7 Things: Democrats ramp up politicization of Texas tragedy, Alabama's U.S. Senate race could get a debate as the runoff campaign kicks off and more …

7. Amazon worker claims he was fired due to union support

At a news conference, Ezra Hudson claimed that he was fired from the Amazon fulfillment center in Bessemer on April 30 due to his support to unionize.
Hudson has already filed an allegation against Amazon with the National Labor Relations Board. He explained that when he asked the reason for his firing, “[T]hey told me it was because of missed punches. Then they changed their story and said it was because of rules and regulations violations.” He added, “And today, I have received no information regarding my appeal, and I’ve also been told different stories as to whether I was eligible to file an appeal.”

6. Biden announces executive order for law enforcement

President Joe Biden has signed a new executive order that applies to law enforcement called the “Executive Order on Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety.”
The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) said that the organization wasn’t consulted about the Order and added, “By choosing not to listen to elected law enforcement the President missed hearing from the rest of the Country. Unfortunately, [he] hand-picked who he and his staff would share this actual verbiage with and who they would take input from. Law enforcement operates in every county in America, not just in East and West coast cities. This process leads us to believe the President had preconceived notions of our opinions and perspectives.”

5. Primary participation was down

It’s been reported that in the primary election, voter turnout was well under expected levels, with only 23.4% of eligible voters in the state showing up to the polls, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.
These are not considered the official numbers yet, but the projected turnout was 28-32% with both U.S. Senate and governor races on the ballot. Despite this expected turnout, the actual turnout seen was at a normal level for past elections.

4. Brooks argues with MSNBC over January 6 committee

U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) recently appeared on MSNBC to discuss being summoned through a subpoena to give testimony to the U.S. House committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot. Brooks has maintained that he has not received a subpoena from the committee.
Brooks was asked why he wouldn’t talk with the committee, but he said he would only give testimony in public. Brooks went on to say, “[I]t is a propaganda effort. It is not an effort to discern the truth. If they really wanted to discern the truth, then they would’ve done what we’ve done throughout the history of the House of Representatives. We would’ve had a bipartisan committee…instead of it being a one-sided sham that is designed to impact the election in 2022.”

3. There should be a U.S. Senate debate

In the U.S. Senate primary, both candidates Katie Britt and U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) had pushed for a debate between all candidates, but Mike Durant had refused. Now, Britt and Brooks have qualified for the runoff on June 21, and there could finally be a debate between the candidates.
Brooks said on the night of the primary election, “[L]et’s have at it. If you can defend these attack ads that your team has launched against me, I dare you.” While Britt was previously in favor of a debate, her campaign has not responded to the idea yet. There is a candidate debate between Madison County Commission chairman Dale Strong and former Huntsville Superintendent Casey Wardynski for U.S. House District 5 race.

2. Beto O’Rourke interrupts press conference, blames Abbott for school shooting

While Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) held a press conference to address the Uvalde elementary school shooting, former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) interrupted the conference to tell the governor, “It’s on you.”
O’Rourke went on to say that the school shooting was “totally predictable” and argued that Abbott was “doing nothing.” O’Rourke was escorted out of the room. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said, “You’re out of line and an embarrassment,” while one member of the crowd called O’Rourke a “sick son of a b****.”

1. Alabama Democrats want more than just statements made about shootings

In the wake of the mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas where 19 children and two teachers have reportedly died, Alabama Democratic Party chairman State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) said, “We’re tired of reading bullsh*t statements from politicians and we’re tired of writing them.”
There have already been calls across the country for some level of gun control. England went on to say, “We need action on gun violence, voting rights, the minimum wage, healthcare, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, cannabis reform, income inequality, the housing crisis, the student debt crisis, the prison crisis and countless other issues. Democrats are in control of Washington. We need federal action now.” Embarrassment.