Sean Ross, a day-one political advisor to and senior member of U.S. Senator Katie Britt’s staff in Washington, was elevated as Chief of Staff with high acclaim from Britt.

“I can think of no one more qualified to step into this role than Sean Ross. Since before I even announced my candidacy, Sean has been an indispensable member of my team.  From day one of the campaign to each day during my time serving in the United States Senate, his expertise in articulating Alabama’s values and helping connect with constituents across our state has been nothing short of remarkable,” Sen. Britt (R-Montgomery) said.

“I could not be more grateful for his unwavering commitment, and I have no doubt his intuition and intellect will strengthen our team, our state, and our nation. Sean’s unparalleled ability to seamlessly integrate legislative priorities with dedicated outreach will continue to ensure our office works diligently to represent the needs and values of the people of Alabama in Washington. The 119th Congress is off to a strong start with his leadership as Chief of Staff.”

Prior to his new role as Chief of Staff, Ross served as Britt’s Deputy Chief of Staff, and as Director of Communications when she first took office. During her campaign for U.S. Senate in 2022, Ross was a key architect of Britt’s communications operation. He is the former editor in chief of Yellowhammer News.

Ross will take the helm following Clay Armentrout, former counsel and legislative director to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, who served for two years as Britt’s top staffer after she first took office in 2023. Armentrout is making a move to the private sector as Senior Vice President of Government Relations at Allen Control Systems.

“Ahead of my transition into office in 2022, there was only one person I wanted to serve as chief of staff— Clay Armentrout. I’ll forever be glad and grateful I was able to convince him to extend his exemplary service in the Senate another two years to help start our office to ensure we hit the ground running and had a successful 118th Congress.  He is the absolute very best,” Sen. Britt said.

“I’m excited for Clay as he takes this next step in his career and seizes this hard-earned, incredible opportunity. I know he’ll be a tremendous asset who elevates those around him, just as he has done both in my office and throughout his tenure on Capitol Hill. We wish him all the best and are beyond grateful that he will always be a member of Team Britt.”

“Only Katie Britt could do it.”

Those words were spoken by many in the corridors, committee rooms, and chambers of the U.S. Capitol Building last week after the Senate voted to invoke cloture and move forward with passing the Laken Riley Act.

Alabama’s junior senator planted her flag and impressed politicos, pundits, and constituents alike when she built a historic bipartisan coalition supporting her strong bill that combats both illegal immigration and rampant crime. There is a reason experts are saying this is the most significant piece of border and immigration enforcement legislation to pass Congress since 1996.

Britt’s bill would require the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known colloquially as ICE, to detain and deport illegal migrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted of burglary, larceny, shoplifting, theft, assaulting a police officer, or any other crime that results in serious bodily injury or death.

The measure is named after a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered by an illegal migrant from Venezuela while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her killer had previously been charged with shoplifting while illegally on U.S. soil, and Riley would be alive today if Britt’s legislation was in effect at the time of that crime.

It also sets up a mechanism that could hold open borders federal officials – think of future leftwing administrations – accountable and enable states like Texas, and Alabama, to seek injunctive relief from the judiciary if mandatory immigration law is not being enforced.

Chuck Schumer would not allow the bill to see the Senate floor when Britt originally introduced the bill last year, but she continued to work her colleagues, press her case, and build momentum for the commonsense legislation.

Reaching across the aisle, she even convinced Sen. John Fetterman (D – Pennsylvania), who has publicly urged his fellow Democrats to moderate their extreme leftist views, and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D – Arizona), a border state freshman who proudly wears the label of “fierce liberal combatant,” to sign on as co-sponsors.

Known for her passionate advocacy on behalf of issues in which she believes, Britt has already built a stockpile of trust with her fellow senators and brought already established relationships with many veteran lawmakers from her previous days on Capitol Hill as chief of staff for former Sen. Richard Shelby. 

That trust was in evidence when Fetterman and Gallego were joined by fellow Democrat senators that included Mark Kelly of Arizona, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and Mark Warner of Virginia in voting to move the bill toward a final vote within the body.

That final Senate vote came Monday, and now once it returns to the House to receive final passage, the Laken Riley Act will likely be the first congressional bill that newly-sworn President Donald Trump gets to sign into law in his second term.

At a time when congressional politics remain so deeply partisan and polarized, Britt’s assemblage of bi-partisan support for a bill that so many on the far left find distasteful — the ACLU called it “extreme and reactive” — is a remarkable feat and a testament to her skills, talents, and, quite frankly, her personal charm.

When you combine her impressive legislative success with her recent assignment to the prestigious Senate Judiciary Committee, her selection as a deputy whip within the Senate Republican leadership,  her new chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and her role as a vice chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, it becomes quite evident that Britt is on the fast track to the highest reaches of the upper chamber — especially when you consider she is a freshman member who was elected just two short years ago.

If this trend continues, the phrase “Only Katie Britt could do it” may soon be repeated over and over again, much like a political mantra among her ever-growing army of supporters and admirers both in Washington, D.C. and across Alabama.

Andrew Jones is a Republican state senator representing District 10, which includes Cherokee, DeKalb, and Etowah counties. He is a small business owner and farmer.

A report claiming funding for the FBI’s campus on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville was “wiped out,” is incorrect, according to several members of Alabama’s congressional delegation.

The New York Times published a story Friday claiming Republican lawmakers achieved a goal of cutting spending to the Federal Bureau of Investigation by “wiping out the pet project of retired Senator Richard C. Shelby.”

The FBI’s Redstone Arsenal campus in Huntsville, known as “HQ2” for its essential role in the bureau’s training and counterintelligence capabilities, was fully funded in FY2023 appropriation measures. The original and subsequent reporting about FY2024 appropriations has implied that, because there is no additional FBI construction funding included, future FBI Redstone expansion plans have been “cut.”

“This story is incorrect,” spokespersons for Britt (R-Montgomery) and Strong (R-Huntsville) said.

“Previous funds for FBI Redstone were one-time appropriations to build the FBI’s state of the art facilities in Huntsville,” they said. “The FBI has confirmed that this funding has been obligated and that this year’s funding levels reflect that additional funding was not required to complete construction.”

RELATED: Could FBI’s Redstone ‘HQ2’ replace D.C. office?

Last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced within the package of government spending bills, a 6% cut to the FBI, a 3% cut to the Department of Justice, and a 7% cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had been negotiated to make good on a House Republicans’ pledge to crack down on a weaponized federal government.

The 6% cut to the FBI was $654 million, which outlets have reported accounts in large measure from the $622 million earmark secured for the FBI facility on the Army post. 

A spokesperson for Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s office also said the “spending bill passed by Congress on Friday included a budget gimmick that appeared to reduce funding for the FBI’s Redstone location, but in reality, it did not claw back funds that have already been signed into law to fund construction of the facility.”

A key aspect of recent coverage about the FBI’s Redstone expansion that holds true is the site is a legacy project of Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa), who retired in 2023 and was among the most legendary appropriators in history.

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 

Mary Pat Lawrence’s incredible career is the result of combining her unique skill set with a passion for making change.

From the time she was young, Lawrence knew she wanted to strive to make change on a large scale. Born and raised in a small town in Alabama, she had high hopes of moving to a bigger city and creating a meaningful career.

While attending the University of Alabama for undergraduate and law school, she was given the opportunity to intern for Senator Richard Shelby on Capitol Hill. It was through this experience that Lawrence got a taste for politics and the opportunity to travel the state of Alabama alongside the Senator. 

Lawrence found a sense of belonging among the excitement of the city and later decided to make D.C. her home after graduating from law school. Her first interaction with Protective Life was nearly 20 years ago when she worked on an issue as a lobbyist in Washington representing the company.

“I worked with the company’s previous leadership on legislation that affected the life insurance industry. That was how I cut my teeth and really got to understand life insurance.”

She now serves as Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Protective Life.

In her role, she oversees the development and implementation of Protective’s government agenda at the state, federal, and international levels. In addition to managing Protective’s Government Affairs department, she is the company representative to various industry associations, including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the American Council of Life Insurers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Council of Alabama.

In order to strengthen her professional skills, she prioritizes networking and relationships.

“Relationships are everything in the government affairs world,” shares Lawrence. Maintaining close working relationships with industry peers and trade associations is vital to her success, and she ensures that these relationships are held in high regard. 

As for her source of professional inspiration, she points to Senator Shelby. Lawrence cites Shelby’s consistent encouragement and insistence on continued effort as important to her progress. She also shares her respect for Senator Katie Britt and her impactful work.

