{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"AL\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/a-look-back-at-2016", "A Look Back at 2016", "2016-12-25", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As we look forward to 2017, I want to take a moment to look back at some of the highlights of the past year.\nIt was a busy year with over 25 town hall meetings in each of the six counties that make up Alabama\u2019s First Congressional District, in addition to town halls online and over the phone. My office responded to over 6,000 pieces of mail and assisted over 1,400 local residents with issues relating to federal agencies.\nWithout a doubt, the biggest moment of 2016 was the election of Donald Trump on November 8th. His election represents a fundamental shift away from liberal, big government policies toward new, conservative reforms. No event on the list will likely have as big an impact as this monumental election.\nAnother big victory for 2016 came in the passing of the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill, which passed with broad bipartisan support, was signed into law on December 13th. The bill brings health research, the drug approval process, and mental health programs into the 21st Century and gives much needed hope to millions of Americans who suffer from various diseases.\nSadly, not all news in 2016 was positive. There were terrible tragedies as the world continues to battle radical Islamic terrorism.\u00a0 The horrible events in Brussels, Nice, Orlando, and just recently in Berlin, highlight the dangerous challenges we face.\nThere were also tragic incidents where members of law enforcement were targeted, including the sniper attack that claimed the lives of five police officers in Dallas. We should never lose respect and appreciation for our police officers.\nWe lost many iconic figures in 2016, but none was felt more locally than the loss of Harper Lee in February. Through her writing, the Monroeville native taught us all important life lessons about tolerance and acceptance, and she will be sorely missed.\nWe made some important progress on local priorities. I worked hard throughout 2016 to stop efforts by the Obama Administration to cut our military, including the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) that we build in Mobile. Despite efforts by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, we held the line and made important progress toward protecting this important program and the jobs at our shipyard. This fight will certainly continue into 2017.\nWe successfully stood up to efforts by the Obama Administration to house illegal migrant children at Navy airfields in Baldwin County. This was an incredibly flawed idea that would have put the children in bad and dangerous conditions while also placing real burdens on our local communities. Through legislative pressure, we were able to block the proposal.\nI was able to have an amendment included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which would require the Army Corps of Engineers to perform an Oyster Bed Recovery Assessment. The bill was signed into law on December 16th, and this assessment will go a long way toward rebuilding the oyster industry on the Gulf Coast.\nLocal veterans received good news in August with the announcement that Mobile will finally be getting a new VA clinic. The new, 65,000 square foot clinic will be located off Interstate 10 in Tillman\u2019s Corner.\nIn June, House Republicans released our Better Way agenda outlining our plans to address health care, the economy, poverty, the tax code, national security, and executive overreach. This bold, commonsense agenda will help guide our work in the new year.\nWhile 2016 brought many victories, there is still much work to be done in 2017. I promise to continue working day in and day out to turn our country around and make life better for the good people of Southwest Alabama.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-alabama-s-electoral-college-vote", "Aderholt Statement on Alabamas Electoral College Vote", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement after attending the vote of Alabama\u2019s nine members of the Electoral College where they cast their votes for Donald Trump and Mike Pence.\n\u201cI was both honored and humbled to be in attendance today as the nine Alabama members of the Electoral College cast their votes.\u00a0 Also, I appreciated the opportunity to speak on behalf of the other members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation at the Capitol in Montgomery. As expected, the nine electors cast their votes for Donald J. Trump for President of the United States and Mike Pence for Vice President of the United States.\n\u201cWatching the electoral process playout is truly like having a front row seat to watching the United States Constitution work and perform just as our Founders intended more than 200 years ago. John Adams summed up the reasoning behind our system of electing Presidents when he wrote about his fear of \u2018tyranny of the majority.\u2019 The Electoral College is in place to assure that the voices in small to medium sized states are not drowned out by the wishes of the largest states.\u00a0 The Founders\u2019 system works.\n\u201cNow the hard part begins. With the election of Mr. Trump, the voters gave marching orders.\u00a0 Those orders are clear and come January, I will work with my Republican colleagues to see that a new agenda for the American people is our top priority.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-alabamas-electoral-college-vote", "Aderholt Statement on Alabama\u2019s Electoral College Vote", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement after attending the vote of Alabama\u2019s nine members of the Electoral College where they cast their votes for Donald Trump and Mike Pence.\n\n\u201cI was both honored and humbled to be in attendance today as the nine Alabama members of the Electoral College cast their votes. Also, I appreciated the opportunity to speak on behalf of the other members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation at the Capitol in Montgomery. As expected, the nine electors cast their votes for Donald J. Trump for President of the United States and Mike Pence for Vice President of the United States.\n\n\u201cWatching the electoral process playout is truly like having a front row seat to watching the United States Constitution work and perform just as our Founders intended more than 200 years ago. John Adams summed up the reasoning behind our system of electing Presidents when he wrote about his fear of \u2018tyranny of the majority.\u2019 The Electoral College is in place to assure that the voices in small to medium sized states are not drowned out by the wishes of the largest states. The Founders\u2019 system works.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:09:43Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/a-few-christmas-thoughts", "A Few Christmas Thoughts", "2016-12-18", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With Christmas fast approaching, I want to take time to reflect on two important thoughts: the need to count our blessings and the importance of sharing those blessings with others.\nLast week, I stopped by the WKRG studios in Mobile to donate a few toys to their annual toy drive. I was blown away to see a warehouse packed full of toys that will make their way to children in need. It was a truly heartwarming experience to know so many from Southwest Alabama came together to help spread joy this Christmas season.\nOne of my favorite things about Christmas is the spirit of giving. The opportunity to see neighbors helping neighbors and people lending time or money to those they may not even know.\nThis past weekend, I had the opportunity to ring the bell for the Salvation Army in downtown Fairhope. It is always really special to see people \u2013 young and old \u2013 dropping money in the bucket in an effort to bring a smile to someone else\u2019s face.\nYou know, the holidays are a fun and exciting time, but for many of us, they can also be a busy and even stressful time of year. Christmas shopping can sneak up on you, family tensions can run high, and work and school demands can increase leading up to Christmas.\nI want to encourage all of us to slow down this Christmas, take a moment to reflect on the true reason for the season, spend time with loved ones, and remember our many blessings here in the United States of America.\nAs we count our blessings and share them with others, I hope you will keep two other groups of people in mind.\nI hope you will remember the Christians around the world who face persecution each and every day simply for what they believe. Particularly in the Middle East, Christians are forced to secretly carry out their religious practices for fear of attack or ridicule.\nThe freedom to freely exercise our religion is something we too often take for granted as Americans, so I hope you will join me in saying a special prayer for those facing religious persecution throughout the world.\nI\u2019m also reminded of our military men and women, who are away from their families and loved ones this Christmas. It is because of their service, and the sacrifice of those before them, that we are able to freely celebrate Christmas. In addition to the service members themselves, let us also say a prayer for their families who I know miss them dearly.\nThese days, as you turn on the television and look at some of the challenges facing the world, it can be easy to feel like evil and darkness is winning. Personally, seeing the many challenges serve as a reminder for me to fight even harder for the values and freedoms we all hold dear throughout my service in Congress.\nBut, to all of us, the Christmas season should help us remember that, no matter how bad things may seem at times, we are blessed with eternal hope through the birth of Jesus Christ.\nSo, as I do every Christmas, I take comfort in words written in John chapter 1, verse 5: \u201cThe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.\u201d May we always remember those important words of hope.\nFrom my\u00a0family to yours \u2013 Merry Christmas!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/spreading-joy-hope-peace-christmas", "Spreading the Joy, Hope & Peace of Christmas", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "If you\u2019re like me, life can get pretty busy with Christmas right around the corner: the errands to run, meals to cook, friends and family to visit, gifts to give \u2013 go down the list. It is easy to become distracted from what really matters at Christmastime.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI hope we can all make a special effort this year to demonstrate the true spirit of the season by spreading joy, hope, and peace in a sometimes troubled world. In particular, I hope you\u2019ll join me spreading these blessings among those who will spend the holiday season in more difficult circumstances than most of us.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI am mindful of the brave men and women of our Armed Forces stationed overseas who won\u2019t be able to experience the joy of spending Christmas at home with their families. Recently, I took part in the annual effort by the American Red Cross to write holiday greeting cards to our active duty military personnel stationed around to globe. For me, sitting down to pen individual messages of gratitude puts in very real, personal terms the scarifies made by our service men and women and their families, particularly during the holiday season. You and your family can take advantage of this opportunity to send joy to our heroes overseas as well by visiting www.RedCross.org/HolidayMail.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tWe must also make sure to remember the less fortunate among us and do our part to offer hope by way of a helping hand. For those who are having a hard time financially, are battling an illness, or have emotional struggles, the holiday season can be the loneliest time of all. There are many worthy organizations who help connect those in need to others with the means to help: charities, shelters, food banks and the like. Some local efforts might include teaming up with others to make sure families can simply enjoy a nice Christmas meal or have toys for their children. If you aren\u2019t able to give monetarily, there are many ways to give of your time by volunteering. The Alabama Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is a great resource to find ways you might be able to give back and offer hope to those who need it in your community. Visit them online at www.ServeAlabama.gov.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tToo many in this world live in war-ravaged countries that do not know peace. Of course, familiar struggles continue in Afghanistan, Iraq and other hot spots. But, nowhere is the bloodshed more intense and heartbreaking right now than the Syrian city of Aleppo, ground zero in a brutal civil war where hundreds of thousands have died. There\u2019s no question the United States and the world must do more to bring an end to this slaughter. As talks toward a cease-fire proceed, I hope you\u2019ll join me in praying for peace. Pray that peace, comfort, and healing come quickly for the innocent people of Aleppo and other war-torn places on earth.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tSo, as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season rolls on, let us make a special effort to spread joy to our troops serving overseas, offer hope to those less fortunate by giving back in our community, and continuously pray for peace for those in places of conflict.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tFrom my family to yours, Merry Christmas!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-navy-s-355-ship-goal", "Byrne Statement on Navys 355 Ship Goal", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Navy\u2019s latest Force Structure Assessment. The new statement recommends a 355 ship fleet and calls for the full complement of 52 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), which are built in part by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.\nByrne said: \u201cThe Navy is absolutely correct in their call for a 355 ship Navy fleet. The evolving threat environment coupled with the buildup of other navies around the world is a clear indication that we must rebuild and upgrade our fleet. I am especially pleased to see the Navy reaffirm the need for 52 Littoral Combat Ships, which are critically important to our efforts in the Pacific and around the globe. I stand ready to work with the incoming Trump Administration to provide the Navy with the resources they need to deter aggression, maintain the flow of commerce, and defend our nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/roby-defends-f-35-program-reassures-community", "Roby Defends F-35 Program, Reassures Community", "2016-12-13", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) on Monday defended the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program and reassured the Montgomery area community about the possibility of landing the F-35 mission after a tweet from President-elect Donald Trump criticized the new aircraft\u2019s long and costly history.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tRoby, who has been working to bring the F-35 assignment to the 187th Fighter Wing at Montgomery\u2019s Dannelly Field, told WSFA 12 News she welcomed President-elect Trump\u2019s concerns about spending, but explained that cost concerns for the F-35 were mostly in the past. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe F-35 issues took place mainly in the research and development phase of the program, and that\u2019s over and done \u2013 and paid for. The F-35 is in production,\u201d Roby said.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI think what President-elect Trump said was less about the F-35 and really more of a message to the Pentagon that this is something we\u2019re going to take on to ensure that we don\u2019t have these costs overruns with future programs.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tLast week, the Air Force announced that the Montgomery-based 187th Fighter Wing is on the short list of five Air National Guard units being considered for the F-35 assignment. The Air Force\u2019s is expected to make a final selection of two Air National Guard units for the prestigious assignment in Spring of 2017. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tRoby\u2019s full statement is below.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"I don't think the President-elect was necessarily threatening the F-35 program itself, but rather using the cost overruns in years previous to send a message to the Pentagon about future procurements.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"There\u2019s no question our Armed Forces need a next-generation aircraft to replace the F-16, and that aircraft is the F-35. What\u2019s important to know about the F-35 is that the cost concerns mostly came in the development stage, which is in the past and already paid for. At this point it would be a mistake to throw away the significant investment already spent on developing this aircraft that is now battle-ready and in production.\u00a0 But, again, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what he\u2019s talking about. Donald Trump is known for his negotiation skills. It may seem unconventional, but I believe what he is doing is putting the Pentagon on notice that inefficiency and cost overruns won\u2019t be tolerated for future acquisitions. And that\u2019s a good thing. I\u2019ve been an advocate for acquisition reform for some time, so I\u2019m eager to see any specifics he might offer.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI\u2019m glad to see President-elect Trump is concerned about spending, and there have certainly been problems with cost overruns on military programs, including the F-35. The incoming administration and Congress must work together to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars when it comes to military programs. Part of that is not wasting past investments like the F-35, and I\u2019m confident President-elect Trump and his advisers understand that.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-washington-dc-office-moves", "Rogers: Washington, D.C. Office Moves", "2016-12-13", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC)\u2014 Congressman Mike Rogers announced today that his Washington, D.C. office has moved to a new location and is now open at: 2184 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515.\n\u201cI have always said my door is open to the people of the Third Congressional District,\u201d Rogers said. \u201cI am excited about our new location in Washington and hope local citizens will continue to come by and visit when they are in our nation\u2019s capital.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 - ### -", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/early-picks-show-priorities-of-trump-administration", "Early Picks Show Priorities of Trump Administration", "2016-12-11", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Over the last few weeks, reporters with television cameras have stood watch in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City to see who is coming and going from meetings with President-elect Donald Trump.\nMost of the visitors are there to talk to the President-elect about opportunities to serve in his administration, and based on the announcements so far, it is safe to say that President-elect Trump is putting together a great team.\nI have made clear my strong support for Alabama\u2019s own Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General. It was one of the first announcements President-elect Trump made, and it shows that he is going to be serious about enforcing the rule of law and cracking down on illegal immigration.\nIf you haven\u2019t read about General James Mattis, you definitely should. Donald Trump made a fantastic choice in selecting him to lead the Department of Defense. He has a clear record of serving our nation with steadfast leadership, unwavering integrity, and selfless dedication.\nI know General Mattis will help lead the charge toward a stronger, more capable military. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with him to rebuild our military and defeat radical Islamic terrorism.\nOne of the first friends I made upon being elected to Congress was Tom Price, a congressman from Georgia. I was so thrilled to see him selected to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. As an orthopedic surgeon, he understands better than most how Obamacare is ruining our nation\u2019s health care system.\nDr. Price has served as chairman of the House Budget Committee for the last couple of years, so he also understands the need to pursue policies that help reduce federal spending and balance the budget. He will do a fantastic job overseeing the repeal and replacement of Obamacare.\nElaine Chao, who served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush, has been selected for Secretary of Transportation. We have numerous important transportation projects here in Southwest Alabama, and I look forward to working with Elaine Chao to improve all of our nation\u2019s transportation infrastructure.\nDr. Ben Carson is a good choice for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As someone who grew up in poverty, he has seen firsthand the challenges facing some of our communities. \u00a0I specifically look forward to working with Dr. Carson to change the way our nation tackles poverty by putting a real emphasis on work and helping connect people with the skills they need to find a job.\nAs a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I am also excited about Trump\u2019s picks for Secretary of Education and Secretary of Labor. Betsy DeVos has dedicated her career to improving educational opportunities for students, and I expect that goal to continue.\nAndy Puzder, the pick to lead the Labor Department, is a businessman who has seen firsthand how the policies of the last eight years have thwarted economic growth and hurt working families. I am confident that under his leadership, we can swing the pendulum of power away from Big Labor bosses and back in favor of American workers.\nThe selection of Wilbur Ross and Steven Mnuchin to lead the Departments of Commerce and Treasury show that President-elect Trump is serious about always putting American workers first and growing the economy here at home.\nEach of these cabinet nominees will have to go through the Senate confirmation process, but I am confident the Republican-controlled Senate will expeditiously confirm the nominees so they can get to work.\nIf these picks are an indication of how Donald Trump plans to govern, I think we have much to be excited about in the coming years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/congress-ends-term-legislative-victories", "Congress Ends Term with Legislative Victories", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the sun sets on the 114th Congress, I\u2019m proud to report some noteworthy legislative victories: the Iran Sanctions Act extension, the National Defense Authorization Act, and the 21st Century Cures Act each received final passage by the House and the Senate and are set to become law. Each of these bills faced significant legislative hurdles over the past year or more, and I\u2019m pleased we were able to come together and secure final passage before the year\u2019s end.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThese bills have something else in common: they each saw opposition from the White House at some point, including veto threats from President Obama. In the end, both the House and Senate were able to build broad bipartisan coalitions to secure the kind of majorities that all but ensure the president will sign these crucial bills into law.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAs I\u2019ve previously written, the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) reauthorization extends for ten years some of our nation\u2019s most meaningful tools for keeping Iran and its ambitious weapons program in check. Now more than ever, we need to keep the upper hand with Iran, and these sanctions will better position the incoming Trump Administration to do just that. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019ve also written about how the 21st Century Cures Act will provide funding and policy improvements to help battle rare diseases, fight our nation\u2019s opioid epidemic, and improve mental health care. Once signed into law, it will enable our country to make real progress towards finding cures for the millions who suffer from various cancers, Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, and other rare, deadly diseases.\u00a0 \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAs you may know, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is annual legislation that authorizes funding and policy for our military. In most years, enacting the NDAA has been a smooth process. In fact, for 55 consecutive years Congress has successfully passed and the president has signed the NDAA. However, disagreements over certain policies and the veto threat from the White House put this year\u2019s bill in jeopardy.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAs someone who represents a district home to Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, I\u2019m particularly pleased we were able to overcome these difficulties and deliver this crucial bill. Article I, Section VII of the Constitution instructs Congress to \u201cprovide for the common defense,\u201d and the NDAA enables us to fulfill that responsibility. The bill ensures that our service men and women have the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs and keep Americans safe. I\u2019m also especially proud that this year\u2019s bill includes a much deserved pay raise for our troops.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tIn addition to these critical bills, Congress passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep our government running through the new year. Instead of a making a full Fiscal Year 2017 Appropriations bill, Congress opted to simply extend current spending policies into the new year to maintain government operations, allowing President-elect Trump to have a say in next year\u2019s budget decisions. I\u2019m optimistic that we can work together to rein in wasteful government spending and ensure more responsible and transparent use of tax dollars.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019m pleased that 114th Congress is ending on a positive note with passage of meaningful legislation that will make a difference for the American people. Looking ahead, I\u2019m excited about all the new possibilities as a unified Republican government assumes office next year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/roby-votes-against-water-bill", "Roby Votes Against Water Bill", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) voted against a federal water policy bill this week, citing the removal of a provision from current law encouraging the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia to negotiate a water sharing agreement between them.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tS. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, but not without significant opposition from members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation over eliminating an existing mandate from Congress for the states\u2019 governors to settle their water sharing disputes. The bill currently awaits action by the Senate, where it is expected to see similar opposition from Alabama\u2019s senators. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe states need to be negotiating water agreements,\u201d Roby said. \u201cWhen that provision was removed, this bill lost my support.\u201d \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tFor decades, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida have fought the \u201cwater wars,\u201d legal and political battles over the proper allocation of water resources along the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa and Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river systems. Both river systems originate in north Georgia, but significantly affect agriculture, industry, fisheries and community usage downstream. Alabama and Florida officials have long argued that the over consumption of water in the Atlanta metropolitan area threatens downstream interests, particularly in times of severe drought.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tIn its 2014 federal water policy authorization law, Congress directed the states\u2019 governors to reinitiate negotiations for an equitable water sharing agreement, warning that Congress could intervene if governors failed to reach a compact on their own.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tRoby\u2019s district includes both river systems, bounded by the Chattahoochee River to the West and including major portions of the Alabama River. She said removing the negotiation provision from current law sends \"exactly the wrong message\u201d to state governors.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cRemoving this provision sends exactly the wrong message to the states at a time when the governors say they are actually making progress.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cWe will carefully monitor what happens in the Senate with this bill. No matter what, I believe this development has only strengthened the resolve of my Alabama and Florida colleagues moving forward to make sure Georgia cannot stand in the way of an equitable arrangement on behalf of our states.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-brooks-acts-block-chinas-purchase-critical-us-semiconductor", "Brooks Acts to Block China's Purchase of Critical U.S. Semiconductor Firm", "2016-12-09", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) joined a group of bipartisan lawmakers in sending a letter to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), pushing back against the purchase of Lattice Semiconductor, the third-largest American producer of critical technology for U.S. military applications, by an American shell company financed by China\u2019s communist government.\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cIn an alarming report, an American programmable-chip maker, Lattice Semiconductor, is to be purchased by a venture capital firm with ties to the Chinese government.\u00a0 The acquisition is a serious national security threat to the U.S. military supply chain and it is essential the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States bar this egregious attempt to harvest American technology by China.\u201d\nBrooks concluded, \u201cChina is attempting to steal valuable intellectual property, gravely endangering both America\u2019s national security and economic interests. \u00a0Moreover, the U.S. military relies on Lattice technology for critical military applications and the purchase could lead to a reliance on foreign-sourced technology.\u00a0 It is confounding that in our current state of global uncertainty CFIUS would unwisely allow this acquisition to move forward. \u00a0CFIUS should act decisively against this purchase and continue to protect American companies, employees, and technology from being usurped by foreign governments.\u201d\nFor the full text of the letter, please click HERE. \u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-colleagues-no-pardon-for-bowe-bergdahl", "Byrne, Colleagues: No Pardon for Bowe Bergdahl", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, led 27 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to reject requests to pardon Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.\nByrne said: \u201cOur message to President Obama is clear: do not pardon Bowe Bergdahl. A pardon would be a slap in the face to all of our nation\u2019s service members who put their lives on the line each and every day. Instead, we need to let the court martial process play out in accord with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.\u201d\nNews reports indicate that Bergdahl\u2019s lawyers have contacted the White House to request a pardon. Bergdahl\u2019s court-martial is currently scheduled to begin in May.\nThe letter was signed by Representatives Ralph Abraham (R-LA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Dave Brat (R-VA), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Doug Collins (R-GA), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Jody Hice (R-GA), Sam Johnson (R-TX), Walter Jones (R-NC), Trent Kelly (R-MS), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Steve Pearce (R-NM), Martha Roby (R-AL), Austin Scott (R-GA), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT).