant team and Director of Development Wally Terry, our collaborative efforts have culminated in a regional development that will benefit North Alabamians for generations to come.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=C556AA88-860E-4EA1-B3BE-73387C1E0EC4", "Shelby Announces $14 Million Highway Infrastructure Grant for Cullman", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a grant totaling $14,000,000 in funding for highway infrastructure improvements in the city of Cullman. The grant is made available as part of the DOT Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant program, which focuses on economic development and infrastructure upgrades.\r\nThis BUILD grant awarded to the city of Cullman will allow for critical highway infrastructure improvements in the region, said Senator Shelby. As Cullman continues to experience significant commercial, industrial, and residential growth, it is important that we find ways to support this rapid development. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and DOT in paving the way for economic success by rebuilding our local infrastructure.\r\nThe $14 million grant will help to widen Alabama State Highway 157. According to the city, traffic on Highway 157 has increased to over 15,000 vehicles per day, creating hazardous driving conditions and lengthy delays for numerous businesses and individuals. This project will to help address existing transportation issues and provide infrastructure enhancements that will benefit the city and surrounding areas.\r\nThe widening of Alabama Highway 157 is one of the most critical transportation projects needed in our community. I am delighted the City of Cullman has been awarded this grant that will make the construction a reality, said Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs. Our team at the City of Cullman did a remarkable job preparing this grant. The City of Cullman, Cullman County and the surrounding area will benefit greatly from this project. I would like to thank Senator Shelby and his staff for their assistance with this grant process. Without their support, this project would not be possible.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=D44EF102-24E5-405D-ABC1-5490582E58B4", "Shelby Chief of Staff Departs to Lead Business Council of Alabama", "2018-12-07", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today announced the departure of his chief of staff, Katie Boyd Britt, following the official notice of her decision to serve as President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA)  a non-partisan business association representing companies throughout the state.\r\n\r\nKatie Britt is an exceptional choice to serve as CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, said Senator Shelby. She has been invaluable as my chief of staff over the last several years. Although I am disappointed to see her go, I know that my loss is BCA's gain.\r\n\r\nThroughout Katie's time in my office, she demonstrated a unique ability to solve any problem. Not only did she work as my top advisor on all matters, but she also developed bipartisan relationships with lawmakers, top committee and leadership staff, and stakeholders to successfully negotiate complex issues and legislation. Katie understands the intersection of business and politics. I have no doubt that her experience in Alabama and the Senate will establish her as an asset to BCA.\r\n\r\nI am grateful for Katie's leadership and ability to prioritize what's best for our state. It is with pride that I wish her, Wesley, Bennett, and Ridgeway all the best as they return to Alabama, concluded Shelby.\r\n\r\nBritt, a native of Enterprise, has served as chief of staff to Senator Shelby since 2016 following her role as deputy campaign manager and communications director during the Senator's most recent reelection campaign.\r\n\r\nMy heart is in Alabama, said Britt. Our state has made significant progress in recent years, and I am honored to have been chosen to lead BCA during this time of growth. I look forward to building on that momentum through collective efforts with our BCA members, elected officials, and business allies across the state  identifying opportunities every day in which we can provide and advance real, tangible solutions. BCA's successes are Alabama's successes, and our unique ability to take on big challenges and deliver strategic results will advance our economy and best serve the men and women who make up the backbone of our state.\r\n\r\nIt has been my life privilege to serve and assist Alabama's greatest statesman. I am very eager to apply the lessons I learned from him in this new position. I am certain the invaluable experiences of touring every county in Alabama with Senator Shelby, and meeting so many Alabamians, will serve me well as I work to create opportunities for all Alabama business.\r\n\r\nIn May 2004, Britt first joined Senator Shelby's staff, holding the position of deputy press secretary and later press secretary until 2007. After working on Capitol Hill, she served as special assistant to The University of Alabama President, Robert E. Witt. Britt went on to earn her law degree at The University of Alabama School of Law  where she also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in Blount Liberal Arts. While there she served on the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board and represented the School of Law on the school's Tax Moot Court team. Following graduation, Britt practiced law at Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose LLP in Birmingham and later Butler Snow LLP in both Birmingham and Montgomery. Her practice was focused on general corporate law, specifically Mergers and Acquisitions. During her time at Butler Snow, Britt started and led the firm's government affairs practice in the state of Alabama.\r\n\r\nBCA was founded in 1985 as an organization to consolidate the Alabama Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Alabama. The organization aims to improve the state's overall business climate and serves an instrumental role in securing passage of a number of reforms in the areas of tax credits for small businesses, job creation, economic development, ethics reforms, and the public education system. BCA is also the exclusive affiliate in Alabama for the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S Chamber of Commerce.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-reveals-positive-red-snapper-development", "Byrne Reveals Positive Red Snapper Development", "2018-12-06", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressmen Bradley Byrne (R-AL) issued the following statement upon learning that NOAA Fisheries published a new rule to increase the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the Red Snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico.\nCongressman Byrne said: This increase from NOAA shows exactly what those of us on the Gulf Coast have known for years: the health of the Red Snapper fishery is incredibly strong. These latest numbers will further drive us to continue fighting for greater state control over the Red Snapper fishery and a full and adequate Red Snapper fishing season.\nUnder the proposed rule, the total catch limit for recreational Red Snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico would increase from 6.7 million pounds to 7.4 million pounds, a 10.45% increase.\nLast year, Congressman Byrne worked with Senator Richard Shelby and other Gulf Coast congressmen to secure a full Red Snapper season for Alabama's recreational fishermen.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-doug-jones-calls-on-birmingham-based-for-profit-corporation-ceo-to-assist-students-after-abrupt-nationwide-closure-announced", "Senator Doug Jones Calls on Birmingham-based For-Profit Corporation CEO to Assist Students After Abrupt Nationwide Closure Announced", "2018-12-06", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington,\r\nDC  In\r\nresponse to news\r\nthat Education Corporation of America (ECA) would be abruptly closing its\r\ncampuses in Alabama and across the country, U.S. Senator Doug Jones wrote to\r\nCEO Stu Reed today calling for ECA to help students navigate their options and\r\nunderstand the resources available to them. ECA represents Brightwood Career\r\nInstitute, Brightwood College, Ecotech Institute, Golf Academy of America, and\r\nVirginia College throughout the country. Based in Birmingham, ECA operates\r\nfor-profit Virginia College campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and\r\nMontgomery and serves more than 3,800 Alabama students. Of those students, 670\r\nare using GI Bill benefits. The\r\nclosures were announced yesterday and are effective this Friday. According to\r\nECA's website, information for\r\nstudents is currently not expected to be available until on or around December\r\n17, which could delay students from being able to transfer to another\r\ninstitution in time for the spring semester. In\r\nhis letter, Jones urged Reed to speed up outreach and assistance to students,\r\nwriting, After abruptly closing the doors, your decision to make students and\r\nfamilies wait nearly two weeks to receive any information about their next\r\nsteps is simply unacceptable. You have a responsibility to these students,\r\nincluding our veterans and service members, to ensure they have all of the\r\ntools and information they need to move forward, including the choice between\r\nreceiving a discharge of their federal student loans or transferring to a\r\nsimilar program if they can find an institution willing to accept their\r\ncredits. ECA\r\noperates more than 70 campuses nationwide and serves more than 20,000 students,\r\nincluding 4,000 who are veterans or military service members. Full\r\ntext of Senator Jones' letter is below. December\r\n6, 2018   Mr.\r\nStu Reed Chief\r\nExecutive Officer Education\r\nCorporation of America 3660\r\nGrandview Parkway, Suite 300 Birmingham,\r\nAL 35243 Dear\r\nMr. Reed: I\r\nam writing on behalf of the students in Alabama and across the country who are\r\nenrolled in one of Education Corporation of America's colleges, including\r\nBrightwood Career Institute, Brightwood College, Ecotech Institute, Golf\r\nAcademy of America, and Virginia College. When the news broke yesterday\r\nregarding your decision to abruptly close these colleges, I was immediately\r\nconcerned about the futures of 20,000 students enrolled nationwide in 20\r\nstates, including 4,000 veterans and military service members using the G.I.\r\nBill. In\r\nAlabama, Education Corporation of America's Virginia College campuses will\r\nclose in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery, leaving a combined\r\ntotal of more than 3,800 students in my state, including 670 student veterans\r\nwho have been using the G.I. Bill benefits they have earned, left scrambling to\r\nfigure out their educational future. According to your company's website, there\r\nwill be information for students regarding transcript retrieval, transfer, and\r\ncontact information that you expect to start loading on or around December\r\n17, 2018. After\r\nabruptly closing the doors, your decision to make students and families wait\r\nnearly two weeks to receive any information about their next steps is simply\r\nunacceptable. You\r\nhave a responsibility to these students, including our veterans and service\r\nmembers, to ensure they have all of the tools and information they need to move\r\nforward, including the choice between receiving a discharge of their federal\r\nstudent loans or transferring to a similar program if they can find an\r\ninstitution willing to accept their credits. Veteran students also need to\r\nunderstand the impact of the closure on their G.I. Bill benefit eligibility. I\r\nam deeply troubled by reports that many Education Corporation of America\r\ncolleges have not been informing students of their right to seek a closed\r\nschool discharge of their federal loan as is required by federal law under the\r\n2016 borrower defense rule. Additionally, students who are encouraged to transfer\r\nshould understand the limitations of fully transferring credits, and the impact\r\non their eligibility for a loan discharge. I\r\nurge you to do all you can to inform these students of their options. They have\r\ninvested thousands of dollars into your institution and could potentially lose\r\neverything.  Sincerely, Doug\r\nJones U.S.\r\nSenator  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/down-the-home-stretch", "Down the Home Stretch", "2018-12-05", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Some of the greatest sporting events in history have come down to the wire. Those bottom of the ninth, fourth and inches, double overtime plays are what stand out in our memories as the greatest successes or the worst defeats in sports history.\nSimilarly, we here in Washington are entering our own home stretch of the 115th Congress. It has been a long year filled with many victories for the people of Alabama, but there is still work to be done.\nNext year, the game will change completely. With Democrats taking control of the House, things will be different.\nWhere bipartisan progress can be made, we must take advantage of it. Instead of being the resistance, we should be the loyal opposition. Loyal to the country but opposing policies and ideas that do not match up with our conservative values and beliefs.\nI promise you two things that won't change no matter who is in charge of the House: I will put Alabama's priorities first, and I will support President Trump and his pro-America agenda.\nFor now, the next two weeks will be like the bottom of the ninth in Washington. We still need to pass a Farm Bill that works for our Alabama farmers and foresters, ensure the national flood insurance program continues, pass a funding bill for the remaining portions of the federal government, and protect our Southern border.\nAs I have said before, our farmers are our future. Without the tireless efforts of farmers all across the nation, life as we know it would not exist. I am hopeful we can pass a strong Farm Bill by the end of the year to provide greater protections for Alabama farmers and ensure benefits for rural America.\nThe flood insurance program is very important for those of us in coastal Alabama, and I want to see the program reformed and strengthened in a way that protects our coastal communities. We cannot let the program expire, so I will be pushing hard to get the program reauthorized.\nSimilarly, we must work to fund the remainder of the federal government. We currently have around three-quarters of the government funded for next year, including the critical funding needed to rebuild our military. This was the first time in a decade that we have been able to reach this point on time and in a bipartisan way.\nNow, we must address funding for agencies like the Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Homeland Security. I want to see a funding bill that reflects the need to rein in wasteful spending while also supporting programs and projects important to Alabama.\nIt is imperative that any funding bill also help secure our southern border. It is clear that our immigration system is broken, and we must fix it. First, however, we must build President Donald Trump's border wall and stem the flow of illegal immigration.