Each year, Congress has a duty to pass 12 appropriations bills to fund the government. This spending, which is known as discretionary spending, funds everything from the Department of Defense to our Border Patrol agents. The appropriations process begins each year in the spring.

Each of the 12 bills originates in subcommittee, then heads to the entire Appropriations Committee, before ultimately heading to the House Floor.

I worked hard to get on the Appropriations Committee so I can have more of a say in how your tax dollars are spent. I was fortunate to get a spot on the committee this year, and we have been hard at work getting our spending under control since January of this year.

In the past 10 months, we have had countless Committee meetings, spent days upon end pouring over each of these bills and looking for every penny we could responsibly cut.

We’ve also had dozens of Biden administration officials on the Hill to justify their annual budget requests, and we’ve asked them tough questions. The result of these months of hard work is 12 appropriations bills that cut billions of dollars in wasteful spending and ensure your tax dollars are being used as wisely as possible.

Every single one of these bills has significant cuts and have much lower topline numbers than previous years. There is still more to cut in future years, but we’ve worked hard to cut as much as possible while keeping in mind these bills have to pass the Senate and get signed into law by the president.

Government funding runs out this week, and we’ve got a handful of Republicans up here who have been voting with the Democrats against these appropriations bills for various reasons.

Despite what some folks may say, a government shutdown is not smart and does not save taxpayers a single dollar. In fact, a government shutdown actually costs you more money, accomplishes nothing, and is simply irresponsible. Any elected official who tells you differently is either misguided or misleading you.

Every member of Congress was sent here to do a job, and shutting down the government for political points is not what we were elected to do. I’ve been working, and will continue working, to trim the fat and get this country back on track.

This process takes time, but we have been headed in the right direction this year. Congress should get serious about keeping this progress going instead of shutting down the government. A shutdown doesn’t accomplish anything productive, and it’s nothing more than a gift to Joe Biden.

We’ve got to do better.

Jerry Carl represents Alabama’s First Congressional District. He lives in Mobile with his wife Tina.

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is poised to become head of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, but first he may have to overcome a plan by Texas state legislators to intervene.

If custom is followed, Aderholt will become chairman based on his seniority.

According to custom of seniority, the majority party committee member with the most years of service on the committee serves as chairman, who is now Aderholt.

However, Republican members of Texas’s legislative delegation are working to get one of their own in as the head of the committee.

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Alabama Republican Sen. Richard Shelby is on the brink of becoming the new chairman of the Appropriations Committee, a post with great influence over more than $1 trillion in annual spending.

Shelby was confirmed by panel members to lead the committee and is sure to be ratified by the full Senate soon.
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Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is running unopposed for a fourth term in the United States Senate this year, and is well positioned to become Senate Budget Chairman if Republicans manage to re-take the majority.

Republicans need to pick up six seats to takeover the Senate. With far more Democrats facing challengers, 2014 represents the GOP’s best chance to take back the upper chamber.

Polling data suggests Republicans could have the upper hand.

A CNN poll back in December found that Republicans had opened up a 49 to 44 lead over Democrats on a generic ballot. That’s an enormous swing from a mere two months before when Democrats led the same poll 50 to 42. Republicans also hold the enthusiasm advantage. 36 percent of Republicans say they are enthusiastic about voting for Congress, compared to just 22 percent of Democrats.

Sen. Sessions told inside-the-beltway publication The Hill over the weekend that he’s optimistic about the GOP’s chances to wrest control away from their Democratic counterparts.

“I’m more optimistic because I sense there’s a growing frustration with the Democratic Senate and the president’s political maneuverings and lack of candor,” said Sessions.

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, agreed with Sessions’ analysis.

“Republicans are well positioned to win the majority in the Senate; we have strong candidates, have expanded the map into purple and blue states, and the national political environment is strongly in our favor,” Moran added.

Open seats in South Dakota, West Virginia and Montana should be relatively certain pickups for Republicans, meaning seizing control of the senate will come down to taking out Democrat incumbents in GOP-leaning states like Arkansas, Alaska, North Carolina and Louisiana. New Hampshire could also become a toss up if former Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown jumps in the race. He recently moved to the Granite State.

Republican’s got another boost last week when former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie announced he is challenging Virginia Democrat Sen. Mark Warner.

Virginia is about the closest thing America has to a 50-50 state, but Democrats have won several high profile races there recently. President Obama got 51% of the Virginia vote in 2012 and Democrat Terry McAuliffe defeated Republican Ken Cuccinelli by the slimmest of margins in last year’s Virginia gubernatorial election.

Ultimately, Alabama stands to gain about as much as any state in the country if Republicans gain control of the U.S. Senate.