\nThe text of the letter can be found below.\n\u00a0\nPresident Barack Obama\nThe White House\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue\nWashington, D.C. 20500\nDear Mr. President:\nWe write to urge you to reject any requests to pre-emptively pardon Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.\u00a0 As you are aware, Sergeant Bergdahl left his outpost in Afghanistan without permission, allegedly in an act of desertion.\u00a0 After a thorough investigation by the Army, General Robert Abrams, Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command, determined that Sergeant Bergdahl should face a general court-martial on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy.\u00a0 \nEvery indication is that the process afforded Sergeant Bergdahl has been fair and in accord with the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM).\u00a0 When Sergeant Bergdahl faces trial next year, he will be entitled to the full procedural rights afforded members of our armed services, including a presumption of innocence, the right to confront his accusers, the right to counsel, and the requirement that his guilt be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.\u00a0 Under these circumstances, his guilt or innocence will be properly ascertained.\nThe military justice system serves similar objectives as our nations criminal law, namely to discover the truth, acquit the innocent, and punish the guilty for their crimes.\u00a0 Given the sacrifice of our soldiers involved in this incident and the steep price our country paid for his release, these functions are vitally important to ensuring that justice is served. More importantly, however, military justice also serves to maintain good order and discipline throughout the armed forces, a vital interest to our national defense.\u00a0 To that end, pardoning Sergeant Bergdahl would undermine a functioning military process and could have a lasting and deleterious effect on our force.\nThe men and women of our armed forces put their lives in harm\u2019s way each and every day.\u00a0 Pardoning Mr. Bergdahl would send entirely the wrong message to our nation\u2019s service members.\u00a0 For this reason and those cited above, we strongly urge you to reject any pardon request for Sergeant Bergdahl and hope you will allow the court-martial process to play out.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-andy-puzder", "Byrne Statement on Andy Puzder", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee and a former labor/employment attorney, issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s decision to nominate Mr. Andy Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants, to serve as Secretary of Labor.\nByrne said: \u201cAndy Puzder is the perfect choice to lead the Department of Labor as we advance commonsense policies that actually benefit American workers. As a businessman, he has seen firsthand how the policies of the last eight years have thwarted economic growth and hurt American families. I am confident that under his leadership we can swing the pendulum of power away from Big Labor bosses and back in favor of American workers, and I look forward to partnering with him to advance that goal.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/montgomery-based-187th-fighter-wing-short-list-f-35", "Montgomery-Based 187th Fighter Wing on Short List for F-35", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The Montgomery-based 187th Fighter Wing is among five Air National Guard units throughout the country being considered to house the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Air Force officials announced Wednesday.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe F-35 is the military\u2019s most cutting-edge war machine that will eventually replace many Cold War-era fighters like the F-16 currently flown by the 187th. Today\u2019s announcement moves the Air Force one step closer to its final selection of two National Guard units to which the F-35 will be assigned. The final selection is expected in the Spring of 2017.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tU.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) has been promoting the 187th and Dannelly Field as an \u201cideal fit\u201d for the F-35 assignment.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cAlabama\u2019s 187th Fighter Wing is an excellent candidate for the F-35 program, which is evident by its placement on this short list. The F-35\u2019s next-generation capabilities will give American aviators unquestioned air superiority in combat situations around the globe, and I have no doubt the men and women of the 187th will excel in their mission if selected for this program.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThis is exciting news for Montgomery and the State of Alabama. The 187th Fighter Wing has long been a point of pride for our state, from its impressive combat track record in recent conflicts to its proud history as the legacy unit of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. I look forward to working alongside my Alabama delegation colleagues and community partners to make the case to the Air Force for why the 187th and Dannelly Field remain an ideal fit for this program.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-navy-right-to-stand-up-for-larger-fleet", "Byrne: Navy Right to Stand Up for Larger Fleet", "2016-12-07", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to a Navy Times report that the Navy is rejecting efforts by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to downsize the fleet in the 2018 budget.\nByrne said: \u201cI applaud our Navy leadership for standing up against these ill-conceived cuts from a lame-duck administration. Secretary Carter\u2019s efforts to cut our fleet size and capabilities have always been misguided. I think the Navy is right to plan for President-elect Trump, who has made clear his desire for a 350 ship Navy. Anything less than that would be short-sighted.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-alabama-awarded-two-five-army-community-partnership-awards", "Alabama Awarded Two of Five Army Community Partnership Awards", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) attended the Department of the Army\u2019s award ceremony, hosted by the Honorable Patrick Murphy, Under Secretary of the Army, to congratulate the Alabama Army National Guard, Team Redstone, and their community partners as 2016 recipients of an Army Community Partnership Award.\nThe award, given to five U.S. Army installations and neighboring communities, recognizes successful partnerships that have resulted in improved readiness, energy efficiency, and cost savings.\n\u00a0\nRep. Brooks with Redstone and community partners receiving\n2016 Army Community Partnership Award at the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. \nHigh-resolution photos from the event are available HERE\n\u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cAlabamians have much to be proud of today as Team Redstone and the Alabama Army National Guard took home two of the five inaugural 2016 Army Community Partnership Awards. \u00a0In a time of budget constraints, these partnerships between Army installations and local agencies have fostered growth across Alabama and provided important cost savings for the state and the Department of Defense.\u201d\nBrooks continued, \u201cFor those from North Alabama, the Redstone Arsenal\u2019s 2016 Army Community Partnership Award will come as no surprise. \u00a0I am immensely impressed with the successful collaboration of Redstone with the City of Huntsville, Madison County, State of Alabama, and the Tennessee Valley Authority to enhance readiness for our military personnel.\u201d\u00a0\nCOL Tom Holliday, Garrison Commander, Redstone Arsenal stated, \u201cRedstone Arsenal is striving to become the \u2018garrison of the future.\u2019\u200e \u00a0We cannot reach that goal without our friends and neighbors of the Tennessee Valley. \u00a0The partnership we enjoy is beneficial to the Army, but goes beyond the fence line of our post. \u00a0This community is an example of what can happen when people work together... they can achieve anything.\u201d\n\u00a0\nRep. Brooks with Alabama Army National Guard and community partners receiving \u00a0\n2016 Army Community Partnership Award at the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. \nHigh-resolution photos from the event are available HERE.\n\u00a0\nBrooks concluded, \u201cLikewise, the Alabama Army National Guard has shown tremendous innovative capabilities through partnerships, including with the Alabama State Department of Education, placing counselors and career coaches in classrooms to enhance retention and recruitment.\u00a0 I\u2019m proud these efforts have been recognized, and I commend the Army installations and local agencies whose dedicated work has been a boon to our great state.\u201d\nThe winners include partnership initiatives from the Tennessee Valley community and Redstone Arsenal; the New Jersey Army National Guard and Rowan University; Presidio of Monterey and the city of Monterey; Camp Guernsey and the town of Guernsey; and Alabama Army National Guard and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency; Andalusia, Dothan, Phoenix City, Central High School; USAF - Maxwell AFB - Gunter Annex; Alabama Department of Human Resources.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/a-bill-that-can-save-lives", "A Bill That Can Save Lives", "2016-12-04", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I met a young boy named Gabe Griffin a few years back at Battleship Park in Mobile. His family and friends had organized a cross country bike ride that started in Oregon and ended on Alabama\u2019s Gulf Coast.\nThe goal of the ride was to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare disease in young boys that causes your muscles to weaken rapidly. Despite suffering from Duchenne, Gabe was thrilled that day to be greeted by the University of South Alabama mascots, the Azalea Trail Maids, and local firefighters. I will never forget the smile on Gabe\u2019s face on that special day.\nGabe was on my mind last week as I cast my vote in favor of the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill brings health research and the drug approval process into the 21st Century in order to boost research into diseases, like Duchenne, that impact far too many families.\nThe bill provides the National Institutes of Health with over $4 billion in new funding. Over $1 billion will go toward the new Precision Medicine Initiative to drive research into diseases, over $1 billion will go toward cancer research, and over $1 billion will go toward the BRAIN initiative to improve understanding of diseases, like Alzheimer\u2019s.\nThe 21st Century Cures Act also allows for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the approval process for breakthrough medical treatments, drugs, and devices. These reforms help cut through the red tape and bureaucracy that has limited the potential for important medical breakthroughs.\nThe bill encourages innovation and research through a number of new strategies. For example, 21st Century Cures authorizes innovation prize competitions to advance biomedical science for diseases that are serious and represent a significant burden. The bill also creates a new \u201cNext Generation of Researchers Initiative\u201d to encourage younger students to enter the field of medical research.\nAnother important reform is that 21st Century Cures empowers patients to take part in research and clinical trials. This change allows patients to voluntarily provide hospitals and research institutions with authorization to use their personal health data for research purposes. The bill also requires the FDA to incorporate patient input and experiences into their decision-making process.\nAll of these reforms ensure that the United States remains a global leader in medical innovation, which in turn protects and helps create new jobs here at home.\nThe bill also includes important reforms to update our nation\u2019s mental health programs. Mental health reform has long been a priority for me, and I know these reforms will go a long way toward changing the way we treat mental illness in America.\nAnother important issue addressed in the bill is the opioid prescription drug crisis impacting communities all across the country. Approximately 46,000 Americans die each year because of prescription drug abuse, so I\u2019m pleased to report the bill includes $1 billion in new grants that can be given to states to help them combat opioid abuse.\nImportantly, all new spending in the bill is offset, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will actually result in government savings.\nThe 21st Century Cures Act has been years in the making. Gabe, and many others who suffer from major diseases, have been traveling to Washington for over two years to advocate for this critical legislation. Legislation that gives them hope.\nIt is not often that Congress passes legislation that can actually save lives, but that is exactly what the 21st Century Cures Act has the potential to do. Just as important though, it also gives hope to people like Gabe and his family that a cure can be found. And sometimes, hope is exactly what you need.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/21st-century-cures-act-brings-hope", "21st Century Cures Act Brings Hope", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Part of what set the United States apart as the world's preeminent nation in the 20th century was the incredible way we were able to marshal resources and talent to meet seemingly impossible challenges. The moonshot and our triumphs in world wars come to mind as examples, but Americans have also contributed extraordinary gains in health care by developing medicines that have dramatically improved the longevity and quality of life around the globe. However, as the 21st century rolls on, I am increasingly concerned that too much government regulation and a lack of focus are inhibiting us from taking the next step in treating and curing the awful diseases that plague us.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThere are 10,000 known diseases in the world. 7,000 of them are considered rare, and we only have treatments for 500 of them. This leaves millions of Americans suffering from thousands of rare and deadly diseases without answers, solutions, cures, or hope. For the greatest country in the world \u2013 the country that cured smallpox, polio, yellow fever, and more \u2013 with all our incredible potential, these numbers are completely unacceptable. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tIt is past time for the United States to once again lead the world in medical research and innovation \u2013 to diligently work towards finding treatments and cures for these 10,000 diseases. Last week, the House passed the H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, and I\u2019m excited to report that I believe this legislation puts us on that path.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe 21st Century Cures Act provides much needed funding and policy improvements to help battle rare diseases, fight our nation\u2019s opioid epidemic, ensure support for those struggling with mental health issues, and rightfully reforms Medicare and Medicaid to reduce overpayments and provide reimbursements. The bill also modernizes electronic health records to allow for faster, more efficient delivery of care.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tBottom line: the 21st Century Cures improves medical treatment discovery, development, and delivery for those who need it most. The bill improves treatment discovery by speeding up cancer research, investing in the BRAIN initiative to improve our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s, and by supporting programs that drive research into different variations of disease.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe bill improves treatment development by modernizing clinical trials to put patients at the center of the regulatory review process. It streamlines regulations to turn scientific advancement and research into FDA-approved treatments, and it empowers the FDA to be more flexible in reviewing medical devices and technologies.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe 21st Century Cures Act improves delivery of medical treatment by making sure that new drugs and devices are given to the right patient at the right time. The bill eliminates regulations that stifle marketplace competition.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tWe don\u2019t often think about diseases like smallpox, polio, or yellow fever, because bold advances in scientific research developed medicines to cure them. After House passage of this important legislation, I\u2019m feeling more confident in our nation\u2019s ability to combat disease in this century, and I imagine that some Americans and families suffering from cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, opioid addiction, and mental health issues are feeling something they may not have felt in a long time: hope.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/roby-ndaa-increases-strength-agility-our-military", "Roby: NDAA Increases Strength, Agility of our Military", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today released a statement following House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), annual legislation needed to authorize funding and policy for our military.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe National Defense Authorization Act allows us to make real progress towards increasing the strength and agility of our military,\u201d Roby said. \u201cArticle I, Section 8 of the Constitution instructs Congress to \u2018provide for the common defense,\u2019 and this legislation enables us to fulfill that responsibility.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAfter today\u2019s House passage, the Senate is expected send the bill to the President for signing, marking 55 consecutive years that the NDAA has been signed into law. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tSpecifically, the National Defense Authorization Act:  \n\tContains $619 billion total for national defense\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0  \n\tProvides\u00a0 $5.8 billion in supplemental funding for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Europe  \n\tSupplies\u00a0 an additional $3.2 billion for Readiness Stabilization Funding in an effort to stop additional reductions of the military  \n\tIncludes critical funding for Army helicopters  \n\t$882 million for 52 AH-64 Apache helicopters  \n\t$755 million for 36 new UH-60M multiuse Black Hawks for the Army and National Guard  \n\t$126 million for the\u00a0 Improved Turbine Engine Program \u2013 a program essential to the development of a next generation engine for Blackhawk and Apache helicopter platforms  \n\tSupports\u00a0 the Littoral Combat Ship program (LCS) by providing $1.1 million for two new Littoral Combat Ship  \n\tProvides a 2.1% pay raise for our troops  \n\tMaintains the current Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), including for dual military families  \n\tImproves access to health care for our troops and their families  \n\tProhibits the transfer of detainees at Guantanamo Bay to the United States, prohibits closure of the facility, and prohibits the transfer of the naval base to Cuba  \n\tProvides the resources to combat Islamic extremists and to assist foreign security forces, such as the Kurds and Sunnis, to fight ISIS  \n\tSupports our European allies to counter Russian aggression and funds the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense programs  \n\tDelivers improved technology to the warfighter faster  \n\t\u201cThe Fiscal Year 2017 NDAA authorizes funding for the Department of Defense so that our service men and women have the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs. I\u2019m pleased that the House took this critical step to support our troops and keep Americans safe.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI look forward to working with the Trump Administration early next year to provide additional resources to fully fund unmet procurement needs, ensuring that our military \u2013 from the Generals making strategic decisions at the Pentagon to the warfighter on the front lines \u2013 have all that they need to defend our nation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-brooks-applauds-house-final-passage-2017-defense-bill", "Brooks Applauds House Final Passage of 2017 Defense Bill", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted in support of the conference report to S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017.\u00a0 The NDAA authorizes programs for America\u2019s national defense and passed the House by a 375-34 bipartisan vote.\u00a0 This legislation is the conference report to H.R. 4909, which passed the House in May, and S. 2943 which passed the Senate in June.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe FY17 NDAA topline funding increased by $7 billion, to $611.2 billion, authorizing, amongst other things, $551.7 billion for the Department of Defense base budget as well as $59.5 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations.\u00a0 Brooks highlighted significant achievements for Alabama and notable provisions he worked on with members of the House Armed Services Committee to incorporate in this legislation.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cIn recent years, budget cuts have slashed vital funding for training and equipment, creating a readiness crisis. \u00a0The FY17 NDAA protects programs critical to ensuring our warfighters have the training and weaponry needed to protect America.\u00a0 Specifically, the legislation increases ground and aviation training and replenishes depleted munitions inventories.\u00a0 In addition, the FY17 NDAA fully fund\u2019s Israel\u2019s missile defense requirements and rejects cuts to TRICARE, Housing Allowances, and Commissary benefits for service members and their families. \u00a0The FY17 NDAA also includes the largest pay raise for our troops in six years.\u201d\n\u00a0\nBrooks added, \u201cOn a local level, the FY17 NDAA promotes key provisions benefiting Redstone Arsenal and North Alabama.\u00a0 Notably, the FY17 NDAA helps Redstone Arsenal\u2019s Army Space and Missile Defense Command assist ground warfighter\u2019s exploitation of space capabilities.\u00a0 The Tennessee Valley specializes in small satellite technology development and the NDAA prioritizes and accelerates this growth.\u00a0 In particular, the NDAA includes my language to develop three-dimensional high-resolution light detection and ranging systems.\u00a0 This force multiplier has been overlooked in recent defense budgets and I\u2019m pleased we are focusing on this capability.\u00a0 The FY17 NDAA protects America\u2019s access to space by requiring the development of an American rocket engine to replace the Russian RD-180.\u00a0 In the interim the conference report allows Decatur\u2019s United Launch Alliance access to enough RD-180 rocket engines to bridge the gap until America\u2019s new rocket engine is fully functional. \u00a0The NDAA improves Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile technology maturation by addressing key Anti-Access/Area Denial issues.\u201d\n\u00a0\nBrooks concluded, \u201cFinally, in 2015, there was a major House floor flight in the FY16 NDAA over whether illegal aliens should be allowed to compete for and take military service opportunities from American citizens and lawful immigrants.\u00a0 My floor amendment protecting American citizens and lawful immigrants from illegal alien competition was adopted by the House.\u00a0 I am pleased to note that the FY17 NDAA preserves my efforts by again blocking illegal aliens from competing for and taking military service positions from American citizens and lawful immigrants.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-general-james-mattis", "Byrne Statement on General James Mattis", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s decision to nominate General James Mattis as Secretary of Defense.\nByrne said: \u201cGeneral Mattis has a clear record of serving our nation with steadfast leadership, unwavering integrity, and selfless dedication. He has shown both a great appreciation for the true toils of conflict and the clear ability to defeat an enemy. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with him to rebuild our military and defeat radical Islamic extremism.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-annual-defense-policy-bill", "House Passes Annual Defense Policy Bill", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today voted in favor of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes spending and sets policy for the nation\u2019s military. The bill passed by a vote of 375 to 34.\nThe House and Senate passed separate versions of the NDAA earlier this year, so a Conference Committee of House and Senate members was convened to work out the differences. Today\u2019s vote was on the compromise bill, and the Senate is expected to take up the bill next week.\nDuring a speech from the House floor in support of the bill, Congressman Byrne highlighted the important reforms included in the bill, as well as efforts to address the military\u2019s readiness crisis.\nByrne said: \u201cThis NDAA stops the drawdown of the military and authorizes critical funding for the operation and maintenance of our military. The bill authorizes important funding for training, helps rebuild outdated infrastructure, and ensures our military men and women have the munitions they need for ongoing operations.\u201d\nDespite passage of the NDAA, Congressman Byrne noted that Congress must still pass a funding bill to actually put the money in place. Byrne also expressed his support for additional defense funding to meet all the needs of the military.\nByrne said: \u201cThis is a good bill. But it alone will not be enough to turn the tide back in favor of the fully trained, fully capable, and fully equipped military that we need. I look forward to working with Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, the appropriations committee, and the incoming administration to get this funding bill taken care of as soon as possible next year. Because without supplemental funding, we will leave the job half-done.\u201d\nA complete transcript of Congressman Byrne\u2019s remarks in support of the legislation can be found below.\nByrne said: \u201cThis marks the 55th consecutive year that the House and Senate are coming together to pass a bill to authorize spending and set policy for our nation\u2019s military. \n\u201cJust as important, as is the case with most of our work on the Armed Services Committee, this was a bipartisan process that allowed for numerous members to have an input in the final bill.\n\u201cThat is a testament to the great work and leadership of Chairman Mac Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, our Subcommittee Chairmen, and the entire committee staff. This is a truly professional team that puts in long hours to make this bill possible, and they deserve a lot of credit for their efforts.\n\u201cMr. Speaker, I have said on this floor many times before that our military faces a serious readiness crisis. Budget cuts have really thinned out our military and hurt our ability to train and prepare for conflict. \n\u201cOne of the most startling examples of the readiness crisis is the fact that some of our Marines have been forced to get parts for their F-18s off of planes in a museum. That is simply absurd and deeply troubling.\n\u201cJust as bad, less than one-third of Army forces are at acceptable readiness levels for ground combat. And our pilots are getting less training than many of our adversaries. \n\u201cThankfully, this NDAA stops the drawdown of the military and authorizes critical funding for the operation and maintenance of our military. The bill authorizes important funding for training, helps rebuild outdated infrastructure, and ensures our military men and women have the munitions they need for ongoing operations.\n\u201cThe bill also fully provides for a 2.1 percent pay increase for our military. This is the largest pay raise for our troops in six years, and it is especially important for our military families.\n\u201cAdditionally, the bill supports our nation\u2019s military operations around the globe. As we fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and continue to have a presence in Afghanistan, it is vital that our military has the tools they need to carry out their mission and defeat radical Islamic terrorism.\n\u201cJust as important, this NDAA provides for a continued military presence in Europe to support our allies and deter Russian aggression as well as resources to support U.S. operations in the ever important Pacific. \n\u201cFinally, the NDAA includes some important reforms to make our military and the Pentagon more effective and efficient. \n\u201cThis includes updates to the Goldwater-Nichols Act to improve the overall organizational structure at the Pentagon and throughout our military.\n\u201cThe bill builds upon recent reforms to the Pentagon\u2019s acquisition programs to cut down on red tape and spur innovation and research.\n\u201cIt also updates the Uniform Code of Military Justice to promote accountability within our military.\n\u201cSo, Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. But it alone will not be enough to fully turn the tide back in favor of the fully trained, fully capable, and fully equipped military that we need.\n\u201cCongress and the incoming President must act early next year on a funding bill to fully fund our military. And we need to go above even what is included in this bill. As Chairman Thornberry has indicated, we need to push for a defense supplemental that includes important military programs that were unfortunately left out of this final bill.\n\u201cI look forward to working with Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Smith, the appropriations committee, and the incoming administration to get this funding bill taken care of as soon as possible next year. Because without supplemental funding, we will leave the job half-done.\n\u201cWhile this is just one step in ensuring our military is ready for the fight, it is an important one none-the-less, so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this truly bipartisan legislation. \n\u201cSo, for the 55th consecutive year, let\u2019s send a message to our service members that supporting the United States military isn\u2019t a Republican goal or a Democrat goal, but it is an American goal.\n\u201cI urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 937 and the underlying bill.\u00a0 I reserve the balance of my time.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-deadline-approaching-apply-congressional-nomination-us-military-service-1", "Rogers: Deadline Approaching to Apply for Congressional Nomination to U.S. Military Service Academies", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, DC)---Congressman Mike Rogers reminds any graduating high school seniors for 2017 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.\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.\nThe applications can be sent to:\nCongressman Mike Rogers\nAttn:\u00a0 Service Academy Application\n1129 Noble Street, Suite 104\nAnniston, Alabama 36207\nor\nCongressman Mike Rogers\nAttn: Service Academy Application\n701 Avenue A, Suite 300\nOpelika, Alabama 36801\nThe deadline for receipt of these applications is December 15, 2016. 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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-passage-ndaa-0", "Rogers on Passage of NDAA", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers on Passage of NDAA             \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Dec 2, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    (WASHINGTON, DC)\u2014Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year 2017 passed the House of Representatives.\n\u201cI am pleased the NDAA passed the House today with my strong support. This is a critical piece of legislation that helps take care of our brave men and women in uniform. This bill will strengthen our military, provide for vital installations like the Anniston Army Depot and authorize the funding needed to keep America safe. It will also give our service members the pay raise they deserve that they have not gotten in the past four years,\u201d Rogers said.