\nI have a solution to provide funding for the wall: the 50 Votes for the Wall Act. By using the budget reconciliation process, we can avoid Democrat obstruction in the Senate and secure the funds necessary to complete this task. I hope my colleagues will make the right decision for the country and bring my bill up for a vote.\nThese next two weeks will be the last play of a tough-fought game. As we near the goal line, I am committed to trying to get a few more wins for Alabama and America before the next Congress starts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=663", "Rogers' Statement on INF Treaty", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee made the following statement today after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the announcement that Russia is formally in material breach of Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.\n\nChairman Rogers said: \u201cRussia has been in clear violation of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty for years now. I applaud President Trump\u2019s action today and his way ahead to address the threats posed by Russia\u2019s violations in a direct manner with clear deadlines for compliance and consequences for Russian failure to comply. A treaty that is only adhered to by the United States inhibits our ability to defend ourselves and our allies and we should not continue to be bound it.\u201d\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:11:43Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-statement-inf-treaty", "Rogers' Statement on INF Treaty", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers' Statement on INF Treaty              \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Dec 4, 2018      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    (WASHINGTON, D.C.) Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee made the following statement today after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made the announcement that Russia is formally in material breach of Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.\n\n     Chairman Rogers said: Russia has been in clear violation of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty for years now. I applaud President Trump's action today and his way ahead to address the threats posed by Russia's violations in a direct manner with clear deadlines for compliance and consequences for Russian failure to comply. A treaty that is only adhered to by the United States inhibits our ability to defend ourselves and our allies and we should not continue to be bound it.\n\n                          -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/jones-gardner-to-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-ensure-veterans-are-repaid-their-full-gi-benefits", "Jones, Gardner to Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ensure Veterans are Repaid their Full GI Benefits", "2018-12-04", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today, U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) will introduce theFix Immediately Outstanding Underpayments (IOUs) for Student VeteransAct, legislation that will force the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay student veterans money they are entitled to, but did not receive because of the VA's own error.\r\nWhen the VA failed to implement the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, many student veterans did not receive the full benefits they are entitled to. Last Friday, Senator Jonessent a letterto the senior VA leader overseeing GI Bill benefits seeking answers from the VA about the situation. Jones also joined his colleagues last week in abipartisan letter, led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), calling on the VA Inspector General to launch an investigation into allegations that the VA would not be reimbursing veterans for any missed or underpaid benefits.\r\nThe Jones-Gardner legislation will set up a commission at the VA to ensure all monthly stipends are audited, and force the VA to pay back students who were underpaid. Additionally this legislation will ensure the VA does not take back money from students they overpaid through their error.\r\nWhen young men and women step up to serve our country in uniform, we make a solemn promise to have their backs when they come home, said Senator Jones. We commit to provide them the tools needed to re-enter civilian life and to earn an education that will enable them to serve our communities in new ways. When I heard that thousands of veterans in Alabama and across the country were being underpaid  or not paid at all  for their GI Bill benefits and that the VA might not make them whole, I was appalled. While I'm glad the VA has since begun to reverse course, action from Congress is needed to make sure that these veterans receive what they're owed.\r\nThe VA let these veterans down and this cannot be tolerated,said Senator Gardner.First, the VA made a mistake and did not properly pay student veterans the money they are entitled to; and nowthe VA is failing in their responsibility again by not providing a plan to pay those students back quickly. Most problems Congress addresses are complicated anddo nothave one right' answer. This is not one of those issues. To me, it's pretty clear what the right thing to do is: Congress must act to ensure our student veterans receive every penny they are entitled to.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-doug-jones-statement-on-the-passing-of-giles-perkins", "Senator Doug Jones Statement on the Passing of Giles Perkins", "2018-12-03", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Birmingham, Ala.  U.S. Senator Doug Jones today released the following statement on the passing of Giles Perkins, his friend and 2017 Senate campaign chairman:\r\nIt is with great sadness today that Louise and I mourn the loss of our dear friend Giles Perkins, who had fought fiercely against cancer for several years. Giles was more than just an accomplished attorney, community activist and brilliant political advisor and strategist. He understood Alabama's complicated history, but also had the vision to see what our collective future could hold if we worked together. Anyone who crossed paths with him, be it in politics or through his remarkable community service projects, saw his passion for making our stateand the entire Souththe best version of itself. He challenged me constantly  so much so that I affectionately dubbed him Yoda' on the campaign trail last year. His tough love approach, and his ability to see the bigger picture, made me a better candidate and most certainly a better U.S. Senator. I will always cherish his friendship. To his wife Hillery, and their children Barton, Hugh and Beverly, Louise and I share our deepest condolences and our commitment to carry on his legacy by fighting for a brighter future for Alabama.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-george-hw-bush", "Byrne Statement on George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-01", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressmen Bradley Byrne (R-AL) issued the following statement regarding the passing of the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush.\nCongressman Byrne said: George H.W. Bush was an American hero and icon. Throughout his 94 years, he served our nation in so many ways, and he accomplished so much. Despite all of this, I think the life of George H.W. Bush is best summed up in a very simple phrase: he was a good man. May God be with the Bush family and a grateful nation as we mourn and remember a good man and an American hero.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-doug-jones-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-president-george-hw-bush", "Senator Doug Jones Statement on the Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-01", "2018", "2018-12", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Birmingham, Ala. U.S. Senator Doug Jones today issued the following statement regarding the passing of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush:\r\nI was deeply saddened this morning by the news of President George H.W. Bush's passing. President Bush served the United States of America throughout his lifewith honor and dignity, both at war and here at home, as a Navy pilot, a diplomat, and a statesman. He made the most of his 94 years of life and he set an example we should all strive to follow, especially his unwavering dedication to his family and to our country. Louise and I send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Bush familyas they grievethe loss of their beloved patriarch.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=D179E748-A486-4980-8C42-2BA73229FBBD", "Shelby Statement on Passing of Former President George H.W. Bush", "2018-12-01", "2018", "2018-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) released the following statement regarding the passing of the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush: \r\n\r\nPresident George H.W. Bush was a true American statesman and hero. He dedicated his life to serving the country he loved for more than 70 years. From a young Naval aviator shot down in WWII to Commander-in-Chief, President Bush led our nation with integrity, honor, and measure. Annette and I join all Americans in mourning his passing. His legacy of humility and devotion will never be forgotten. \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=661", "Rogers: Ready to be Homeland Securitys Conservative Champion", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after being chosen to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the 116th Congress.\n\n\u201cI am honored to be chosen by my colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Having served on the Committee since its inception in 2005, I have the experience and expertise needed to lead conservative homeland security efforts in the House. Most importantly, I stand ready to fight for President Trump\u2019s national security priorities including building the wall. I am proud to be the voice for Republicans\u2019 principals on critical security issues facing our nation, and I\u2019ll bring that to the Committee on the first day of the 116th Congress,\u201d Rogers said.\n\nCongressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) who will serve as Minority Leader in the 116th Congress added, \u201cI am looking forward to having Mike Rogers as the leading Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Protecting America and the American people has been a top priority for every Republican in Congress and Mike has been a championing voice. I know Mike will keep that steadfast leadership as he approaches this new role.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nCongressman Rogers will be Alabama\u2019s only House member to serve as a Ranking Member in the 116th Congress. He has served on the Committee on Homeland Security since 2005 and has served as a subcommittee chairman or ranking member on three separate occasions. Moving into the next Congress, Congressman Rogers will continue to focus on defending our borders, visa security and protecting our transportation systems across the nation. Further, as the threat environment of tomorrow changes, Congressman Rogers will spend considerable time discussing cybersecurity, including the security of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and hardening our critical infrastructure. Each of these issues presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the Committee and Congressman Rogers will be steadfast in examining them and their impacts on national security.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=662", "Rogers Re-elected to Republican Steering Committee", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after being elected once again to the Republican Steering Committee this week by his colleagues. The purpose of the Steering Committee is to recommend Republican Members of Congress to serve as leads on Full Committees and recommend individual Member committee assignments based on their background, level of expertise and seniority.\n\nThis is Rogers\u2019 third term on the Steering Committee.\n\n\u201cI am honored to have been elected again to serve on this committee. As the Steering Committee representative for the Alabama and Tennessee delegations, I look forward to advocating on their behalf before the House Republican Conference. And as one of the representatives of Southern states, I look forward to working on bringing regional balance to chairs and committee assignments,\u201d Rogers said.\n\nRogers was selected as the Region V representative which encompasses Alabama and Tennessee. The appointment is for the upcoming 116th Congress.\n\n- ### -", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-re-elected-republican-steering-committee", "Rogers Re-elected to Republican Steering Committee", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers Re-elected to Republican Steering Committee             \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Nov 30, 2018      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    \n(WASHINGTON, DC)Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after being elected once again to the Republican Steering Committee this week by his colleagues. The purpose of the Steering Committee is to recommend Republican Members of Congress to serve as leads on Full Committees and recommend individual Member committee assignments based on their background, level of expertise and seniority.\n\n        This is Rogers' third term on the Steering Committee.\n\n        I am honored to have been elected again to serve on this committee. As the Steering Committee representative for the Alabama and Tennessee delegations, I look forward to advocating on their behalf before the House Republican Conference. And as one of the representatives of Southern states, I look forward to working on bringing regional balance to chairs and committee assignments, Rogers said.\n\n        Rogers was selected as the Region V representative which encompasses Alabama and Tennessee. The appointment is for the upcoming 116th Congress.\n               \n                                - ### -", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-ready-be-homeland-security%E2%80%99s-conservative-champion", "Rogers: Ready to be Homeland Securitys Conservative Champion", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC)---Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after being chosen to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the 116th Congress.\n\n        I am honored to be chosen by my colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. Having served on the Committee since its inception in 2005, I have the experience and expertise needed to lead conservative homeland security efforts in the House. Most importantly, I stand ready to fight for President Trump's national security priorities including building the wall. I am proud to be the voice for Republicans' principals on critical security issues facing our nation, and I'll bring that to the Committee on the first day of the 116th Congress, Rogers said.\n\n      Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) who will serve as Minority Leader in the 116th Congress added, I am looking forward to having Mike Rogers as the leading Republican on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Protecting America and the American people has been a top priority for every Republican in Congress and Mike has been a championing voice. I know Mike will keep that steadfast leadership as he approaches this new role.