In addition to Sessions being in line to take over the Budget, Alabama’s senior Sen. Richard Shelby would likely head up the powerful Appropriations Committee with the GOP in charge.

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

Negotiators on Capitol Hill unveiled a giant 1,582 page, $1.1 trillion government funding bill this week, which would fund the government for the remainder of the current fiscal year and put an end to all the government shutdown talk. The House of Representatives passed the bill today by a vote of 359-67.

Both Republicans and Democrats praised the bill, which typically means that the American people will see little — if any — progress in reining in government spending. When cuts happen, one side or the other make noise because one of their favored areas got hit.

However, it is no doubt a positive that Congress is returning to so-called “regular order” and actually passing spending bills. And it’s noteworthy that the package is $164 billion less than President George W. Bush’s last discretionary budget.

So what does it all mean for our state?

As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, our very own Senator Richard Shelby served as the top Republican negotiator on the Senate side.

Here are 7 things in the Omnibus Spending Bill that might actually impact your life right here in Alabama:

COLAs are back and military folks got a pay raise

The bill repeals the recently enacted cut to cost of living adjustments, or COLAs for disabled military retirees and survivors. This is good news for Alabama’s huge population of military retirees and survivors. U.S. military personnel and civilian federal workers also got a 1 percent pay raise.

Sen. Jeff Sessions said he was glad to see retired vets being better taken care of in this deal, but insisted there’s still more that could be done.

“I was pleased that the House-Senate package includes a provision restoring the pensions for disabled veterans, after we called attention to the fact that wounded warriors would be impacted by the budget deal,” Sessions said. “However, the deal fails to restore pension payments for millions of active duty and retired military personnel and leaves more than 90 percent of the original reductions in place. For a currently-serving officer nearing retirement, this cut could exceed $120,000 in pension payments, reducing the cost-of-living adjustments by more than 60 percent.”

Sessions said he believes there are better ways to save money and suggested closing a tax credit loophole that illegal immigrants take advantage of.

“Unfortunately, Leader Reid and his conference blocked my effort to implement this fix during the budget debate in December,” Sessions said. “I hope the majority will allow us to make this fix and stop shielding these illicit tax payments. In order to end annual deficits all of us will have to tighten our belts, but our military personnel must not disproportionately bear the burden.”

North Alabama folks get bump in NASA funding

NASA has an almost $3 billion impact on Alabama’s economy, but it has been a big target for cuts by the Obama Administration. Both Sen. Richard Shelby and Rep. Mo Brooks, have been big advocates for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), which is built in Huntsville.

Included in this week’s omnibus legislation is $1.9 billion for the Space Launch System. This figure is approximately $200 million above the President’s request in the budget he submitted to Congress. Of the $1.9 billion for SLS, $1.6 billion is for development of rocket systems at Marshall Space Flight Center in North Alabama.

“I am pleased that this legislation includes the funding necessary to continue the great work underway in Huntsville on the Space Launch System,” Sen. Shelby said. “If we are to maintain our leadership role in human space flight, we must continue to make SLS a top priority in NASA’s budget. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that it is.”

Mobile’s getting a new federal courthouse

The bill provides $69.5 million to construct a new federal courthouse in Mobile and to renovate the existing courthouse, which was built from 1932-1934. Combined with the $49 million that is remaining from previously appropriated courthouse funding for Mobile, the total project cost will be $118.5 million. The total design and construction work is expected to take 5 1/2 years.

Another step toward widening the Port of Mobile

The report accompanying the omnibus bill directs the Corps of Engineers to study the widening and deepening of Mobile harbor. This is a necessary, preliminary step under the Corps’ regulations before the work can be undertaken.

Sen. Shelby has in the past discussed his 10-12 year plan of making Mobile a world center of trade and commerce by making its port wide enough and deep enough to handle the world’s largest ships.

“Mobile can be one of the top five ports in the country,” Shelby said today. “Its economic potential is limitless. I am pleased that this legislation provides for the next critical step in that direction.”

Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) gets funding

The president requested and received $1.7 billion for the procurement of 4 Littoral Combat Ships, which are built in Mobile.

Alabama Tea Party groups get a small victory

The omnibus specifically instructs the IRS not to use any funds to “target citizens of the United States for exercising any right guaranteed under the First Amendment.”

It’s remarkable that those words even need to be included in a bill, and it’s a far cry from justice being served in the targeting cases that have already taken place. However, it’s a small victory for Alabama groups like the Wetumpka Tea Party who were targeted by the IRS for their political beliefs.