\nRogers served as a Conferee for the NDAA, is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 - ### -", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-brookslipinski-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-seeking", "Brooks/Lipinski Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Seeking Balanced Trade", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today in a bipartisan effort, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL-05) and Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL-03) filed House resolution H.Con.Res.175, calling for a national goal of balanced trade, with a special emphasis on manufacturing and goods.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/report-washington-giving-back-across-east-alabama", "Report from Washington:  Giving Back Across East Alabama", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)\u2014The Christmas season has begun and folks across the Third District are giving of themselves and their time for their fellow Alabamians. Each year around the holidays, I like to take the opportunity to highlight a few of the great works going on across our area.\nThe following examples are just a sampling of people giving of their time and gifts this year.\nOn December 10th in Clay County, the Inter Se Club of Lineville and Modern Culture Club of Ashland will host the annual Soup Luncheon for DHR to raise money for local children in need.\nIn Randolph County, the Pilot Club and the Roanoke Police Department both participated in Toys for Tots.\nIn April, Piedmont High School seniors in Calhoun County participated in a community service day called \u201cSeniors Helping Seniors.\u201d They spent the day helping with yard work, household tasks and minor repairs of homes belonging to the elderly in the community.\nIn Tallapoosa County, members of Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama worked weekly throughout the year at the Alexander City Recycling Center, donating every dollar earned from the recyclables to local nonprofit organizations.\nThe physically demanding work created the need for a hydraulic lift, which two Alexander City Councilmen purchased for the recycling center as a thank you to the volunteers for their dedication to the community.\nIn Macon County, the Tuskegee Housing Authority and Macon County Ministerial Alliance both hosted a food bank.\nIn Chambers County, the Christian Service Center held a food bank and a drive for clothing and toys.\nThese are just a few of many generous acts happening right now across East Alabama. The spirit of giving is definitely alive in our great state.\nAs always, my office and staff are here to serve you.\nPlease contact my office with any concerns or thoughts you may have or take advantage of my Mobile Office Hours in your county each month. For more information visit my website at www.mikerogers.house.gov.\nYou can also sign up for my e-Newsletter by visiting my website. To stay up to date on social media, 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, on Medium at RepMikeRogersAL03 and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/roby-21st-century-cures-act-gives-hope-patients-families", "Roby: 21st Century Cures Act Gives Hope to Patients, Families", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today celebrated the House passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, legislation providing needed funding and policy improvements to help battle rare diseases, fight the nation\u2019s opioid epidemic, and improve mental health care.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tH.R. 34, 21st Century Cures Act, provides $4.8 billion in discretionary funding to the National Institute of Health (NIH), $1 billion for grants to states to fight opioid abuse, and $500 million to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to speed up delivering lifesaving drugs and devices to patients. The bill also modernizes electronic health record policies to allow for faster, more efficient delivery of care.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act fosters innovation in medical technology and research, eliminates regulations that hinder competition, provides resources to combat the growing opioid epidemic, ensures critical support for those struggling with mental health issues, and rightfully reforms Medicare and Medicaid to reduce overpayments and provide reimbursements.\u201d Roby said. \u201cThe bill improves medical treatment discovery, development, and delivery for those who need it most.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe 21st Century Cures Act improves:  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discovery \u2013 by providing the NIH with fully offset funding to advance the Precision Medicine Initiative to drive research into the genetic, lifestyle, and environmental variations of disease; speed up cancer research; and invest in the BRAIN initiative to improve our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s.  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Development \u2013 by turning 21st Century scientific advancement and research into FDA-approved treatments and cures through modernizing clinical trials; putting patients at the center of the regulatory review process; streamlining regulations to foster innovation in health care software and mobile medical apps; incentivizing pediatric drug development and empowering the FDA to be more flexible in reviewing medical devices and technologies; and providing the FDA with $500 million for regulatory modernization and enable the agency to recruit the best scientists, doctors, and engineers.  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Delivery \u2013 by ensuring new drugs and devices are given to the right patients at the right time through ensuring that electronic health record systems seamlessly operate for best patient care; facilitating seniors\u2019 access to the latest medical technology; and improving education for health care providers.  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mental Health Care \u2013 by coordinating mental health programs across the federal government; establishing the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Lab to drive evidence-based grants to help states combat addiction and abuse; clarifying HIPAA communication rules among providers, families, and patients to improve treatment; and strengthening our nation\u2019s mental health workforce.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThis legislation gives hope to the millions of Americans suffering from cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, and other rare and deadly diseases. It also offers a way forward for dealing with two critical issues facing our country right now: mental health care and opioid abuse.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cIt is time for the United States to once again lead the world in medical research and innovation, and I believe the 21st Century Cures Act puts us on that path.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI want to thank my colleagues who have worked so hard to make this legislation a reality, particularly Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. Fred Upton, who shepherded it through their committees as chairmen. I also want to thank Rep. Tim Murphy, who has labored for years to get these strong improvements to mental health care policy.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-brooks-addresses-house-support-president-elect-trump", "Brooks Addresses House to Support President-elect Trump Assertion of Voter Fraud", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0This morning, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) addressed the House floor to support President-elect Trump\u2019s assertion of voter fraud in the most recent election and challenged left-wing media efforts to silence serious discussion on the problem of noncitizens illegally voting in U.S. elections.\u00a0Brooks stated, \u201cIn January of 2016, the United States Election Assistance Commission approved Alabama\u2019s proof of citizenship voter registration requirement. \u00a0The League of Women Voters then challenged proof of citizenship laws in the Washington, D.C., federal courts. \u00a0In an astonishing ruling in September of 2016, a mere six weeks before the election, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia entered a preliminary injunction that barred Alabama, Kansas, Georgia, and, indirectly, any other state, from requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.\u201dBrooks continued, \u201cNow what does all of this mean? \u00a0It means that, right before the presidential election, federal courts created a massive legal hole that empowers noncitizens to register to vote and, once registered, to vote in America\u2019s elections with impunity, thereby undermining and diluting the vote of lawful Americans and striking at the very heart of our democracy.\u201d\u00a0Brooks concluded, \u201cQuite frankly, Mr. Speaker, we will never know for sure if hundreds of thousands or millions of noncitizens voted in the 2016 elections.\u00a0 Worse yet, if the left-wing media and pundits continue to summarily dismiss and turn a blind eye to the problem, it will be harder to stop future elections from being stolen.\u201d\u00a0or on the image above.\n\tText of Congressman Brooks\u2019 remarks:\n\tMr. Speaker, President-elect Donald Trump opined in a tweet on November 27 that \u201cIn addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.\u201d \u00a0As would be expected, a circus of left-wing, media pundits immediately pounced on President-elect Trump\u2019s opinion in an effort to silence serious discussion of the noncitizen voter fraud problem.\u00a0\n\tFor example, PolitiFact, a self-proclaimed purveyor of truth, gave Trump\u2019s statement a \u201cPants on Fire\u201d evaluation and stated \u201cNeither Trump nor his allies have presented any evidence of widespread illegal voting. \u00a0In reality, studies have consistently shown that voter fraud is nowhere near common enough to call into question millions and millions of votes.\u201d [1] \u00a0\n\tThe truth is, PolitiFact and its allies ignore contrary studies and information.\u00a0 But isn\u2019t that what you would expect of PolitiFact and its left-wing media allies that have in effect become the communications wing of the Democratic Party?\u00a0 A 2014 study by professors at Old Dominion University and George Mason University estimated that noncitizens vote 80% of the time for Democrats.[2] \u00a0Does anyone really expect Democrats and their media and pundit allies to object to or scrutinize illegal votes that may be the deciding factor in the election of Democrat candidates?\n\tLet me give but one example of how tens of millions of noncitizens are a threat to register to vote, and vote, in America\u2019s elections.\u00a0 Alabama is my home state.\u00a0 Our laws limit voting to American citizens.\u00a0 That sounds pretty reasonable to me that only Americans should vote in American elections.\u00a0\n\tIn order to limit American elections to American citizens, Alabama Code Section 31-13-28 requires proof of citizenship to register to vote.\u00a0 The Code lists 13 different documents that are conclusive proof of citizenship, things like driver\u2019s licenses, birth certificates, passports, naturalization documents, adoption papers, military service documents.\u00a0 Further, an American can offer any other document that is proof of citizenship.\n\tIn January of 2016, the United States Election Assistance Commission approved Alabama\u2019s proof of citizenship voter registration requirement.[3] \u00a0The League of Women Voters then challenged proof of citizenship laws in the Washington, D.C., federal courts. \u00a0In an astonishing ruling in September of 2016, [4] a mere six weeks before the election, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia entered a preliminary injunction that barred Alabama, Kansas, Georgia, and, indirectly, any other state, from requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.\n\tThe Court of Appeals\u2019 ruling opens the floodgates for voting by tens of millions of illegal aliens and other noncitizens on American soil, thus blatantly undermining the American Republic for which so many Americans fought and died.\u00a0 The dissenting opinion of the Court of Appeals\u2019 Senior Circuit Judge Randolph well-describes the Court\u2019s ruling: \u201cOf utmost importance is that on the eve of a Presidential election, and elections for federal office, a court has issued an injunction forbidding Kansas, Georgia and Alabama from enforcing their election laws, laws requiring those who seek to register to vote to prove that they are citizens of this country.\u00a0 That order is unconstitutional.\u00a0 In my view the appeal should have been disposed on the ground that the League of Women Voters and their allies have not even come close to demonstrating the type of harm entitling them to an order suspending these state laws.\u201d\n\tNotwithstanding Judge Randolph\u2019s dissent, the bad guys prevailed.\u00a0 Now what does all of this mean? \u00a0It means that, right before the presidential election, federal courts created a massive legal hole that empowers noncitizens to register to vote and, once registered, to vote in America\u2019s elections with impunity, thereby undermining and diluting the vote of lawful Americans and striking at the very heart of our democracy.\u00a0 It means that President-elect Trump may very well be right, that he \u201cwon the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.\u201d\n\tQuite frankly, Mr. Speaker, we will never know for sure if hundreds of thousands or millions of noncitizens voted in the 2016 elections.\u00a0 Worse yet, if the left-wing media and pundits continue to summarily dismiss and turn a blind eye to the problem, it will be harder to stop future elections from being stolen.\u00a0\n\t\u00a0\n\t###\n\t\u00a0\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t[3] League of Women Voters of the United States, et al., v. Brian D. Newby, in his capacity as the Executive Director of the United States Election Assistance Commission, and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, etc.; Case 1:16-cv-00236-RJL, United States District Court for the District of Columbia.\u00a0 Kansas and Georgia\u2019s proof of citizenship requirements were also approved.\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t[4] League of Women Voters of the United States, et al., v. Brian D. Newby, in his capacity as the Executive Director of the United States Election Assistance Commission, and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, etc.; Case 16-5196, United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-supports-major-medical-research-legislation", "Byrne Supports Major Medical Research Legislation", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today voted in favor of legislation to improve our nation\u2019s medical research programs, spur medical innovation, fight the nation\u2019s opioid addiction crisis, and boost mental health programs.\nThe legislation, known as the 21st Century Cures Act, has been years in the making. The bill brings health research, the drug approval process, and mental health programs into the 21st Century and gives much needed hope to millions of Americans who suffer from various diseases. The bill allows the Food and Drug Administration to expedite the approval process for breakthrough medical treatments, drugs, and devices.\nThe bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 392 to 26.\nByrne said: \u201cIt is not often that Congress passes legislation that can actually save lives, but this bill has the potential to do that by bringing our nation\u2019s medical research programs and drug approval process into the 21st Century. These reforms and the additional funding will help spur medical innovation as we look to find cures and treatments for diseases that impact far too many American families.\n\u201cMental health reform has long been a priority for me, and I am especially pleased this legislation includes provisions to strengthen our nation\u2019s mental health programs. These reforms will go a long way toward changing the way we treat mental illness in America.\n\u201cI applaud Chairman Fred Upton for his leadership and determination to help push this bill through, which is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation passed in this Congress. I look forward to its speedy passage in the Senate.\u201d\n21st Century Cures provides the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with over $4 billion in new funding. Over $1 billion will go toward the new Precision Medicine Initiative to drive research into disease, over $1 billion will go toward cancer research, and over $1 billion will go toward the BRAIN initiative to improve understanding of diseases like Alzheimer\u2019s.\nThe bill also includes funding to help states address the opioid prescription drug crisis. All new funding in the bill is offset, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will actually result in government savings.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-elected-republican-steering-committee-0", "Rogers Elected to Republican Steering Committee", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers Elected to Republican Steering Committee             \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Nov 30, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    (WASHINGTON, DC)\u2014Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after being elected to the Republican Steering Committee this week by his colleagues. The Steering Committee recommends Members of Congress to serve as Full Committee Chairmen based on their background, level of expertise and seniority as well as each Member\u2019s committee assignments. This is Rogers\u2019 second term on the Steering Committee. He is the first Alabamian to serve on the prestigious committee in over a decade.\n\u201cI am honored to have been elected to this committee again. 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. Rogers was selected as the Region V representative. Region V encompasses Alabama and Tennessee. The appointment is for the upcoming 115th Congress.\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 - ### -", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/house-acts-give-veterans-more-choices-health-care", "House Acts to Give Veterans More Choices in Health Care", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today applauded House passage of the Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThe Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016 is a commonsense piece of legislation that offers veterans more choices in planning for their healthcare needs,\" Roby said. \"This bill rightly enables veterans to choose the best health care options for themselves and their families, and I am proud to support it.\"  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tH.R. 5458, the Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016, allows TRICARE-eligible veterans the ability to participate in employer-sponsored health savings account (HSA) programs. Under current Department of Veterans Affairs policy, veterans eligible for TRICARE, the military\u2019s healthcare system, are not allowed to participate in HSAs unless they permanently opt-out of TRICARE benefits, limiting the choices of many veterans who enter the workforce after their military service. H.R. 5458 corrects this problem by allowing TRICARE-eligible veterans to simply pause their TRICARE benefits if they want to participate in HSA programs, which are popular and effective tools used to pay for medical expenses.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"I appreciate my colleagues, Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), for recognizing this problem with the VA\u2019s policy and sponsoring legislation to correct it. We need policies and services that properly serve the needs of all veterans, including the most recent generation. I\u2019m pleased that the House has taken action this week on a slate of bills meant to modernize and streamline benefits to better serve veterans\u2019 interests.\"  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAdditional veterans service or policy bills slated for a vote this week include:  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 5600 \u2013 No Hero Left Untreated Act, cosponsored by Roby, which calls for a pilot program to test the effectiveness of EEG/EKG-guided resonance therapy for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome;  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 5166 - WINGMAN Act, which enhances Congressional employees' ability to track cases on behalf of veteran constituents within the Department of Veterans Affairs;  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 5399 \u2013 Ethical Patient Care for Veterans Act of 2016, which aims to ensure VA doctors fulfill top ethical standards;  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 3286 \u2013 HIRE Vets Act, which encourages voluntary private sector investments to work alongside existing government-funded incentives to recruit, employ, and retain veterans in the workforce;  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 5047 \u2013 Protecting Veterans\u2019 Educational Choice Act of 2016, which directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Labor to make those leaving military service fully aware of educational opportunities and requirements at institutions of higher learning; \u00a0  \n\t\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 H.R. 4757 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility for headstones, markers, and medallions furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for deceased individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor and are buried in private cemeteries.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-sewell-applauds-uab-6m-americas-promise-job-driven-grant", "Congresswoman Sewell Applauds UAB for $6M America's Promise Job Driven Grant", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell applauded the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) for being awarded a $6 million America\u2019s Promise Job Driven Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Congresswoman Sewell helped UAB secure the maximum allowed amount of $6 million, which will fund Innovate Birmingham, a partnership led by UAB and composed of 27 regional employers and 14 consortium partners.\n\u201cInnovate Birmingham\u2019s consortium partners are among the most successful corporate, academic, and non-profit citizens in Alabama, all of whom realize that our national and global competitiveness is only as strong as our local workforce pipeline,\u201d said Rep. Sewell. \u201cPresident Obama\u2019s Administration is committed to reforming our nation\u2019s skills infrastructure to meet both the workforce needs of employers and the training needs of job seekers. With this vital funding from the Department of Labor, Innovate Birmingham will be able to meet the demand of the second fastest growing IT workforce in the country by educating and training 925 Birmingham-area disconnected youth for high-wage, high-demand jobs in the industry.\u201d\n\u201cThe main focus of this effort is to offer new educational opportunities for the young adults in our community to provide them with training and expertise that will enable them to have prosperous, bright futures,\u201d UAB President Ray Watts said. \u201cIt will positively change their futures and the futures of their families and communities.\u201d\nBACKGROUND ON AMERICA\u2019S PROMISE GRANT\nMore information on the America\u2019s Promise Grant to Strengthen, Expand Regional Job Training Partnerships can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20160606\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/america-must-keep-upper-hand-iran", "America Must Keep the Upper Hand with Iran", "2016-11-28", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Recently the U.S. House of Representatives took up and overwhelmingly passed the Iran Sanctions Extension Act, which reauthorizes for another ten years the economic penalties the United States has used to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran from further developing its unconventional weapons program, including ballistic missiles and supporting terrorism.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tOriginally enacted in 1996, these sanctions have been some of the most meaningful tools in bringing Iran and its ambitious weapons program to heel. Extending them for another ten years is the right decision, and I was proud to vote in favor of the bill\u2019s passage.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAlso last week, House Speaker Paul Ryan sent a letter to President Obama urging him to abandon any plans for new concessions to Iran during his final days in office. The letter asked that President Obama \u201ctake no further actions designed to bolster international investment in Iran, or otherwise change or alter the existing sanctions regime within international organizations through the use of waivers or through administrative actions\u2026\u201d  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe House vote and Speaker Ryan\u2019s letter comes amid reports that the Obama Administration plans to take additional steps to aide Iran\u2019s economy in attempt to save the president\u2019s legacy nuclear agreement.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tYou may remember that last year, despite significant opposition from Republicans and Democrats alike in Congress, President Obama negotiated an executive nuclear agreement with Iran. I said at the time that the executive agreement was a bad deal because negotiators failed to achieve their very own stated objectives on inspections, verifications, and sanctions. Then in January, the Administration released a $1.7 billion payment to Iran coinciding with the release of five Americans held prisoner by Iran, in violation of longstanding U.S. policy meant to protect our national security interests.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019m afraid the Obama Administration\u2019s baffling behavior toward Iran is weakening what was once a very strong hand in dealing with this rouge nation. However, since President Obama\u2019s Iran nuclear deal is an executive agreement and not a treaty, it is subject for review in the next presidential administration. President-elect Donald Trump said repeatedly throughout his campaign that he believes the Obama Administration negotiated badly, and he strongly suggested that he will pull the U.S. out of the nuclear agreement. Like everyone else who has been engaged in this issue, I am eager to see how President-elect Trump deals with the situation. My colleagues and I in Congress certainly stand willing to support policies that strengthen our hand towards Iran, as evidenced by the overwhelming bi-partisan vote in favor of the Iran Sanctions Extension Act (ISA).  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tOf course, this is just one of many decisions facing President-elect Trump and his incoming administration as the transition of executive power moves forward. I hope you\u2019ll join me in praying for wisdom and guidance for the president-elect and all those who advise him at this time of great consequence for our country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/sessions-perfect-pick-for-attorney-general", "Sessions Perfect Pick for Attorney General", "2016-11-27", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I have known Jeff Sessions for almost 40 years, and I have always considered him to be a person of the highest level of integrity, so I could not have been happier with the recent announcement that he has been selected to serve as the next U.S. Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump.\nJeff Sessions is the perfect pick for this critical role. His time as a U.S. Attorney, service as Alabama\u2019s Attorney General, and time on the Senate Judiciary Committee give him the experience he needs to take on this tough job.\nAs Attorney General, Senator Sessions will be the highest law enforcement official in the United States and will oversee the Department of Justice. He will be responsible for ensuring the law is upheld and followed throughout our country.\nWhile I know his legal experience and steadfast defense of the rule of law will make him a perfect fit, I also believe his career has been shaped by his humble roots in Southwest Alabama.\nJeff grew up in the Hybart community, near the Monroe and Wilcox county line. After attending school at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Jeff obtained a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1973.\nI got to know Senator Sessions when he moved to Mobile to practice law. As a young lawyer in Mobile, I quickly realized what an asset Jeff would be to our local community. He served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama before being nominated by President Reagan to serve as the U.S. Attorney for Alabama\u2019s Southern District, a position he held for twelve years.\nHe does not get nearly the credit he deserves for cleaning up corruption in Mobile County during his time as U.S. Attorney. In the 1980s, both city and county government in Mobile were riddled with corruption. Jeff showed great courage by standing up to those powerful individuals and sending over half a dozen people to jail.\nWithout his willingness to stand up for the law and root out corruption, I am not sure our area would be where we are today. Having a competent, ethical local government is a critical component when it comes to recruiting new businesses.\nSenator Sessions would go on to be elected Attorney General of Alabama in 1994. He was one of the first Republicans to be elected statewide in Alabama since Reconstruction, and he played a critical role in making Republicans more relevant in state politics.\nHe was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996, where he has served ever since. While in the Senate, he has been a key leader on the Judiciary Committee, where he has advocated for judges who enforce the Constitution and for policies that reduce the size of the federal government.\nSenator Sessions also has a clear record on civil rights issues, despite some in the liberal media attempting to distort his record. As a U.S. Attorney, he filed several cases to desegregate schools in Alabama, and he also oversaw the successful conviction of a KKK leader for killing a black teenager. This successful case helped destroy the KKK in Alabama.\nGiven his experience, track record, and professionalism, I expect Senator Sessions will be confirmed by the Senate. He has served in the Senate for twenty years now, and his colleagues know him personally. Even though they may not agree with him on every political issue, they know he is a good man.\nJeff Sessions is the perfect pick to be the next U.S. Attorney General, and I know he will continue to make Southwest Alabama proud.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/roby-decision-overtime-rule-victory-states-businesses", "Roby: Decision on Overtime Rule a Victory for States, Businesses", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today released a statement in response to a decision by Judge Amos L. Mazzant III, a U.S. District Judge in the Eastern District of Texas, to block the Department of Labor\u2019s overtime rule, which was set to be implemented on December 1:  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThis decision is a conservative victory for the 21 states and dozens of business groups who challenged that this new rule handed down by President Obama\u2019s Department of Labor would increase government costs while costing private employers millions of dollars.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"We all want incomes to rise, but top-down government mandates that ultimately cost workers are not the way to make it happen. We need 21st century workforce policies that offer workers choices and flexibility, and we need to enact them properly through Congress. I'm pleased that the courts have once again rejected the Obama Administration's attempt to circumvent Congress and legislate by executive fiat. This decision and others like it will help return our country to constitutional order.\"  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe rule, championed by President Obama\u2019s Department of Labor, would raise the salary threshold for workers to qualify as exempt from overtime pay requirements from $455 to $913 per week \u2013 from $23,660 to $47,476 per year \u2013 while increasing the current minimum salary requirements for employees exempt from overtime pay under the \u201chighly-compensated\u201d exemption from $100,000 to $134,004 per year.