\n\nBackground:\nCongressman Rogers will be Alabama's only House member to serve as a Ranking Member in the 116th Congress. He has served on the Committee on Homeland Security since 2005 and has served as a subcommittee chairman or ranking member on three separate occasions. Moving into the next Congress, Congressman Rogers will continue to focus on defending our borders, visa security and protecting our transportation systems across the nation. Further, as the threat environment of tomorrow changes, Congressman Rogers will spend considerable time discussing cybersecurity, including the security of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and hardening our critical infrastructure. Each of these issues presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for the Committee and Congressman Rogers will be steadfast in examining them and their impacts on national security.\n\n                                 -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/columns/roby-weekly-column-border-security-priority-alabamians", "Border Security is a Priority for Alabamians", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, one of my jobs is to work alongside my colleagues to see that the government is funded on time each year. It's no secret that the process is far from perfect and Congress often falls short of executing this important responsibility in the way our founding fathers intended, but this year, I am glad to report that we have taken steps in the right direction.\nAs you may know, current government funding expires on December 7, and as of now, we have already funded 75 percent of the government under regular order. We have done our job to fund our military and the Department of Veterans Affairs on time, and now it is imperative that we build upon this positive momentum by properly funding the rest, including the Department of Homeland Security, in order to crack down on our country's illegal immigration problem.\nI'm sure you have seen the recent news reports about the caravan of individuals trying to force their way across our southern border. This situation is deeply troubling, and it is a direct threat to our national security. The unfortunate truth, however, is that this isn't the first time something like this has occurred, and until we truly secure our border, it won't be the last.\nLet me be clear: Our immigration system is broken, and it badly needs to be reformed. But, any real, meaningful discussions about reforms to the existing system absolutely must begin with securing the border. As I always say, if you have a leak in your house, you don't replace the drywall until you fix the leak. In the same way, we cannot attempt to solve the larger problem with our immigration system until we stop the flow of illegal immigrants across our border.\nThat's why it is critical that Congress fully fund the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security and immigration, to provide the resources and tools necessary to secure the border, including President Trump's request for a border wall. Last year, we put a down payment on construction of a wall along our southern border, and this year, it is our responsibility to direct additional funds towards this important measure and others.\nWith my seat on the House Appropriations Committee, I'm in a strong position to ensure that many of our Alabama priorities are properly funded from year to year. Border security is one of those priorities, and I am eager to get this important work done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-doug-jones-calls-for-answers-from-va-on-failure-to-pay-full-gi-benefits-to-veterans-and-their-families", "Senator Doug Jones Calls for Answers from VA on Failure to Pay Full GI Benefits to Veterans and Their Families", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Birmingham, Ala. U.S. Senator Doug Jones today wrote to the senior leader overseeing GI Bill benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking answers on behalf of Alabama veterans about the department's failure to pay thousands of veterans the GI Bill benefits they have earned. This follows areportthis week that the VA did not plan to reimburse veterans who were underpaid as a result of technical errors. An estimated total of 360,000 veterans may be impacted by the errors.\r\n\r\nIn his letter to VA Under Secretary for Benefits Paul Lawrence, Senator Jones wrote, I am gravely concerned about the impact these errors have had on the thousands of Alabama veterans and their family members who rely on the timely and predictable disbursement of GI Bill benefits. Specifically, I am referring to cases like the one I recently heard about involving a student in my state who lost a parent in combat having to wage her own fight for several months just to have her tuition disbursement corrected. While this student's case was resolved favorably and her financial good standing restored after several anxiety-filled months, I am told that there may be thousands of other similar cases still pending in Alabama.\r\n\r\nJones' letter requests the VA to provide Alabama-specific information about the impact of these errors on veterans and their families in the state, in addition to more details on the agency's plans to fix the problem and make the impacted beneficiaries whole again.\r\n\r\nSenator Jones also joined his colleagues today in abipartisan letter, led by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), calling on the VA Inspector General to launch an investigation into allegations that the VA would not be reimbursing veterans for any missed or underpaid benefits. In their letter, the lawmakers ask about how the technical errors occurred, how quickly any reimbursements will be made, and how the VA plans to make sure all benefits will continue to be paid out without interruption.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFull text of Senator Jones' letter to Under Secretary Lawrence is available here and below.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNovember 30, 2018\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D.\r\n\r\nUnder Secretary for Benefits\r\n\r\nDepartment of Veterans Affairs\r\n\r\n810 Vermont Avenue, NW\r\n\r\nWashington, D.C. 20571\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDear Dr. Lawrence,\r\n\r\nI am writing to request information on the impact on Alabama veterans and their families of ongoing problems with the administration of housing benefits during delayed implementation of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act (P.L. 115-48), known as the Forever GI Bill. I have joined my colleagues in calling for the VA to make whole each and every veteran for missed and incorrect housing payments stemming from technical problems and related computer software issues. However, I have additional questions about the caseload in Alabama and the VA's plans for working with college administrators to resolve each case in a timely manner and correctly administer these benefits going into the Spring 2019 school semester.\r\n\r\nI am gravely concerned about the impact these errors have had on the thousands of Alabama veterans and their family members who rely on the timely and predictable disbursement of GI Bill benefits. Specifically, I am referring to cases like the one I recently heard about involving a student in my state who lost a parent in combat having to wage her own fight for several months just to have her tuition disbursement corrected. While this student's case was resolved favorably and her financial good standing restored after several anxiety-filled months, I am told that there may be thousands of other similar cases still pending in Alabama.\r\n\r\nWhile statements made this week by VA officials in Congressional testimony indicate that the VA does intend to reimburse veterans for missed or underpaid housing paymentsdespite previous statements to the contraryit remains unclear whether the VA will do so at the rates that beneficiaries are legally entitled to beginning August 1, 2018, or if the VA only intends to make veterans whole based on the rates as they existed before the law took effect, thereby remaining in violation of existing law. Any re-payments that are not in compliance with current law would be unacceptable and would send a disturbing message to our military service members, veterans, and their families.   \r\n\r\nI ask that you please provide me with the following information so that we may work to address remaining issues in Alabama in a timely fashion:\r\n\r\n \r\nHow many students are enrolled using GI Bill benefits on Alabama campuses?\r\nCan you provide me with a breakdown of the number of GI Bill benefit recipients per Alabama college itemized by college?\r\nHow many cases of incorrect housing payments on each campus have been logged in Alabama since August 1, 2018?\r\nHow many of these cases have already been resolved and how many of them have received full compensation for retroactive benefits dating back to August 1?\r\nWho is the appropriate contact at each university for students that have questions about how to resolve problems with incorrect disbursements?\r\nDo you expect the remaining cases of underpayment to be made whole with retroactive payments before these students begin the Spring 2019 school semester?\r\nDo you expect the technical problem to be corrected before the beginning of the Spring 2019 school semester?\r\nWhat additional resources do you need so that the VA may fully comply with the program's guidelines in a timely manner going into the new academic year?\r\n \r\n\r\nThank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I appreciate the work that you do to support our nation's veterans, and especially the survivors of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.\r\n\r\nPlease keep me updated on the progress of the caseload in Alabama. I hope to work with you and the VA to ensure this issue is addressed as soon as possible.\r\n\r\nSincerely, \r\n\r\nDoug Jones       United States Senator   \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-leads-bipartisan-call-for-additional-funds-for-hurricane-michael-recovery", "Senator Jones Leads Bipartisan Call for Additional Funds for Hurricane Michael Recovery", "2018-11-30", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Birmingham,\r\nAla. U.S. Senator\r\nDoug Jones today announced his continued efforts to support Alabamians\r\nrecovering from Hurricane Michael with a direct appeal to Senate leadership\r\nurging support for disaster\r\nassistance\r\nfor Alabama farmers and the state's agriculture community. Senator Jones\r\nand Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) led the letter and were joined by Senators\r\nDavid Perdue (R-Ga.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Marco\r\nRubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Thom Tillis\r\n(R-N.C.), whose states were also affected by hurricanes in September and\r\nOctober. In their\r\nletter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck\r\nSchumer (D-N.Y.), the senators wrote, We believe it is our duty as Members of\r\nCongress to step in and assist farmers and others who are in need. We ask that\r\nas leaders of the United States Senate you direct this body to work with the\r\nHouse of Representatives to include emergency appropriations for those states\r\naffected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in the next appropriations bill the\r\nSenate considers. Hurricane\r\nMichael caused an estimated\r\n$307 million in damages and the loss of more than 2,500 jobs in Alabama. The combined\r\nlosses from Hurricanes Florence and Michael cost other states additional\r\nbillions in agriculture production and job losses. Cotton was\r\nruined during a crucial harvest period, destroying what promised to be a\r\nhistorically high yield. Peanuts, sweet potatoes, and a multitude of other\r\nfruits and vegetables that were not yet harvested rotted in the soil. High\r\nwinds leveled acres of timber stands and pecan trees and demolished poultry,\r\npork, and cattle barns, killing and dispersing animals and livestock, the\r\nletter continued. SenatorJoneshas continued to work with federal,\r\nstate, local leaders, and residents to ensure that Alabama gets the resources\r\nit needs to fully recover from this devastating hurricane. He recently visited\r\nthe Wiregrass region tolisten to localfarmersto better understand the extent of\r\nthe damage their crops sustained as well as their uniquerecoveryneeds. Earlier this month, the U.S.\r\nDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) approved the State of Alabama's application\r\nfor an agricultural disaster declaration, which SenatorJonessupported in aletterto\r\nUSDA Secretary Sonny Perdue.  Full\r\ntext of the letter can be found here and below.  November\r\n30, 2018 The\r\nHonorable Mitch\r\nMcConnell                     The Honorable Chuck Schumer  Senate\r\nMajority\r\nLeader                             Senate Minority Leader  317\r\nRussell Senate Office\r\nBuilding                    322 Hart Senate Office Building  Washington,\r\nDC\r\n20510                              Washington, DC 20510  Dear\r\nMajority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We\r\nare writing in support of our farmers, ranchers, producers, and communities\r\nthat were devastated in the wake of multiple natural disasters in 2018. The\r\ndestruction we have seen firsthand in our respective states, coupled with the\r\npoor overall condition of the farm economy, has demonstrated the clear need for\r\nCongress to provide a supplemental disaster appropriations bill immediately. Hurricanes\r\nFlorence and Michael made landfall in the Southeast in September and October,\r\nrespectively, leaving a historic level of destruction from Florida to Virginia.\r\nHurricane Michael caused more than $2.5 billion in losses to Georgia's\r\nagricultural industry, nearly $1.5 billion in agricultural production losses in\r\nFlorida, and an estimated $307 million in damages and the loss of more than\r\n2,500 jobs in Alabama. Similarly, Hurricanes Florence and Michael are\r\nresponsible for $1.1 billion worth of destruction to North Carolina's crops as\r\nwell as $205 million in agriculture losses in South Carolina. As a result from\r\nthese disasters, cotton was ruined during a crucial harvest period, destroying\r\nwhat promised to be a historically high yield. Peanuts, sweet potatoes, and a\r\nmultitude of other fruits and vegetables that were not yet harvested rotted in\r\nthe soil. High winds leveled acres of timber stands and pecan trees and\r\ndemolished poultry, pork, and cattle barns, killing and dispersing animals and\r\nlivestock. We\r\nbelieve it is our duty as Members of Congress to step in and assist farmers and\r\nothers who are in need. We ask that as leaders of the United States Senate you\r\ndirect this body to work with the House of Representatives to include emergency\r\nappropriations for those states affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in\r\nthe next appropriations bill the Senate considers. Sincerely, ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-bill-naming-athens-post-office-passes-us-house", "Brooks Bill Naming Athens Post Office Passes U.S. House", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Thursday, Congressman Mo Brooks' (AL-05) bill, H.R. 6513, to designate the United States Postal Service Office located at 1110 West Market Street in Athens, Alabama, as the \"Judge James E. Horton, Jr. Post Office Building, passed the United States House of Representatives by voice vote. Notably, every other member of Alabama's House Delegation cosponsored the bill.