Environmental groups escape unscathed

Attempts by Republicans to drastically cut funding to the Environmental Protection Agency were unsuccessful. The federal agency that implements heavy-handed mandates and regulations on businesses all over the country has long been reviled by conservatives. And recent efforts by Alabama-based environmental groups to speed up the process of shutting down coal plants have really put the EPA front and center in the state. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange back in December challenged the EPA’s power to halt economic development. The fights will continue on the state level, but the EPA’s federal funding remains intact for now.

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

Yellowhammer was the first to break the news last month that Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, was close to being appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, and today it became official.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, announced today that three Republicans will be added to his committee. Reps. Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, and Chris Stewart, R-Utah, will join Roby as the newest members of the committee, which is widely viewed as one of the most powerful in Congress.

“I am honored to accept a position on the House Committee on Appropriations, and I appreciate the confidence my colleagues have placed in me by selecting me to serve in this capacity,” Roby said. “Appropriations has oversight on the whole range of government spending. This new role provides a unique opportunity to push for the kind of conservative spending priorities that will put us on a sustainable financial path for future generations.”

With this appointment, Roby will have to give up her seat on the House Armed Services Committee, House Agriculture Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee. However, she believes the broad oversight of the Appropriations Committee will allow her to make a more significant impact on policy, especially with regard to federal government spending.

“Congress is working in a budget-constrained environment for the foreseeable future, and we must make sure every dollar spent is spent wisely,” said Roby. “After numerous discussions with senior colleagues in Congress and stakeholders in my state, I’m convinced having a seat on the Appropriations Committee will afford me more – not less – influence on issues that matter to the people of Alabama’s Second District.”

Chairman Rogers released a statement today welcoming the new members of his committee.

“I am pleased to welcome Representatives Amodei, Roby, and Stewart to the Committee, and look forward to working side-by-side with them as we tackle our formidable work ahead,” Rogers said. “Members of the Appropriations Committee have tough jobs to do, and have a great responsibility to properly fund the federal government and support the well-being of the nation. These dedicated public servants have proven their commitment to the responsible shepherding of federal tax dollars, to the regular Appropriations process, and to both the people of their districts and the American people as a whole.”

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WASHINGTON — During a much-publicized Senate hearing on Wednesday involving cyber security and government surveillance, Sen. Richard Shelby took a lead role in questioning witnesses, including Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command.

Alexander’s testimony was particularly noteworthy coming on the heels of revelations that the NSA has been gathering data from Americans’ private phone records and emails.

“The cyber threat is increasing and becoming more challenging as our adversaries grow bolder and more capable,” Shelby said in his opening remarks to the committee and witnesses. “We have seen recent and stark reminders of the threat with constant cyber attacks on the financial sector, Chinese hacking of The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, Iranian attacks against a Saudi oil company and reports that information on our most advanced weapons systems was stolen by the Chinese.”

Shelby said that Chinese attackers are “running an extensive cyber espionage campaign with the likely support of the Chinese government” and that Iranian hacking in the United States has also recently been exposed.

“These troubling developments remind us of how urgently we need a coordinated effort to counter and respond to these attacks,” Shelby said. “[T]his Committee may be the only one with jurisdiction over the full complement of government organizations involved in cyber security.”

President Obama on Tuesday signed an executive order which he believes will help combat cyber attacks on government agencies and private sector companies in the U.S. The executive order outlines a “framework” being built to share information between the government and private companies on cyber attacks and threats. Details are somewhat sparse at this point, and many privacy-related questions remain unanswered.

Sen. Shelby pointed out some of the areas where he sees room for improvement in the Obama administration’s vision for a cyber security framework, and said there may be a need for additional legislation and funding appropriations.

“Cyber security is an immediate priority, but the framework envisioned in the executive order will take time to develop and even longer to implement,” he said. “There are still areas that need more attention and may require legislation, such as information sharing.”

“Additionally, the working relationship between the government and the private sector is still a work in progress,” Shelby continued. “Funding requirements also remain unclear in a time of fiscal uncertainty. Clearly more needs to be done.”

Related:
1. Shelby questions Hagel, Dempsey on Obama defense budget proposal
2. Shelby spokesman downplays potential for LCS cancelation, cites prior efforts
3. EXCLUSIVE: Shelby Discusses His Economic Development Vision for Alabama
4. Shelby Sees Similarities Between Obama & Nixon Administrations

What else is going on?
1. Sessions: Can anyone explain how this immigration bill will help struggling Americans?
2. Republican Danny Garrett running to succeed Arthur Payne in Alabama House
3. Mo Brooks rails against White House for undermining national security
4. Roy Moore picks his candidate in AL01 race
5. Leftwing advocacy group behind roadblocks collecting blood & saliva samples