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAccording to a report by the American Enterprise Institute, if implemented, the rule was predicted to cost the economy and hurt workers by cutting hours, further adding to the problem of underemployment without doing much to improve pay for low and middle income workers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-overtime-rule-injunction", "Byrne Statement on Overtime Rule Injunction", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement in response to a federal judge blocking the Department of Labor\u2019s proposed overtime rule. The rule was set to take effect on December 1st.\nByrne said: \u201cThis rule was never what the Obama Administration wanted people to believe it was. Instead, the rule would have hurt American workers by moving them from salaried to hourly employees and greatly reducing opportunities for advancement. The rule would have been especially damaging for schools and non-profits, who couldn\u2019t just increase costs to offset the added expenses. I appreciate Judge Mazzant\u2019s decision and look forward to working with the Trump Administration to pursue policies that actually benefit American workers.\u201d\nEarlier this year, Congressman Byrne voted in support of legislation to delay the proposed rule for six months. In a speech in support of the legislation, he gave real world examples of how the rule would hurt workers, businesses, and organizations in Alabama.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/roby-congratulates-sessions-us-attorney-general-appointment", "Roby Congratulates Sessions on U.S. Attorney General Appointment", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Roby Congratulates Sessions on U.S. Attorney General Appointment                                           \n              Nov 22, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today congratulated U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) upon the announcement that he will serve as United States Attorney General in the Trump Administration.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThere is no one more capable and qualified to serve our country as Attorney General than Senator Jeff Sessions. President-elect Trump has selected a leader with remarkable depth of knowledge and experience who cares about Americans and will fight for what\u2019s right.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cI am very proud for Senator Sessions on this achievement. He has been a kind mentor to me, and I have valued his guidance and leadership over the last six years. Although I hate to see him leave the Legislative Branch, I am confident this new role will enhance Senator Sessions' ability to change our nation\u2019s course for the better.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/much-to-be-thankful-for", "Much to Be Thankful For", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Many of us went to the polls a few weeks ago to elect the leaders of our country, state, and counties. This ability to select the members of our government is a unique tradition that we often take for granted.\nIt is easy to lose sight of the fact that the right to vote was not always guaranteed. Many people worked, fought, and died to ensure every American has the opportunity to cast their vote. This is a freedom that we should never take for granted as it is the cornerstone of our democracy.\nSo, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I find myself thinking back to the many blessings in life that we sometimes take for granted, like the right to vote.\nThanksgiving is a special time of the year. It is a time when fall begins to turn into winter, leaves crinkle and fall to the earth, and the air outside becomes crisp. It is a time to reunite with old friends and visit loved ones. It is also a time to reflect on everything that we have to be thankful for.\nI am thankful for my family. My wife, Rebecca is an amazing woman who dedicates herself to her family and her community. I am also thankful for our four children, who have achieved so much and make us proud each and every day. I\u2019m also blessed to be a grandparent and to experience all the joys that come with it.\nI am thankful to live in a part of the country that is unlike any other. From our beautiful environment to the incredibly warm and hospitable people who call it home, there is something truly special about Southwest Alabama.\nI am thankful for the opportunity to represent the First District of Alabama.\u00a0 I am so honored to be your voice in Congress and to fight for you every day.\u00a0 From contributing to our Navy fleet with the LCS to improving our infrastructure with the I-10 bridge, we have accomplished so much and there is so much more to come.\nI am thankful for my Congressional staff who are committed to improving the lives of those who live in Southwest Alabama. My staff in D.C. often work long hours in an effort to ensure our area has a strong voice in our nation\u2019s Capitol, and my staff back in Alabama are dedicated to helping local residents navigate the confusing, and sometimes frustrating, government bureaucracy.\nMost importantly, I am thankful to belong to an all-loving God, who is responsible for each of the blessings in my life. As it is written quite clearly in 1 Chronicles, chapter 16, verse 34: \u201cGive thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.\u201d\nSometimes it can be easy to forget how much we have to be thankful for. Everyday struggles and challenges can cause us to forget our many blessings. I hope everyone will join me in taking some time on Thanksgiving to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for.\nAs Ralph Waldo Emerson said, \u201cCultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.\u201d\nHappy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/sessions-right-pick-attorney-general", "Sessions is the Right Pick for Attorney General", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Alabama got the news many were anxiously anticipating late last week when President-elect Donald Trump announced he would nominate our own Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThere is no one more capable and qualified to serve our country as Attorney General than Senator Sessions. While he is mostly known for his conservative record in the Senate, Senator Sessions also brings significant prosecutorial experience to the job. He served as a United States Attorney in the Southern District of Alabama for 12 years and was Attorney General of Alabama before being elected to the Senate. President-elect Trump has selected a leader with remarkable depth of knowledge and experience who cares deeply about Americans and will fight for what\u2019s right.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019m very proud for Senator Sessions on this achievement. He\u2019s been a kind mentor to me, and I have valued his guidance and leadership over my six years in Congress. Senator Sessions has been a dedicated fighter for the conservative cause for many years now, and no one deserves this honor more. I do hate that we will lose him in the Legislative Branch, but I\u2019m confident that this new role will enhance his ability to change our nation\u2019s course for the better. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tUnfortunately, but unsurprisingly, critics started attacking Senator Sessions\u2019 record and character even before his nomination was confirmed. These attacks are unfair and without merit. It\u2019s really a shame that anyone would attempt to tarnish the name of such a good man.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tWe\u2019ve seen these attacks before. Washington liberals kept Senator Sessions from an appointment to the federal bench during the Reagan Administration using these same tactics.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019m reminded of former Senator Arlen Spector who said that in all his years of service the vote he regretted most was the one he cast not to confirm Jeff Sessions for the bench. He said that because he came to know Jeff Sessions and understand his character.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019m also reminded of how Senator Sessions made it a point to be in Selma for the 50th Anniversary of \u201cBloody Sunday,\u201d joining arms with Rep. John Lewis and other leaders to cross the Edmund-Pettus Bridge. That was an important day for Alabama, and he knew how meaningful his presence and participation were.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI doubt many of his critics know him or have even met him. I do know Jeff Sessions, and I know him to be a man of the highest character and integrity. He probably has a better understanding of the rule of law than anyone in elected office. He\u2019s going to make a tremendous Attorney General, and I believe that in time his critics will be proven wrong.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-brooks-statement-appointment-senator-jeff-sessions-us", "Brooks' Statement on Appointment of Senator Jeff Sessions to U.S. Attorney General", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0 Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) today remarked on the historic appointment of the first U.S. Attorney General from Alabama, Senator Jeff Sessions.\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cWhile Senator Sessions will be sorely missed in the United States Senate, he is an outstanding choice to be America\u2019s next Attorney General. \u00a0With decades of distinguished service on the Senate Judiciary Committee, as Alabama Attorney General, and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, President-elect Trump could hardly have made a better choice to lead the Justice Department. \u00a0Senator Sessions\u2019 commitment to the rule of law and to the Constitution will mean progress for American jurisprudence, and\u00a0I congratulate him on this historic appointment.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-senator-jeff-sessions", "Byrne Statement on Senator Jeff Sessions", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) issued the following statement regarding reports Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) has been tapped to serve as the U.S. Attorney General in the Trump Administration.\nByrne said: \u201cI have known Jeff Sessions for almost 40 years, and he has always been a person of the highest level of integrity. As a U.S. Attorney in Mobile, Senator Sessions led the charge to clean up corruption in our local government. He earned respect from everyone in our community by always conducting himself in a professional and fair way. \n\u201cIn the Senate, Senator Sessions has a clear track record of defending the law and advocating for a smaller, less invasive federal government. Just as important, he has always been willing to partner with other members of our Congressional delegation to support Alabama projects and priorities.\n\u201cThe people of Alabama will miss the service and leadership of Jeff Sessions, but I have no doubt he will be an excellent Attorney General for the United States.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-sessions%E2%80%99-appointment-attorney-general", "Rogers on Sessions Appointment to Attorney General", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers on Sessions\u2019 Appointment to Attorney General              \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Nov 18, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    (WASHINGTON, DC)\u2014Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement today after President-elect Trump announced Senator Jeff Sessions as his choice for U.S. Attorney General.\n\u201cJeff Sessions is a man of the greatest integrity and character. He will do an outstanding job as the Attorney General of the United States. He has served Alabama with the utmost distinction, boundless vigor and endless determination. He will bring those same qualities and more to the Department of Justice to enforce the law.\n\u201cAlabama has every right to be extremely proud. I also want to congratulate President-elect Trump on this exceptional choice.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-statement-senator-jeff-sessions", "Palmer Statement on Senator Jeff Sessions", "2016-11-18", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "November 18, 2016\n\nFor Immediate Release\n\nMedia Contact: Cate Cullen (202)225-4921\n\nPalmer Statement on Senator Jeff Sessions\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) offered the following statement:\n\n\u201cToday President-elect Trump made an excellent choice for United States Attorney General by nominating Senator Jeff Sessions to serve our nation in his Administration,\u201d said Palmer. \u201cAs a former U.S. Attorney in Mobile and Alabama\u2019s Attorney General, as well as a United States Senator, Senator Sessions defended the Constitution and held firm to our founding principles. Over the past 20 years, Senator Sessions has proven himself to be an intelligent, trustworthy conservative in the Senate becoming a voice for millions of Americans who felt ignored by Washington. His track record of success and sound decisions make him the best possible candidate for the job. I truly believe that Senator Sessions is the right man to restore the public's confidence in our justice system.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:07:19Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/news-release-brooks-introduces-legislation-reform-tps-program", "Brooks Introduces Legislation to Reform TPS Program", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) introduced the TPS Reform Act (H.R. 6345) to bring much needed reform to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program.\u00a0 The TPS program was established as a temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals of a country because of ongoing armed conflict or an environmental disaster, among other reasons.\u00a0 However, \u201cTemporary\u201d Protected Status is de facto permanent, as under current law, it is almost certain to be repeatedly renewed every 12 or 18 months.\u00a0 The TPS Reform Act would shift authority from the Executive and empower Congress to designate a nation\u2019s participation in the TPS program, and it would set strict but reasonable maximum lengths for TPS duration.\u00a0\nOriginal cosponsors of the TPS Reform Act include Congressmen Louie Gohmert (TX-1), Steve King (IA-4), Paul Gosar (AZ-4), Walter Jones (NC-3), Dave Brat (VA-7), and Brian Babin (TX-36).\u00a0 The TPS Reform Act is endorsed by NumbersUSA and the Federation for American Immigration Reform. \u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cTemporary Protected Status is not meant to be permanent. \u00a0My bill, the TPS Reform Act, would remove TPS protection from illegal immigrants, strip the Executive Branch of the authority to designate TPS, and give that power back to Congress.\u00a0 More than 300,000 illegal aliens may reside in the United States under the description of TPS. \u00a0They are often granted extensions to their \u2018temporary\u2019 status giving them many benefits such as work permits, Social Security Numbers, driver\u2019s licenses, and more.\u00a0 Congress must put American citizens first and take back control of our immigration system.\u201d\nRosemary Jenks, Director of Government Relations at NumbersUSA praised the TPS Reform Act and commented, \u201cThe Executive Branch has been abusing this temporary, humanitarian program for 26 years, using it as a de facto amnesty program. \u00a0This bill would restore critical oversight by Congress.\u201d\nThe Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, Mark Krikorian, stated, \u201cThe government's site says 'TPS does not lead to permanent resident status,' and strictly speaking, that is correct; the attorney general can terminate it, at which point the people in question revert to their original status\u2014i.e., in most cases go back to being illegal aliens. \u00a0But in practice, TPS is renewed as many times as necessary to ensure that no one is deported.\u00a0 Only in the smallest of cases, involving a few dozen or at most a few hundred people, has this 'temporary' status actually been ended without everyone getting a green card, and as far as I know, no one has ever been made to leave because they lost TPS.\u201d\nFederation for American Immigration Reform Executive Director, Dan Stein, noted, \u201cOur laws should not reward illegal immigrants to the United States regardless of the political or natural upheavals in their homelands. \u00a0Otherwise, experience shows that we will encourage further illegal immigration.\u00a0 By now, we should have learned from experience that TPS is misnamed\u2014what we offer as \u2018temporary\u2019 protection is most often seen by the aliens residing illegally in the United States as a foot in the door to legal permanent residence. \u00a0They are happy to accept our offer of humanitarian concern, but they have no intention of departing the United States when TPS status expires.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/report-washington-looking-ahead-east-alabama", "Report from Washington:  Looking Ahead in East Alabama", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)\u2014After enduring what seemed to be a never-ending election season, I am hopeful for what is in store for America as President-elect Donald Trump gets ready to take office and Republicans will be in the majority in both chambers of Congress for next year.\nWe can also rest assured that a conservative voice will soon be appointed to the Supreme Court to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia.\nThe people of East Alabama and across the United States made sure their message be heard loud and clear on the direction they want our country to be headed.\nAs the current Congress comes to a close and we get ready to start the 115th Congress in January, much work will need to be done. Now it is up to Congress to get busy.\nI believe repealing and replacing Obamacare will be one of the first items on the agenda as Congress works to find quality and affordable healthcare options that will help hardworking families instead of hurting them.\nStrengthening our national defense and making sure our country remains a superpower will also be on the table.\nOn the homeland security front, securing our border will remain at the forefront of our priorities as we deal with our illegal immigration situation.\nDuring this Thanksgiving season, I hope all of us across East Alabama will take time out of our busy lives to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in the United States and pray for the future of our great country and our new leaders as we move forward.\nAs always, my office and staff are here to serve you. Please contact my office with any concerns or thoughts you may have or take advantage of my Mobile Office Hours in your county each month. For more information visit my website at www.mikerogers.house.gov.\nYou can also sign up for my e-Newsletter by visiting my website. To stay up to date on social media, 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, on Medium at RepMikeRogersAL03 and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/turning-election-energy-results", "Turning election energy into results", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It has now been just a week since the 2016 election, which will certainly go down as one of the most consequential in modern American history. In the early morning hours when the race was finally called, I offered my sincere congratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence, and expressed how eager I was to get to work putting our country back on track.\nThere\u2019s no question that in electing Donald Trump president and maintaining Republican majorities in the House and Senate, Americans sent a clear message that we must turn away from the top-down, big-government, Washington-knows-best approach of the Obama era to a more conservative, sustainable path. After six years in Congress of playing defense against the Obama Administration, I\u2019m looking forward to playing offense with a Republican-led House, Senate\u00a0and White House and hopefully being able to get more done.\u00a0I\u00a0am grateful for the opportunity to serve another term and, no matter what, I will continue fighting on behalf of the people of the Second District and maintaining my focus on the issues that matter to you.\nI have been asked many times lately what I believe are the most important issues facing our country as we move forward. From my perspective, our most pressing issue is stopping the financial squeeze that so many middle class families are facing.\u00a0One takeaway from this election I want to press with Republican leadership in Congress is how so many working people feel marginalized in a country where the outcomes seem predetermined and the deck is stacked against them. Whether it is on trade or taxes or immigration or health care, we need to be crafting policies that address the real problems facing the American worker and their families. I feel like sometimes we talk a lot about how conservative policies will help the person that owns the factory, but we need to spend more time explaining how they will benefit the men and women working inside it. I'm eager to carry that message back to Washington.\nOn health care, I\u2019m looking forward to being in a position to finally deliver patient-centered reforms that offer more choices, lower costs, and more flexibility. On taxes, I believe perhaps the fastest way to improve economic conditions for all Americans is to deliver a simpler, fairer, flatter tax code. We can jumpstart job growth by lowering taxes for everyone while making the code more competitive for businesses and more workable for American families. It is also critically important that we get our fiscal house in order. We need to pass a budget that puts our country on a path to balance, and we need to set strict spending priorities that are more transparent and accountable to the people we represent.\nThere are so many other priorities to work on: strengthening border security and enhancing immigration laws; continuing improvements to veterans services; reversing cuts to our military and building up readiness; pursuing more sustainable agriculture policies \u2013 the list could go on.\nThere\u2019s no doubt the election was consequential. Our task now is to turn that election energy into actual results, \u00a0making sure the new conservative governing majority delivers meaningful solutions that address real problems Americans are facing.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-blocking-of-persuader-rule-a-win-for-american-workers", "Byrne: Blocking of Persuader Rule a Win for American Workers", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, issued the following statement in response to a federal judge issuing a permanent injunction against the Department of Labor\u2019s \u201cpersuader\u201d rule.\nByrne said: \u201cToday\u2019s ruling is a win for American workers, who would have seen their access to important information greatly reduced. All along, this rule was nothing more than an effort to tilt the scales even further toward Big Labor bosses through administrative decree, and I am pleased the rule has been permanently blocked.\u201d\nByrne led the charge in Congress against the \u201cpersuader\u201d rule. He introduced House Joint Resolution 87, which would have blocked the rule through the Congressional Review Act process.\u00a0 The Education and the Workforce Committee approved Rep. Byrne\u2019s legislation on May 18th.\u00a0 Click here to learn more about the \u201cpersuader\u201d rule.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-terri-sewell-opposes-appointment-steve-bannon-white-house", "Congresswoman Terri Sewell Opposes the Appointment of Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) joins 169 of her Congressional Colleagues in signing a letter addressed to President-elect Donald Trump \u00a0\u00a0opposing the appointment of former Breitbart News executive Steve Bannon as White House Chief Strategist:\n\u201cThe appointment of Steve Bannon, who has promoted views of bigotry, divisiveness, and fear throughout his career, is both disturbing and dangerous. Donald Trump built his campaign on misinformation and bigotry. \u00a0Unfortunately, his appointment of Steve Bannon is a clear indication that he will govern as he campaigned. As a daughter of Selma and the Representative of the 7th Congressional District of Alabama, I am painfully aware of the damage that hateful rhetoric and prejudice has on the American people. We simply cannot go back to times that divided and weakened our country and our progress.\u00a0\n\u201cPresident-elect Trump should reconsider his appointment of Steve Bannon and move forward to staff his administration with people who seek to uplift all Americans with truth and respect. After one of the most hateful and polarizing election cycles in history, now is the time to show true leadership by working to unite this country and diminish the flames of dissension and fear.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-donald-trump-winning-presidency", "Aderholt Statement on Donald Trump Winning the Presidency", "2016-11-14", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 19.0px Calibri; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement to congratulate Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence on being elected to the Presidency of the United States.\n\n\u201cI want to congratulate Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence on their decisive victory in Tuesday\u2019s election. Donald Trump began a movement in June of 2015 that had been boiling just beneath the surface in our country. People who felt left out, left behind and sick of eight years of failed liberal policies delivered a revolution at the ballot box.\n\n\u201cVoters across America, from the South, to the West, from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt, delivered a mandate of change by putting Republicans in charge of the White House and both Houses of Congress. We now must deliver on the promises we have made to the people during this election cycle.\n\n\u201cIn addition to repealing and replacing Obamacare, tackling immigration reform and once and for all securing our border, we need to provide relief for the American worker. Coal miners and farmers are being crushed by EPA regulations. Steel workers are losing jobs to bad trade deals. And a majority of Americans, even those who voted for Secretary Clinton, believe our country is headed in the wrong direction. It\u2019s time to change course.\n\n\u201cThe voters gave marching orders at the polls on Tuesday. Those orders are clear and I will work with my Republican colleagues to see that a new agenda for the American people is our top priority.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:07:19Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/the-election-is-over-now-what", "The Election is Over. Now What?", "2016-11-13", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last Tuesday, the American people went to the polls to elect the people they want to lead our country, and the outcome of the election was pretty clear.\nDonald Trump was elected President of the United States, and Republicans will continue to control both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Complete Republican control of the federal government has only happened 16 out of the past 100 years.\nAfter years of divided government, it is important we take advantage of unified government and push forward with major reforms. Donald Trump really struck a chord with the American people by talking about putting America first and looking out for the American worker, so I hope our agenda follows those principles.\nOne of the first items on the agenda should be to address Obamacare. I am optimistic we will be able to get a bill through Congress and signed into law that repeals Obamacare once and for all. Just getting rid of Obamacare won\u2019t be enough though. We need to follow up with patient-centered health care reforms that actually lower costs and improve care, while ensuring every American has access to health care.\nAnother item toward the top of the agenda will be finally securing our border. I look f0rward to working with President-elect Trump to increase border security and crack down on illegal immigration. We must also end amnesty policies and ensure our immigration policies reward immigrants who follow the system to enter our nation legally.\nThere are also a number of commonsense reforms we can push through early in the Trump Administration to cut back on overregulation. President-elect Trump will be able to quickly end some of these actions that were implemented through executive orders, but other changes will require Congressional action.\nFor years now, I have heard from countless small business owners and employees who are drowning in red tape. By cutting out the bureaucratic mess, our businesses will be able to grow and expand. This benefits every single American in the form of a stronger economy.\nRebuilding our military will also be a top priority under President-elect Trump. We need to rollback harmful cuts to our military and ensure each branch of the military has the tools and resources they need to get the job down. We must restore the strategy of peace through strength.\nI also think a number of our local priorities stand to benefit under President Trump. First, I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to finally get us back to a regular Red Snapper season in the Gulf. President-elect Trump has said he wants to do away with unnecessary government regulations, and ending ill-advised regulations on our fishermen should be on the list.\nWe have a number of important transportation projects in Southwest Alabama, including building an I-10 bridge over the Mobile River. I really look forward to learning more about President-elect Trump\u2019s major infrastructure plan because it could certainly help move some of our local projects forward.\nFinally, President-elect Trump\u2019s plan to boost our military should be music to the ears of those at the Austal shipyard in Mobile. Mr. Trump has said he supports a 350 ship naval fleet, and we cannot get to that large of a fleet without the Littoral Combat Ship, which is built in Mobile.\nUltimately, the most important step is for our country to unify behind Donald Trump. I know not everyone supported Mr. Trump, but in his victory speech he promised to be the President for every single American. I hope everyone will take President-elect Trump at his word and give him the opportunity to lead our country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-terri-sewell-issues-statement-observance-veterans-day", "Congresswoman Terri Sewell Issues Statement in Observance of Veterans Day", "2016-11-10", "2016", "2016-11", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11th:\n\u201cToday, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who have laid down their lives to keep our country safe. \u00a0These individuals \u2013 men and women, fathers, wives, sons and daughters \u2013 have fought and died to protect the values we hold dear as a nation,\u201d states Representative Sewell.\u00a0 \u201cWe owe them a sincere debt of gratitude for their tremendous bravery and selfless sacrifice.\u201d\n\u201cThat is why it is critically important for Congress to continue to support and provide needed resources to the Veterans Administration (VA) to ensure that our veterans and their spouses or widowers have access to quality health care, good-paying jobs, affordable housing, and other benefits they have rightly earned. We should not deny the very liberties to these American heroes and their families that they have fought to protect.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/local-schools-are-making-a-difference", "Local Schools Are Making A Difference", "2016-11-06", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "There is something really fun and exciting about visiting with students in our local schools. From the elementary student who just wants you to read a book with them to the high school student looking for college advice, the visits are always special.\nWith the House out of session for the month of October, I had the pleasure to spend quality time in a number of our local schools. I visited Clarke County High School in Grove Hill to talk with students and learn more about their new workforce training center.\nAt Saraland High School, I attended the induction ceremony for students joining career and technical education student organizations. I also visited the Chickasaw School System in Mobile County, where the students welcomed me with impressive handmade signs.\nI spent time at Magnolia School in Foley and Robertsdale Elementary School in Baldwin County to share some stories with some of the students. I believe it is important we all find time to volunteer and support our local school systems, and reading to students is a great way to make a difference.