“I am inspired by her incredible first year in the Senate serving as a leader on her committees, engaging on international issues around the world to keep our country safe and secure, and making sure Alabama is well positioned to create and bring new jobs and opportunities to our state,” Lawrence said of Senator Britt.

“Her love for Alabama shines through in everything she does!”

In terms of her most significant professional achievement, Lawrence highlights her depth of experience. Over the course of her career, she has worked both on and off Capitol Hill and has been able to utilize her unique skillset to see exciting forward movement in her position. Lawrence is also exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to live in a place that she loves in close proximity to family and friends. 

Looking to the future, Lawrence seeks to continue the positive momentum. “I would like to continue, as part of an Alabama headquartered company, to be a partner with policymakers to move Alabama forward to create jobs and great educational opportunities.” She is also proud of the progress that has been made through the Alabama Business Coalition led by Protective.

“We noticed a void in the Alabama-D.C. networking space. There was not a consistent opportunity for Alabama businesses, entities, and professionals to assemble and share ideas and information with their congressional delegation and staff.” 

The ABC meets regularly with Members of Congress, state officials, and key staff members to discuss a wide variety of timely issues that affect Alabama and their shared interests.

The group’s mission is to come together to support the economic development and growth of Alabama by educating and discussing solutions that benefit the businesses, residents, and stakeholders in the state.

In addition to these efforts, Lawrence is involved in several local community organizations including serving on the boards of The Birmingham Zoo, The Alabama Ballet, and The Women’s Foundation, and was a 2022-2023 participant in Leadership Birmingham.

Linda Maynor did not plan on being where she is today.

“I really wanted to be a psychologist,” she said. “That was always my dream of what I wanted to do.”

Maynor, the managing partner for Maynor & Stiers LLC, has spent decades in the political sphere fundraising, managing campaigns, and lobbying on behalf of defense companies in Alabama. 

In her role, Maynor has strong working relationships with decisionmakers in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Maynor & Stiers has formed a strategic alliance with Butler Snow, a law firm with offices in Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery, as well as offices across the U.S. and overseas. 

“This was never a planned career for me,” she said. “It was a snowball effect. I would do one thing and then something else would happen and then something else would happen. 

“So, before I knew it, I was running campaigns and doing fundraisers for governors, congressmen, senators, state leaders, city council people, and so on.”

Maynor built her practice over the past three decades, specializing in defense, aerospace, and technology matters. She maintains a national security clearance.

The key to success is believing in the people and causes you work to support, Maynor said.  

“I’ve never charged one cent for one fundraiser ever in my life because I have always supported people that supported my ideals and what is good for Huntsville and the country,” she said. “I’ve always felt very strongly about doing that.” 

It has certainly worked. Between civic and political fundraising, she has raised many millions of dollars on causes and candidates she believed in.

Maynor said while this wasn’t her planned path, it was something she could do to affect change for something better. And that’s something she believes anyone can do. 

“You can, you can participate,” she said. “You can make a contribution, you can go to an event, you can learn. When people say I don’t deal in politics because politics doesn’t affect my life, I wonder how they don’t understand that it affects every facet of your life.”

While Maynor has spent decades as a major power player, often as the only woman in the room, she had her own trailblazer to look up to.  

“I had a very tough grandmother,” she said. “She was born in 1890 and went to Baylor University on an academic scholarship back when women were only going to finishing schools.” 

Her grandmother had a very profound and lasting influence on her life.  

“My grandmother was valedictorian of her class in academics at Baylor,” she said. “She was editor of the yearbook. I have all four of her yearbooks and her senior year quote was ‘Let’s do it’.  

“And that’s how I was raised.”

Maynor said her grandmother proved it’s an advantage to be tough.

“I’ve worked in a field of men my entire life,” she said. “It’s only recently it seems that I’m actually working with women. And the women that I’m working with, they’re all tough. They’re tough women, they’re smart women. And I really respect them. 

“So don’t be afraid of the label ‘tough’.”

Among her many accomplishments, Maynor has served as the president’s representative to the Czech Republic, has been elected delegate to the Republican National Convention, and served on the GOP platform committee. She has also served on the board of the USO, the nonprofit organization that serves America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home, and country. 

Don’t limit yourself, said Maynor.

“Whatever it is, just try it. Just do it,” she said. “I mean there’s so many times that I have thought, well I don’t really wanna do that or I don’t know how to do that and I’ve gone and done it. Then after I think, ‘how could you ever have thought you couldn’t have done this?’” 

Maynor said stepping out of her comfort zone, however, didn’t mean that she didn’t have fear.  

“I do have fear and always have,” she said. ‘It’s just that fear also cripples. And I was never going to be like that.” 

It’s been a great experience, she said.  

“It just got to the point where anything, anytime, any opportunity came my way, no matter how difficult it seemed to me at the time, I would just do it and then just see what happened,” Maynor said. 

“And normally, it’s turned out pretty well.” 

Often recognized for her longtime work with Sen. Richard Shelby, Maynor credits him for encouraging her to always stand up for herself.  

“He’s probably one of the smartest guys I’ve met,” she said. And he’s extremely well-read. He was extremely tough and he never backed down. But he didn’t do it publicly. 

“He knew that I would never back down and he would kind of push me at times to stand up. I never wanted anyone to tell me I couldn’t do something and there were a lot of people who used to tell me that. I grew up in the ‘50s and ‘60s and ‘70s and men didn’t always take kindly to women stepping out.” 

Reflecting on her long and successful career, Mayor takes special pride in her role supporting defense companies.  

“I feel very strongly about being in a position where I can help with defending America and keeping ourselves free,” she said. “Being successful at that has been very rewarding to me because I feel like I’m doing something very positive and meaningful not only to help the country but also to help our warfighters.”

“My father was so in touch with everything that was going on, he wanted to name me Freedom. My mother said no but she compromised and came up with LaFreeda to include the word free,” she said.

Jordan refers to her parents as her “foundation” and credits them for instilling in her the importance of education, being kind, helping others, and being of service to your community. 

Values that have served her well over a more-than 30-year career that includes director of U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s North Alabama Congressional Office and in her current position as Chief of External Affairs with the University of Alabama in Huntsville.  

Growing up in Montgomery, the heart of the civil rights movement, Jordan was naturally drawn to politics and world affairs.     

“For me, what kicked it off was a current affairs class in high school,” she said. “It piqued my interest in politics and world affairs. And from there I majored in political science and had the opportunity to be involved in student government.” 

Jordan served as class president at Spelman College in Atlanta before graduating and joining Sen. Shelby’s staff.  

“It was an honor and privilege to work for Senator Shelby for over 26 years as his North Alabama representative,” she said. “It’s once in a lifetime you get to work with somebody that has that large of an impact.”  

Serving as the Director of U.S. Senator Richard Shelby’s North Alabama Congressional Office, Jordan was the Senator’s principal State liaison to NASA, Department of the Army, Department of Justice and the space and defense industry leaders.

Senator Shelby calls Jordan exceptional.  

“LaFreeda Jordan was an exceptional member of my staff for over 25 years, and today, she continues to serve our state and the great city of Huntsville,” he said. “I am grateful for her years of service and commitment to the United States Senate, UAH and the people of Alabama.”  

Jordan’s wealth of experience in the political realm led to her position at UAH where she works with local, state, federal, and community leaders in government, business, research and development.   

“Working with local, state and federal leaders and the University’s new leadership under President Dr. Karr, I have the opportunity to share their stories and tell our stories,” she said.

Jordan’s deep-rooted value for education is well-suited for UAH, one of the nation’s premier research universities.  

“The University of Alabama in Huntsville is doing so many wonderful things,” she said. “We have wonderful researchers, faculty, staff and students that are so bright, that are doing unconventional things. Things you wouldn’t expect college students to be doing.” 

Jordan keeps the Bible verse Luke 12:48 close to her heart, “For whom much is given, much is required”.  

“We’ve been often blessed with a lot of talents, resources, knowledge and time,” she said. “We should all be readily willing to give back to others.”

Jordan’s unwavering determination and support for our state and its people have earned her respect and admiration throughout the years.

“I’m a firm believer in treating people with respect, dignity and kindness. Treat people the way you would like to be treated. When you do that you gain a sense of respect from others,” she said.

“Also, be true to your word. If you say something, do what you say and do what you mean.”

It’s also important to give back, Jordan said.  

