7 Things: Vaccine mandate bans advance in the Alabama Senate, business community out against anti-vaccine mandate legislation, Democrats in disarray and more …

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November 2, 2021

7. Sanford is running for Congress

In the fifth Congressional district, former State Senator Paul Sanford has announced that he’s entered the race for U.S. Representative Mo Brooks’ (R-Huntsville) seat, as Brooks is currently campaigning for U.S. Senate.
Sanford noted how he believed there should be term limits for elected officials and said that this “is the right time for me to re-enter the fight for our Freedoms,” in announcing his intentions to run for U.S. House. Sanford added, “District 5 needs a strong conservative who will fight for you every day without shying away from tough issues.” He also pledged “to stand strong while fighting for our freedoms, rights, and conservative values in Washington D.C.”

6. Plan for congressional districts approved

In a 65-38 vote, the Alabama House of Representatives approved the new district lines for the congressional districts within the state. This plan was developed by the reapportionment committee.
Despite a Democrat push for two Congressional districts to be drawn to favor Democrat or minority candidates, the approved plan keeps one majority black district and six majority-white districts.

5. ADPH preparing vaccine rollout for kids

The Food and Drug Administration has offered up emergency authorization for children between five and 11 years old, and now the Alabama Department of Public Health is ramping up the ability to distribute those shots.
While the media and the medical community seem very excited about the prospect of vaccinating five-year-olds, many parents feel very different. A new survey finds only one in three parents want the kids in this age range vaccinated immediately with two-thirds reluctant or adamantly opposed, and 42% of parents of these children unlikely to have them vaccinated at all.

4. Biden losing more support as Virginia votes

President Joe Biden has already been faced with his approval rate falling due to key issues such as immigration, the economy and the coronavirus pandemic not being handled well, and now he’s losing support from Democrats on the next election. With Virginia voting today, and narratives to be created, this could not be happening at a worse time.
In a recent survey by Marist Poll, only 36% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning independents are confident in Biden running for reelection in 2024 and his ability to keep the White House. About half of those Democrats and independents want another candidate to lead the Democrat ticket in 2024.

3. Democrats thought they have the votes, Manchin not so sure

The media and their Democrats seemed ready to declare victory in their battle to get massive spending bills passed. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she was ready for votes on Tuesday. Progressive members signaled their support for both bills, but statements by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) blew it all up.
Manchin has always been somewhat cold to these massive spending bills, and he doesn’t seem to be a big fan now. Manchin is signaling that doesn’t like the newest plan by Democrats and the White House by saying the social spending bill should not be tied to the infrastructure bill and warning the $1.75 trillion bill is funded by “shell games” and will really cost $3.9 trillion in reality.

2. Business community out against anti-vaccine mandate legislation

In North Alabama, the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce voiced its opposition to any anti-vaccine mandate legislation being passed in the state, claiming that such action could harm business and negatively impact Alabama’s economy.
In a statement, the group touched on the number of federal contractors in the area, and warned that “such legislation would have significant potential to do great damage not only to the employers but also to this region’s economy.” The chamber did go on to add, “Employers are not at liberty to choose which federal mandates they support. Compliance with such mandates, however, should not be misinterpreted as support for the mandates.”

1. Vaccine legislation has advanced

State Senators Chris Elliot’s (R-Mobile) and Arthur Orr’s (R-Decatur) bills meant to block President Joe Biden’s vaccination mandate in Alabama have been approved by the Senate General Fund Committee.
House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) recently expressed that he wasn’t expecting to consider vaccine-related legislation during the special session, so even if the bills are passed by the Senate, it’s unclear if they’ll be passed by the House.