\nCongressman Brooks said, Judge James Edwin Horton was born in Limestone County, Alabama on January 4, 1878. Despite having no formal education until he was eight or nine, Judge Horton was accepted to Vanderbilt University's medical studies program and, later, to Cumberland University where he earned his bachelor and law degrees. Judge Horton served in the Alabama State Legislature until he took a Limestone County, Alabama chancery court position. Thereafter, he was elected circuit court judge for Alabama's Eighth Judicial Circuit. After reelection to a second term, Judge Horton was appointed to preside over the retrials of the highly controversial and nationally renowned Scottsboro Boys' cases.\nBrooks continued, By way of background, the Scottsboro Boys' cases involved nine African Americans, ages 13 to 20, accused of raping two white women on a train in 1931 as it traveled through Scottsboro and Jackson County, Alabama. In the first trials, eight of nine defendants were found guilty and sentenced to death, a verdict later reversed by the United States Supreme Court. After a guilty verdict and death sentence during the second set of Scottsboro Boys trials, Judge Horton bravely issued an order setting aside the jury's guilty verdict against Haywood Patterson and ordered a new trial. In 2013, the Scottsboro Boys were formally pardoned under Alabama law.\nBrooks concluded, For his bravery in the face of extreme racial prejudice and for his willingness to support justice that risked and ended his judicial career, Judge Horton deserves the posthumous honor of having the Athens, Alabama Post Office named for him, and it is appropriate that his legacy be held up as a guide for future generations.'\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-make-friendly-wager-on-sec-championship-game", "Congressmen Make Friendly Wager on SEC Championship Game", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  November 29, 2018  Congressmen Bradley Byrne (R-AL) and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) today announced a friendly wager on the SEC Championship Game between the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia. Ferguson is staking Chick-fil-a on a Bulldog victory, and Byrne is risking Alabama seafood for a Crimson Tide win.\nByrne and Ferguson had a similar wager during last year's National Championship Game, with Byrne and the Crimson Tide coming out on top.\nCongressman Byrne said: There is no doubt Alabama is the powerhouse in the SEC this season. Time and again Alabama's offense has rolled past team after team to secure a perfect 12-0 record. I expect that same focus, drive, and intensity against Georgia this Saturday. Nick Saban and Tua Tagovailoa will make it 13-0 against the Bulldogs, and I look forward to another delicious Chick-fil-a meal from my Georgia colleague.\nCongressman Ferguson said: I am confident this will be the year the student becomes the master and Kirby Smart leads the Dawgs to victory over Nick Saban and the Alabama team. With phenomenal players like the Third District's Terry Godwin, the Georgia Bulldogs are sure to win the SEC Championship and head to the playoffs. I look forward to enjoying some Alabama seafood to celebrate the win.\nByrne is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. Ferguson attended the University of Georgia before gaining early acceptance to the Medical College of Georgia.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-congratulates-116th-congress-caucus-leadership-representative", "Rep. Sewell Congratulates 116th Congress Caucus Leadership Representative Jamie Raskin", "2018-11-29", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Thursday, November 29, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) released the following statement congratulating Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) on his election as Caucus Leadership Representative, a leadership position for Members who have served five terms or less.\nI congratulate Congressman Jamie Raskin on his election as Caucus Leadership Representative for the House Democratic Caucus in the 116th Congress. He is a strong leader who is committed to working with Democratic Members from across the political spectrum on the issues which matter most to America's working families. Rep. Raskin will be a powerful voice for newer Members on our Caucus's leadership team.\nDemocrats are ready to get to work expanding economic opportunity for working families, decreasing healthcare costs, modernizing our nation's infrastructure, and restoring our democracy. In the 116th Congress, I will do all I can to help Rep. Raskin and our Caucus leadership team win victories on these important issues.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-recognizes-bob-grip-s-retirement-on-house-floor", "Byrne Recognizes Bob Grips Retirement on House Floor", "2018-11-28", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click here to download broadcast quality video of Congressman Byrne's speech.\nWashington, D.C.  November 28, 2018  Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) delivered a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives today to recognize Fox 10 News Anchor Bob Grip on his upcoming retirement.\nThe transcript of Congressman Byrne's speech can be found below.\nCongressman Byrne said: Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Bob Grip on his retirement after 33 years at Fox 10 News in Mobile, Alabama and an even more impressive 48 years in journalism.\nBob has been a mainstay on televisions in Southwest Alabama and the Florida Panhandle for over three decades. \nThrough his work at the anchor desk, Bob helped create a more informed community. \nJust as impressive is Bob's contribution away from the TV station. He has dedicated countless hours to numerous service organizations and programs, including teaching journalism classes and hosting high school academic competitions.\nOne of my fondest memories with Bob was when he tagged along for a day of my town hall meetings in rural Alabama. At each stop, Bob was the highlight. In fact, there is no doubt more people were excited to see Bob than their Congressman. It was a testament to just how loved and respected Bob Grip is by so many in Southwest Alabama.\nMr. Speaker, I'm proud to call Bob a friend, and I want to wish him and his wife, Marie, all the best in retirement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=660", "Report from Washington:  The Season of Giving Across East Alabama", "2018-11-28", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Every year during the Christmas season, I like to highlight just a few of the things folks across East Alabama are doing for each other.\n\nBelow is a small sample of ways our fellow Alabamians have cared for each other over the past year.\n\nIn Talladega County, The Care House in Sylacauga helps provide food and clothing all year round for any individuals who need it in the area.\n\nIn Clay County, the Modern Culture Club/Inter-Se Club hosted their annual soup luncheon mid-November to raise money for the local DHR so they could purchase Christmas gifts for local children.\n\nThis year in Calhoun County, Brad Young with Insurance Planning of Anniston staged his disaster relief vehicle at K.L. Brown Funeral Home in Jacksonville. He provided meals and a place for folks to charge their cell phones after the tornado and storms devastated the area in April.\n\nAlso in Calhoun County, Piedmont High School students held their annual Seniors Helping Seniors program in March. This program provides services of high school seniors in assisting local senior citizens with errands or chores relating to Spring cleaning.\n\nIn Randolph County, Handley High School band director Matthew Goodman jogged over 400 miles from Roanoke to New Orleans to raise money. The money raised will help cover the costs so all of his band students would have the opportunity to perform in the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl Marching Band Program.\n\nIn Macon County, the Tri City Church/Macon County Food Bank- will supply food boxes, turkeys, clothing and toys for families in need throughout Macon County.\n\nIn Cleburne County, the community came together and raised money to help the Willingham family pay for their child\u2019s cancer treatments.\n\nIn Cherokee County, a program called Jobs for Alabama\u2019s Graduates (JAG) supports at-risk students and helps them graduate from high school.\n\nIn Smiths Station in Lee County, \u201cLove Touch Assisted Living\u201d Veterans Home served a Thanksgiving meal to local Veterans and will be providing each of them with new gloves, hats and coats for Christmas.\n\nIt always warms my heart to learn about these acts of kindness. Let\u2019s keep that spirit up throughout the year instead of just during the holidays.\n\nAs always, I want to hear from you on this or any issue. Please sign up for my e-Newsletter by visiting www.mikerogers.house.gov. To stay up to date, you can also like me on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram at RepMikeRogersAL, on Tumblr at www.repmikerogersal.tumblr.com and you can also subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/report-washington-season-giving-across-east-alabama-0", "Report from Washington:  The Season of Giving Across East Alabama", "2018-11-28", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)Every year during the Christmas season, I like to highlight just a few of the things folks across East Alabama are doing for each other.\n\nBelow is a small sample of ways our fellow Alabamians have cared for each other over the past year.\n\nIn Talladega County, The Care House in Sylacauga helps provide food and clothing all year round for any individuals who need it in the area.\n\nIn Clay County, the Modern Culture Club/Inter-Se Club hosted their annual soup luncheon mid-November to raise money for the local DHR so they could purchase Christmas gifts for local children.\n\nThis year in Calhoun County, Brad Young with Insurance Planning of Anniston staged his disaster relief vehicle at K.L. Brown Funeral Home in Jacksonville. He provided meals and a place for folks to charge their cell phones after the tornado and storms devastated the area in April.\n\nAlso in Calhoun County, Piedmont High School students held their annual Seniors Helping Seniors program in March. This program provides services of high school seniors in assisting local senior citizens with errands or chores relating to Spring cleaning.\n\nIn Randolph County, Handley High School band director Matthew Goodman jogged over 400 miles from Roanoke to New Orleans to raise money. The money raised will help cover the costs so all of his band students would have the opportunity to perform in the 2019 Allstate Sugar Bowl Marching Band Program.\n\nIn Macon County, the Tri City Church/Macon County Food Bank- will supply food boxes, turkeys, clothing and toys for families in need throughout Macon County.\n\nIn Cleburne County, the community came together and raised money to help the Willingham family pay for their child's cancer treatments.\n\nIn Cherokee County, a program called Jobs for Alabama's Graduates (JAG) supports at-risk students and helps them graduate from high school.\n\nIn Smiths Station in Lee County, Love Touch Assisted Living Veterans Home served a Thanksgiving meal to local Veterans and will be providing each of them with new gloves, hats and coats for Christmas.\n\nIt always warms my heart to learn about these acts of kindness. Let's keep that spirit up throughout the year instead of just during the holidays.\n\nAs always, I want to hear from you on this or any issue. Please sign up for my e-Newsletter by visiting www.mikerogers.house.gov. To stay up to date, you can also like me on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram at RepMikeRogersAL, on Tumblr at www.repmikerogersal.tumblr.com and you can also subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-announces-november-staff-community-office-hours-1", "Byrne Announces November Staff Community Office Hours", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Staff members from the Office of Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) will hold office hours throughout Alabama's First Congressional District on November 28th and 29th.\nThe staff members will be on hand to help constituents with problems they may be experiencing with federal agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Medicare, and Social Security. Staff members can also assist constituents who need help applying for or receiving a United States passport.\n\nBaldwin County\nWednesday, November 28\n9:30 - 10:30 am: Gulf Shores City Hall\n11:00 am - 12:00 noon: Elberta City Hall\n1:30 - 2:30 pm: Daphne City Hall\n3:00 - 4:00 pm: Spanish Fort City Hall\n\nThursday, November 29\n3:30 4:30 pm: Bay Minette City Hall\n\nClarke County\nWednesday, November 28\n11:30 am  12:30 pm: Grove Hill Town Hall\n1:00  2:00 pm: White Smith Memorial Library in Jackson\n\nEscambia County\nThursday, November 29\n9:30 - 10:30 am  Atmore City Hall\n11:00 am  12:00 noon  Pollard Town Hall\n1:30  2:30 pm: Brewton City Hall\n\nMobile County\nThursday, November 29\n11:00  12:00 pm: Citronelle City Hall\n3:00  4:00 pm: Dauphin Island Town Hall\n\nMonroe County\nWednesday, November 28\n9:30  10:30 am: Monroeville City Hall\n\nWashington County\nWednesday, November 28\n3:00  4:00 pm: Washington County Public Library in Chatom\n\nThursday, November 29\n9:30  10:30 am: McIntosh Town Hall", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/november-update-and-happy-thanksgiving", "November Update and Happy Thanksgiving", "2018-11-27", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As we prepare to give thanks for the many blessings we have as a nation on Thanksgiving, I wanted to provide you a brief update on my activities in Washington and in the District, as well as look ahead to the next Congress. I value staying connected with you and hearing your feedback on the issues important to you. As usual, if my office can assist you, please don't hesitate to contact us.\nTo read the full newsletter, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/team-four-students-jefferson-county-international-baccalaureate-school", "Team of Four Students from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School Win 2018 Congressional App Challenge", "2018-11-26", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nMedia Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921\n\nTeam of Four Students from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School Win 2018 Congressional App Challenge\n\nBirmingham, AL \u2013 Congressman Gary Palmer is pleased to announce four students from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School as the winners of Alabama's Sixth Congressional District's first Congressional App Challenge. The winners are Aniket Pant, Viraj Kacker, Lonnie Webb, and Cole McKee. The team designed an app to bring awareness to the water crisis in Tanzania, Africa.\n\nThe winning students called their app, \"Water Well Forecasting and Analysis in Tanzania, Africa.\" The app has the intended purpose of predicting the functionality of water wells in real time and in the future.