“Being a service to your community, you can help change and mold the different things that are happening in society,” she said. “If you don’t get involved, then change can’t happen.”

Jordan demonstrates her commitment to service in many ways including serving on numerous boards and is a member of more than 10 area organizations: Committee of 100, Huntsville Madison County Airport Authority Board, Air Space and Missile Defense Association, Huntsville Planning Commission, The ARC of Madison County Board, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, The Links, Inc. Junior League of Huntsville, US Selective Service Board, and a past graduate of Leadership Greater Huntsville Focus Class 7 and Leadership Montgomery.

Remarking on the advice she would offer to others, Jordan emphasized knowledge is empowerment.  

“Take the time to learn everything that you possibly can when you’re offered the opportunity,” she said. “The more you learn becomes knowledge and power.”   

Despite her long, successful career supporting and advocating for North Alabama, Jordan still isn’t done.  

“The work is never done,” she said. “You plug away every day to always give back, never say no.

“You start with a ‘yes’ and then just try to help people one day at a time.”

As Christmas approaches, Sen. Katie Britt prepares to mark one year in office. Those of us who have known her since before she was elected to the Senate, knew she would be successful, but we could not have imagined the accomplishments and achievements that she has had over the past 12 months. 

In all my years of following Alabama politics, I have never seen an elected official handle a new position with such skill and personal poise. Britt has achieved the best first year in U.S. Senate history.

Britt’s predecessor in the Senate, Richard Shelby, holds the distinction of being one of Alabama’s greatest senators. Shelby even eclipsed political giants Lister Hill and John Sparkman. Replacing Shelby, after his more than 40 years in the Senate, was going to be a tall task, but Britt has proven herself more than capable and is already forging her own path into Alabama’s political hall of fame.

To begin with, Katie Britt garnered seats on the three most important committees in the U.S. Senate – Appropriations, Banking and Rules. It is unheard of for a freshman senator to get on any one of these three committees. No one in Washington history has ever seen a freshman senator hit the trifecta of Rules, Banking and Appropriations until Katie Britt.

Not only was Britt able to secure a seat on the Appropriations Committee in her first year, she was then able to use that position to secure more than $1.2 billion for Alabama. To put that number in perspective, although starting out the year dead-last in seniority, Britt finished in the top 10 of all senators when it came to securing investments for her home state. The projects funded include much-needed waterway and infrastructure improvements and new construction at Fort Novell, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Redstone Arsenal, but also fill critical needs such as expanding ambulance coverage in North Alabama and growing capacity at Troy University’s nursing school.

However, it is not all about dollars and cents. Britt holds the distinction of being the only freshman senator to ever serve as the top Republican on the Appropriations subcommittee for Homeland Security. With this position, she made three trips to the border in her first two months in office and has quickly become one of the top advocates in Congress for securing our southern border and cracking down on illegal immigration. 

On the Senate Banking Committee, where Shelby and Sparkman spent decades fighting for Alabama’s credit unions and community banks, Britt has been a strong advocate for our state’s financial institutions. After the highly publicized failures of Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic, and Signature Bank earlier this year, she pushed federal regulators to accept responsibility and worked to prevent a misguided bureaucratic power-grab. 

As a sign of the regard in which she is held by her colleagues on the Banking Committee, despite the fact that she is one of their most junior members, she led their crucial hearing last month on American financial sanctions against Iran, filling in for the chairman, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Every time folks see Britt on TV, hear her speak to a local group, or even meet her one on one, I hear about how they walk away encouraged about the future of our state and our country. I will say this, the most heartening part of this whole story is the fact that the rest of America is seeing what the people of Alabama saw long ago, that Katie Britt is truly one of our best and brightest. She conducts herself with old-school southern grace, integrity, and class, which has resulted in her being respected and liked by colleagues and constituents on both sides of the aisle.

National outlets like CBS and Politico are even talking about Britt being on a presidential ticket someday. She has quickly risen to be a conservative voice at the Republican leadership table in the Senate. This influence means Britt is in prime position to be effective for Alabama, elevating our state’s priorities and values to a new height.

If this is what she has accomplished in only her first year, I can’t wait to see what the years ahead will bring.

See you next week. 

Steve Flowers’ weekly column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature and may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

We had a very distinguished congressional delegation from Alabama during the 30-year span of 1934-1964. 

The congressmen from the Heart of Dixie appeared to be born to serve in Congress.  Their pedigrees were all similar. They had pretty much been born and raised in the town that they would eventually represent in Congress. Almost all had gone to the University of Alabama for their education and most had graduated from Alabama’s Law School. While at the Capstone, most had been members of Greek fraternities.  

In addition to their Greek fraternal affiliation, they were politically active at the Capstone and also belonged to a mystic political fraternity known as “The Machine.” This group was basically a political party that was made up of the fraternities on campus. It was well organized with secret endorsements made up of the fraternity candidates and the endorsements were only revealed the day before the election. 

The fraternity candidates very rarely lost. It is a legendary political training ground and almost every member of Congress during this era was a product of “The Machine.”

After college and law school, these men served a stint in the military. Service in a World War and then membership in the VFW seemed to be a necessity for a political career. 

Alabamians have always had an affinity for folks who served their country and came home after the war to begin a perfunctory law practice that occupied them until the congressional seat they had been preparing for came open.

Once they were elected, they planned on staying there. After all, they figured that a congressional career was what they were born for. They adhered to the adage attributed to many a southern congressman.

It was said many times by the solons from the south as they played poker in the cloakroom of the House or Senate, “I love being in Congress and the only way I will leave will be by the ballot box or in a pine box,” and usually it was the latter.

The person, who most perfectly epitomized this prototypical congressman and senator of this era, was the legendary Lister Hill of Montgomery. He was both a congressman and a senator. He was elected to Congress at age 28 and served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was then elected to the U.S. Senate in 1938, where he served Alabama with distinction for 30 years. 

Hill had been born into privilege. He was the son of Dr. Luther Hill. His father was one of the first American surgeons to successfully suture the human heart. Hoping that their son would follow his father into medicine, the parents named Joseph Lister after the famous European physician, who was the first doctor to advocate and practice use of antiseptics.

Young Lister Hill decided one day, after watching his father operate, that he would not be a doctor. He actually fainted from the sight of blood. 

The Hill family was very prominent politically in Montgomery. In fact, at this time there were two political families who were like political parties. You had to run in Montgomery as either a candidate of the Hill family or the Gunter family.

Lister set his sights on politics at an early age, probably dreamed of and maybe expected to be a U.S. senator. He entered the University of Alabama at age 16 and became the first student government president at the university. He also was the founder of the aforementioned “Machine.” He was elected to Congress at 28 and served with distinction.  He served in the U.S. House for 16 years and rose to be chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee. He was instrumental in getting the Maxwell-Gunter military complex in Montgomery.

Senator Hill had a hand in most major national legislation from 1938 to 1968.  However, his greatest legacy was in the field of Public Health. The great medical center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is because of Lister Hill. Probably the best-known legislation he was known for was the Hill-Burton Act. Through this 1946 Act, most of the rural hospitals in America and Alabama were built.

Lister Hill is without question one of our state’s greatest U.S. senators.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Former U.S. Reps. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) and Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) will be the keynote speakers at the Business Council of Alabama’s annual “Evening for Progress.” 

This year’s event will be Nov.1 in Birmingham with proceeds supporting BCA’s political arm, ProgressPAC.

Last year, BCA honored the service of U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) who retired after serving more than four decades in Congress. He was joined by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

“BCA is proud to welcome former U.S. Representatives Gowdy and Cunningham – two notable political leaders who hold a proven track-record of fighting for pro-job, pro-growth policies at the national level,” said President and CEO Helena Duncan. 

RELATED: Congressmen to BCA: National security = economic security

“Those of us who call Alabama home have witnessed the significant economic progress we’ve made over the years and have enjoyed the benefits as a result. If we want to see our state reach its full potential, then we must be well-equipped and stand ready to support pro-business candidates across Alabama.”

Gowdy served South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District from 2011-19. Since leaving public office, he has returned to practicing law and rejoined the Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough firm. He also serves as a Fox News contributor and Sunday night primetime host. 

RELATED: BCA announces first round of judicial endorsements

Cunningham represented South Carolina’s First Congressional District from 2019-21. During his tenure in the House, Cunningham was part of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate to conservative Democrats. 

He was the Democratic nominee for South Carolina governor in 2022 but was defeated by incumbent Republican Gov. Henry McMaster last November. Before running for public office, Cunningham practiced law and co-owned a small business.