\nAt each of my school visits, I have been blown away by the work our teachers and administrators are doing. Their job is certainly not easy. Due to budget issues at the state level, many teachers are facing unique challenges. For example, I talked with teachers who spent personal money in their classrooms in order to support students\u2019 needs.\nTeachers wear many different hats. Teachers are more than just instructors. They often serve as mentors and friends to the students they teach. For some students, they provide much needed stability for what may be a very complicated home life.\nEducation in Alabama is making important progress, and that is a testament to our teachers and administrators. For example, the high school graduation rate in Alabama is now at 89%, a new record high.\nHowever, more challenges remain. As a parent, former member of the Alabama State School Board, and education advocate, I am committed to doing everything I can to support our students, teachers, and local schools.\nIn the House of Representatives, I serve as a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. This is the committee responsible for both K-12 and higher education policy.\nThere are obvious ways elected officials in Washington can help our local schools. First, we need to cut down on the red tape and paperwork that tie up teachers and keep them from doing their job.\nWe need to also stop trying to push national academic standards. What works for students in Alabama may be different than what works for students in California or Michigan. We should allow states to set their own academic standards that best fit their students.\nMost importantly, we need to ensure that any federal education funding is actually making its way to the classrooms instead of getting stuck in the bureaucracy. The money that Washington sends to our local schools should be spent in the classrooms helping students and teachers.\nUltimately, we need to empower our local teachers and stop getting in their way. Visiting with our teachers, I \u00a0see firsthand their passion for helping students succeed. Education is not a field you can work in unless you have an unyielding passion for helping students.\nOf course, I want to see our local schools continue to improve and grow, but we should never take for granted the job our teachers and administrators do on a daily basis. They are real difference makers in our society, and they deserve our praise.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/drought-adds-challenges-facing-our-farmers", "Drought adds to challenges facing our farmers", "2016-11-04", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As you know, Alabama is in the midst of a drought of historic proportions. The latest assessment from the National Drought Mitigation Center showed that more than 65 percent of the state is now in extreme or exceptional drought. Such a serious drought affects nearly all Alabamians in some way. Shifting soil can cause busted water mains and dried up reservoirs can force water restrictions for consumers. The threat of wildfires has become dangerous, as more than 12,000 acres statewide have burned in the last 30 days with no substantial rainfall predicted.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tHowever, no one is more drastically affected by a lack of rain than our state\u2019s farmers and ranchers, whose livelihoods depend on our weather conditions. I recently met with several producers from a wide range of agriculture products in Houston County for a roundtable discussion about some of the challenges they are facing. The dry soil has certainly impacted crop production, but it has also caused a serious shortage of hay that ranchers use to feed their cattle.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tFarmers take great financial risk every time they put a crop in the field. Their ability to be successful is critical, not just for their own livelihoods, but for the benefit of our state and country. Agriculture, forestry, and related industries contribute more than $70 billion and 580,295 jobs to our state\u2019s economy. From a national perspective, we must always avoid a geopolitical position in which the United States must depend on foreign imports for our food supply.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAs we monitor drought conditions, my office will remain in contact with partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to make sure producers get the relief they need. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tWe need policies that help agriculture producers be successful, rather than heavy-handed regulations that make their jobs more difficult. That\u2019s why I was proud to help deliver the most recent Farm Bill that repealed outdated programs and cut unnecessary regulations \u2013 all while saving taxpayers more than $23 billon.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI was pleased to hear feedback from farmers in the Wiregrass as to the effects of the Farm Bill, both intended and unintended. For example, the most recent Farm Bill replaced direct payments from the government with a greater reliance on crop insurance programs \u2013 a needed change \u2013 but there are timing complications that need to be addressed moving forward.Soon, Congress will begin preliminary work on the next Farm Bill. Not everyone I work with in Congress represents a district with such a large agricultural footprint. Being able to listen to farmers\u2019 experiences first hand helps me be a stronger voice on their behalf in Washington.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-receives-navy-distinguished-public-service-award", "Byrne Receives Navy Distinguished Public Service Award", "2016-11-04", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today received the United States Navy\u2019s Distinguished Public Service Award from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.\nThe award is the highest honor that can be given to a civilian not employed by the Department of the Navy.\nByrne said: \u201cBeing an advocate for a strong, capable naval fleet is a significant part of my service in Congress because I understand the important role the Navy plays in our national defense strategy. I appreciate Secretary Mabus for presenting me with this honor, and I pledge to continue standing up for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps throughout my time in Congress.\u201d\nThe award presentation occurred during a lunch organized by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Prior to the lunch, Secretary Mabus and Congressman Byrne visited Austal USA and addressed the workforce.\nThe award citation reads: \u201cFor exceptional service to the Department of the Navy as a member of Congress and the House Armed Services Committee. Representative Byrne\u2019s dedicated service to our Sailors and Marines ensured they were provided the resources necessary to support and defend the Nation\u2019s interests around the globe. His strong leadership as a member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower ensured the Navy-Marine Corps team was the most capable force in history. Through his tireless efforts, he guaranteed the highest levels of sustainability for our combat forces and directly impacted the quality of life for the men and women of the Department of the Navy. With grateful appreciation for his public service to the Nation and for his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps, the Honorable Bradley Byrne is awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/nothing-affordable-about-the-affordable-care-act", "Nothing Affordable About the Affordable Care Act", "2016-10-30", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In 2008, then Senator Barack Obama famously said, \u201cIn an Obama administration, we will lower premiums by up to $2,500 for a typical family per year.\u201d\nYou don\u2019t have to be a health insurance expert to know that was a lie.\u00a0 All around the First District of Alabama, I talk to folks who are hurting because of the burdensome cost of health insurance under Obamacare.\nPerhaps Bill Clinton put it best, \u201cYou\u2019ve got this crazy system . . . people are out there busting it, sometimes sixty hours a week, wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half. It\u2019s the craziest thing in the world.\u201d\nUnfortunately, things are only getting worse.\u00a0 This week, 2017 premium rates were released for the Obamacare exchanges.\u00a0 Across the country, enrollees will see a shocking average premium increase of 25.6 percent.\u00a0\u00a0 But, this is only the average of all exchanges.\u00a0 For Alabamians, rates will increase a whopping average of 58 percent.\nThe Obama Administration was quick to say this will not affect most people on the exchanges because, under Obamacare, as premiums increase, so does the share of the premium the government picks up. It is as if these folks do not realize where the government gets the money to pay for these premiums \u2013 from the taxpayers.\u00a0\nIn 2016, taxpayers subsidized the exchanges to the tune of $42 billion.\u00a0 Already, these subsidies were expected to jump to $106 billion by 2026 and a 25% increase in premiums is likely to add at least $8 billion to the taxpayer\u2019s bill for just 2017.\nMore importantly, the Obama Administration doesn\u2019t account for the millions of people who receive no subsidy because their family income is 400% above the federal poverty line.\u00a0 With that in mind, I decided to log into the Alabama exchange to see what I could find.\nI selected a family of 4 with parents in their mid-thirties, two young children, that do not smoke.\u00a0 Without a subsidy, the cheapest plan on the exchange for Mobile County carried a premium of $982.45 a month with a deductible of $12,900 a year! So, under Obamacare, two middle class parents would have to pay $24,689.40 a year just to be able to use their health insurance.\nOf course, Obamacare\u2019s problems aren\u2019t just being felt by those using the exchange.\u00a0 Traveling around the district, I hear from employers and employees alike that healthcare costs are skyrocketing.\nMost of us remember when not too long ago you could go to the doctor or pick up a prescription on your company\u2019s sponsored insurance and pay only a small copayment.\nToday, Obamacare\u2019s mandates and red tape prevent employers and insurance companies from offering the type of plans that we were accustomed to just a few years ago.\u00a0 For those lucky enough to have employer sponsored insurance, there is often a huge deductible to be paid.\nOf course, Republicans were sounding the alarm about these costs before Obamacare was passed.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid chose to ram the bill through Congress without Republican support.\nSince my first day in Congress, I have said that Obamacare is a complete disaster.\u00a0 These premium hikes only prove what Republicans have been saying for years, the entire bill must be repealed and replaced.\nAs your Congressman, cleaning up the mess known as Obamacare will remain one of my top priorities for the next Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/clinton-email-saga-continues", "Clinton Email Saga Continues", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Clinton Email Saga Continues                                           \n              Oct 28, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    Late last week, FBI Director James Comey announced that his agents have begun analyzing new evidence in the investigation of Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of an unsecured, private server to conduct government business during her time as Secretary of State. In his letter to Congress, Director Comey said the FBI \u201clearned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the investigation.\u201d According to sources who spoke to The New York Times, the existence of new emails comes from devices confiscated in the investigation into former Congressman Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tOf course, back in July, Comey announced that he would not be recommending charges be brought against Clinton, which seemed to run counter to evidence that the letter and spirit of federal law were broken. I said at the time that it was a sad day for the rule of law in our country and that, while it was hardly surprising that Clinton evaded prosecution, many who still believed the idea that no one is above the law were rightfully disappointed.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tMany are seeing this re-opening or deeper dive into the Clinton case as a second chance of sorts for the FBI after the initial episode produced a troublesome precedent. However, it is too early to say what this new evidence will produce or how the FBI will proceed with it. Setting aside the obvious political implications, I believe the Clinton email scandal offers an opportunity to improve policy.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tGenerally speaking, I want federal prosecutors to take violations of our national security laws and protocols more seriously, no matter who commits them. That\u2019s why four weeks ago, in the wake of the FBI\u2019s Clinton decision, I introduced legislation that would strengthen those laws and protocols for the storing and transfer of classified information.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tH.R. 6219, The Unsecured Server Act of 2016 makes it a felony to knowingly store classified information on an unsecured server or send or receive classified information from an unsecured server, subject to a fine and up to ten years in prison. My bill also ensures that individuals found to have improperly stored or sent classified information in the last ten years are disqualified from receiving security clearances.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe time has come to update our legal code for the information age and to make it clear that the \u201cextremely careless\u201d behavior Clinton and her aides engaged in is not tolerated going forward. The Unsecured Server Act of 2016 has been referred to the Judiciary Committee's Crime Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee. I will keep you updated on the bill\u2019s progress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-new-fbi-probe-hillary-clinton-s-private-email-server", "Aderholt Statement on New FBI Probe into Hillary Clintons Private Email Server", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement in regard to the news the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton\u2019s private email server.\n\u00a0\n\u201cI was not surprised to learn that the FBI has launched a new investigation into the private server of Secretary Clinton.\u00a0 Clinton has repeatedly put her own need for secrecy ahead of protecting our own national secrets.\n\u00a0\n\u201cDirector Comey made the correct decision to reopen this case without regard to the current political environment.\u00a0 Doing what is right should never take a backseat to whether an election is 11 days away or 111 days away.\n\u00a0\nIn Washington, Congressman Aderholt serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the powerful House Appropriations Committee; he is also a member of the Committee\u2019s Defense Subcommittee, the Committee\u2019s Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, and the Helsinki Commission.\n\u00a0\nFor more information about Aderholt\u2019s work in Congress visit: www.aderholt.house.gov.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aderholt-statement-new-fbi-probe-hillary-clintons-private-email-server", "Aderholt Statement on New FBI Probe into Hillary Clinton\u2019s Private Email Server", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Robert B. Aderholt", "A000055", "aderholt.house.gov", "aderholt", "https://aderholt.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement in regard to the news the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton\u2019s private email server.\n\n\u201cI was not surprised to learn that the FBI has launched a new investigation into the private server of Secretary Clinton. Clinton has repeatedly put her own need for secrecy ahead of protecting our own national secrets.\n\n\u201cDirector Comey made the correct decision to reopen this case without regard to the current political environment. Doing what is right should never take a backseat to whether an election is 11 days away or 111 days away.\n\nIn Washington, Congressman Aderholt serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the powerful House Appropriations Committee; he is also a member of the Committee\u2019s Defense Subcommittee, the Committee\u2019s Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, and the Helsinki Commission.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:04:55Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/a-recap-from-the-road", "A Recap from the Road", "2016-10-23", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "What do dehydrated fruits and vegetables, a new workforce training center, six town hall meetings, and the University of Alabama have in common? They were all a part of my busy week on the road in Southwest Alabama.\nSome of my most valuable time is spent traveling across the First Congressional District talking directly to the people I represent in Congress. With the House out of session until after the upcoming election, there have been many great opportunities to listen to the ideas and concerns of my constituents.\nI kicked things off Monday morning with a visit to Spring Hill College in Mobile to speak with students, tour the campus, and meet with President Christopher Puto. Spring Hill is an important part of the education system in Southwest Alabama, and their impact is felt all across the United States.\nNext, I headed to Mobile\u2019s Providence Hospital to meet with community partners who serve those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. We had an important conversation about the ways federal policy can help those with Alzheimer's, as well as family caregivers.\nI finished the day with a Veterans Town Hall Meeting at Battleship Memorial Park. I heard from a number of veterans who are still frustrated with the quality of care they are receiving from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). I outlined my support for the new VA clinic in Mobile and explained why I believe every veteran should be given a card so to receive care from private doctors and hospitals in their local community instead of being forced into the failed VA bureaucracy.\nOn Tuesday morning, I headed to Foley to celebrate the grand opening of Bon Secour Valley Ingredients. The new operation will bring a state-of-the-art fruit and vegetable dehydration and roasting facility to Baldwin County. This is just the latest in a long line of businesses George Woerner and his family have brought to our area.\nAfter having lunch with some members of the Gulf Coast News Today team in Summerdale, I headed up to Flomaton in Escambia County for a town hall meeting. We discussed a range of topics including health care, immigration, and the role of the media in politics.\nOn Wednesday, I headed up to Clarke County for a number of meetings and events. I started off in Grove Hill with a visit to Clarke County High School. I enjoyed speaking with some of their students and checking out the new Clarke County Regional Workforce Training Center.\nNext, I held a town hall meeting in Jackson. Before the meeting, I had the opportunity to honor Jackson Mayor Richard Long for his over twenty years of service to the local community. His work has made a huge impact.\nNext, I headed down to McIntosh in Washington County for a town hall meeting. At both the town halls in Jackson and McIntosh, I took questions on Social Security, foreign policy, religious freedom, and more.\nOn Thursday, I held two more town hall meetings in Mobile County's Turnerville community and Uriah in Monroe County. Questions at these meetings covered everything from the presidential election to Obamacare to workforce training.\nI wrapped things up in Tuscaloosa on Friday for a visit to the University of Alabama. As our state's only member on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I believe it is important to understand the challenges and opportunities facing all of our institutions of higher education.\nNeedless to say, it was a busy but successful week on the road.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/shopping-local-supports-jobs-quality-life", "Shopping Local Supports Jobs, Quality of Life", "2016-10-21", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This past week I met with leaders from Alabama\u2019s retail industry as they launched their \u201cShop Alabama\u201d campaign \u2013 an effort to encourage consumers to shop at locally-owned or Alabama-based retailers. I was proud to lend my voice to this promotion, which supports thousands of home-grown Alabama businesses and the jobs they sustain. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe retail industry employs more than 400,000 people in Alabama, making the industry as a whole the largest private sector employer in our state. Dollars spent shopping and dining help fuel our state\u2019s economic engine by adding an enormous $19 billion to our economy annually. The impact is just as great on our state budgets, as retail sales tax account for $2 billion in revenue to fund critical state services. When we shop local, we support the livelihoods of our friends and neighbors and make it possible for government to function properly.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tBut, it isn\u2019t all dollars and cents. There are intangible benefits that may be hard to measure, but are nonetheless valuable to our quality of life. \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tRetail really can represent the heartbeat of a community. I have appreciated how so many cities and towns throughout the 2nd Congressional District have revitalized downtowns and other commerce districts to bring back shoppers and community life. All you have to do is walk down the street in Troy, Dothan, Andalusia, Abbeville, Prattville, Enterprise, Eufaula, Greenville, Ozark and others places to see how thriving local retail makes for a vibrant community. In my hometown of Montgomery, a renaissance of retail has breathed new life into downtown and helped fuel a tourism boom for our Capital City.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tLocal retailers also engage in the community in unique ways.\u00a0 Whether it is sponsoring a little league team or helping host the high school drama club fundraiser, local shops play an important role in civic life. In fact, my son, George plays on a baseball team sponsored by Welle Studio, a boutique clothing store in Cloverdale that is owned and operated by friends of ours. There\u2019s something special about shopping at an establishment that you know is investing back into your community in a personal way.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI think more and more people are seeing the value of community over convenience. When we shop locally, we aren\u2019t just keeping our dollars at home and supporting the local economy, we are contributing to a sense of community that you just can\u2019t find online. And these days, I believe we could all afford to spend a little less time on our computers and phones and a little more time interacting with our neighbors.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tPretty soon it will be the holiday shopping season, a critical time for most retail establishments. I encourage you to shop local first and help support the jobs and quality of life in your community.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/agriculture-matters", "Agriculture Matters", "2016-10-17", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Despite Alabama\u2019s growth in manufacturing, agriculture remains the top industry in the state, as well as the top industry right here in Alabama\u2019s First Congressional District. The economic impact of agriculture in our state is over $70 billion. Here in Southwest Alabama, over 102,000 jobs are connected to agriculture and forestry.\nIn Congress, I have made it a top priority to support agriculture. From voting in favor of the 2014 Farm Bill to helping push back against costly regulations, I am constantly looking for ways to make life easier for our farmers and foresters.\nIn order to better understand the issues facing the industry, I recently held my second annual \u201cAg Matters\u201d tour of farms and forests in Southwest Alabama. I was honored to be joined on the tour by Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture John McMillan and representatives from the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Forestry Association.\nWe kicked things off in Baldwin County at Sirmon Farms near Belforest. I checked out their sweet potato and hydroponic lettuce operations, visited one of their cotton fields, and rode in the cotton picker.\nFrom there, we headed over to Canfor/Scotch-Gulf\u2019s lumber mill in Mobile. They also have mills in Jackson and Fulton. I learned about the need for the Forest Service to make more timber available for purchase, which is good for the lumber mills but also helps keep the forest healthy.\nNext, we headed up to Washington County to check out timber harvesting near Chatom. Our foresters continue to face a range of challenges associated with the Endangered Species Act. I believe it is important we reform the Endangered Species Act to make sure it is based in actual science and does not place unnecessary burdens on our foresters. In fact, healthy forest management is actually good for many of these species.\nAfter spending dinner with the Baldwin County Farmers Federation, we kicked off the next day at AGRI-AFC in Atmore. When thinking about agriculture, it is easy to forget all the different businesses that support our farmers. AGRI-AFC provides crop nutrient and crop production products, in addition to agronomic services. Science is very important to ensure the soil is healthy and ready for planting.\nNext, we visited Brooks Farms near Uriah. It was harvest time for cotton, and I was able to check out their cotton gin. Cotton farmers faced another difficult year due to low prices. Farmers hoped the federal Department of Agriculture would designate cottonseed as an \u201cother oilseed,\u201d which would have provided assistance through farm bill programs. Sadly, they failed to make that designation, but I will continue pressing for the change to be made.\nWhile in Monroe County, we visited Harrigan Lumber in Monroeville. Over 90% of the total workforce in Monroe County is connected to agriculture and forestry. I talked with the Harrigan family about the need to improve skills training and fight back against burdensome regulations from the Department of Labor.\nWe wrapped things up in Clarke County at Silver Creek Forests near Whatley. I observed an operation where they spray a solution on the clear cut to kill species that would compete with the loblolly pine, which they were preparing to plant. It was helpful to learn more about healthy forest management practices.\nOverall, it was a very informative few days of learning more about the challenges our farmers and foresters face on a daily basis. The \u201cAg Matters\u201d Tour simply reaffirmed my commitment to fighting for agriculture throughout my time in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/manufacturing-has-significant-impact-economy-residents-second-district", "Manufacturing has significant impact on economy, residents of the Second District", "2016-10-14", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "National Manufacturing Day was this past week, making this a great time to highlight the strong manufacturing presence in our state and district. From automotive and aerospace to metals and medical, Alabama manufacturers are an economic engine for this state.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tBy the numbers, Alabama is home to more than 5,200 manufacturing, assembly, and processing facilities, employing more than 300,000 people and accounting for $8 billion in exported products and services. And while those are impressive numbers economically speaking, it is important to remember that every one of those jobs helps someone support their family and make ends meet.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThat\u2019s why I have made it a priority in Congress to support the manufacturing industry and the jobs it supports by advancing policies that will keep and grow jobs here in the United States. Specifically, policies affecting trade, taxes, and regulations can particularly affect our manufacturing industry.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tTrade with other countries is positive for our state so as long as it is fair trade. We want Alabama products to be sold in growing international markets and ensure America builds its economic advantage globally. With China\u2019s economic emergence, that\u2019s as important as ever, but I don\u2019t want President Obama or the next president to have unilateral trade authority. I believe Congress must retain strict checks and balances as it concerns trade, with a mechanism to shut down bad trade deals that would hard our manufacturing base.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThis week I will be visiting the Port of Mobile and meeting with officials from the Alabama State Port Authority to see first hand the work they do to promote our state products worldwide. I\u2019m looking forward to this visit because increasing exports mean mores jobs for Alabamians.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tFederal tax policy certainly impacts our manufacturing industry. Pro-growth conservatives have been arguing for years that lowering the United States\u2019 high corporate tax rate would restore American competitiveness and bring back jobs from overseas. Businesses large and small deserve a fairer tax system that facilitates investment and growth.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tMore fairness and common sense are also needed in our regulatory system. Ask just about any manufacturer, large or small, and they\u2019ll tell you that complying with the labyrinth of federal regulations handed down from myriad agencies is among their biggest challenges. It is time consuming, costly, and growth-inhibitive. I\u2019ve supported several measures to bring more accountability and transparency to the federal regulations process, and I will continue to as your Representative in Congress.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019m looking forward to visiting some of our manufacturing facilities this week as my state and district travels continue. You can follow along on my Facebook page, Twitter profile, and now Instagram.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-statement-trump", "Palmer Statement on Trump", "2016-10-13", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Birmingham, AL \u2013 Today Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) issued the following statement in regard to his support for the Republican ticket and Donald Trump.\n\n\u201cFor the last several days, a number of news organizations have misrepresented my position in regard to support of the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. I have said from the beginning of the campaign cycle that I would support the Republican nominee and have never given any indication otherwise.\n\n\u201cLast week, it was revealed that 11 years ago, Mr. Trump had made some offensive and inappropriate comments about women. In the statement I issued, denouncing the comments by Mr. Trump, there was nothing to indicate I would not support him in November. But some news outlets have placed me with a group of people who have said they would not support Mr. Trump, when that has never been my position.\n\n\u201cLet me be clear, we are looking at two very imperfect candidates, but supporting the Republican nominee \u2013 Donald Trump - over the Democratic nominee - Hillary Clinton - is not a difficult choice. Even in recent days, we have seen more evidence from the emails released by WikiLeaks confirming that Mrs. Clinton is a pathological liar; we know that she is guilty of being extremely careless while mishandling classified information, that her actions caused four Americans to lose their lives in Benghazi, and she and President Obama are principally responsible for the disaster unfolding in the Middle East that has left over a half million people dead and millions more as refugees.