\n\n\"This is an impressive group of students with creativity and talent,\" Palmer said. \"Technology skills are more important than ever today and I'm glad that the Congressional App Challenge offered students of the Sixth District the chance to grow in these areas. I congratulate Aniket, Viraj, Lonnie, and Cole on their winning app. They should be very proud.\"\n\nApps were judged by Mr. Steven Puckett of Southern Research. The winning students will receive a special recognition certificate from Congressman Palmer.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-shooting-ej-bradford-jr", "Rep. Sewell Statement on Shooting of E.J. Bradford, Jr.", "2018-11-26", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BIRMINGHAM, AL  On Thursday, November 22, a Hoover police officer fatally shot Mr. Emantic Fitzgerald EJ Bradford, Jr. of Hueytown, AL at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. Following the shooting, the Hoover Police Department mistakenly claimed EJ Bradford had fired shots at the mall, injuring two other people. The State Bureau of Investigation of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will lead the investigation into the events of November 22.\nCongresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) releases the following statement:\nToday I join with the community in calling for justice for E.J. and the other victims. The senseless tragedy that led to the death of Emantic E.J. Bradford, Jr. must be thoroughly investigated and all the facts brought into the light, said Rep. Terri Sewell. My heartfelt prayers are with E.J.'s family and all those injured and impacted by this tragic event. As a community, we must insist that ALEA, the Hoover Police Department and all law enforcement involved, conduct this investigation with the utmost transparency to the public. Tragedies like this one erode the public trust. Through accountability and transparency, it is my hope we can get to the truth of the events that transpired that evening and get justice for the victims.\n\n###\n  Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-jones-toomey-and-carper-request-government-accountability-office-review-of-commerce-department-tariff-exclusion-process", "Senators Jones, Toomey and Carper Request Government Accountability Office Review of Commerce Department Tariff Exclusion Process", "2018-11-26", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Tom Carper (D-Del.) today wrote to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request a formal review of the tariff exclusion process administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Commerce Department exclusion process for the Trump Administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum has generated a large backlog of petitions and has placed significant burdens on American businesses. The 25-percent tariffs on steel and 10-percent tariffs on aluminum were the result of a section 232 investigation that examined whether these imports were a threat to U.S. national security.\r\nAs a result of the section 232 actions, U.S. trading partners have levied retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars of American exports. In addition, several countries, including U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union (EU), have filed disputes against the United States using the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute mechanism, the senators wrote.\r\nThey continued, Members of Congress and U.S. businesses have repeatedly raised concerns about the pace, transparency, and fairness of the section 232 steel and aluminum exclusion process. For example, the Senate Finance Committee and industry groups have called on Commerce to clarify the criteria it uses to determine whether to grant an exclusion from the tariffs. In July 2018, at a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing, businesses vocalized concerns about the backlog of exclusion applications and the challenges small businesses have faced in accessing adequate resources to navigate the exclusion process.\r\nBy the end of October, Commerce had received 49,301 exclusion petitions (including resubmissions) and had issued decisions for just 16,567 (34 percent) of them. In their letter, the senators call for GAO to investigate key questions about the current process, including how to improve the pace of review, the cost to taxpayers, the amount of technical support provided to petitioners, and how exclusion approvals are determined.\r\nA copy of the letter is available here and below:\r\n\r\nNovember 26, 2018\r\nThe Honorable Gene L. Dodaro  Comptroller General of the United States  United States Government Accountability Office  441 G Street NW  Washington, DC 20548\r\n\r\nDear Mr. Dodaro:\r\nWe write today to request a review of the process by which the Department of Commerce (Commerce) has been granting tariff exclusion requests for steel and aluminum imports that would otherwise be subject to additional duties under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.\r\nIn April 2017, the Secretary of Commerce initiated a section 232 investigation to examine whether steel and aluminum imports impair U.S. national security. On the basis of a positive determination from this investigation, President Trump invoked his authority under section 232 to proclaim 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs on aluminum imports. These tariffs went into effect for most countries on March 23, 2018. Although Mexico and Canada were initially excluded from the tariffs, President Trump announced on May 31, 2018 that both countries would be included. In 2017, the U.S. imported approximately $29 billion in foreign steel and $17 billion in foreign aluminum.\r\nAs a result of the section 232 actions, U.S. trading partners have levied retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars of American exports. In addition, several countries, including U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union (EU), have filed disputes against the United States using the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute mechanism.\r\nSince the tariffs went into effect, Commerce has been processing on a rolling basis thousands of petitions from U.S. importers of foreign steel and aluminum products seeking tariff relief. As of October 29, 2018, Commerce had received 49,301 exclusion petitions (including resubmissions), and had issued decisions in 16,567 cases (34%). Of these, 12,044 requests were approved and 4,523 were denied. In Congressional testimony on September 9, 2018, Commerce officials reported that the agency had redeployed staff from other Commerce offices and was in the process of hiring 55 contractors to handle the backlog of exclusion petitions.\r\nMembers of Congress and U.S. businesses have repeatedly raised concerns about the pace, transparency, and fairness of the section 232 steel and aluminum exclusion process. For example, the Senate Finance Committee and industry groups have called on Commerce to clarify the criteria it uses to determine whether to grant an exclusion from the tariffs. In July 2018, at a House Ways and Means subcommittee hearing, businesses vocalized concerns about the backlog of exclusion applications and the challenges small businesses have faced in accessing adequate resources to navigate the exclusion process.\r\nTo ensure that Congress has a better understanding of this issue and possible actions that the federal government can take to address it, we request that the Comptroller General initiate a review that evaluates the following questions:\r\n \r\nHow has Commerce incorporated feedback from petitioners, members of Congress, and other stakeholders to develop and improve upon its exclusion process?\r\nWhat criteria does Commerce use to make a determination to approve or deny an exclusion petition? How does Commerce adjudicate rebuttals?\r\nWhat steps has Commerce taken to ensure the timely processing of exclusion petitions, including additional staffing and resources? What steps could Commerce take to improve the pace of its exclusion process?\r\nHow has Commerce trained staff to properly evaluate petitions?\r\nWhat is the average amount of time Commerce takes to issue a decision on a petition? How does the rebuttal and surrebuttal process for opposition comments increase this timeline?\r\nWhat has been the cost to date of the 232 exclusion process, including the costs of increased staffing to evaluate petitions?\r\nHow does Commerce ensure transparency and adequate communication with petitioners? How frequently does Commerce contact petitioners for additional information, if needed? How quickly does Commerce correct any mistakes in the administration of the exclusion petition process?\r\nWhat degree of technical support has Commerce provided to assist petitioners, particularly small businesses, in filing exclusion petitions?\r\n \r\nPlease consider including recommendations for agency or congressional action in your evaluation. If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact Mark Libell (Jones) at 202-224-4124, Halie Craig (Toomey) at 202-224-4254, or Jan Beukelman (Carper) at 202-224-2441.\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\nDoug Jones  United States Senator\r\nPat Toomey  United States Senator\r\nThomas R. Carper  United States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-senator-doug-jones-hears-from-alabama-manufacturing-and-agriculture-leaders-about-the-impacts-of-tariffs-on-their-businesses", "VIDEO: Senator Doug Jones Hears from Alabama Manufacturing and Agriculture Leaders About the Impacts of Tariffs on their Businesses", "2018-11-20", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Mobile,\r\nAla. \r\nOn Monday in Mobile, U.S. Senator Doug Jones led a field roundtable on behalf\r\nof the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC)\r\nto examine the effects of the Administration's tariffs and trade policies on\r\nAlabama manufacturers and farmers. Participating speakers included leaders from\r\nall four major automakers in Alabama, the steel industry, the Port of Mobile,\r\nand farmers of soy, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and cotton. Highlights from the\r\nroundtable discussion are included below. I\r\nam troubled by the growing global trade war, not least because of the high cost\r\nto Alabama citizens. Alabama is an exporting state. More than 560,000 Alabama\r\njobs are supported by trade.Our farmers send their crops across the globe\r\nand we are the third-highest exporter of automobiles.I have heard estimates\r\nfrom the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that the trade war could have an impact on as\r\nmuch as $4.4 billion in Alabama exports, Senator Jones said in his opening\r\nremarks. Jones\r\ncontinued,\r\nDespite many concerns with the administration's current trade policies, I also\r\nunderstand the need to address the bad actors. I grew up in Fairfield in the shadow\r\nof [the U.S. Steel] mill. I worked at that steel mill one summer in the cotton\r\ntie mill ten hours a day, six days a weekit was good work and [those were]\r\ngreat-paying jobs and it built a middle class.So I know the impacts of global\r\ntrade on the steel industry and where things have gone and how illegally\r\nsubsidized steel has hurt my city, has hurt my state, and has hurt this\r\ncountry. It is a national security concern. A strong steel industry is\r\nimportant for our national securitythere is no question about it and we can't\r\nstand idly by.  WHAT\r\nTHE EXPERTS SAID AT THE ROUNDTABLE: Auto\r\nmanufacturers and farmers weigh in on the harmful impacts of tariffs on their\r\nproducts: Allyson\r\nEdwards, Assistant Division Manager, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama: The\r\npotential cumulative impact of new trade policies is unsettling for those in\r\nour industry who make decisions about future investment. This uncertainty about\r\nfuture cost in an industry with long product lead times adds risk to doing\r\nbusiness in the U.S. Unfortunately, Honda has been impacted by a number of\r\ntrade actionsdespite our local [steel] purchases, the tariffs represent\r\nhundreds of millions of dollars in added cost.imposing tariffs here will put\r\nAmerican workers, American consumers, American communities, and the American\r\neconomy at risk. Mark\r\nKaiser,\r\nsoy, peanut, and cotton farmer: Soybeans are probably one of our\r\nlargest crops that we export and our largest customer is China. We're down\r\n98-percent for the year. Those soybeans are produced and they're going into\r\nstorage now. Farmers are holding onto them. I don't know what's going to happen\r\nif China doesn't go to the table and start buying, but they're going to Brazil.\r\nBrazil's going to be harvesting by the end of December. They may totally take\r\nus out of the market and we've been working on this market for 20 years. We're\r\nin a situation where we're taking the brunt of this tariff war right now and\r\nwe're the least prepared to do it. Jimmy\r\nLyons, Director and CEO, Alabama State Port Authority: I think\r\nthat we're just beginning to see the impacts and what we're going to see in the\r\nfuture is going to be much more impactful than it has been to date. We've seen\r\nit in grain. We've seen it in our steel exports. We've seen orders cancelled.\r\nWe've even seen metallurgical coal shipments cease to at least one country\r\nwho's been subject to the steel tariffs. The effects are far-reaching and it's\r\ncreated an environment of uncertainty in business.Ultimately one of the\r\nconcerns that we have is the potential inflationary impact of these new taxes,\r\nwhich is exactly what they are. You can call them tariffs,' but they're taxes.\r\nThese tariffs and taxes are eventually going to fall on the shoulders of the\r\nAmerican people. Daniel\r\nPenry, fourth-generation soy, peanut, and sweet potato farmer: Our farm\r\nhas been struggling since '14 with prices. Prices have just been down, down,\r\ndown. We've got neighbors that have quit and gone on and done something\r\nelse.Things are bad in agriculture and they have been for a while. I know that\r\nit's a matter of national security that we be able to grow our own food so we\r\ncan eat. David\r\nFernandes, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc.: We believe tariffs\r\nare just another way of saying taxes. We know the impact of taxes on our entire\r\nindustry. We are already seeing it in the steel and aluminum tariffs that went\r\ninto effect earlier this year under Section 232 provision of the U.S.\r\nDepartment of Commerce. Our business philosophy and purchasing strategy has\r\nalways been to build where we sell and build where we build. That's why more\r\nthan 90-percent of our steel comes from the U.S. Now, we're here about import\r\ntariffs on vehicles and auto parts, and the idea that our imports are a\r\nnational security [threat] and, personally, that is very frustrating. The idea\r\nthat 137,000 hard-working Americans at our facilities, our supplier network,\r\nand our dealers across the country could be considered a national threatthat's\r\nimpossible. But beyond that, tacking a 25-percent tax on car parts in the U.S.\r\nis a direct hit by the government on an otherwise healthy industryan industry\r\nthat is been a driving force in America for more than 100 years. The bottom\r\nline is that prices will go up. Graham\r\nJones, Project Director, Aker Solutions, on the process of seeking exclusions\r\nfrom tariffs:\r\nThe process itself  just even the application  is not very straightforward.