The South Carolina congressmen will discuss the current state of political affairs and their experience on Capitol Hill. Past speakers included former President George W. Bush and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.   

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

The federal omnibus appropriation bill that was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 29, 2022, includes $76 million championed by former U.S. Senator Richard Shelby to support a needed new Biomedical Research and Psychology Building at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The project — announced earlier this year following stage 1 approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees — had already received a separate $76 million federal appropriation. The project has now received $152 million in federal funding.

Pending additional approvals by UA System Board of Trustees, the building will house the research-intensive departments from the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, as well as the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Psychology.

“We remain grateful to Senator Shelby, who championed this important project at the federal level, as well as the UA System Office and the Board of Trustees for their support of this new facility that will be a hub for further interdisciplinary collaboration in the heart of our campus,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Interdisciplinary collaboration is a longtime strength and hallmark of UAB. State-of-the-art facilities like this advance the aims of our strategic plan, make UAB more competitive globally, and bring better health and quality of life to the people of Alabama and beyond.”

“I am proud to have worked with UAB to secure an additional $76 million in federal funding for a new biomedical research building,” Shelby said. “This project is critical to significant scientific discoveries that will contribute to the advancement of health care for the state, the nation and the world. My goal has always been to create the conditions for growth and success, and this facility will undoubtedly enhance Alabama’s future.”

University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John says Shelby played an instrumental role in advocating for strategic priorities that address critical societal needs across the University of Alabama System, including UAB.

“We have great appreciation for Senator Shelby’s unwavering commitment to advancing scientific research and education and his invaluable leadership in securing critical federal funding that will bring this project to life,” St. John said. “The transformative work performed in this new facility will improve countless lives and elevate UAB’s standing as a global leader in biomedical research.”

UAB Vice President for Research Chris Brown says the Biomedical Research and Psychology Building will allow UAB to aggressively expand its research portfolio and related funding and economic impact.

“This new building is a much-needed resource and great addition for our researchers,” Brown said. “The collective strength of our research enterprise generated more than $700 million in funding last year — which bolsters the institution, Birmingham, Alabama and beyond. To increase that economic impact, we need more space for the important work taking place. This building provides that additional space, which will be critical to expanding our research portfolio and all the positive effects that has.”

UAB research funding exceeded $715 million in 2022 — a $67.8 million year-to-year boost that extends UAB’s five-year increase to $237 million, which represents a 50 percent growth in research funding during that time period.

Wet and dry research laboratories and research support spaces in the new Biomedical Research and Psychology Building will provide the flexibility necessary for investigators from various fields and disciplines to utilize the space. Flexibility will also allow for the optimized utilization of the space, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and the sharing of scientific equipment and resources.

Activity-based layouts will be used to promote collaboration and provide easier access to resources and safe environments. Occupants will have access to various work platforms to promote maximum creativity and productivity.

The building will be located in the heart of the academic campus just north of University Boulevard and west of 16th Street South, across from the Heersink School of Medicine’s Volker Hall. The new building will affect some of the existing parking east of the UAB Hill Student Center, which is planned to be addressed by a new parking deck just north of the student center. The new parking deck received stage 3 approval from the UA System Board of Trustees at its September meeting.

(Courtesy of UAB)

7. Trump says “it wasn’t me”

• Former President Donald Trump is tired of being blamed for Republicans losing in 2022 and he says the issue was abortion. It was actually both.
• In a Truth Social post, Trump touted his bloated 233-20 win-loss record, he said, “It was the ‘abortion issue,’ poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters.”

6. Two of the Crimson Tide’s greatest go pro

• Starting QB and 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young is going pro, forgoing another season in Tuscaloosa for what is expected to be a top draft pick slot in the NFL.
• Will Anderson Jr., a back-to-back winner of the award for the nation’s top defensive player, will also leave the team.

5. Details of Montgomery airport worker killed are tragic

• The details of a tragic accident at the Montgomery Regional Airport have come to light. It is now known that the man was killed when he was “ingested into the engine” of an aircraft.
• National Transportation Safety Board said an American Airlines Embraer 170 was at a gate with its parking brake on and engine running when the incident occurred. Wade A. Davis, the airport’s executive director, said, “We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines.”

4. Candidates referred to AG for campaign finance violations

• Campaign finance laws are not that complicated in the state of Alabama. The rules are basically that when you raise money you have to declare how much you raised, who it came from and where you spend it.
• Last week, Secretary of State John Merrill announced that dozens of candidates were not able to follow the state’s painfully simple campaign finance laws. Merrill has supplied local district attorneys and Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office with information about candidates who did not file.

3. It was gang violence on New Year’s Eve in Mobile

• Surprisingly, the shooting in Mobile near the city’s annual Moon Pie Over Mobile event was gang-related, according to the city’s police chief. A shooting at a Wal-Mart in the city might be connected, as well. 
• When pressed on the gang activity, Chief Paul Prine said, “We’re not dealing with organized gangs, that’s important to know. It’s not the MS-13s or the Bloods or the Crips that people commonly know. They can be violent as you can see, but they can be loosely connected.”

2. Brooks out, Strong in

• For years, Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) and U.S. Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) served together on the Madison County Commission and now Strong will be following Brooks in Congress after six terms.
• Strong says, “[t]he first thing is listening to the people of the 5th Congressional District,” but his first vote will be for Speaker of the House, a vote that sets the agenda moving forward. Both Strong and U.S. Rep. Aderholt have voiced their support for U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a battle that seems like a foregone conclusion but has a less than clear path moving forward even without a challenger.

1. Shelby out, Britt in

• For the first time in roughly three dozen years, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) will not be holding a seat in the U.S. Senate, his former chief-of-staff will be taking his place.
• Sen.-elect Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) says she is ready to “hit the ground running” and adds, “I want Alabamians to hear this commitment directly from me: I am firmly resolved to never be outworked and to always make Alabama proud in the United States Senate.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted mostly along party lines Friday to advance the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill, averting a government shutdown.

In its final vote prior to the Christmas break, the chamber voted 225-201 to approve the Senate-led government funding bill. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) was the Alabama House delegation’s lone vote in favor of the measure.

Regarding Thursday’s vote in the upper chamber, U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) were split on the bill. Shelby, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted in favor of the spending package.

Highlights of the bill include $858 billion in defense spending, $772.5 billion in domestic spending, $45 billion in aid to Ukraine, and $40 billion in natural disaster funding.

Republican members of Alabama’s federal delegation released statements shortly after the vote concluded slamming the massive $1.7 trillion measure.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville), member of the House Appropriations Committee, took exception to the process employed by Democrats to usher the legislation through Congress.

“While there were parts of this omnibus package that I endorsed and fought for, ultimately, Democrats pursued a process that made the package impossible for me to support,” said Aderholt. “This eleventh hour omnibus continues a reckless spending pattern. It will increase inflation, it fails to address the crisis at the border, and leaves Americans with sky-high energy costs.

“Going forward, I am hopeful that the new Republican-led Majority in the House will allow us to pass government funding bills on time, that address our nation’s most pressing problems and abide by the conservative principles which constituents in Alabama’s 4th Congressional District hold dear.”

According to U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, approving “a $1.7 trillion spending bill days before Christmas is government at its very worst.”

“This over-4,000-page bill fails to address issues that matter most to the American people. Our border is left open during a record wave of illegal immigration,” said Palmer. “Almost $4 billion is spent on energy assistance programs while Democrats continue to vilify widely available forms of energy and drive-up costs.

“The $800 billion aimed at non-defense spending is the highest level in the history of the nation while our country is experiencing inflation at 7.1% compared to last year.”

While acknowledging “some good things” are included in the bill, U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) said “there are way too many bad things for me to support it.”

“This bill spends billions of taxpayer dollars on things like beefing up the IRS and the UN, while doing nothing to secure our southern border and stop the flow of deadly drugs into our communities, ease the burden of inflation on hardworking American families, or lower the cost of fuel,” said Carl. “These should be our top priorities, but this bill simply does nothing to address these issues.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), lead candidate for the speaker’s gavel, publicly advocated for a deal on the appropriations package to be postponed until Republicans gained control of the House in January.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) blasted the Senate Republicans who assisted Democrats in ensuring the bill met legislative approval.