\n\n\u201cUnder the Obama Administration, the regulatory burden has crippled the economy and for the first time since the Carter Administration more small businesses are closing than opening, middle and lower income American families have seen their incomes decline, and millions are out of the workforce. Hillary Clinton has promised to continue the status quo, and that is unacceptable. And while I can offer no defense for the reprehensible comments made by Mr. Trump, he has run a conservative campaign and continues to surround himself with people I trust, like Jeff Sessions and Mike Pence, both of whom I have known for over 20 years.\n\n\u201cThis election is not about comments made 11 years ago or even 11 months ago, but about the policies represented by the two candidates. Hillary Clinton will continue the assault on the Second Amendment; she will continue to allow the killing of the unborn; she will continue to appoint judges who legislate from the bench; she will continue to issue executive orders not based on law or logic; she will continue to destroy our military and national defense; and she will continue to drive up the national debt and harm economic growth with regulatory burdens.\n\n\u201cWhen every poll shows that over 75-percent of Americans believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction, it should be evident that we need to change direction. That is why I will support Mr. Trump as the Republican nominee, because Hillary Clinton must not be the next president.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:04:55Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/some-good-news-for-southwest-alabama", "Some Good News for Southwest Alabama", "2016-10-09", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "If you turn on the national news, it is easy to grow discouraged. From ongoing terrorism issues to the sluggish economy, our nation continues to face a wide range of serious challenges.\nThat said, here in Southwest Alabama, we have had a decent run of positive news lately. I want to highlight some of the encouraging developments that impact every community in our area.\nI received word last week that the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development office is starting a Community Facilities Relending Program to benefit rural areas in Southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida.\nUnited Bank, headquartered in Atmore, will serve as a lender for the program, and they will be able to issue up to $40,000,000 in loans to local communities. This program targets rural areas with high and persistent poverty rates.\nFunds from the loan program can be used on a range of essential community facilities or equipment including healthcare facilities, town halls, courthouses, child care centers, fire departments, police vehicles, libraries, food pantries, and more. This is certainly good news as many of our rural communities will be eligible to apply for these low-interest loans.\nBaldwin County received some good news a few weeks ago when the Economic Development Administration announced a $846,583 grant for the Daphne Innovation and Science Complex (DISC). The DISC project is an important tool to help spur growth in the technology and science industries around Alabama\u2019s Gulf Coast.\nThe Economic Development Administration also announced grants for the City of Atmore to construct an industrial access road and for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce to renovate and modernize the former Threaded Fasteners building.\nThe Poarch Creek Band of Indians in Escambia County was recently awarded a grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Administration. The over $33,000 grant will help with emergency preparedness efforts.\nIn Clarke County, work has started on a new workforce training facility in Grove Hill. This facility is a major step in the right direction when it comes to encouraging vocational education and making sure students are gaining the skills they need to get a good-paying job.\nWe also received some goods from the Secretary of the Navy. He announced in September that a future Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will be named the USS Mobile.\nThis is a well-deserved honor for the City of Mobile, where the Independence-class of the LCS is built. I have been urging the Navy to name a ship after our great city for some time, so I was pleased to see the announcement finally made.\nAnother piece of good news relates to our local oyster industry. I was able to have an amendment successfully included in the Water Resources and Development Act when it passed the House a few weeks back.\nMy amendment calls for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform a Gulf Coast Oyster Bed Recovery Assessment. Our oyster industry along the Gulf Coast has taken a real hit in recent years, and I believe it is important for the Army Corps to work with the Gulf states on developing a plan to improve our oyster beds.\nThese are just a few instances of positive news for our area. Of course, these developments alone will not be enough.\nI am committed to continuing to advocate for Southwest Alabama every chance I get. Thanks to our outstanding people, our area has unlimited potential, and I am excited to keep working on your behalf.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/health-care-cost-increases-concern-alabamians", "Health Care Cost Increases Concern Alabamians", "2016-10-07", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It was great to be back on the road last week making several visits around Alabama\u2019s 2nd Congressional District, with community and civic club meetings in Enterprise, Opp, Andalusia, Union Springs, Eufaula and Montgomery. Meeting face-to-face with constituents and listening to their concerns helps me be a stronger voice in Washington on the issues that matter to Alabamians.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThere is certainly no shortage of issues, from the economy and job creation to national security and the threat of terrorism. One issue that has many Alabamians and many Americans very concerned is the rising cost of health care. Insurance premiums continue to rise, in some cases pretty drastically, making it difficult for families to afford health care coverage and pay for other normal expenses.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tIt is increasingly clear that The Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, has actually made health care more expensive for many middle class families. This major national problem had largely been overshadowed by other news in recent months, but that all changed when former President Bill Clinton candidly laid out some of the biggest frustrations with Obamacare to an Ohio audience.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\"So you've got this crazy system,\u201d the former president said, \u201cwhere all of a sudden 25 million more people have health care and then the people who are out there busting it, sometimes 60 hours a week, wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half. It's the craziest thing in the world.\"  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tWhile he tried to walk back the gaffe in an attempt at \u201cdamage control,\u201d his words ring true with many working Americans who have faced these expensive rate increases. According to health care policy advocate and researcher Avik Roy, median insurance premiums have almost doubled in the four years since Obamacare went into effect.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tOver the last six years, I have supported several legislative efforts to scrap this ill-conceived health care law. Not surprisingly, President Obama has blocked any attempt to repeal or meaningfully amend his signature legislative achievement. Earlier this year, he followed through on his promise to veto Obamacare repeal legislation, and Congress subsequently lacked the votes to override the veto.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tAs I shared last week, being unable to deliver change on an issue that is negatively impacting my constituents is frustrating. However, looking ahead, I believe it is important to be more vocal in discussing conservatives\u2019 policy vision for replacing Obamacare, rather than stopping short at the need to repeal it.\u00a0 I've generally offered my colleague Rep. Tom Price's plan as a good place to start to replacing Obamacare. Tom is a physician who has been working on this issue for some time. His plan is a more patient-centered approach that lowers costs through more competition in the marketplace, more common sense in regulations, and more savings in the form of tax credits for consumers.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tI\u2019ll be discussing these and other policy ideas on the road again next week. You can follow my district travel on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and now Instagram.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-applauds-loan-program-for-rural-communities", "Byrne Applauds Loan Program for Rural Communities", "2016-10-06", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development regarding their Community Facilities Relending Program.\nUnited Bank, based in Atmore, Alabama, has been selected to serve as a lender for the new Community Facilities Relending Program. The program allows USDA Rural Development to make direct loans to community lending institutions who then re-loan the funds to eligible applicants to acquire, maintain, build, or renovate essential community facilities.\nUnited Bank\u2019s loan totals $40,000,000, which will now be re-loaned to local communities. This is the largest Community Facilities Relending Program loan in the United States.\nThe program targets rural communities with high and persistent poverty rates. Public bodies, community-based nonprofit corporations, and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for the loan program. The specific funds will be available to counties in Southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida.\nByrne said: \u201cI applaud the efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture to help our rural communities in Southwest Alabama. These rural communities face many distinct challenges, and this loan program will allow them to make critical investments in infrastructure to improve the quality of life for local residents. \n\u201cI\u2019m especially pleased a local bank, United Bank in Atmore, has been selected to serve as the community lending institution, and I look forward to following the impact the program has on Alabama\u2019s rural communities.\u201d\nFunds from the loan program can be used on a range of essential community facilities or equipment including healthcare facilities, town halls, courthouses, child care centers, fire departments, police vehicles, libraries, food pantries, and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/newsletters/october-newsletter", "October Newsletter", "2016-10-06", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As October begins, I am looking forward to spending the entire month back in Alabama's Sixth District. I will be hosting Town Hall's throughout the month across the district. These events are important to me because they are a great opportunity for us to have open dialogue about the issues we all face. I look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming Town Halls.Thanks for reading,  \n\tGary Palmer  \n\t\u00a0\nRead the newsletter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-supporting-white-house-guidance-promote-diversity", "Rep. Sewell Statement Supporting the White House Guidance to Promote Diversity in the Intelligence Community", "2016-10-05", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement in support of the White House initiative in promoting Diversity in the National Security community.\n\u201cAs the only African American female Member of the House Intelligence Committee, increasing diversity in the intelligence community is quite personal to me. Our nation\u2019s diversity is indisputably one of our greatest assets and is vital to our continued national security interests at home and abroad.\u00a0 I applaud President Obama\u2019s White House initiative in providing critically important guidance and policies that can help promote and encourage diversity and inclusion in the national security workforce.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI have been deeply committed to raising awareness to the need for diversity in the Intelligence Community workforce and I have worked to include provisions in the Intelligence Authorization Act that would actually create a pipeline of skilled and diverse talent into the Intelligence Community. Recently, I had the opportunity to host a panel discussion with leaders in the Intelligence Community to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting diversity and inclusion as a national security imperative. The White House guidance is an exciting step in the right direction towards developing a comprehensive plan that would provide guidance on data collection, professional development opportunities and greater accountability efforts to bridge the gap needed to achieve the diversity and inclusion goals.\n\u201cThe reality is that minorities make up only about 35% of the total federal workforce while in the Intelligence Community\u2014minorities total a mere 25%.\u00a0 The numbers are clear and demonstrate that there is still work to be done. These practical guidelines offered by the White House will make great strides toward ensuring that our national security workforce is reflective of the rich diversity that makes our nation strong.\u00a0\u00a0 America\u2019s workforce should look like America, and this includes the National Security Community.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/october-town-hall-notice", "October Town Hall Notice", "2016-10-04", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "October 4, 2016\n\nFor Immediate Release\n\nMedia Contact: Cate Cullen (202)225-4921\n\nOctober Town Hall Notice\n\nBirmingham, AL \u2013 Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) will host seven Town Halls throughout Alabama\u2019s Sixth District in October. The events are open to the public and will afford the people of the Sixth Congressional District the opportunity to ask questions and share their opinion on current events with Congressman Palmer.\n\nClay Town Hall\n\nMonday, October 10 \u2013 6:30pm\n\nClay City Hall\n\n2441 Old Springville Rd\n\nBirmingham, AL 35215\n\nHomewood Town Hall\n\nWednesday, October 12 \u2013 6:00pm\n\nHomewood City Hall\n\n2nd Floor Council Chambers\n\n2850 19th Street South\n\nHomewood, AL 35209\n\nHoover Town Hall\n\nThursday, October 13 \u2013 6:30pm\n\nHoover City Hall\n\nCouncil Chambers\n\n100 Municipal Lane\n\nHoover, AL 35216\n\nColumbiana Town Hall\n\nFriday, October 14 \u2013 8:30am\n\nColumbiana Senior Center\n\n110 Mildred Street\n\nColumbiana, AL 35051\n\nKimberly Town Hall\n\nMonday, October 17 \u2013 6:00pm\n\nKimberly Senior Center\n\n8013 Warrior Kimberly Road\n\nKimberly, AL 35091\n\nPelham Town Hall\n\nMonday, October 24 \u2013 7:00pm\n\nPelham High School\n\n2500 Panther Circle\n\nPelham, AL 35124\n\nGraysville Town Hall\n\nTuesday, October 25 \u2013 6:30pm\n\nGraysville Public Library\n\n315 South Main Street\n\nGraysville, AL 35073\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:04:55Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/roby-welcomes-emily-taylor-congressional-staff", "Roby Welcomes Emily Taylor to Congressional Staff", "2016-10-03", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today announced that Emily Taylor now serves as Press Secretary in her\u00a0Washington, D.C. office.\nTaylor, 25, of Montgomery, previously worked as Deputy Press Secretary for Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala).\n\u201cIn Congress I have made a point to surround myself with smart, driven staff members who can help me better serve the people of Alabama\u2019s Second District,\u201d Roby said. \u201cEmily brings valuable experience and a strong commitment to the state of Alabama that make her a great addition to our team.\u201d\nTaylor expressed gratitude and excitement for the new opportunity.\n\u201cI am honored to have the opportunity to work for Representative Roby and to support her efforts in fighting for the conservative cause in Washington,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cWhile it was difficult to leave Senator Shelby\u2019s office, I am excited to continue to serve the people of Alabama and my hometown in this new capacity.\u201d\nAs Press Secretary, Taylor will work alongside Communications Director Todd Stacy to advance Roby\u2019s legislative initiatives and advocacy efforts publicly. Taylor will serve as the primary contact for local, state and national media organizations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/a-better-way-for-affordable-health-care", "A Better Way for Affordable Health Care", "2016-10-02", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week was the third anniversary of the disastrous Obamacare rollout. What followed was a broken website, cancelled health care plans, higher deductibles, and fewer doctors.\nThree years later, the same problems remain. American families are faced with fewer and fewer health care options, and premiums continue to increase on many plans. Many healthy, younger Americans are content paying the fine for not having health care instead of choosing a plan they cannot afford.\nIn other words, Obamacare appears to be collapsing. The law was written with such haste and without bipartisan input, and now we are seeing the law\u2019s fatal flaws unravel before our eyes, and the American people are suffering.\nI\u2019ve always said that we need to do more than just be opposed to Obamacare. In fact, it would be irresponsible to only point out the law\u2019s failures without working on an alternative that solves the problems.\nAs House Republicans worked on our \u201cBetter Way\u201d agenda over the last year, we decided to focus one of our planks on health care. You see, health care continues to be one of the top concerns facing every American family and small business.\nOur \u201cBetter Way\u201d plan is built around one common principle: in a confident America, everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.\nFirst and foremost, our plan acknowledges that Obamacare is beyond repair. We cannot simply try to patch and repair Obamacare\u2019s failures. We must completely repeal the failed law. Our plan puts the emphasis on patient-centered care instead of a larger government bureaucracy.\nA major component of our \u201cBetter Way\u201d plan is to give Americans more choices when it comes to health care. We need to spur competition and innovation, which in turn will help drive down costs. We do this by making health care portable and offering a refundable tax credit to help you buy insurance on the individual market.\nOur plan would also allow for health insurance to be sold across state lines. Again, this will open up competition and help reduce costs.\nWe must also ensure that health care is available to Americans with pre-existing conditions, so our plan says that every American, no matter their health status, has the comfort of knowing they cannot be denied coverage.\nFor young Americans, our plan would continue to allow dependents up to the age of 26 to stay on their parents\u2019 health care plan. This is important for young people who may still be struggling to get ahead in our sluggish economy.\nAnother important component of our \u201cBetter Way\u201d plan is to ensure that doctors, hospitals, nurses, and health care providers are allowed to freely exercise their conscience. We won\u2019t force individuals to offer services that are against their beliefs. Just as important, our plan makes clear that no federal money can be used to perform abortions.\nA major piece of our plan is built on spurring medical innovation and research. This includes removing barriers to collaboration and accelerating drug research and development. We do this by cutting down on regulations and red tape while also reforming the National Institutes of Health.\nFinally, our plan protects and preserves Medicare. Our plan ends the raid on Medicare Advantage plans and ensures Medicare remains strong for today\u2019s seniors. For the next generation, our plan makes reforms and offers new options to ensure Medicare continues to be a viable and fiscally sound option.\nYou can learn more about our \u201cBetter Way\u201d plan for health care by visiting Better.gop. I encourage you to take a look at the plan and share your thoughts with me.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/two-years-after-scandal-progress-hope-central-alabama-va", "Two Years After Scandal, Progress & Hope at Central Alabama VA", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This week marks two years since the former director of the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) was fired for mismanagement, after major instances of misconduct, fraud and abuse were exposed. It was an important action to take toward instilling accountability at the VA, but also the first step in the process of rebuilding a health care system that many veterans in Central and South Alabama depend on.\nThat process has been not been easy. Many obstacles have made the path to improving veterans\u2019 care difficult. However, there is significant progress to report.\u00a0\nCAVHCS hospitals once ranked the worst in the country for delays in completing patient appointments. Today, the average wait time for completed appointments has been cut in half, from 16.29 days in April 2015 down to 8.54 last month. Much of the improvement can be can be attributed to the continued recruitment of key health care staff, from nurses and doctors to senior managers. I hope this momentum can continue, particularly in the area of mental health services, where a national shortage of professionals has made it difficult for VA to fill vacancies. I\u2019m also eager to see continued improvement in the Choice program that allows veteran patients to access care via local community providers if they so choose.\nAfter two years without a permanent director at CAVHCS, Dr. Linda Boyle has been selected to take the helm. Dr. Boyle is a retired Air Force Colonel who spent 24 years in the military, serving as the Medical Group Commander at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida before joining the VA. She has been working as the Interim Director at the Alaska VA Health System for the past year.\nDr. Boyle\u2019s appointment is welcome news. The culture of any organization is set by leadership. I believe no single action is more important toward improving veterans\u2019 healthcare in Central and South Alabama than having a permanent director in place who is committed to serving veterans and empowered to make the necessary changes. I look forward to meeting Dr. Boyle in person soon and I stand ready to help her be successful.\u00a0\nLast week, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law a bill funding the VA for the next fiscal year. The bill includes a nine percent increase over last year\u2019s total funding to meet increased demand at the VA, with much of it directed toward the most pressing needs: suicide prevention, mental health care services, traumatic brain injury care, and eliminating veteran homelessness. Also, greater whistleblower protections were added and funding was included to ensure resources are available for the VA Inspector General (IG) to continue its important work, including within Central Alabama.\nThe statistics I see and the stories I hear from veteran constituents make me optimistic about the future at the Central Alabama VA. I will continue to press for improvements, doing my part to help build upon recent progress to make sure it is real and lasting.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-votes-to-delay-costly-regulation", "Byrne Votes to Delay Costly Regulation", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, today applauded passage of legislation in the House of Representatives to delay the Obama Administration\u2019s \u201covertime regulation.\u201d\nOn Wednesday evening, the House passed H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act. The bill would require a six-month delay of the Obama Administration\u2019s new regulation that would double the salary threshold for overtime eligibility.\nCongressman Byrne spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation, and he outlined real examples of how the change would negatively impact Alabama businesses, organizations, and families.\nThe bill was supported by a number of groups including the National Federation of Independent Business, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Community Colleges, American Lodging and Hotel Association, National Restaurant Association, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, International Franchise Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors,\nThe bill passed by a vote of 246 to 177.\nA transcript of Congressman Byrne\u2019s remarks in support of his legislation can be found below.\nByrne said: \u201cI thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise in support of this legislation to require a six-month delay in the Department of Labor\u2019s new overtime rule.\n\u201cThis is an ill-advised regulation that will result in hardworking Americans losing their jobs and less economic growth.\n\u201cDon\u2019t just take my word for it. Let\u2019s look at what some actual business leaders and organizations had to say about the change.\n\u201cRichard, a businessman in Birmingham, says that he \u2018will cut back on employee hours as much as possible since raising their compensation is not any option.\u2019\n\u201cAbility Alliance of West Alabama, which provides assistance to more than 600 intellectually disabled individuals, wrote that \u2018the untenable financial pressure resulting from the proposed changes would force us into disastrous service reductions and program closures.\u2019\n\u201cGreg from Vinemont, Alabama is much more direct. He writes that he \u2018will have to lay people off to meet the overtime demands.\u2019\n\u201cFirst Heritage Credit LLC wrote to the Department of Labor that \u2018Increased costs cannot simply be passed on, and the proposed rule will mean fewer branch openings, fewer new hires, and fewer lending options to the communities we serve.\u2019\n\u201cOur nation\u2019s education institutions will be hit especially hard by this change. A representative from the University of Alabama wrote that the \u2018proposed regulation puts more pressure on the educational system as a whole. Institutions will either reduce the level of services and programs or will be required to maintain services and programs with inadequate staffing. Regardless, the quality of education will suffer.\u2019 All told, this change will cost the University of Alabama System $17 million dollars in just the first year.\n\u201cThese are just a few stories about the reality of the overtime change. These are real people and real families who will suffer. \n\u201cI think this change should be reworked altogether, but if that is not an option, we should at least delay this rule in order to provide relief to these businesses and organizations.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-statement-hr-5303", "Palmer Statement on H.R. 5303", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "September 29, 2016\n\nFor Immediate Release\n\nMedia Contact: Cate Cullen (202)225-4921\n\nPalmer Statement on H.R. 5303\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016:\n\n\u201cYesterday I voted against H.R. 5303, and in support of the people of Alabama,\u201d said Palmer. \u201cAlthough the bill has some good provisions, section 113 of the bill would undermine our state\u2019s efforts to resolve the water dispute between Georgia, Florida and Alabama. This provision represents one of many reasons people distrust Congress. It was included without debate and inserts the federal government into a matter that can and should be resolved by the states. This is another occasion where states\u2019 rights only matter to certain members when it benefits them.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:01:54Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/press-release/va-inspector-general-continues-probe-wait-times-misconduct", "VA Inspector General Continues Probe into Wait Times, Misconduct", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Almost two years after the director of the Central Alabama Vertans Health Care System was fired for mismanagement, an Inspector General probe of paitent wait time manipulation and other misconduct within the system is ongoing.\nU.S. Representative Martha Roby, who recently met with officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, said amid all the positive improvements at CAVHCS, holding bad actors accountable is important.\n\u00a0\u201cThe Inspector General\u2019s Office confirmed that its investigations are still open \u2013 including potential criminal investigations.\u00a0\n\u201cLet me tell you why that\u2019s important: We are finally getting some much-needed improvements, and that\u2019s great. But, the abuses that were allowed for years were unacceptable, and people need to be held accountable so that it never happens again.\u201d\nDuring the VA scandal of 2014, Roby\u00a0worked with whistleblowers and the press to uncover major instances of misconduct, negligence and mismanagement inside the Central Alabama VA, including:\nIn March 2015, Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin told Roby in a hearing that \u201cOur criminal investigative team continues to have open work in Central Alabama.\u201d\nThis week, OIG confirmed to Roby\u2019s office and The Montgomery Advertiser that investigators were \u201cworking as quickly as possible but without sacrificing thoroughness on the wait time issues at Montgomery,\u201d and that the criminal probe remains \u201cpending work.\u201d\u00a0\nRoby said she looked forward to working with Dr. Linda Boyle, who was recently announced as the new, permanent director of the Central Alabama VA. CAVHCS has languished without a permanent director for two years, which is not conducive to improving outcomes, Roby said.\n\u201cAfter two years, this is welcome news. The culture of any organization is set by leadership. I believe no single action is more important toward improving veterans\u2019 healthcare in Central Alabama than having a permanent director in place who is committed to serving veterans and empowered to make the necessary changes.\n\u201cI look forward to meeting Dr. Boyle in person soon and I stand ready to help her be successful.\u201d\nMeanwhile, the Central Alabama VA continues to improve access to care. Average wait times for completed appointments have been cut in half, while Choice referrals to outside providers are up dramatically.\nMuch of the improvement can be can be attributed to the continued recruitment of key health care staff, from nurses and doctors to senior managers. Roby praised the progress but said more is necessary.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve made improvements at the VA. You can see it in the numbers \u2013 the improvement of wait times; you can hear it from veterans who have seen firsthand the improvement in care. But, we have a long way to go. We still have a lot of work to do.\n\u201cFor the office of the Inspector General to continue its investigation to hold accountable those who have done wrong is very important. It\u2019s important that folks know that, whereas we have made some improvements, I\u2019m going to continue to make this a priority so we can get it right.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-supports-congress-first-successful-defeat-obama-veto", "Brooks Supports Congress' First Successful Defeat of Obama Veto", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Today, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted to override President Obama\u2019s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).\u00a0 The House passed this measure by a vote of 348-77. \u00a0Similarly, the Senate voted today 97-1 to override the President\u2019s veto.\u00a0 This bipartisan legislation protects the right of families of victims of terror attacks to recover compensation for injuries and loss of loved ones from foreign states that aid and abet terrorist acts on American soil.\u00a0 JASTA gives victims of terrorism a voice and a pathway to justice. \u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cThis is the first time that the American people, through their representatives in Congress, have joined in a passionate and bipartisan condemnation of President Obama\u2019s support for foreign state terrorism, resoundingly overriding the President\u2019s veto. \u00a0This Administration\u2019s attempt to deny the right of American victims of terrorism to seek compensation from accomplices who aided and abetted terrorism is unconscionable.