\r\nThere's no timelines and these tariffs are quite large on our product, so it\r\ndoesn't, with everybody else, doesn't really allow us to do any kind of\r\nfinancial planning or forecasting. Alabama\r\nsteel-makers weigh in on the benefit of steel tariffs for national security and\r\nbusiness: Brent\r\nSansing, Plant Manager, Fairfield Works Tubular: The United\r\nStates cannot afford to outsource an industry as vital to our national and\r\neconomic security as steel. During an emergency, we need steel-making here at\r\nhome, not awaiting delivery from overseas. We need American-made steel to\r\nrebuild our bridges and infrastructure and to harness and transport our energy\r\nresources. America cannot achieve energy independence if we are reliant on\r\nforeign steel to develop our own energy resources. As the [Section] 232\r\n[investigation] moves forward and is refined, it is critical to not lose sight\r\nof the harm inflicted on American steel-making and jobs by foreign imports. Mike\r\nLee, Vice President and General Manager, Nucor Steel Decatur: Our\r\nindustry has endured years of unfair trade, with an unrelenting flood of dumped\r\nand subsidized steel, overwhelming our market. This has led to reduced\r\nproduction, weaker balance sheets, and layoffs. Although Nucor was able to\r\navoid layoffs, everyone at our company is paid on the basis of performance, so\r\nwhen production and profits fall, we all take home less money for our families.\r\nFor years, we fought back with trade cases and got duties imposed on nations\r\nthat skirted the rules only to see those countries cheat again by\r\ntrans-shipping products through third countries. Yesterday's\r\nroundtable participants included: Robert Burns, Vice President, Human Resources\r\n& Administration, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama; Rick Clementz,\r\nGeneral Counsel, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International; Allyson Edwards, Assistant\r\nDivision Manager, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama; David Fernances, President,\r\nToyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc.; Graham Jones, Project Director, Aker\r\nSolutions; Mark Kaiser, soy, peanut, and cotton farmer, Seminole, Alabama; Mike\r\nLee, Vice President and General Manager, Nucor Steel Decatur; Jimmy Lyons,\r\nDirector and CEO, Alabama State Port Authority; Daniel Penry, soy, peanut, and\r\nsweet potato farmer, Daphne, Alabama; and Brent Sansing, Plant Manager,\r\nFairfield Works Tubular. A\r\nfull video of the Senate HSGAC field roundtable is available\r\nhere. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/let-us-give-thanks", "Let Us Give Thanks", "2018-11-18", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On October 3rd, 1863, President Lincoln issued a Proclamation on Thanksgiving establishing the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday, encouraging every American - at home and abroad - to give pause and give thanks.\nThanksgiving had existed before in America. There was the First Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrims and Native Americans in Massachusetts in 1621, of course, and Presidents George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison also issued proclamations encouraging the celebration of Thanksgiving.\nIt is interesting that during a time as perilous as the height of the Civil War, President Lincoln entrenched this holiday of gratitude and togetherness into the American year.\n1863 was a time of divisiveness and uncertainty, and yet people throughout the country could still find things to be thankful for.\nOnly two months after this proclamation, on December 3rd, 1863, the final symbolic decoration was added to the outside of the Capitol Dome in Washington: a 19-foot tall statue known simply as Freedom.\nThe freedoms we enjoy today are some of the greatest things we can be thankful for. For many throughout the world, the freedoms we enjoy do not exist for them.\nAs we gather with friends and family, I hope you will take time to answer this simple question: what are you thankful for this year?\nFor myself, I am extremely thankful for my family, my friends, and for the opportunity I have to serve you in Washington.\nI am thankful for the many pieces of landmark legislation we were able to pass this year, including fully funding our military for next year, providing funds for vital water infrastructure projects, and enacting meaningful change to the G.I. Bill and the Veteran's Choice Program.\nI am also thankful for all of the positive economic news this year: our thriving economy and jobs market are creating more opportunities for people in Alabama and around the country.\nWith good news there is also bad. The acts of violence we have seen over recent months in Pennsylvania and California demonstrate the amount of evil there is still to combat in this world. The extremely deadly wildfires currently raging in California causes our hearts to ache for all those affected so unexpectedly and so close to the holidays.\nBut even in these tragedies, there are things to be thankful for. The first responders who risk their lives to help those in need; the medical professionals who provide service to the sick and those in pain; and perhaps the thing for which we as Americans can be most thankful is our interminable spirit to come together as one, help our neighbors, and make the world a better place to live through one small act of kindness at a time.\nMore personally, I am thankful to be a child of a loving, forgiving, and all present God. I'm also thankful to call Southwest Alabama home.\nOf course, I am thankful for my wonderful family; every moment I get to spend with Rebecca, our children, and our grandchildren is a moment I feel truly blessed.\nLastly, I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I have again to serve the people of Southwest Alabama over the next Congress.\nThere is a memorable verse from the book of John: And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)\nOne of the truths we can hold firmly to this Thanksgiving is this: we in the United States are richly blessed with life, prosperity, and freedom. Knowing that, we can be very thankful indeed.\nFrom my entire staff, family, and myself, we wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/columns/season-thanksgiving-and-rebuilding", "A Season of Thanksgiving and Rebuilding", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Thanksgiving is a uniquely special holiday because it provides us an entire day each year to pause as a country and give thanks to God for the countless ways He has blessed us. The stress and craziness of everyday life often make it easy to lose sight of just how much we have to be thankful for, so as we all have the opportunity to gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I hope we all take time to count our numerous blessings.\nWhile we have a lot to be thankful for in our state and country right now, there are also people in our district and throughout the Southeast who are in the midst of a very challenging recovery period in the wake of Hurricane Michael. When this horrific storm made landfall just over a month ago, areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia were completely ravaged. Hundreds of people lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed. Needless to say, this Thanksgiving will be a very emotional time for many people in our country.\nHere in our district, the agriculture community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of damages is still being assessed at this time, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers.\nIn the aftermath of the storm, I have traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they are experiencing. In fact, I recently had the opportunity to visit a farm in Houston County with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan to assess damage and discuss recovery efforts with some local farmers.\nI appreciate the local leaders and hardworking farmers who took the time to sit down with Secretary Perdue, Commissioner McMillan, and me. Secretary Perdue is a friend to Alabama, and I'm deeply grateful that he made this visit happen and participated in this important dialogue with Alabama farmers. I will work alongside Secretary Perdue and my colleagues in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. My job is to be on the front line fighting for Alabama, and we are making the push to get this done quickly and correctly. We must get this right, and we must ensure that Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts.\nThroughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. Their work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods.\nDuring this season of Thanksgiving as you're gathered with family and friends, I hope you will join me in prayerfully remembering our neighbors in the Wiregrass and throughout the Southeast. While the challenge of rebuilding won't be easy, I am confident that we will get through it together.\nIn the spirit of the holiday, I want to take this opportunity to tell you that I am thankful for the responsibility to serve our state and country in the United States Congress. It is a true honor to be in a position to make a difference on behalf of Alabama's Second District, so thank you for allowing me to serve you. From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/alabama-today-martha-roby-fights-farmers-inclusion-hurricane-recovery-efforts", "Alabama Today: Martha Roby fights for farmers inclusion in hurricane recovery efforts on House floor", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A little over month agoHurricane Michaeltore through parts of Alabama, leaving devastation in its wake. On Thursday,Alabama 2nd District U.S. RepMartha Robytook to the House floor to discuss the devastation to the counties in Alabama's Second District that were impacted by the storm. She alsoappealed to her colleagues to include farmers in allin hurricane recovery efforts.\nJust over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia Alabama's Second District was badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region, Roby said.\nShe continued,  agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty. I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts.\nRepresentative Roby recognized the agriculture community in particular and encouraged those who still need recovery assistance to contact her offices.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/dothan-first-roby-other-officials-discuss-solutions-post-hurricane-farming", "Dothan First: Roby, other officials discuss solutions for post-hurricane farming crisis", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Office     \n          \n442 Cannon House Office Building\n\nWashington, DC 20515\n\n    \n          Phone: (202) 225-2901  \n\tFax: (202) 225-8913    \n  \n      \n           Andalusia Office     \n          \n\nCity Hall\n505 E. Three Notch Street, Suite 322\n\n\nAndalusia, AL 36420\n\n    \n          Phone: (334) 428-1129  \n\tFax: (334) 222-3342    \n  \n      \n           Dothan Office     \n          \n217 Graceland Drive, Suite 5\n\nDothan, AL 36305\n\n    \n          Phone: (334) 794-9680  \n\tFax: (334) 671-1480    \n  \n      \n           Montgomery Office     \n          \n401 Adams Avenue, Suite 160\n\nMontgomery, AL 36104\n\n    \n          Phone: (334) 262-7718  \n\tFax: (334) 262-8758", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/wtvy-dothan-usda-disaster-declaration-five-alabama-counties", "WTVY (Dothan): USDA Disaster Declaration in Five Alabama Counties", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Governor's Office) Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated five Alabama counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas. The primary counties include: Barbour, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike Counties.\nOn October 15, 2018, Governor Ivey requested a primary county disaster designation for several counties in Alabama, due to damage and losses caused by significant rainfall, wind and flooding, resulting from Hurricane Michael.\nI am very grateful to Secretary Purdue and USDA for responding quickly to our request to aid our farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael. Alabama's agriculture industry is very important to our state as a whole, but even more importantly, it's essential to the livelihood of our farmers, Governor Ivey said. Alabamians are quick to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need, and as governor, I will continue doing all I can to help our hardworking men and women find success.\nWe appreciate Governor Ivey's quick response to this agricultural disaster and her commitment to help farmers recover, Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said. This declaration authorizes the use of existing USDA emergency programs and clears the way for additional disaster aid. Hurricane Michael spoiled hopes for a bumper cotton crop, flattened miles of fence and destroyed thousands of acres of timber. Our farmers are thankful for the help and encouragement they've received from the Trump administration, Alabama's Congressional delegation and Governor Ivey, as well as countless neighbors and volunteers.\nThe Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those contiguous to (bordering) such primary counties eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency. The seven contiguous counties include: Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Montgomery and Russell Counties.\nUSDA Secretary Sonny Perdue is a friend to Alabama, and he understands that our farmers need help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts ahead, Congresswoman Martha Roby said. I appreciate his action to make available the proper resources and assistance for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods. We are committed to getting this done quickly and correctly.\nFarmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/yellowhammer-news-usda-sec-perdue-visits-wiregrass-survey-hurricane-michael", "Yellowhammer News: USDA Sec Perdue visits Wiregrass to survey Hurricane Michael damage, Praises Martha Roby for her participation", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GORDON  On Friday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue stopped in Alabama to survey the agricultural impact resulting from damage due to Hurricane Michael last month.\nPerdue's appearance at Mule Shoe Plantation near Alabama's borders with Florida and Georgia in Southeast Houston County was the second of three that day, which also included stops in Bristol, Fla. and Donaldsonville, Ga.\nPerdue was accompanied by Rep. Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) and Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan, who will soon assume the role of Alabama State Treasurer.They all participated in a roundtable discussion with farmers from Houston and Henry Counties to discuss emergency hurricane relief, how to efficiently deal with the federal bureaucracy and other issues, including crop insurance and trade policy.\nPerdue praised Roby for her participation in his visit to Alabama, noting that of the three stops in three different states, the Montgomery Republican was the only one that came to meet with him.\nThis is the way representative democracy works, Perdue said. The election is over, but Martha Roby is here. I'm not saying anything about anybody. I'm going to be in three states today, and this is the only member of the House that I'm meeting with.