“This bill not only continues or increases funding for the Biden administration’s most dangerous policies, but because the vote occurred after the November elections, Democrats were unshackled by accountability from the voters and free to include even more radical programs from their wish list,” said Moore. “I was encouraged at the overwhelming opposition from the American people to this disastrous legislation, but it was disappointing to watch so many of their elected representatives sign off on whatever was necessary to get home for the holidays.

“With so many Senate Republicans time and again unwilling to go to the mat for our voters, House Republicans must take the lead in the next Congress fighting for the interests of the American people.”

In praising the bill’s passage, Sewell said the measure’s provisions “are a direct reflection of the values that we as a nation hold dear.”

“[W]ith this year’s government funding package we’re uplifting working families, creating jobs, strengthening our economy, and protecting democracy at home and abroad,” said Sewell. “The package also makes key investments critical to the success of Alabama’s 7th District including in health care, broadband, wastewater infrastructure, food and housing assistance, Civil Rights historic preservation, and our cherished HBCUs.

“I’m thrilled that this package includes several of my own bills to strengthen and expand access to health care for Alabama’s rural communities. I know that these bills will make a big difference for our rural Alabamians and the health care providers who serve them.”

The fiscal year 2023 appropriations package now heads to the White House, where President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL

In U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s (R-Tuscaloosa) final legislative effort of his 36-year senatorial career, the master appropriator once again delivered for the state of Alabama.

The U.S. Senate passed the fiscal year 2023 appropriations package by a 68-29 vote Thursday afternoon, averting a government shutdown. The bill will now head to the U.S. House of Representatives, where it is expected to meet final approval.

Perhaps most notably for Alabama, the $1.7 trillion bill includes $666 million in earmarks that Shelby secured for the state. Due to Shelby’s efforts, Alabama led the nation in being the nation’s top earmark recipient, leading the second-closest state by a total of $168 million.

Over the course of a two-year span, the federal dollars in earmarks Shelby delivered for Alabama in the 117th Congress amounts to $1.2 billion.

As previously reported by Yellowhammer News, the fiscal year 2023 funding package served as Shelby’s last deal that he would negotiate as vice chairman and lead Republican of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

After successfully ensuring Alabama’s funding priorities were met for a final time, the GOP’s chief appropriator released a statement reflecting on his storied career.

“Throughout my career, I have done everything in my power to bring success to my home state. The funding for Alabama in this package is significant in terms of the impact it will have on communities and the overall state-wide economy for generations to come,” said Shelby in a release. “This package also represents a serious commitment to our national defense, aid for Americans in need as a result of natural disasters, and continuing support for the people of Ukraine as they fight against Russian aggression.

“While the path to get here was winding at times, I am proud that we have completed our work for the American people.

Shelby, who will soon conclude his 44 years of service to Alabama on Capitol Hill, hopes that the Yellowhammer State will reap the fruits of his labor for decades to come.

“I have been blessed to represent the great state of Alabama for 36 years in the Senate, and it is my hope that I have left the state better than I found it. I look forward to witnessing the results of this funding and the state’s continued growth as a private citizen in just a few short weeks.

“Thank you, Alabama. Serving you has been the honor of my lifetime.”

Alabama’s upper chamber delegation was split on the vote, as U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) opposed the omnibus package.

Taking issue with the “piecemeal” manner in which Congress “has approached funding the government over the past two decades,” Tuberville said lawmakers “are forced to consider massive budgets at the last minute.”

“[A]mericans have to live within their means while Congress burns money we don’t have,” he said. “I opposed the omnibus because Congress should be responsible enough to spend no more than we can afford, just as Americans do every day.”

The following is a breakdown of spending affecting Alabama, including earmarks, according to Shelby’s office:

Impacting Montgomery and the Wiregrass:

• $13 million for the Abbeville Municipal Airport for the design and construct of additional runway length.
• $1.4 billion for flight training at Fort Rucker.
• $360 million for Future Vertical Lift research, which will accelerate the development of helicopters flown at Fort Rucker, and an additional $23 million to accelerate the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft.
• $166.5 million for United States Coast Guard MH-60T sustainment.
• $136 million to upgrade the MH-60 series helicopters.
• $165 million for 15 additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors.
• $216 million for Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGMs).
• $785 million for Joint Air-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSMs) and $161 million for Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs).
• $115 million for Hellfire missiles, which are made in Troy.
• $170 million for Javelin missiles.
• $15 million military construction project building a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Gate at Maxwell Air Force Base.
• $9 million military construction project building a F-35 Weapons Load Crew Training facility at the Montgomery Region Airport.

Impacting North Alabama:

• Army Research – $17 billion for continued investment in transformational technologies to address modern and future Army warfighting needs.
• Hypersonic weapons – fully funds Army hypersonic research, as well as an additional $60 million to develop a common hypersonic glide body and $50 million towards high energy laser development.
• $2.6 billion for Space Launch System, of which $600 million is for concurrent Block 1B development, which is managed by Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
• $110 million for nuclear thermal propulsion, which benefits Marshall Space Flight Center.
• $652 million for FBI construction at Redstone Arsenal, which supports ongoing and growing efforts in Huntsville.
• $44 million military construction project building a Physics Lab at Redstone Arsenal.
• $52 million military construction project building Consolidated Warehouses.
• $6 million military construction project updating Building 6231 at Redstone Arsenal.
• $151 million military construction project for DIA/MSIC’s Advanced Analysis Facility Phase 2.
• $11 million military construction project for Backup Power Generation.
• $30 million in funding for Alabama’s Northern Beltline of the Appalachian Development Highway System.
• $500,000 for the Invasive Species Mitigation Plan to begin the planning, design, initial engineering and project management for construction of carp barriers in the Mississippi River Basin, including the Tennessee River, and the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway.
• $27 million for the Fish and Wildlife Service to combat Asian Carp and enhance efforts in sub-basins of the Mississippi River, which includes key areas of Alabama in the Tennessee and Cumberland basins.
• No less than $10.5 million, $3.5 million above FY22 enacted level, for the NOAA VORTEX-SE program, which is located at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Impacting Tuscaloosa:

• $50 million for the University of Alabama for a permanent endowment fund to support the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty in science and engineering.
• $45 million to the University of Alabama to construct the Center for Hydrologic Computing, which will support CIROH and its co-located partners, the NWC and the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), in hydrologic research, education, and forecasting.
• $10 million for The University of Alabama for an institute on public service and leadership, including a scholars program.
• $100 million for the Alabama Department of Transportation to replace the existing Woolsey Finnell Bridge with a six-lane bridge in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
• $26 million for the Tuscaloosa National Airport for the design and construction of additional runway length.
• $45 million in grant funding for the nation’s protection and advocacy (P&A) system, which includes the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) in Tuscaloosa.
• $40 million in formula State grants for Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), which supports the ADAP PAIMI program in Tuscaloosa.
• Provides funding to the U.S. Geological Survey to support the new USGS Hydrological Instrumentation facility, which is located at the University of Alabama – $13.5 million to support integrated water prediction operations; $4 million to assist in future hydrological research and operational efforts; $4.5 million for university partnerships for innovative water resource sensor technologies.
• $5 million for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to establish a Center for Paleo-environmental Records of Extreme Events, which will be located the University of Alabama.
• No less than $38.5 million to support staffing and operations at the National Water Center (NWC) in Tuscaloosa.
• $28.25 million, $8.25 million above the FY22 enacted level, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), which is located at the University of Alabama, to assist NOAA and the National Water Center in addressing the nation’s growing water-related challenges and leveraging CIROH expertise for most operationally relevant research.

— $1 million is maintained for the National Centers for Costal Ocean Service to collaborate on research priorities with the NOAA CIROH.

