Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) is drawing criticism back home after yet again voting against a key presidential nominee.
Andrew Wheeler, nominated by President Donald Trump in November, was confirmed by the Senate in a 52 – 47 vote Thursday as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Jones joined every other Democrat and independent in the chamber in opposing Trump’s pick.
Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1), the only Republican candidate so far to have announced 2020 U.S Senate candidacy to challenge Jones, might have found a new nickname for him: “Chuck Schumer’s Senator.”
“Doug Jones has once again fallen in line with Chuck Schumer to oppose one of President Trump’s qualified nominees,” Byrne said in a statement to Yellowhammer News. “Alabama has seen enough, and it is time for Alabama to replace Chuck Schumer’s Senator with a Senator who will put Alabama and our values first. I’m ready to be that leader.”
On the same note, Alabama Republican Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan told Yellowhammer News that “Jones is sticking with his left wing ‘Resistance’ Democrat buddies.”
“Same song, Second verse- Doug Jones says ‘No’ for Alabama on a nominee from President Trump for the EPA Administrator. Once again, Senator Jones is sticking with his left wing ‘Resistance’ Democrat buddies and goes against our president on a qualified nominee,” she said in a text message.
“As one of the highest rated Trump approval states in the nation, Senator Jones continues to be out of step with Alabamians. This is another reminder of the importance of the 2020 elections,” Lathan added.
The ALGOP chair also praised Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) for his “yes” vote on the nominee.
“We are appreciative of Senator Shelby’s solid support of the president’s nominee, Andrew Wheeler, who was confirmed,” Lathan concluded.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