\u201d\nBrooks concluded, \u201cBy vetoing this legislation, President Obama tried to, with a stroke of his pen, deny families affected by the 9/11 attacks from having their day in court.\u00a0 The President is not acting in the best interests of American citizens.\u00a0 Thanks to our system of checks and balances, however, Congress can provide justice to American victims of terrorism, despite the President\u2019s objection.\u00a0 I stand with the American citizens seeking recourse under the law, and I stand against the President\u2019s attempt to protect terrorism accomplices from American justice.\u201d\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-adopts-byrne-amendment-supporting-gulf-coast-oysters", "House Adopts Byrne Amendment Supporting Gulf Coast Oysters", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives today approved an amendment from Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) calling for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform a Gulf Coast Oyster Bed Recovery Assessment.\nByrne\u2019s amendment to the Water Resources and Development Act was adopted by a voice vote. Final passage on the legislation is expected later this evening.\nThe oyster industry in Alabama and across the Gulf Coast has been negatively impacted by a range of issues dating back to Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. Recent flooding has also negatively impacted Gulf oyster beds.\nA transcript of Congressman Byrne\u2019s remarks in support of his legislation can be found below.\nByrne said: \u201cMy straightforward amendment calls for the Army Corps of Engineers to perform a Gulf Coast Oyster Bed Recovery Assessment.\n\u201cOver the last twenty years, the oyster industry on the Gulf Coast has faced some serious challenges. \n\u201cHurricane Katrina destroyed so many of our oyster reefs. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill blanketed many oyster growing areas and resulted in substantial harvest reductions.\n\u201cMore recently, flooding in 2011 and earlier this year produced increased freshwater discharges into many parts of the Gulf and threw off the mix of fresh and saltwater that oysters need to thrive.\u00a0 \n\u201cIn 2001, oyster landings in the Gulf totaled 25.5 million pounds. In 2014, which is the most recent data available, oyster landings in the Gulf were down to 19.9 million. This is a dangerous decline that really impacts our oystermen and the overall coastal economies.\n\u201cThis industry is especially important for the Gulf Coast. The oyster industry generated nearly $100 million in oyster landings by fishermen in the Gulf States in 2014.\n\u201cAnd we aren\u2019t just talking about the oystermen themselves. Having a successful oyster industry also benefits processors, restaurants, transportation, tourism, wholesalers, and retailers. \n\u201cMr. Chairman, I have visited with our local oystermen, and they are really struggling. It is heartbreaking to hear their stories. This is their livelihood, but also a way of life for these Americans. We can and we must do more to support their industry.\n\u201cMy amendment would pave the way for a partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers and the Gulf States to explore ways to improve future prospects for oysters. The assessment will address the beneficial use of dredged material in providing substrate for oyster bed development.\n\u201cSimilar work has been done with the oyster industry in the Chesapeake Bay, and it has been a great success. \n\u201cI also want to point out that improving the oyster beds on the Gulf will also benefit the ecosystem and environment as a whole. As filter feeders, oysters provide significant water quality benefits and as important prey species they support finfish such as redfish and other species further up the food chain.\n\u201cStates have already been working to improve conditions for the oyster industry through the use of BP settlement money, but further partnerships with the Army Corps of Engineers will go a long way.\n\u201cI appreciate Chairman Shuster and his staff for working with me on this amendment, and for all his work on the underlying bill.\n\u201cUltimately, I urge my colleagues to stand up for our Gulf Coast oystermen and support my amendment.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-votes-override-obama-veto-jasta", "Rogers Votes to Override Obama Veto of JASTA", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rogers Votes to Override Obama Veto of JASTA             \n      \n      \n      \n      \n      \n        \n        \n                                                  \n              Sep 28, 2016      \t\t        \t    \n               \n      \t                   \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n    \n    (WASHINGTON, DC)\u2014 Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement after he voted in support of the veto message to accompany S. 2040, \u201cJustice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act\u201d (JASTA).\n\u201cToday I am proud to have voted to override President Obama\u2019s veto of JASTA. This bill is narrowly drafted to apply only to foreign governments that support terrorist acts within the United States. Most importantly, this bill is about justice for the brave families who lost loved ones during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Fifteen years is too long to wait for justice and it is shocking President Obama would put the government of Saudi Arabia ahead of American families still hurting here at home.\u201d\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -###-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-statement-voting-against-water-resources-development-act", "Rep. Sewell Statement Voting Against Water Resources Development Act", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, a Member of the Financial Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 5303 \u2013 the Water Resources Development Act of 2016.\n\u201cToday\u2019s vote was vote for the State of Alabama. This bill included troubling language which would undermine Alabama\u2019s ability to negotiate with neighboring states to resolve ongoing water-use conflicts. Alabama\u2019s citizens rely on water that flows from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System and the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River System for economic development, agricultural use, and public consumption. If water flow is decreased or disrupted by upstream sources, then Alabama communities will suffer significantly.\u00a0 \n\u201cWhile, I was extremely pleased to see that Republicans have finally responded to Democrat\u2019s demand to address the Flint water crisis, the bill falls short in providing immediate and critical financial relief. As the greatest nation in the world, every American should have access to safe and clean drinking water. What has happened in Flint should profoundly disturbing to every American. When thousands of children are being poisoned by lead contamination, it is the obligation of Congress to act. I look forward to voting for a final bill that actually provides funds to address the crisis in Flint.\u201d\u00a0 \n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://sewell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-sewell-votes-short-term-funding-bill-avert-government-shutdown", "Rep. Sewell Votes for Short-Term Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, a Member of the Financial Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement after voting yes to the Fiscal Year 2017 Continuing Resolution, H.R. 5325, to fund the government through December 9, 2016:\n\u201cToday I voted in favor of this short term funding bill to ensure that our government continues to provide critical services and resources to Americans across the country. While I had hoped for a long term funding solution, this bill provides vital funding for our military infrastructure, housing, and services for men and women in our Armed Forces and their families.\n\u201cAdditionally, this legislation finally answers the call to address the Zika virus health crisis that has impacted far too many Americans. The funding in the bill will enhance the Administration's efforts to reduce the risk of the virus, particularly in pregnant women, by better controlling the mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus, developing new prevention tools, including vaccines and better diagnostics to protect Americans from the virus, and conducting crucial research projects needed to better understand the virus\u2019s impact on infants and children.\n\u201cI look forward to continuing to work together in a bipartisan manner to develop a long term funding solution that makes critical investments in our infrastructure, creates jobs, and preserves our national security.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-announces-center-point-fire-department-grant", "Palmer Announces Center Point Fire Department Grant", "2016-09-27", "2016", "2016-09", "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: Cate Cullen (202)225-4921\n\nPalmer Announces Center Point Fire Department Grant\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) announced today that the Center Point Fire Department received a $284,532 Assistance to Firefighters Grant for Fiscal Year 2015. The department\u2019s applications competed against thousands through a peer review process for a portion of federal funding.\n\n\u201cThe men and women in our fire departments put their lives on the line to ensure our families and loved ones\u2019 safety,\u201d said Congressman Palmer. \u201cThis grant will allow the Center Point Fire Department to strengthen their ability to safely respond to fires and other related hazards. I am proud to support all of our first responders and the work they do.\u201d\n\nFire Chief Donnie West said this grant will be used to purchase self-contained breathing equipment for each fire/medical apparatus. These specialized self-contained breathing devices allow firefighters to enter smoke filled environments for conducting search and rescue efforts. In addition, these devices will also assist in reducing exposure to carcinogens while firefighters are actively extinguishing various types of fires.\n\nFunds awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program are used to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations. Only the applications most closely conforming to program priorities are considered and scored by peer review panels. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:01:54Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-statement-on-signing-of-colombia-peace-accord", "Byrne Statement on Signing of Colombia Peace Accord", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to the signing of a peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).\nByrne said: \u201cThe signing of the peace agreement is a huge victory for the people of Colombia and will allow the healing process to move forward. \u00a0Colombia is a textbook example of how the United States can help promote peace and democracy through steady and focused diplomacy. \n\u201cJust because the agreement is signed, our efforts cannot and should not end. The United States must continue to stand with Colombia as they implement the agreement.\u201d\nByrne has been a leading voice in Congress on issues relating to Colombia. He has visited Colombia to learn more about the economic, military, and diplomatic relationship between the two countries. In July, he delivered a speech from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the peace process.\nThe peace agreement will now go before the people of Colombia for a vote of ratification.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-to-hold-academy-night-for-high-school-students-0", "Byrne to Hold Academy Night for High School Students", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) will host his annual Academy Night for high school students on October 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul\u2019s Episcopal School in Mobile.\nAcademy Night gives local students an opportunity to learn about attending one of our nation\u2019s military service academies. Representatives from the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and U.S. Naval Academy will be on hand.\nByrne said: \u201cOne of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to nominate young men and women to attend our nation\u2019s prestigious military service academies. I encourage all interested students, parents, and teachers to join us on October 3rd to learn more about the nomination process and visit with representatives from the service academies.\u201d\nIn order to attend most of the service academies, students must have a nomination. Congressmen, Senators, the Vice President, and the President are the only ones who can nominate a student to a service academy. That said, just having a nomination will not guarantee that a student is admitted.\nThe event is open to all high school students, parents, and teachers in Alabama\u2019s First Congressional District. If you have questions about the nomination process, please contact Rep. Byrne\u2019s Baldwin County office at 251-989-2664.\nWhat: Academy Night 2016\nWhen: Monday, October 3rd, 2016, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.\nWhere: St. Paul\u2019s Episcopal School; Dr. Monte L. Moorer Theatre; 161 Dogwood Lane; Mobile, Ala.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/no-more-ransom-payments-to-iran", "No More Ransom Payments to Iran", "2016-09-25", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On June 24, 2015, President Obama stood in the Roosevelt Room of the White House and said \u201cI am reaffirming that the United States government will not make concessions, such as paying ransom, to terrorist groups holding American hostages.\u201d\nThis position shouldn\u2019t have been too surprising because it has long been the position of the U.S. government to not pay ransoms to terrorist organizations or groups. The reasoning behind this is that paying ransoms just further encourages kidnappings and puts more Americans at risk.\nDespite this reassurance, on January 17, 2016, an unmarked cargo plane landed at a European airport. On this plane were wooden pallets stacked with unmarked, foreign currency\u2013 $400 million worth to be exact. Who was waiting at the airport to accept this money? The Islamic Republic of Iran.\nOn the same day this payment occurred, several Americans who had been held prisoner in Iran were released. This was clearly a ransom payment and broke the decades old policy of the United States not paying ransom.\nMaking matters worse, the payments did not stop there. All told, the United States paid Iran $1.7 billion. The money was related to a decades old dispute about an Iranian arms sale, but the payment was clearly related tied to the release of U.S. prisoners.\nI have a slew of concerns with this ransom payment.\nFirst, by giving money to Iran, the United States is supporting the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Iran has a clear track record of supporting terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Iran is clearly no friend of the United States or our allies.\nSecond, the United States should never pay a ransom \u2013 and this payment was clearly ransom. Some in the Obama Administration claimed the payment was just a \u201csettlement.\u201d If that was the case, then why was the payment made the same day the prisoners were released?\nIranian officials have said the payment was a ransom. In fact, an Iranian general is quoted as saying that \u201cthe money was returned for the freedom of the U.S. spy and it was not related to the [nuclear] negotiations.\u201d\nOn top of that, an official with President Obama\u2019s Justice Department raised concerns that the cash payment to Iran would send a signal that the United States had changed our policy on paying ransom. This isn\u2019t some conspiracy theory. The fact that this was a ransom payment has been confirmed by Obama Administration officials.\nThe third major concern I have with the ransom payment is that it was made in cash. The payment could have been done by a wire transfer, which would have made it easier to track what Iran does with the money.\nGiven Iran\u2019s history of money laundering, the cash payment is especially concerning. According to an international body responsible for combating money laundering known as the Financial Action Task Force, the \u201cphysical transportation of currency\u201d is \u201cone of the main methods used to move criminal assets, launder money and finance terrorism.\u201d\nGiven all of these concerns, I am pleased to report that last week the House of Representatives passed a bill with bipartisan support that would prohibit any future ransom payments to Iran.\nOur bill would also require a 30-day Congressional notification and review of any future settlements related to the U.S. Iran Claims Tribunal. This way Congress will have an opportunity to review any future payments.\nUltimately, we need to stop empowering Iran and instead start weakening them. By putting our foot down, the American people and our allies in the Middle East will be safer and stronger.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/behavior-toward-iran-baffling", "Behavior Toward Iran Baffling", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As more details surface about the Obama Administration\u2019s decision to pay Iran $1.7 billion in settlement money, arguments that it was anything less than an ill-conceived ransom deal are becoming pretty flimsy.\u00a0\nIn January,\u00a0President Obama announced the United States had reached a settlement with Iran\u00a0over a decades-long arms deal dispute, in which $1.7 billion would be transferred from a Treasury fund set up to cover court judgments and settlements. Even though the deal directly coincided with Iran\u2019s release of five Americans it was holding hostage, the President and other Administration officials repeatedly denied that this deal was a ransom payment.\u00a0\nHowever, such denials proved phony when, in August,\u00a0The Wall Street Journal\u00a0reported in stunning detail\u00a0how the first installment actually took place. \"Wooden palletes stacked with Euros, Swiss francs, and other foreign currencies were flown into Iran on an unmarked cargo plan,\u201d the story said. The plane reportedly sat on the tarmac until U.S. officials confirmed the release of American hostages. That\u2019s pretty much the definition of a ransom.\u00a0\nWhy does it matter? Because paying a ransom would violate long-standing U.S. policy, including President Obama\u2019s own.\u00a0Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 30, released by the White House in June 2015, states that \u201cIt is United States policy to deny hostage-takers the benefits of ransom, prisoner releases, policy changes, or other acts of concession.\u201d\nWhy is it important for our country not to pay ransoms? Because it endangers Americans. As the PPD goes on to say,\u00a0\n\u201cThis policy protects U.S. nationals and strengthens national security by removing a key incentive for hostage-takers to target U.S. nationals, thereby interrupting the vicious cycle of hostage-takings, and by helping to deny terrorists and other malicious actors the money, personnel, and other resources they need to conduct attacks against the United States, its nationals, and its interests.\u201d\nAlmost as if to prove this point, since the cash shipment, Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard has detained two more Iranian-Americans,\u00a0according to\u00a0The Wall Street Journal. And why wouldn\u2019t they, seeing as how\u00a0Iran\u2019s military will now apparently be the beneficiary of the $1.7 billion\u00a0influx from the United States. Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,\u00a0told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he found this development \u201ctroubling\u201d\u00a0because it would enable Iran\u2019s military to spread \u201cmalign influence.\u201d\u00a0Unfortunately,\u00a0President Obama did not consult\u00a0with Gen. Dunford - his top uniformed military commander - or Secretary of Defense Ash Carter about the payment scheme before this critical decision was made.\u00a0\nThese latest revelations have prompted Congress to act. This week the House passed\u00a0H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act, which essentially codifies into law the policy against ransom payments. I wish it wasn\u2019t necessary to enact a new law in order to stop a president from executing foreign transactions that go against long-standing policies put in place to protect Americans. However, given President Obama\u2019s baffling behavior toward Iran, Congressional action is absolutely necessary.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-applauds-house-passage-bill-prevent-future-ransoms-iran", "Brooks Applauds House Passage of Bill to Prevent Future Ransoms to Iran", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Last night, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted in support of House passage of H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act.\u00a0 Last week, the legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee, of which Congressman Brooks is a member.\u00a0 H.R. 5931 was introduced in direct response to the Obama Administration\u2019s reckless initial cash ransom payment of $400 million and subsequent payments, totaling $1.7 billion, to the Iranian regime, the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism. \u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cI\u2019m pleased the House expeditiously took up House Foreign Affairs Committee legislation to prevent future ransom payments to Iran. \u00a0While the Administration claims the payments are part of a decades old settlement, a Department of State spokesman admitted the cash payment was used as \u2018leverage\u2019 to gain the release of American hostages. \u00a0However the Administration wants to describe the cash payment, the action undermines American interests and is extremely dangerous.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, this ransom payment has already led to more Americans and other dual nationals being taken hostage.\u201d[i]\nBrooks concluded, \u201cThis Administration has proved all too willing to skirt the law and put Americans at risk \u2013 in this case by sending billions to a rogue regime that chants \u2018death to America\u2019 to this day.\u00a0 I am glad the House passed legislation to prevent future cash payouts to Iran that only serve to endanger Americans and subsidize Islamic terrorism.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-welcomes-msfc-director-todd-may-washington", "Brooks Welcomes MSFC Director Todd May to Washington", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) welcomed Marshall Space Flight Center Director Todd May to Washington for a Space Transportation Association (STA) event this week. \u00a0STA was founded in 1989 by LTG Dan Graham (US Army, ret.), MG Milnor Roberts (US Army, ret.), and BG Bob Richardson (US Air Force, ret.) with the objective of educating and updating policy makers, industry representatives, and federal government employees on the latest issues in the space community. \u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cThe Tennessee Valley is grateful for the leadership of Director Todd May and the many individuals at Marshall Space Flight Center whose hard work contributes to America\u2019s space leadership.\u00a0 Director May manages an annual budget of roughly $2.5 billion, which provides a stellar return on investment of taxpayer dollars, as it results in an overall economic impact of around $7 billion and nearly 38,000 jobs across the country!\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0Brooks continued, \u201cThank you Director May, for your service to our nation, Marshall makes Alabama, and indeed the country, very proud.\u00a0 In the words of Dr. von Braun, \u2018The greatest gain from space travel consists in the extension of our knowledge.\u00a0 In a hundred years, this newly won knowledge will pay huge and unexpected dividends.\u2019\u201d\n\nTo watch video of Rep. Brooks\u2019 remarks,\nclick\u00a0HERE\u00a0or on the image above.\n\u00a0\nHi-resolution photos from the event are available HERE.\n\u00a0\nText of Congressman Brooks\u2019 remarks: \nBefore I introduce Todd, I\u2019m not sure if all of you are aware, but I\u2019ve heard that many of you are aware, the Marshall Space Flight Center family had a tragic accident yesterday.\u00a0 One of the employees, whose attention for whatever reason was probably diverted maybe thinking about other work or what have you, inadvertently left their 7 month old child in the car.\nAnd unfortunately the child did not survive the heat of being kept in the car while he was working. \u00a0So if we could let\u2019s have a moment of silence for the Marshall Space Flight Center family generally and this family in particular as they struggle with their loss. Thank you.\nI am pleased to join you all today and welcome Marshall Space Flight Center Director, Todd May, to Washington. \u00a0Huntsville Alabama\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center, as many of you know, is one of NASA\u2019s largest field installations with nearly 6,000 civil service and contract employees.\u00a0\nDirector May, a native Alabamian -\u00a0 kudos, Roll Tide - started his career with NASA at Marshall\u2019s Material and Process Lab in 1991, a year after he earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in materials engineering from Auburn University. \u00a0War Eagle!\u00a0 I\u2019m entitled to do both. \u00a0I have a University of Alabama degree in addition to my Duke University degree, and I have two sons who have Auburn University engineering degrees, so unlike many politicians who just say that to say that, I have background at the University of Alabama with my wife also graduating from there and as is so often the case our money went to Auburn.\nHe manages an annual budget of roughly 2.5 billion dollars, which provides a stellar return on investment of taxpayer dollars, as it results in an overall economic impact of around 7 billion dollars and nearly 38,000 jobs across the country!\u00a0 Marshall is home to the Space Launch System, or SLS, the most powerful rocket ever, able to carry astronauts in the Orion spacecraft on deep space missions, including to an asteroid and ultimately we hope on a journey to Mars.\nSLS is also a nation-wide effort.\u00a0 With more than 1,100 companies in 43 states supporting SLS and America\u2019s aerospace infrastructure, Marshall is leading the development of what is truly America\u2019s rocket!\u00a0 The SLS program celebrates success after success.\u00a0 Just last month, NASA conducted a successful 420-second-long test of the SLS-reconfigured RS-25 engine down at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.\u00a0\nIn June, we celebrated the successful final tests of the SLS\u2019s solid rocket booster in Utah. \u00a0And currently, large amounts of SLS and Orion hardware are coming off the line at Marshall\u2019s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to brag about Marshall and SLS, and Todd\u2019s leadership is a continuation of the visions of his predecessors, including those of Marshall\u2019s first director, Dr. Wernher von Braun.\nDirector May\u2019s many awards include NASA\u2019s Exceptional Achievement Medal, the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive, NASA\u2019s Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the John W. Hager Award for professionalism in materials engineering. He has also been named a Distinguished Engineer by Auburn University.\u00a0\nTodd and his wife, Kelly, have four children and reside in Huntsville.\u00a0 As an aside, we also have four kids. \u00a0May you be blessed with the eight grandchildren we have. \u00a0All of them live in Madison County, in Huntsville and the City of Madison.\nBefore turning it over to Director May, I\u2019d like to close with some words from the visionary in whose footsteps he follows.\u00a0 In the words of Dr. von Braun, \u201cThe greatest gain from space travel consists in the extension of our knowledge.\u00a0 In a hundred years, this newly won knowledge will pay huge and unexpected dividends.\u201d\nAnd those of us who are personally familiar with NASA and what it has done, and the spinoffs, we have a good understanding of what those benefits are. \u00a0I pray that we\u2019ll do somewhat a better job of helping the American people understand the technological advancements that are due to the space program.\nDirector May, thank you, and the many individuals whose hard work contributes to America\u2019s space leadership.\u00a0 If every bright idea were a star, Todd May\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center would be a galaxy.\u00a0 You and your team make Alabama, and indeed the country, very proud.\u00a0 Ladies and gentlemen, Marshall Space Flight Center Director, Todd May.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-votes-to-end-ransom-payments-to-iran", "Byrne Votes to End Ransom Payments to Iran", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted last night in favor of H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act.\nThe bill would prohibit future cash payments to Iran until the nation stops sponsoring terrorism and is no longer involved in money laundering. The bill also requires 30-day Congressional notification and review of any future settlements related to the U.S. Iran Claims Tribunal.\nIn a speech from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Byrne helped lead debate on the bill. In his remarks, Byrne outlined a series of concerns with the cash payments to Iran.\nByrne said: \u201cIran is no friend of the United States, and their efforts have resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens and service members. So why in the world is the United States sending them cash payments in the first place?\n\u201cUltimately, the United States cannot continue to give in to Iran. Whether it is their nuclear program or their kidnapping of U.S. citizens, we simply cannot keep making \u2018deals\u2019 with Iran in which the Ayatollah benefits and the American people suffer.\u201d\nThe legislation passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 254 to 163.\nBelow is a complete transcript of Rep. Byrne\u2019s remarks in support of the legislation.\nByrne said: \u201cOn June 24, 2015, President Obama stood in the Roosevelt Room of the White House and said \u201cI am reaffirming that the United States government will not make concessions, such as paying ransom, to terrorist groups holding American hostages.\u201d\n\u201cThis position shouldn\u2019t have been surprising. It has long been the position of the U.S. government to not pay ransoms to terrorist organizations, for doing so only encourages further kidnappings and puts more American lives at risk.\n\u201cDespite this reassurance from President Obama, on January 17, 2016, an unmarked cargo plane landed at a European airport. On this plane were wooden pallets stacked with unmarked, foreign currency\u2013 $400 million worth to be exact. Who was waiting at the airport to accept this money? Iran.\n\u201cOn that exact same day, several Americans who had been held prisoner in Iran were released. \n\u201cThat, Mr. Speaker, is a ransom payment.\n\u201cSince then, we have learned that the full U.S. payment to Iran totaled $1.7 billion. The money was related to a decades old dispute about an Iranian arms sale. \n\u201cThere are a lot of concerning issues at play here.\n\u201cFirst, by giving money to Iran, the United States is supporting the world\u2019s leading state sponsor of terrorism. \n\u201cIran uses their money and resources to support groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and other radical terrorist groups in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. \n\u201cIran is no friend of the United States, and their efforts have resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens and service members. So why in the world is the United States sending them cash payments in the first place?\u00a0 \n\u201cSecond, the United States should never pay a ransom. I know they claim that the $1.7 billion payment was a \u2018settlement,\u2019 but let\u2019s get real for a minute. The payment was made on the exact same day the Americans were released. \n\u201cLet\u2019s look in the dictionary for a minute. Ransom is defined as \u2018a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner.\u2019 That is exactly what happened here. \n\u201cIran knows it was a ransom payment. An Iranian general is quoted as saying that \u2018the money was returned for the freedom of the U.S. spy and it was not related to the [nuclear] negotiations.