Impacting the Birmingham Area:

• $76 million for the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine to build a biomedical research building.
• $55 million for the Secret Service’s National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), located in Hoover, to expand training opportunities for state and local law enforcement and legal and judicial professionals in computer forensics and cyber investigations.
• $5 million for the Secret Service’s Cyber Fraud Task Forces to increase mission effectiveness and provide modern investigative capabilities to combat transnational crimes.
• $23 million to repurpose and renovate NCFI facilities to accommodate for the ongoing growth of the program.
• $30 million in funding for Alabama’s Northern Beltline of the Appalachian Development Highway System.
• $47.5 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of nearly $2.5 billion above FY22 funding level.
• $7.32 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), an increase of $407.6 million from FY22.
• $923 million for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).
• $629 million for Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs), which continues funding for a CTSA award at UAB.
• $25 million in grant funding for the Regional Pediatric Pandemic Network, a network of ten Children’s hospitals, including Children’s of Alabama.
• $52 million in targeted funds for Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) to test FDA-approved drugs at research institutions across the country, including UAB.
• $280.295 million of the NIH, Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative, to address addiction and develop alternatives to opioids for safe and effective pain management.
• $520.163 million for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and continued support of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, founded and hosted at UAB.
• $47 million for Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), which supports the Alabama Statewide AHEC Program that is hosted within the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine.
• $119 million for the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), which supports the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Recreational Technologies (RERC Rec-Tech) in Birmingham.
• $8 million in Emerging Infectious Diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to utilize its clinical trial partners and the Mycoses Study Group, which is affiliated with UAB.
• Funding consistent with cooperative agreement to support the Department of Energy’s National Carbon Capture Center in Wilsonville.
• $4.5 million, $1.5 million above the FY22 enacted level, for the NIST Cybersecurity of Genomic Data program, which supports ongoing research in cybersecurity for genomic and biomedical-based systems at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Impacting Anniston:

• $171 million for Hydra rockets, which are built in Anniston and fired from Army and Marine Corps helicopters.
• Funding for Army vehicles overhauled and maintained at Anniston Army Depot, including:

— $1.25 billion to continue upgrading and modernizing the M1 Abrams tanks;

— $891 million for Stryker vehicle upgrades;

— $680 million for Paladin Integrated Management artillery vehicles; and

• $71 million for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.

Impacting Auburn:

• $15 million to continue the three recently established Institutes for Rural Partnerships, including Auburn University.
• Provides funding to the Agricultural Research Service, which supports current research initiatives at Auburn University:

— Additional $3 million for research on improvements in broiler production;

— Additional $1.5 million for improving health and productivity of agricultural fields at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory;

— Additional $2 million for further research on harmful algal blooms to support aquaculture production;

— Additional $2.5 million for sustainable food safety strategies for poultry;

— $3 million for the Animal Health and Agro Bio-Defense Program;

— $3 million for sustainable and advanced technologies for poultry processing;

— $6 million to address cotton blue disease;

— $4 million for aquaponics system development;

— $2 million for biomass conversion technologies at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory.

• Provides funding to the Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center for research initiatives, which will be supported by Auburn University:

— $10 million to support research and development of natural infrastructure solutions for bays and estuaries;

— $6 million, an increase of $4 million above FY22 enacted levels, for effects of navigation locks on threatened and endangered species.

• $8 million, $3 million above the FY22 enacted level, to support disease diagnostics efforts at Fish and Wildlife Service’s Warm Springs Fish Health Center, which collaborates with Auburn University’s Southeast Cooperative Fish Parasite & Disease Laboratory.
• $5 million to the U.S. Forest Service for research on forest carbon sequestration and pine needle blight, which supports work conducted at Auburn University.
• $8 million for the Department of Homeland Security’s Explosive Detection Canine Program, which was developed in collaboration with Auburn University.

Impacting the Mobile Area:

• $50 million for the City of Mobile to provide a revolving loan fund for commercial development and redevelopment of the downtown Mobile area.
• $35 million for Spring Hill College for a nursing and health sciences facility.
• $645 million for two additional Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS). The EMS or “hospital ship,” includes an intensive care unit and other health care accommodations, while maintaining most of the original mission requirements.
• $200 million for the Alabama State Port Authority to provide rail infrastructure improvements, construct an inland container intermodal transfer facility, and expand the Port of Mobile’s existing container terminal.
• $9 million in grant funding for Assertive Community Treatment for individuals with serious mental illness.
• $56 million, $6 million above the FY22 enacted level, for the operations and maintenance of Donor and Energy Transfer Ports, which benefits the Port of Mobile.
• Provides funding to the Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center for research initiatives, which will be supported by multi-universities, including the University of South Alabama, and the National Water Center in Tuscaloosa:

— $13.5 million for the Coastal Inlet Research Program, of which $8 million will be used for engineering frameworks to address coastal resilience needs and additional funding is provided to the NWC on protecting the nation’s water resources.

• No less than $5 million for the State Management of Recreational Red Snapper to ensure successful implementation of NOAA’s “Reef Fish Amendment 50” and language for NMFS to delay implementation of recalibration between sectors until the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council can appropriately use this new abundance and more targeted catch data when making management decisions regarding red snapper.
• Language for NOAA to provide grants to academic partners for Gulf of Mexico Fisheries research, which will support future marine fisheries research at the University of South Alabama.
• No less than $3 million to support implementation of electronic logbooks for federally permitted Gulf Coast charter-fishermen.
• Provides no less than FY22 levels for staffing and operations at the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center in Mobile.
• $77 million for the Coast Guard’s Waterways Commerce Cutter program.

Statewide Impact:

• Supports the President’s budget request of $133.6 million for Army Corps of Engineers’ dredging projects throughout the State of Alabama.

— Additional $26.4 million above the President’s budget request to support further Army Corps’ dredging operations along multiple waterways and bays in Alabama.

• $35 million for the construction of a math and science facility at Marion Military Institute.
• $50 million for the Department of Labor (DOL) Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) program, to provide enhanced worker training in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions.
• $385 million for the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME), which will increase Pediatric residencies at Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Mobile and Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham.
• $3.98 billion for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to continue addressing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and prioritized funding that reduces CVD among the hardest-hit—African Americans living in the rural South.
• $24.343 million for Nursing Workforce Diversity to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing student stipends, scholarships, and preparation and retention activities.
• $40 million for the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases’ Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) program, which brings cutting edge technology to the front lines of public health by harnessing the power of next-generation sequencing and high performance computing with bioinformatics and epidemiology expertise to study pathogens.
• $362.8 million for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to conduct research and make recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury. Including:

— $32 million for Education and Research Centers and;

— $29 million for the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program.

• $196.5 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) to support research related to identifying and reducing health disparities.
• $9.5 million for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) to continue the NTID’s current Regional STEM Center (NRSC).
• $6 million for the Center for Assistive Technology Training (CATT) regional partnership, a collaboration between the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).
• $8.5 million for Gallaudet University’s regional partnership through the Early Language Acquisition Project (ELAP), headquartered at the AIDB in Talladega.
• $715.5 million for Adult Career, Technical, and Education (CTE) State grants.
• $80 million in grant funding for biomedical research facilities to expand, remodel, renovate, or alter existing research facilities or construct new research facilities.
• $205.6 million for the National Center on Birth Defects, Developmental Disability and Health (NCBDDD), including $2.5 million for partnership between national disability organizations, such as the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) located in Birmingham.
• $25 million for Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) to increase the number of health-service psychologists to high-need, underserved populations in urban and rural communities.
• $90 million for the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program, which supports evidence-based professional development for teachers, principals, and other school leaders, teacher and leader preparation and other activities.
• $373.5 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health services, as well as access to such services.
• $20.15 million for the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) program, which provides grants to agencies to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities who are ineligible for the protection and advocacy services available through the Development Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act.
• $13.118 million for the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program, which supports the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services in Montgomery.
• $81 million for State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, which supports the Alabama State Council for Developmental Disabilities in Montgomery.
• $1.43 billion for the National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, including $58.42 million for Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.
• $2 million for the National Lupus Outreach and Clinical Trial Education Program.
• Provides funding to the Rural Utilities Service and Farm Service Agency for water-related technical assistance programs, which positively impact rural communities in Alabama:

— $75 million for the Watershed Flood and Prevention Program, including a set-aside and language to exempt watershed projects that impact areas greater than 250,000 acres, which helps expand irrigation agriculture projects in Alabama;

— $21.18 million for the Circuit Rider Program.

• $3 million to continue the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service pilot program to assist statewide departments of agriculture and forestry commissions, including the Alabama Forestry Commission, in controlling the spread of cogongrass.
• $400,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue a feasibility study on riverine fish passages at Claiborne and Millers Ferry Locks and Dams on the lower Alabama River.
• $30.1 million for the Delta Regional Authority, including $15 million for flood control, basic public infrastructure development, and transportation improvements.

— $200 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission, including $65 million for the POWER initiative that provides federal funding to help communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining and coal power plant operations, $16.5 million for industrial site and workforce development in Southern and South Central Alabama, and $8 million for Local Development Districts.