\nHe also suggested Alabama was poised for the federal response, given Sen. Richard Shelby's (R-Tuscaloosa) position in the U.S. Senate.\nI want to tell you something: There's business going on up there  but this is the way representative democracy works. There's a senior senator here that's in really good position to help as well and make sure we get what we need in the supplemental.\nFollowing the roundtable, Perdue, Roby and McMillan took questions from reporters. Perdue reflected on what he had learned in his discussion and noted that the aftermath of Hurricane Michael made for some extenuating circumstances with regards to disaster relief for agricultural interests.\nThe common safety net programs that the members of the Congress pass in farm bills are not enough in these kinds of devastating circumstances, Perdue said. We come to see what kind of exemptions and exclusions we can put out there that don't apply in the normal course of business. We look at impediments  what are the frustrations in dealing with government and farm service agency and USDA. What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? What do we need to do more of? What do we need to do less of?\nThe best way to do that is talk to producers and growers, here, he added. We have got an unusual situation in the South in the corner between Alabama, Georgia and Florida  a lot of pine tree damage. That's not a typical crop that's damaged in this sort of way, nor pecan trees. There are a lot in southwest Georgia, and these will require some different circumstances there because that might have been a landowner's retirement. A lot of landowners plant those trees 25, 30, 40 years ago hoping to harvest them in their retirement. And it's gone, just like your 401(k) being stolen from a bank.\nBoth Perdue and Roby told Yellowhammer News they did not anticipate last week's midterm election results that will give Democrats apparent control of the U.S. House of Representatives to impact any disaster relief response.\nI think that's the great thing about America, Perdue said. It doesn't affect anything. Congresswoman Roby is still there. She is advocating for her constituents. Commissioner McMillian is. Irrespective of election outcomes, that's the way we work in America, and that's the good thing about succession government.\nRoby emphasized the response to come in the form of disaster relief supplemental legislation must not only come soon but correctly as well.\nA hurricane doesn't discriminate on state lines or congressional districts, Roby said. My job is to work with all of my colleagues who have been impacted by this storm and other devastation around the country to make sure Congress is doing its job to put the money in place to make sure this disaster supplemental is there to help Americans.\nAnd so, we're going to make the push to get this done, she added. You heard the urgency in that room today. And so there is going to be a push to get this done as quickly as we can. But as the secretary said, we have to get it right. And so we're going to continue to work with all the government agencies that are involved and my colleagues in Congress to make sure that we get this done quickly, but correctly.\nRecent estimates ofHurricane Michael's toll on agriculturein Florida, Georgia and Alabama have exceeded $1 billion.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/roby-visits-houston-county-farm-discusses-hurricane-recovery-local-farmers", "Roby Visits Houston County Farm, Discusses Hurricane Recovery with Local Farmers and Ag Secretary Perdue and Ag Commissioner McMillan", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GORDON, AL  U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) today visited the McAllister family farm with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan to assess Hurricane Michael damage and discuss recovery efforts with local farmers in Alabama's Second District.\nRoby, Perdue, and McMillan toured the McAllister family farm and held a roundtable with a group of Alabama farmers representing a variety of commodities who were impacted by Hurricane Michael in October.\nRepresentative Roby thanked Secretary Perdue for making a trip to Alabama and reaffirmed her commitment to helping farmers rebuild:\nSecretary Perdue is a friend to Alabama, and I am deeply grateful that he made this visit happen and participated in this important dialogue with Alabama farmers. He understands that our state's farmers need help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts ahead.\nI will work alongside Secretary Perdue and my colleagues in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to these hardworking men and women. My job is to be on the front line fighting for Alabama, and we're making the push to get this done quickly and correctly.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/usda-announces-234-million-uniontown-wastewater-solution", "USDA Announces $23.4 Million for Uniontown Wastewater Solution", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. On Friday, November 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $23.4 million grant to address an ongoing wastewater treatment crisis in Uniontown, Alabama. USDA will work with the municipality to create an outside board which will oversee the development of a new wastewater system for Uniontown residents. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) helped secure an increase of $1.8 billion in an omnibus funding bill for USDA water and wastewater infrastructure projects.\nToday's grant announcement is a huge victory for Uniontown that will have a real-life impact for thousands of Alabamians living in the rural Black Belt, said Rep. Terri Sewell. Thank you to Senators Richard Shelby and Doug Jones, Congressman Robert Aderholt, USDA State Rural Development Director Chris Beeker, and all of the state and local stakeholders who helped to make this investment possible. No American family should have to live without access to safe wastewater treatment in the 21st Century. I have met with families in rural Alabama who struggle with the health and economic challenges created by failing wastewater systems. Every day, their stories inspire my fight in Congress for stronger investments in our wastewater infrastructure. USDA's assistance in Uniontown is an important step forward, but the wastewater crisis facing Alabama's rural Black Belt is not over. We must continue fighting for Uniontown, Lowndes County, and all of our state's residents who have to live with inadequate basic resources.\nFor over a decade, failing wastewater infrastructure has created enormous health and economic challenges for communities in rural Alabama. Since 2016, the issue has received national and international attention, with the release of a United Nations-sponsored report this year highlighting the failure of wastewater infrastructure in Alabama's rural Black Belt.\nIn March, Rep. Sewell worked with House appropriators to secure $1.8 billion in additional funding for water and wastewater infrastructure under USDA as part of an omnibus spending bill. Rep. Sewell has also toured the spray fields in Uniontown and homes in Lowndes County to survey failing and inadequate wastewater systems. In May, the Congresswoman held a health fair in Hayneville, AL with Sen. Jones to raise public awareness about the health consequences associated with failing septic systems and wastewater contamination.\nRep. Sewell has made the repair of wastewater infrastructure a top priority since she was first elected to Congress. In 2013, Rep. Sewell helped White Hall in Lowndes County secure a $1 million grant and $112K loan through the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program (USDA) which was used to connect 50 homes and businesses to the municipal sewer lines.\n###\nRep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=13E5BC57-7B8E-4553-869A-488030F30C11", "Shelby Announces $23 Million Rural Development Grant for Uniontown", "2018-11-16", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Richard Shelby", "S000320", "www.shelby.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded Uniontown a $23,437,500 grant to rehabilitate the city's entire wastewater collection system.\r\nWater and wastewater systems across the country are aging, overburdened, and in need of replacement, said Senator Shelby. Failure to invest in these water projects has devastating economic and public health consequences. The dire situation in Uniontown is a prime example of a number of communities across Alabama in need of upgrades and repairs. I am proud to have led the efforts to create momentum for this project,and I would like to thank USDA for providing this critical funding. I remain committed to fighting for these greatly needed resources to combat our state's growing infrastructure needs.\r\nThis $23,437,500 USDA Rural Development grant for Uniontown will enable a major infrastructure redesign and rehabilitation. The project will include construction of an interconnection between the city of Uniontown and the city of Demopolis which will pump wastewater to Demopolis for treatment. Once this collection system is operational, the treatment of wastewater through the city of Uniontown's existing lagoon and spray field system will be eradicated. The lagoons and spray field serving the city of Uniontown will be decommissioned and reclaimed, which will eliminate wastewater overflow and assist the city to better comply with environmental regulatory requirements. Approximately 2,810 customers in the city of Uniontown and the surrounding area are served by this wastewater system.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=658", "Rogers Reminds College Students About Available Summer Internships", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers announced today that the deadline for applying for summer internships in his offices will be February 15, 2019.\n\nThe internship program is designed to offer select college students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the legislative process, as well as the day-to-day operations of a Congressional office.\n\nTo be considered for an internship, students must submit a current resume, cover letter and short writing sample to the Congressman\u2019s intern coordinator. Please visit https://mikerogers.house.gov/constituent-services/internships for more information, or call Rogers\u2019 Washington, D.C. office at 202.225.3261.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=659", "Rogers: Deadline Approaching to Apply for Congressional Nomination to U.S. Military Service Academies", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mike Rogers reminds any graduating high school seniors for 2019 interested in receiving a Congressional nomination to attend one of the U.S. Service Academies to complete an application, which is available at http://mikerogers.house.gov/constituent-services/academy-nominations, and mail it to one of his district offices soon.\n\nTo be considered for a nomination for appointment to any of the service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marines Academy, seniors must complete Rogers\u2019 application material and mail the completed packets to one of Rogers\u2019 district offices. The applications can be sent to:\n\nCongressman Mike Rogers Congressman Mike Rogers\n\nAttn: Service Academy Application Attn: Service Academy Application\n\n1129 Noble Street, Suite 104 701 Avenue A, Suite 300\n\nAnniston, AL 36201 Opelika, AL 36801\n\nThe deadline for receipt of these applications is December 15, 2018. Please visit www.mikerogers.house.gov/constituent-services/academy-nominations with any questions, or call Rogers\u2019 Washington, D.C. office at 202.225.3261.\n\n-###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-deadline-approaching-apply-congressional-nomination-us-military-service-3", "Rogers: Deadline Approaching to Apply for Congressional Nomination to U.S. Military Service Academies", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC)---Congressman Mike Rogers reminds any graduating high school seniors for 2019 interested in receiving a Congressional nomination to attend one of the U.S. Service Academies to complete an application, which is available at http://mikerogers.house.gov/constituent-services/academy-nominations, and mail it to one of his district offices soon.\n\nTo be considered for a nomination for appointment to any of the service academies, including the U.S. Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marines Academy, seniors must complete Rogers' application material and mail the completed packets to one of Rogers' district offices. The applications can be sent to:\n\nCongressman Mike Rogers Congressman Mike Rogers\nAttn: Service Academy Application Attn: Service Academy Application\n1129 Noble Street, Suite 104 701 Avenue A, Suite 300\nAnniston, AL 36201 Opelika, AL 36801\n\nThe deadline for receipt of these applications is December 15, 2018. Please visit www.mikerogers.house.gov/constituent-services/academy-nominations with any questions, or call Rogers' Washington, D.C. office at 202.225.3261.\n\n                             -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-reminds-college-students-about-available-summer-internships-2", "Rogers Reminds College Students About Available Summer Internships", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers Reminds College Students About Available Summer Internships             \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Nov 15, 2018      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    \n(WASHINGTON, DC) Congressman Mike Rogers announced today that the deadline for applying for summer internships in his offices will be February 15, 2019.\n\nThe internship program is designed to offer select college students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the legislative process, as well as the day-to-day operations of a Congressional office.\n\nTo be considered for an internship, students must submit a current resume, cover letter and short writing sample to the Congressman's intern coordinator. Please visit https://mikerogers.house.gov/constituent-services/internships for more information, or call Rogers' Washington, D.C. office at 202.225.3261.\n\n                           -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/yellowhammer-news-roby-alabama-farmers-facing-hurricane-michael-aftermath", "Yellowhammer News: Roby on Alabama farmers facing Hurricane Michael aftermath: 'The devastation is heartbreaking'", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2) took to the floor of the United States House of Representatives on Thursday to discuss the counties in southeast Alabama that were devastated by Hurricane Michael last month, especially recognizing the area's agriculture community and encouraging those who still need recovery assistance to contact her offices.\nRoby outlined how Alabama's Second District was badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region following Michael's landfall.\nIn fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County according to recorded history, she added.\nFor the congresswoman's district, agricultureis thebackboneof our economy.\nIn my district, the agriculture community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber and peanut farmers, Roby said.