7 Things: House Minority Leader Daniels officially seeks clarification on abortion bill, Biden got sick again and more …

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August 1, 2022

7. Huntsville won’t release how much they’ve spent on lawyers

It was requested that Huntsville City release how much had been spent on attorneys for officers, such as William Ben Darby when he was on trial for the murder of Jeff Parker. According to the city, this amount has to stay confidential as it’s part of “attorney-client privilege.”
Attorney J. Evans Bailey argued that this was an incorrect interpretation of attorney-client privilege and added, “The dollar amount is not privileged or confidential.” The city has also said that releasing this information could interfere with Darby’s ongoing appeal.

6. The border wall will continue

According to recent reports, President Joe Biden and his administration will be completing part of the border wall in the Yuma. This would finish a portion of the project started by former President Donald Trump that was heavily criticized by Biden.
Biden’s administration has approved the plan to slow the number of illegal migrants coming to the border, but Biden previously said the wall “won’t stop the flow of illegal narcotics or human trafficking, both of which come primarily through legal ports of entry.”

5. Sewell votes in favor of new gun control legislation

The “Assault Weapons Ban of 2022” passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in a 217-213 vote, with U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) being the only member of the Alabama delegation to vote for the legislation.
The legislation would mirror the assault weapons ban of 1994, but it’s unlikely to be passed in the U.S. Senate. Sewell stated that she’s “a strong believer in the right of responsible gun owners to keep and bear arms.” She added, “I also believe that weapons of war have no place on our streets or in our schools. It is no coincidence that AR-15-style firearms have become the weapons of choice among mass shooters.” Sewell went on to say that these guns “are designed to slaughter as many people as possible in the shorted amount of time.”

4. Manchin staying neutral on 2024 discussions

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) has been asked his opinion on Democrats keeping the majority after the midterms and whether he would support President Joe Biden running for reelection in 2024. In response to questions about Biden, Manchin stated, “I’m not going to get into the 2024 election.”
Manchin also advised that “people are sick and tired of politics.” When asked about Democrats maintaining a majority, he replied, “I’ve always taken the approach, whoever you send me, that’s your representative and I respect them.” He added that he did not “play the politics that way” where he tries to influence decisions in other states.

3. Manchin’s support of ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ not unexpected

U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) recently commented on news surrounding U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W. Va) supporting the “Inflation Reduction Act,” a climate-focused bill in the amount of $739 billion. Brooks said this move “wasn’t a surprise.”
Brooks went on to say, “I don’t see another $700 billion in deficits doing America good. I think it’s bad, but we have some upside-down economics that emanates from Washington, D.C., and you’re seeing it now with our 9% inflation rate. All of that is caused by bad public policy coming from Washington, D.C.”

2. Biden tests positive for COVID again

President Joe Biden tested negative after initially catching the coronavirus a couple of weeks ago, but just after three days of testing negative, Biden tested positive for the virus again. The White House has said that this is a rare “rebound” case.
In cases where individuals experience a “rebound” of the virus a few days after being clear, symptoms remain mild, but White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor said that Biden so far has “experienced no reemergence of symptoms, and continues to feel quite well.”

1. Daniels calls for more clarification on abortion ban

In a letter to Attorney General Steve Marshall, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) requested information and clarity on Alabama’s abortion ban. Daniels asked for details on what the state was considering an abortion and specifics on medical abortions allowed.
Daniels said in the letter, “Without the type of clear and detailed legal guidance that I’m requesting, doctors have recently expressed grave uncertainty regarding this law…This matter is of great urgency as mothers may be unnecessarily denied care as doctors seek legal guidance.” Daniels had previously asked for Governor Kay Ivey to call a special session so the abortion ban could be modified.