• $135 million for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program and language to expedite and streamline the OSMRE review process of AMLER projects, which supports the Alabama Department of Labor in funding projects in Alabama.
• $4.4 million for State Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plans, which will support the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ efforts to prevent and control the spread of aquatic nuisance species throughout the State of Alabama.
• Provided funding for the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Legacy Restoration Fund projects in Alabama:

— $7.451 million for the Freedom Riders National Monument;

— $1.919 million for the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge;

— $1.769 million for the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL

7. GoFundMe set up for Alabama veterans who were trapped in Ukraine

• The Alabama Republican Party is looking to help raise funds for the families of two Alabama veterans captured in Ukraine and held by Russian forces from June to September.
• The goal of the GoFundMe account is to help Alex Drueke and Andy Huyn raise enough money to pay off their bills ahead of the Christmas holiday. ALGOP Chairman John Wahl set up the account and private donations after learning the men’s families were paying for their flights home. Wahl said in a press release, “These families went through so much, and I wanted to show that we cared. The Alabama Republican Party has always been supportive of our veterans, and this is just one small way we can help give back.”

6. Facebook $1.5 billion data center in Alabama may be dead, for now, maybe

• A new economic development deal for Facebook parent company Meta and north Alabama could be in peril. Huntsville’s facility is not the only one being shelved for now, Temple, Texas and Odense, Denmark also had their projects paused or canceled.
• Meta says the Alabama deal is not dead, “We remain committed to this community, our local stakeholders, and our supply chain partners. We will work closely with our stakeholders to transition this project design as efficiently as possible.” There is speculation that Meta lost so much money attempting to set up a functional and thriving metaverse that other projects have been changed.

5. No surprise that Democrats will release Trump’s tax returns

• Surprise! Surprise. Surprise …  Democrat members of the House Way and Means Committee have voted to take former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, acquired under the pretense of doing oversight of the Internal Revenue Service’s auditing process, and release them to the public. That was always the plan.
• The chair of the committee, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), wouldn’t say if there was anything nefarious in Trump’s taxes on the personal or business side. Neal suggested that “we need to leave that to the tax folks,” after voting to release the tax returns, which is all this was about.

4. Budget deal brokered by Shelby gets closer

• After doing nothing on the issue of the budget to keep the United States of America’s government functioning for a full year, members of Congress are prepared to move a huge deficit-spending bill through both Democrat-led houses of Congress with less than 3 days left before a government shutdown.
• Alabama’s senior U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) is right in the middle of the issue and has now gained the support of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) who says the bill is “as good as it gets.” The bill is full of earmarks, including $656.4 million for Alabama.

3. Biden’s inflation plan is his bad immigration plan with a new desired outcome

• Every plan that the Biden administration has unveiled has been pretty bad, and their next plan to fight inflation is worse than the Inflation Reduction Act, which did not act to reduce inflation. Now the administration wants to fight inflation with more immigration.
• The plan includes providing legal status to “Dreamers” and increasing the labor supply through immigration. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told Axios, “[w]e’re down a million immigrants a year. That’s a workforce that we need.” But this ignores the massive illegal immigration issues we are currently dealing with and the fact she is calling for an influx of low-wage labor or indentured servants.

2. Biden’s immigration plan is open borders

• The solution to a massive immigration problem is apparently to make immigration easier, illegal and otherwise. As if this was not bad enough, the Biden administration is now actively courting the end of Title 42. These geniuses want to wait until after Christmas. After all, Christmas is the holiday the media and their Democrats use to incorrectly tell you that “Jesus was an immigrant” or “Jesus was a transgender drag queen immigrant.”
• Luckily for Biden and his totally competent team, 14,000 immigrants a day are expected to cross the border daily after Title 42 expires; up from 9,000 now as the current system fails. So, even though illegal immigration is at record levels, Biden wants to pour gasoline on a fire and then throw your family into it,

1. Here are some dumb things in the latest “must-pass” spending bill

• Any spending bill is going to have pork in it, this bill is no exception. The bill working its way through Congress has $858 billion in defense spending and $772.5 billion in non-defense discretionary spending. Not all of that discretionary spending is pork, but in those 4,155 pages, there is a lot … oink … oink.
• U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) and his staff fired off a lengthy tweet thread focusing on some of the more ridiculous items in the bill. This includes, but is not limited to, $3 million for bee-friendly highways; $575 million for “family planning” to stop threats to biodiversity; a federal building named for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.); a Michelle Obama Trail; $477k for antiracist stuff; $3 million for the LGBTQ+ museum; $1.2 million for DACA recipients; Ukrainian Independence Park in D.C.; $524.4 million for Diversity Equity and Inclusion gender programs in Pakistan; $7.5 million to better understand domestic radicalization; and $535 million for the hit pieces from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Lastly, money CAN NOT be spent on our border security but $410 million is available for border security in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia and Oman.

U.S. Rep.-elect Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) announced Tuesday his complete slate of senior-level congressional staff appointments. The incoming congressman’s announcement follows his recent appointments for chief of staff and district director.

Chandler Shields, whose congressional experience dates back to 2017, will serve as Strong’s deputy chief of staff and scheduler.

A native of Monrovia, Shields began her career on Capitol Hill in the office of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). In 2018, she moved to Sen. Richard Shelby’s (R-Tuscaloosa) office, where she served as the assistant to the chief of staff.

While serving Alabama’s senior senator, Shields assisted with office operations and held the position of legislative correspondent covering the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee portfolio.

In 2022, Shields transitioned into the nonprofit sector at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America  to serve in the organization’s Resource Development and Government Relations Department. There, Shields managed projects for the nonprofit’s government relations’ advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill.

She also assisted the organization’s chief development & public affairs officer to head the organization’s strategic priorities to best serve its clubs. Shields holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Alabama, where she specialized in nonprofit communication management. In 2020, she earned her master’s degree in public policy from Liberty University.

Shields has served as the vice president of the National Capital Chapter of the University of Alabama’s Alumni Association, a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, and leads Alabama’s Committee on Taste of the South.

Ella Sullins, a fifth-generation Huntsville resident, will serve as Strong’s legislative director. In this capacity, she will oversee the congressman’s legislative agenda. Sullins joins Strong’s staff after nearly five years of service in Shelby’s office, where she is currently a Legislative Assistant.

In her role with Shelby, Sullins advises the senator on matters concerning homeland security, law enforcement, the FBI, veterans affairs, and state and foreign operations. Her focus area relates to Shelby’s position as vice chairman and, previously, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

In addition, Sullins worked closely with the national security advisor in support of the senator’s defense, NASA, commercial space and military construction priorities across Alabama.

Ashley Satterfield, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) military legislative assistant, will serve Strong in the same role.

Satterfield is leading the National Defense Authorization Act process for Tuberville and advises him on matters related to the Senate Armed Services Committee, space and foreign policy.

The Decatur native and Auburn University graduate held roles with U.S. Reps. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville).

Madison Neal, an anchor for WHNT 19 News, has been named Strong’s communications director. Prior to becoming an anchor, she served as a multimedia journalist and reporter.

During her four years in Tennessee Valley, Neal has cultivated contacts across the 5th Congressional District and reported on local issues.

Born and raised in central Alabama, Neal graduated from Cleveland High School in Blount County. She attended Troy University and graduated summa cum laude, earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism.

While at Troy University, Neal was inducted into numerous honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Lambda Pi Eta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Alpha Lambda Delta. She served as a Trojan ambassador and was a sister of Kappa Delta sorority. Neal also held the title of Miss Troy University and is the current Miss Alabama Volunteer.

The journalism professional’s passions include the nonprofit community and addiction awareness.

In Strong’s district operations, Ellen Reid and Somerville Town Councilman Josh Melson will serve as field representatives.

Hailing from Frankfort, Ky., Reid worked for the Republican Party of Kentucky and served as legislative liaison for former Gov. Matt Bevin.

Upon moving to North Alabama in the spring of 2021, she joined the Dale Strong for Congress campaign team. Reid holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a masters of public administration from Murray State University.

Melson has spent the last six years in the classroom as an agriscience educator and Future Farmers of America advisor. Along with the town council, Melson is a youth pastor and recently completed his chairmanship of the Morgan County Young Farmers.

Melson was recognized as the 2022 Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture winner by the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) for his contributions to the agriculture industry. He formerly served as the area director for ALFA, where he served north central and northwest Alabama farmers, and assisted on agriculture issues and policies.

He also served a stint with the Alabama Cooperative Extension system as the extension coordinator for Lawrence County. In this role, Melson was actively involved in the Children’s Policy Council, Lawrence County Rotary Club, Moulton Chamber of Commerce, and served numerous agriculture programs and organizations.

Melson is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies of agriculture leadership and education, and a master’s in agriculture leadership.