\u2019\n\u201cSo Iran knows it was a ransom, the American people know it was ransom. Well how about the State Department?\n\u201cWhen pushed on this topic by the media, a Statement Department spokesman said that it wasn\u2019t ransom but rather \u2018leverage.\u2019 What is the difference?\n\u201cThe American prisoners in Iran were not released until the cash payments occurred. You can try to hide the truth by calling it \u2018leverage\u2019 or a \u2018coincidence.\u2019 But the fact is this payment was a ransom. \n\u201cJust ask the Obama Justice Department. Press reports indicate that Assistant Attorney General John Carlin raised the concern that the cash payment to Iran would send a signal to Iran and the world that the U.S. had changed its ransom policy.\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t some radical conspiracy theory we are talking about here. This is the exact same concern raised by President Obama\u2019s own Justice Department.\n\u201cSince this ransom payment occurred, Iran has detained several more foreign citizens, including Americans, French, British, and Canadian citizens. Sadly, I expect our Iranian friends are already making their ransom demands.\n\u201cThe third major concern I have is that the payments were clearly done in way to hide them from the American public. The payments were made in cash. \n\u201cAccording to an international body responsible for combating money laundering known as the Financial Action Task Force, the \u2018physical transportation of currency\u2019 is \u2018one of the main methods used to move criminal assets, launder money and finance terrorism.\u2019\n\u201cIf this whole ordeal was public and on the \u2018up and up,\u2019 then why did the U.S. make this payment in cash? \n\u201cNow, the Obama Administration originally said that the payment had to be in cash because financial sanctions prevent us from engaging in wire transfers with Iranian banks. \n\u201cWell, turns out that isn\u2019t true. In fact, on at least two occasions, the U.S. has made wire transfers to the Iranian government.\n\u201cAccording to Politico, in July 2015, the U.S. sent Iran approximately $848,000 to settle a claim over architectural drawings. The wire transfers didn\u2019t stop there though. The U.S. wired Iran almost $10 million in April of this year to pay for 32 metric tons of heavy water.\n\u201cHere is another issue with the cash payments: Iran has a track record of money laundering and making cash payments will result in it being even harder to track their illicit activity. \n\u201cCash does not have an electronic signature, so the money could eventually become untraceable. This will make it almost impossible for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to track where the money is going.\n\u201cIn other words, the cash could be transferred to a group like Hamas or Hezbollah and the United States may never know. That is deeply troubling.\n\u201cSo, Mr. Speaker, this legislation makes one thing crystal clear: the United States government is not in the business of paying ransom. \n\u201cSpecific to Iran, the legislation would prohibit future cash payments to Iran until the nation stops sponsoring terrorism and is no longer involved in money laundering. \n\u201cTo boost transparency and accountability, the legislation also requires 30-day Congressional notification and review of any future settlements related to the U.S. Iran Claims Tribunal. This way Congress will have an opportunity to review any future payments instead of them being secretly executed in the dark of night.\n\u201cUltimately, the United States cannot continue to give in to Iran. Whether it is their nuclear program or their kidnapping of U.S. citizens, we simply cannot keep making \u2018deals\u2019 with Iran in which the Ayatollah benefits and the American people suffer.\n\u201cWe need to stop empowering Iran and instead start weakening them. We must stop giving in to Iran and start standing up to Iran.\u00a0 By putting our foot down, the American people and our allies in the Middle East will be safer and stronger.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/look-ahead-strategic-forces-subcommittee-18", "A Look Ahead for the Strategic Forces Subcommittee", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.) \u2013 The House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), will hold a hearing on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. in 2118 Rayburn House Office Building on \u201cNational Security Space: 21st Century Challenges, 20th Century Organization.\u201d\nChairman Rogers said: \u201cRecently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new assessment on the state of DOD national security space acquisition management. The GAO detailed the 60 different stakeholders who are involved in decision making about space programs. No system can function well when so many actors have the ability to say \u2018no\u2019 and no one is truly accountable for doing so. As we see serious foreign space threats increasing and a pattern of significantly delayed and over budget national security space programs, we cannot permit this status quo to continue.\n\u201cModern warfare is moving to new heights and it is all-too-clear that our military is not organized and prepared to fight and win a war in space. This hearing is the first step in what I anticipate will be a major reform effort leading to the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act.\u201d\nWHAT: HASC Strategic Forces Subcommittee Hearing: \u201cNational Security Space: 21st Century Challenges, 20th Century Organization\u201d\nWHEN: Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.\nWHERE: 2118 Rayburn House Office Building\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 -###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-announces-major-grant-for-daphne-project", "Byrne Announces Major Grant for Daphne Project", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today announced a major federal grant for the Daphne Innovation and Science Complex (DISC).\nThe grant was awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), an agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The total EDA investment will be $846,583.\nByrne said: \u201cI am pleased to see yet another federal grant being award to help boost economic development in Southwest Alabama. The DISC project is an important tool to help spur growth in the technology and science industry on Alabama\u2019s Gulf Coast. I am committed to continuing to assist with this project as it moves forward.\u201d\nThe DISC project will help promote job creation in the technology and science sector, as well as enhancing growth in the aviation, aerospace, maritime, and healthcare industries in Southwest Alabama.\nAccording to EDA, their grants are awarded through a competitive process based upon the application\u2019s merit, the applicant\u2019s eligibility, and the availability of funds.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-navy-ship-to-be-named-for-mobile", "Byrne: Navy Ship to be Named for Mobile", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) today announced that a future Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will be named after the City of Mobile.\nThe Independence-variant of the LCS is built in Mobile by Austal USA.\nByrne said: \u201cIt is such an honor for a future Littoral Combat Ship to be named after the City of Mobile. Our area takes such pride in building these fine ships, just the latest vessel in Mobile\u2019s long history of shipbuilding. I know the spirit and patriotism of Mobile will be encapsulated in this ship.\n\u201cI appreciate Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus for working with us to make this possible, and I look forward to one day standing in the Mobile waterfront to christen and commission this fine ship.\u201d\nThe announcement came from the Secretary of the Navy today during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Another LCS will be named after the City of Marinette, Wisconsin, where the Freedom-variant of the LCS is built.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mikerogers.house.gov/press-release/report-washington-living-dangerous-world", "Report from Washington:  Living in a Dangerous World", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mike Rogers", "R000575", "mikerogers.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)\u2014These days you cannot turn on your television without hearing about the very dangerous world we live in today.\nHere in the United States, this past weekend, the Chelsea neighborhood in New York City was rattled by a bomb that sent 29 people to the hospital and undetonated bombs were found by a train stop in New Jersey.\nA young adult of Afghan descent was arrested for this terrorist act as of writing. He was captured carrying a journal praising Osama bin Laden and fantasizing about Jihad. It is unclear how his travels to Afghanistan and Pakistan went unnoticed by intelligence and law enforcement officials.\nAcross the globe, there is unrest in Syria, a continued situation in Ukraine and Kim Jong-un in North Korea testing both nuclear weapons and his neighbors.\nAs a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I attended a Full Committee Hearing this week titled, \u201cStopping the Next Attack: How to Keep Our City Streets from Becoming the Battleground\u201d and asked state and local law enforcement officers what tools they need to combat the rise of home-grown radical Islamic terrorists. I\u2019m glad that law enforcement officers from across the country had an opportunity to make the case for what they need on the front-lines against terrorism in the United States.\nAnd as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Strategic Forces subcommittee and a conferee for the 55th consecutive NDAA, we\u2019ve been working through differences in the House and Senate-passed versions over the past few weeks.\nIt has become abundantly clear that now more than ever we must ensure our men and women in uniform have all of the tools needed to combat the variety of threats we as a country face from the brutal, but sophisticated ISIS to the next generation threats of China and Russia.\nOur warfighters must be focused on these fights, not the budget fights in Washington. As a member of the conference committee I\u2019m doing everything I can to make sure they have those resources. I will always put the needs of our brave service members first.\nI want to hear from you on this or any issue. To take advantage of my Mobile Office Hours in your county each month, visit my website at www.mikerogers.house.gov for details.\nYou can also sign up for my e-Newsletter on my website. To stay up to date, 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, on Medium at RepMikeRogersAL03 and subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-urges-reevaluation-mass-immigration-policies", "Brooks Urges Reevaluation of Mass Immigration Policies", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0This morning, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) addressed the House floor to warn of the risks posed to the economy and national security should America continue the massive immigration wave of the last 40 years. \u00a0Brooks stated, \u201cAmerica\u2019s population has exploded to 321 million people due primarily to 62 million foreign born people plus their minor children.\u201d \u00a0Brooks continued,\u00a0\u201cConsistent with the above, the Census Bureau estimates that, within seven years, America\u2019s population will have the highest percentage of foreign born people since the Revolutionary War, adding another 74 million people to America\u2019s population over the next 45 years.\u00a0 Although Americans are supportive or tolerant of legal immigration, they are showing a growing unease in the face of this record-breaking immigration tidal wave that drives up welfare costs, overcrowds schools and hospitals, and increasingly subjects American citizens to growing crime and terrorist attack risk.\u201dBrooks concluded, \u201cAmerica must recognize our challenges and opportunities. \u00a0Hence, we must be much more selective in our immigration policies to ensure incoming immigrants are both self-sufficient and are able and willing to be properly absorbed into American society. \u00a0If we aren\u2019t, America\u2019s population will explode and America will lose its special place in history.\u201dor on the image above.\n\tText of Congressman Brooks\u2019 remarks:\n\tMr. Speaker, if not for the massive immigration wave of the last 40 years, America\u2019s population would have stabilized or had modest growth.[i]\u00a0 Instead, America\u2019s population has exploded to 321 million people due primarily to 62 million foreign born people plus their minor children.\u00a0 As an aside, illegal aliens are estimated to account for roughly 25% of that growth.[ii]\u00a0 Overall, America\u2019s foreign born population grew from 4.7% of total population in 1970 to over 13% of total population in 2015.\u00a0\n\tConsistent with the above, the Census Bureau estimates that, within seven years, America\u2019s population will have the highest percentage of foreign born people since the Revolutionary War, adding another 74 million people to America\u2019s population over the next 45 years.[iii]\u00a0 Although Americans are supportive or tolerant of legal immigration, they are showing a growing unease in the face of this record-breaking immigration tidal wave that drives up welfare costs, overcrowds schools and hospitals, and increasingly subjects American citizens to growing crime and terrorist attack risk.\u00a0\n\tConsistent with this growing concern, a recent poll found that 61% of Americans believe \u201ccontinued immigration into the country jeopardizes the United States.\u201d[iv]\u00a0 Notwithstanding America\u2019s concern, America\u2019s wealthy elite use their campaign contributions, political influence, and popular media to glorify legal and illegal immigration to ensure their continuance.\u00a0\n\tPuppet-like politicians expand visa programs, ignore laws that protect Americans from illegal aliens, and seek to legalize those illegal aliens who have broken into our home.\u00a0 Left-wing media, Democrats, and even some Republicans, brand as racist and small-minded the working class Americans who object to massive immigration and label concerned politicians as paranoid isolationists.\n\tWhat drives the craving by America\u2019s wealthy elite for more foreign workers?\u00a0 Follow the money.\u00a0 Throughout history, from lords to merchant princes, elite have acquired great wealth by exploiting cheap slave or low-cost foreign labor.\u00a0\n\tEven here, America\u2019s two great immigration waves depressed incomes of working citizens as large numbers of immigrants blew up the labor supply while also competing for and taking jobs from American citizens.[v]\n\tOn the plus side, back when America had seemingly unlimited natural resources and great spaces of open land,\u00a0 immigrants were self-sufficient, were not a financial burden on other Americans, and grew America\u2019s wealth and gross domestic product.\u00a0\n\tIn Ecclesiastes in the Bible, a very wise man, Solomon, once said, \u201cTo every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.\u201d[vi]\u00a0 Times have changed.\u00a0 America\u2019s natural resources are limited.\u00a0 We must import metals and energy to sustain our economy.\u00a0 Great spaces of usable land are long gone.\n\tFurther, technological advances and the intelligent machine age are dramatically changing labor markets.\u00a0 Rather than just more productive tools that must still have a human in the operational loop, intelligent machines produce value independently with minimal to no labor requirements.\u00a0 No longer is massive population growth essential to grow America\u2019s gross domestic product.\u00a0\n\tAmerica must recognize our challenges and opportunities.\u00a0 While over 5 billion foreigners want to migrate to America, in part because they earn only $10/day in their home countries,[vii] America has enough citizens and technology to assure our common defense and economic advancement.\u00a0\n\tEach foreigner imported consumes space and resources, neither of which is infinite. \u00a0Hence, we must be much more selective in our immigration policies to ensure incoming immigrants are both self-sufficient and are able and willing to be properly absorbed into American society. \u00a0If we aren\u2019t, America\u2019s population will explode and America will lose its special place in history.\n\t\u00a0\n\t###\n\t\u00a0\n\t\t  \n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t[vi] King James Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/brooks-votes-block-harmful-regulations", "Brooks Votes to Block Harmful Regulations", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013\u00a0This afternoon, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) voted in favor of H.R. 3438, the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists (REVIEW) Act, to postpone any federal regulation imposing an annual cost of more than $1 billion until the judicial review process is complete, protecting Americans from being forced to comply with unlawful regulations. \u00a0Congressman Brooks is a cosponsor of the REVIEW Act which seeks to roll back the damage caused by the unparalleled expansion of the regulatory state by the Obama Administration.\u00a0\u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cEvery week I hear from constituents who are struggling to breathe under the heavy weight of Washington red tape.\u00a0 While federal regulations are not unique to the Obama Administration, since he took office in 2009, federal agencies have issued more than 20,000 regulations.\u00a0 American workers know the havoc these regulations wreak on our struggling working class, consumers, and businesses.\u00a0 The REVIEW Act will postpone these high-impact rules until judicial review is resolved.\u201d\u00a0\nBrooks added, \u201cFor emphasis, according to a Heritage Foundation study, the compliance burden for regulations from 43 new major rules in 2015 totaled $22 billion.[i]\u00a0 The EPA\u2019s Clean Power Plan rule alone has an annual compliance cost of $7.2 billion dollars.[ii] \u00a0What\u2019s worse, former Energy Department Assistant Secretary Charles McConnell stated that the Clean Power Plan will, at best, reduce global temperature by a mere one one-hundredth of a degree Celsius.\u201d\nBrooks concluded, \u201cThe callousness of unelected rule makers in handing down onerous proclamations, without relevant industry understanding, is staggering. \u00a0The REVIEW Act is an important step in curtailing far-reaching federal regulations, and I was proud to support House passage.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/palmer-statement-fda-approval-exondys-51", "Palmer Statement on FDA Approval of Exondys 51", "2016-09-20", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Gary J. Palmer", "P000609", "palmer.house.gov", "palmer", "https://palmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "September 20, 2016\n\nFor Immediate Release\n\nMedia Contact: Cate Cullen (202)225-4921\n\nPalmer Statement on FDA Approval of Exondys 51\n\nWashington, DC \u2013 On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy more than 100 days after the agency\u2019s legally mandated decision date. The drug, Exondys 51 (eteplirsen), is the first of its kind and will benefit patients who have a confirmed mutation of the dystrophin gene amenable to exon 51 skipping. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL) offered the following statement:\n\n\u201cThis was a victory for those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their families,\u201d said Palmer. \u201cWith the FDA approval of Exondys 51, some people impacted by Duchenne have new hope for an improved quality of life and a better tomorrow. I applaud all those who have advocated for this medical advancement, including one of my constituents, Gabe Griffin. While this medical advancement does not treat the cause of Gabe\u2019s muscle degeneration, it is a step in the right direction towards creating and approving the drug that will.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T21:01:54Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/columns/keeping-terrorists-locked-up", "Keeping Terrorists Locked Up", "2016-09-18", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Obaidullah is an al Qaeda terrorist operative. He specializes in the creation of improvised explosive devices (IED), which are manmade bombs that have wreaked havoc on U.S. service members and our allies during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.\nObaidullah was captured by U.S. Special Forces during a raid on his compound. During the raid, 23 anti-tank landmines and a number of detonator schematics were found.\nAfter his capture in 2002, Obaidullah was locked up in a prison at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The exact place a terrorist belongs.\nUnfortunately, on August 15, 2016, Obaidullah was transferred out of Guantanamo Bay and released to the United Arab Emirates - a move that potentially puts a terrorist back on the battlefield.\nThe story of Obaidullah has become all too common in recent years as President Barack Obama continues his efforts to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. The President\u2019s pledge to close Guantanamo started as a campaign promise in 2007. After his election, he signed an executive order declaring that the prison would be closed in one year.\nThe President planned to bring the prisoners to a new facility here in the United States. Not surprisingly, no state wanted to be the one selected to house terrorists. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle were up in arms.\nSo, thanks to bipartisan opposition from Congress and resistance by intelligence agencies, efforts to close the prison have so far proved unsuccessful, but that has not stopped the President from continuing to release prisoners to other countries.\nAs we enter the remaining days of the Obama presidency, I fear the President may try a new trick to close the prison, which would diminish our national security and put American citizens at risk.\nI\u2019m pleased to report the House of Representatives last week passed legislation that would stop all efforts to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer prisoners to other countries. This legislation is necessary and required in order to keep the American people and our allies around the world safe.\nWhile information on the status of released detainees is hard to come by, it is clear that some of those detainees released from Guantanamo have returned to terrorist activity.\nIn fact, an official from the Obama Administration testified before Congress that at least 12 individuals released from Guantanamo have gone on to launch attacks and kill Americans.\nDuring testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the official testified that \u201cwhat I can tell you is unfortunately, there have been Americans that have died because of Gitmo prisoners.\u201d\nFor example, it was a former Guantanamo detainee who helped organize and plan the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans lost their lives during that attack.\nIt is also important to point out that 41 of the 61 detainees remaining at Guantanamo are considered especially dangerous. They have been labeled \u201chigh risk\u201d for returning to terrorist activity and \u201cuntransferable\u201d because of their past records. These are the worst of the worst.\nUltimately, I fear this President may once again put politics above national security. I fear he is more interested in keeping a campaign promise than he is in keeping the American people safe.\nI was pleased to see our bill to block the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison pass with bipartisan support, and I am hopeful the Senate will also act on our legislation.\nWe must keep these terrorists locked up where they can do no more harm. Anything less than that would be a grave mistake.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://roby.house.gov/column/transparency-integrity-needed-regulations", "Transparency, Integrity Needed in Regulations", "2016-09-16", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One of my top priorities in Congress is reining in so-called \u201cbackdoor legislating,\u201d which happens when federal agencies issue sweeping rules and regulations beyond their appropriate authority. To be sure, federal regulations are nothing new. Over the years Congress has seen fit to delegate rulemaking responsibilities to various agencies to deal with specific issues and allow for a more responsive government. However, I believe some agencies have taken this authority too far, growing into what many call the \u201cfourth branch\u201d of government.\nWhile\u00a0I realize our country is facing many pressing issues at the moment,\u00a0I believe more attention should be paid to over-regulation because it fundamentally affects our liberty as Americans. Our laws have legitimacy because they are passed by representatives elected by and accountable to the people. While some rules and regulations can have the same force as law, they were never voted on or ratified by the Congress.\u00a0\nDuring my time in the House of Representatives I have supported several different measures to rein in the regulatory system, and this past week we took action on another: The Regulatory Integrity Act of 2016 (H.R. 5226). This bill aims to bring more accountability to the regulatory process in two parts. First, it would require each federal agency to publish information about any pending rules and regulations in an easily understandable and searchable format on\u00a0www.regulations.gov.\u00a0This resource is supposed to provide a one-stop-shop for business owners, consumers, journalists or just interested citizens to look up pending regulatory action and gain a more clear understanding of what it is and how it will impact them. But, right now the site is difficult to navigate and oftentimes agencies fail to publish this information in the same way that they are required to publish it in the Federal Register. It has been said that the most powerful antiseptic to waste, fraud, and abuse in government is transparency. I believe having the public more aware of impending rules or regulations will discourage overreach and abuse.\u00a0\nSecond, the bill prohibits federal agencies from lobbying or campaigning in support of proposed rules and regulations. Some agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, have attempted to game the public comment process by actively campaigning to generate positive comments in an effort to make regulations appear more popular than they are. That kind of behavior is inappropriate, and it reveals how politically-motivated some of these rules actually are. If regulations\u00a0cannot stand up to public scrutiny on their own without government-led \u201castro-turf\u201d campaign, they deserve to be scrapped.\u00a0\nThe Regulatory Integrity Act passed the House in a bipartisan vote of 250-171. It now goes to the Senate, where I hope it will be given swift consideration. We may not be able to reverse\u00a0decades of bureaucratic\u00a0growth overnight, but with measures like this we can make federal agencies\u00a0more transparent and\u00a0more accountable to the people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brooks.house.gov/media-center/news-releases/rep-brooks-receives-tax-fighter-award-ntlc", "Rep. Brooks Receives Tax Fighter Award from NTLC", "2016-09-16", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Mo Brooks", "B001274", "brooks.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014\u00a0 During an awards ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, Congressman Brooks (AL-05) was presented with the Tax Fighter Award from the National Tax Limitation Committee (NTLC) for his support of legislation aimed at simplifying our tax code and providing tax relief for Americans.\nNTLC President Lewis K. Uhler presented the award to Congressman Brooks in Washington, saying, \u201cRepresentative Brooks\u2019 votes on tax and spending issues in the 114th Congress earned him an \u2018A\u2019 grade and the Tax Fighter Award.\u00a0 Representative Brooks has been a leader in the battle on behalf of taxpayers to kill the hated death tax, reduce tax rates and the complexity of the tax code, to provide incentives for private savings, investment and job creation, to control the growth of federal spending and to force Congress to act on major, economic growth-inducing tax reform.\u00a0 Representative Brooks has been a major asset to taxpayers all across America during his congressional service.\u00a0 He has had the courage to challenge the orthodoxy of Washington special interests.\u00a0 His leadership is vital to America\u2019s future,\u201d concluded Uhler. \u00a0\nCongressman Brooks said, \u201cIt is an honor to receive the Tax Fighter Award from the National Tax Limitation Committee for my work in the 114th Congress.\u00a0 I remain committed to supporting tax policies that spur economic growth and limit federal government spending and regulation, thereby allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\nRep. Brooks accepts Tax Fighter Award\nfrom NTLC President Lewis K. Uhler.\n\u00a0\nA high-resolution photo from the event is available HERE.\n\u00a0\nBackground: Since 1975 the National Tax Limitation Committee, a 501(c)(4) grass roots taxpayer activist organization, has worked to limit taxes and spending and to reduce the size and scope of government at all levels.\u00a0 NTLC has led the national movement for constitutional tax and spending limits at the state and federal levels. \u00a0NTLC publishes a congressional scorecard at the conclusion of each Congress, as it has for more than thirty years.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/byrne-announces-september-community-office-hours", "Byrne Announces September Community Office Hours", "2016-09-15", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Staff members from the Office of Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) will hold office hours throughout Alabama\u2019s First Congressional District between September 20 and September 22.\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\u00a0\nBaldwin County\nWednesday, September 21\n9:30 to 10:30 am: Fairhope City Hall\n11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Daphne City Hall\n2:30 to 3:30 pm: Spanish Fort City Hall\nThursday, September 22\n9:30 to 10:30 am: Gulf Shores City Hall\n11:00 am to 12:00 pm: Robertsdale City Hall\n2:30 to 3:30 pm: Bay Minette City Hall\n\u00a0\nClarke County\nTuesday, September 20\n12:00 \u2013 1:00 pm: Grove Hill Town Hall\n1:30 pm \u2013 2:30 pm: White Smith Memorial Library in Jackson\n\u00a0\nEscambia County\nTuesday, September 20\n9:00 to 9:45 am \u2013 Atmore City Hall\n11:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm \u2013 Flomaton City Hall\n2:00 \u2013 2:30 pm: Brewton City Hall\n2:30 \u2013 3:00 pm: East Brewton City Hall\n\u00a0\nMobile County\nWednesday, September 21\n10:30 \u2013 11:30 am: Citronelle City Hall\n1:00 \u2013 2:00 pm: Semmes City Hall\n3:00 \u2013 4:00 pm: Dauphin Island Town Hall\n\u00a0\nMonroe County\nTuesday, September 20\n10:00 \u2013 11:00 am: Monroeville City Hall\n\u00a0\nWashington County\nTuesday, September 20\n3:00 \u2013 4:00 pm: Washington County Public Library in Chatom\nWednesday, September 21\n9:00 \u2013 10:00 am: McIntosh Town Hall\n\u00a0\nFor more information on visits to Clarke, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties, constituents should contact Congressman Byrne\u2019s Mobile office at 251-690-2811.\nFor more information on visits to Baldwin and Escambia counties, constituents should contact Congressman Byrne\u2019s Baldwin County office at 251-989-2664.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 368, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "AL", "p1": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 313, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 55, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 368, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "AL", "label": "AL", "count": 368, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 368, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AL", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-09-15,https~3A~2F~2Fbyrne~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fbyrne-announces-september-community-office-hours", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AL&year=2016&_next=2016-09-15%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fbyrne~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fbyrne-announces-september-community-office-hours&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 171.65879509411752, "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"}