\nShe continued, In the aftermath of the storm, I have traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they are experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in Southeast Alabama are in the midst of avery real crisis.\nExcerpt from the rest of her speech as follows:\n \n\tThroughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities.\n\tTheir work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods.\n\tMr. Speaker, I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time. I will work with my colleagues here in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts.\n\tI encourage anyone in Alabama's Second District who needs assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael to contact one of my offices today.\n\tMy staff and I work for you, and we are committed to ensuring that the folks impacted know the options available to them.\n\tAs we work through this season of rebuilding, I have been encouraged to see and hear about so many acts of kindness and charity in our district and throughout the Southeast. This time of recovery will not be easy, but if we continue to help each other in whatever ways we are able, we will get through this together.\n\tThank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/roby-house-floor-alabama-farmers-must-be-included-all-hurricane-recovery", "Roby on House Floor: Alabama Farmers Must Be Included in All Hurricane Recovery Efforts", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) today spoke on the House floor to discuss the devastation to the counties in Alabama's Second District that were impacted by Hurricane Michael last month. Representative Roby recognized the agriculture community in particular and encouraged those who still need recovery assistance to contact her offices.\nJust over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia Alabama's Second District was badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region.\n agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty. I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts.\nThe full text of Representative Roby's remarks as prepared is below.\nThank you, Mr. Speaker. Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.\nHundreds of Americans lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed.\nHurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and the nearby areas, but Alabama's Second District was also badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region.\nIn fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County according to recorded history.\nIn my district, the agriculture community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers.\nIn the aftermath of the storm, I have traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they are experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in Southeast Alabama are in the midst of a very real crisis.\nIn Alabama's Second District, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities.\nTheir work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods.\nMr. Speaker, I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time. I will work with my colleagues here in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama's farmers are included in all recovery efforts.\nI encourage anyone in Alabama's Second District who needs assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael to contact one of my offices today.\nMy staff and I work for you, and we are committed to ensuring that the folks impacted know the options available to them.\nAs we work through this season of rebuilding, I have been encouraged to see and hear about so many acts of kindness and charity in our district and throughout the Southeast. This time of recovery will not be easy, but if we continue to help each other in whatever ways we are able, we will get through this together.\nThank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/advisory-rep-sewell-hold-town-hall-selma-al-nov-19", "Advisory: Rep. Sewell to hold town hall in Selma, AL on Nov 19", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Birmingham, AL --On Monday, November 19, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) will continue her annual Congress in Your Community tour by hosting a town hall meeting in Selma, Alabama. The town hall will provide an opportunity for residents of the 7th Congressional District to share their views and concerns and hear updates on the latest in Congress.\nWHEN: Monday, November 19, 2018\nWHERE: Selma Interpretive Center\n  2 Broad St.\n  Selma, AL 36701\n  5:30 PM - 6:30 PM\nWHO: Rep. Sewell will host a Congress in Your Community Town Hall in Selma.\nBACKGROUND: Rep. Sewell hosts a Congress in Your Community town hall tour every year in each of the 14 counties she represents. These meetings serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue with constituents, allowing Rep. Sewell to connect with residents of the 7th Congressional District and address their concerns.\n###\n  Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama's 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/02/07/2019/senators-jones-barrasso-and-bennet-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-tackle-chronic-wasting-disease-", "Senators Jones, Barrasso, and Bennet Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Chronic Wasting Disease", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) joined Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing legislation to increase wildlife managers' ability to keep wildlife healthy.\r\nThe bill authorizes a special resource study to determine how chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreads and could be prevented in deer and elk. CWD can affect both wild and domestic herds of deer and elk in 25 states. However, state recommendations for preventing the spread of the disease vary. The bill would give state wildlife agencies and wildlife experts information to conduct targeted research on how the disease is transmitted, determine which areas are most at risk, and develop consistent advice for hunters to prevent further spread.\r\nAs an avid outdoorsman and hunter, I am deeply troubled by the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, said Senator Jones. This disease is threatening to impact the wildlife population in Alabama just as it has in a number of other states throughout the country. That's why it is so vital for the Senate to pass legislation that will ultimately give state and local wildlife officials the tools they need to contain the spread of CWD.\r\nChronic wasting disease has negatively affected white-tailed and mule deer in Wyoming for decades, said SenatorBarrasso. To protect our wildlife populations and our hunters, we need to know more about how this disease is spread and which areas are most at risk. Our bill gives wildlife managers the tools they need to research and identify exactly where chronic wasting disease is most prominent and how we can better prevent it. It's a critical first step to addressing this debilitating disease and keeping our wildlife herds healthy.\r\nThe deer and elk herds affected by Chronic Wasting Disease are a critical part of Colorado's wildlife heritage and economy, said Senator Bennet. We need to learn more about containing CWD, and this bipartisan legislation will provide the information state wildlife professionals need to align their work and prevent further spread.\r\nSenators Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Thune (R-SD), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) cosponsored the legislation.\r\nThe Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act addresses the needs identified by state wildlife agencies. The bill requires the USDA secretary to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences to review current data and best management practices (BMPs) from the CWD Herd Certification Program and state agencies regarding:\r\n \r\nPathways and mechanisms for CWD transmission\r\nAreas at risk and geographical patterns of CWD transmission\r\nGaps in current scientific knowledge regarding transmission to prioritize research to address gaps\r\n \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-jones-barrasso-and-bennet-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-tackle-chronic-wasting-disease-", "Senators Jones, Barrasso, and Bennet Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle Chronic Wasting Disease", "2018-11-15", "2018", "2018-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Doug Jones", "J000300", "www.jones.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today,\r\nU.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) joined Senators John Barrasso\r\n(R-Wyo.)and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing legislation\r\nto increase wildlife managers' ability to keep wildlife healthy. The bill authorizes a special\r\nresource study to determine how chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreads and could\r\nbe prevented in deer and elk. CWD can affect both wild and domestic herds of\r\ndeer and elk in 25 states. However, state recommendations for preventing the\r\nspread of the disease vary. The bill would give state wildlife agencies and\r\nwildlife experts information to conduct targeted research on how the disease is\r\ntransmitted, determine which areas are most at risk, and develop consistent\r\nadvice for hunters to prevent further spread. As\r\nan avid outdoorsman and hunter, I am deeply troubled by the spread of Chronic\r\nWasting Disease, said Senator Jones. This disease is threatening to\r\nimpact the wildlife population in Alabama just as it has in a number of other\r\nstates throughout the country. That's why it is so vital for the Senate to pass\r\nlegislation that will ultimately give state and local wildlife officials the\r\ntools they need to contain the spread of CWD. Chronic wasting disease has negatively affected white-tailed\r\nand mule deer in Wyoming for decades, said SenatorBarrasso. To\r\nprotect our wildlife populations and our hunters, we need to know more about\r\nhow this disease is spread and which areas are most at risk. Our bill gives\r\nwildlife managers the tools they need to research and identify exactly where\r\nchronic wasting disease is most prominent and how we can better prevent it.\r\nIt's a critical first step to addressing this debilitating disease and keeping\r\nour wildlife herds healthy. The\r\ndeer and elk herds affected by Chronic Wasting Disease are a critical part of\r\nColorado's wildlife heritage and economy, said Senator Bennet. We need\r\nto learn more about containing CWD, and this bipartisan legislation will\r\nprovide the information state wildlife professionals need to align their work\r\nand prevent further spread. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), John\r\nCornyn (R-TX), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Thune (R-SD), Joe\r\nManchin (D-WV), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) cosponsored the legislation. The\r\nChronic Wasting Disease Transmission in Cervidae Study Act addresses\r\nthe needs identified by state wildlife agencies. The bill requires the USDA\r\nsecretary to enter into an arrangement with the National Academies of Sciences\r\nto review current data and best management practices (BMPs) from the CWD Herd\r\nCertification Program and state agencies regarding: 1.\r\nPathways\r\nand mechanisms for CWD transmission 2.\r\nAreas\r\nat risk and geographical patterns of CWD transmission  3.\r\nGaps\r\nin current scientific knowledge regarding transmission to prioritize research\r\nto address gaps  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-elected-116th-congress-s-gop-leadership-team", "Palmer Elected to 116th Congresss GOP Leadership Team", "2018-11-14", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release  \n\tMedia Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921  \n\t\nPalmer Elected to 116th Congress's GOP Leadership Team\nWashington, D.C.  Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) released the following statement after his election to the position of Republican Policy Committee Chair for the 116th Congress.\nI appreciate the faith that my colleagues have placed in me and am grateful for their support, Palmer said. Throughout my career, I have focused on being a problem solver and developing and promoting sound policies, so I feel like I'm uniquely prepared for this role. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue advancing and promoting ideas supported by the American people.\nCongressman Palmer will serve in the GOP's leadership team alongside Representative Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader; Representative Steve Scalise, Minority Whip; Representative Liz Cheney, Conference Committee Chair; Representative Mark Walker, Conference Committee Vice Chair; Representative Jason Smith, Conference Committee Secretary; and Representative Tom Emmer, National Republican Campaign Committee Chair.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-elected-116th-congresss-gop-leadership-team", "Palmer Elected to 116th Congress\u2019s GOP Leadership Team", "2018-11-14", "2018", "2018-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release\n\nMedia Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921\n\nPalmer Elected to 116th Congress's GOP Leadership Team\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) released the following statement after his election to the position of Republican Policy Committee Chair for the 116th Congress.\n\n\"I appreciate the faith that my colleagues have placed in me and am grateful for their support,\" Palmer said. \"Throughout my career, I have focused on being a problem solver and developing and promoting sound policies, so I feel like I'm uniquely prepared for this role. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue advancing and promoting ideas supported by the American people.\"\n\nCongressman Palmer will serve in the GOP's leadership team alongside Representative Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader; Representative Steve Scalise, Minority Whip; Representative Liz Cheney, Conference Committee Chair; Representative Mark Walker, Conference Committee Vice Chair; Representative Jason Smith, Conference Committee Secretary; and Representative Tom Emmer, National Republican Campaign Committee Chair.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:10:16Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 805, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "AL", "p2": "2018"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 619, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 186, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 805, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "AL", "label": "AL", "count": 805, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2018", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018", "results": [{"value": "2018", "label": "2018", "count": 805, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2018-11-14,https~3A~2F~2Fpalmer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fpalmer-elected-116th-congresss-gop-leadership-team", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=AL&year=2018&_next=2018-11-14%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fpalmer~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fpalmer-elected-116th-congresss-gop-leadership-team&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 168.14083699136972, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}