Throughout his 36-year career in the upper chamber of Congress, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) staked his claim as being one of the body’s most skilled negotiators.

Shelby, 88, bid his farewell address on the Senate floor last week. On Jan. 3, when the 118th Congress is seated, an era will come to an end. Alabama’s longest-serving U.S. senator will close what will undoubtedly be a career that political science majors study for decades to come.

While Shelby is set to enter retirement 27 years older than the average American, the senator’s work ethic has yet to subside and appears to bear no relation to his age.

The GOP’s chief appropriator, Shelby is seeking $656.4 million in earmarks for his home state in the fiscal year 2023 spending bill. While many fiscal hawks positioned to Shelby’s political right have taken exception to the practice of earmarking, the dean of Alabama’s federal delegation takes great pride in sending dollars back to the Yellowhammer State.

Due to his seniority, Shelby has long been well-positioned to secure federal funding for Alabama-based projects. Following the 2018 retirement of former U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Shelby rose to one of the most prestigious positions on Capitol Hill: chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

For years, Shelby leveraged his influence and bipartisan deal-making capabilities to land funding provisions favorable to Alabama. Once he found himself holding the highest-ranking position on the Senate’s most powerful committee, Shelby took full advantage of the opportunity.

Through his committee work, Shelby has delivered billions of dollars in federal funding to Alabama’s universities, infrastructure, defense industrial base, among many other priorities vital to the state.

Given that this will mark Shelby’s final government funding bill, the statesman will seek to galvanize bipartisan forces one final time before exiting the halls of Congress.

On the line, as aforementioned, is the $656.4 million in earmarks for Alabama. Adding to the dramatics, the federal government will experience a partial shutdown if no deal is reached by midnight Friday. Coupled, these two factors qualify the bill as high-stakes legislation.

Alabama’s senior senator has taken heat from House conservatives over his willingness to play ball with Democratic appropriators. According to some, Shelby’s actions amount to a “betrayal” and are being undertaken for the senator to erect a “new monument to himself.”

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who is the lead candidate to become the next speaker, has openly slammed Senate Republicans’ work to cooperate with the opposing party to enact the $1.7 trillion funding bill. McCarthy has suggested that any deal on a funding package should be postponed until Republicans retake a House majority in January.

“The Republican leader in the House, he’s focused on one thing: being speaker,” Shelby told Politico in a recent interview. “That’s part of the political game.”

According to Shelby, if his endeavor proves successful, it could potentially save the House GOP Caucus grief due to the infighting that typically ensues over funding measures.

“If we’re successful, we’ll have probably done them a favor,” Shelby said. “There probably won’t be much thanks for it.”

He acknowledged that lower chamber Republicans “can’t say that,” and asserted that he understands “what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.”

For a man who already has his name engraved on an untold number of structures throughout Alabama, Shelby takes issue with U.S. Rep. Chip Roy’s (R-Texas) suggestion that he wishes to make this last spending bill about his legacy.

“I don’t want a monument,” he told Politico. “Monuments are for pigeons and dogs.”

Shelby not only faces detractors from his right flank, but has also received criticism from U.S. Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), who is set to become chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

“I was surprised that they didn’t enter into negotiations, because they are the Republicans in the House,” said Shelby. “They should have been at the table, but they chose not to come. That’s up to them.”

According to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), Shelby’s unique position that exposes him to attacks from Republican colleagues “goes with the business. You know, like being a head coach.” Alabama’s junior senator also agreed that Shelby’s efforts would help Republicans circumvent infighting next year.

Shelby, a former Democrat who changed political affiliation after the South’s party restructuring, told Politico that “you’re not going to have your way yourself. You’ve got to work with other people to advance your cause. Try to understand where they’re coming from.”

While failure to successfully negotiate a final deal will not define Shelby’s career, securing a victory by ending his tenure in bipartisan fashion would be emblematic of the master appropriator’s service in the world’s greatest deliberative body.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL

Radio talk show host Dale Jackson and 256 Today CEO Mecca Musick take you through Alabama’s biggest political stories.

7. What’s up dox? Media not happy with Musk ban

• Well, Elon Musk has had enough. The CEO of both Tesla and Twitter is now banning “journalists,” such Keith Olbermann, for linking to websites that track the location of Musk jet after an alleged stalker believed he was following a car with his son in it. Musk says the ban will be for seven days for doxxing.
• CNN’s reporting on this is as honest as you would expect, the headline states, “Elon Musk’s Twitter bans CNN, NYT, WaPo journalists without explanation.” But Musk has tweeted exactly what this is about, “They posted my exact real-time location, basically assassination coordinates, in (obvious) direct violation of Twitter terms of service.” Musk warned that he would ban accounts that track the location of people in real time, he changed Twitter’s policy, and explicitly stated, “Same doxxing rules apply to ‘journalists’ as to everyone else.”

6. Trump branded NFTs. Trump. Branded. NFTs.

• There was a promise of a huge announcement Thursday from Trump world, and there was, actually there were two. The first announcement was a cartoonishly-bad digital playing card, which seems like an NFT. The digital assets cost $99 and they are selling. NFTs are not having a good year, expect the media to track the price of these very closely. Trump allies are baffled, his enemies are amused.
• But these digital cards are more than NFTs, they are also sweepstakes. If you buy one NFT you are entered into a drawing to get a one-on-one meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago but if you buy 45 or more you get an invite to a dinner in Florida – 69 people have bought 45 or more. Nice.

5. Trump aims to rein in America’s speech police

• Trump’s more serious proposal of the day was a direct shot at the “censorship cartel.” His plan is to unleash a series of executive orders that would go after government agencies (and its employees), universities, and tech companies who have acted as the speech police in recent years.
• One approach would see him seek to “ban federal money from being used to label domestic speech as ‘mis-’ or ‘dis-information,'” this could impact universities with federal subsidies and student loans.

4. Enough of the wokeness

• “Go woke and go broke,” may be a derisive slogan used to mock companies that put wokeness over common sense, but it also seems to work with the U.S. military which is seeing a total failure to recruit and retain service members as well. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) nails it when he says, “Wokeness does not win wars.” Reps. Rogers and Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) are speaking out and demanding that the military junk the left’s social agenda and focus on the mission.
• At a hearing, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified, “Any notion that they’re woke (U.S. service members) or our military is woke, you know, I take issue with because it’s just not true.” But the congressmen contend this is not true and cite a Heritage Foundation study that shows material from West Point that have titles like, “Understanding Whiteness and White Rage” and “White Power at West Point.” Maybe our military needs more Eggnog Riots and less wokeness.

3. We should have a month to kill murderers until they are dead

• The issue with the state’s execution process is under review, but the real issue, according to Attorney General Steve Marshall and Gov. Kay Ivey, is the last-second appeal process that attempts to run out the clock on the death warrant.
• But Ivey wants them dead, they are gonna be dead. She wants the Alabama Supreme Court to allow the warrants to be valid on multiple days. This is part of the review process underway, according to Ivey, “part of that review has led to us to ask and send a letter to the Supreme Court of Alabama asking for a change in the dates on the time for executions to give us more time.”

2. McConnell seems hellbent on making a budget deal

• Incoming Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is incensed that the Republicans in the U.S. Senate are eagerly seeking a new year-long budget deal before the new House takes over. McCarthy is not the only one, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wants Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to pump the brakes on a long-term deal.
• A smaller deal seems very unlikely, Alabama’s senior U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) is in the middle of the deal-making, the year-long deal is likely to get approved and passed after a one-week budget deal passed.

1. Alabama U.S. House Republicans not happy about a one-week budget deal

• Calling a continuing resolution to fund the government for a week while a longer deal is hammered out, “a surrender to Democrats,” U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) expressed his anger and the opposition of his fellow House members.
• Moore believes this bill is greasing the skids for the larger $1.7 trillion bill working its way through Congress. He rightly believes that this issue should be handled by a new Congress which will be seated next month but Democrats and establishment Republicans know the GOP-led House will trim that bill significantly.

7. HS coach allegedly sought naked pics of teens

• Joseph Lemaster, a former Pinson Valley High School coach, was hired as a special education teacher and track coach so he immediately tried to see a high school student naked, according to a lawsuit.
• In a lawsuit, the 16-year-old victim says Lemaster used a fake name, “Mork Sida,” to try to solicit nude photos from her. The teacher allegedly pretended to be a 19-year-old, begged for nudes, and offered to pick her up at her house. He knew her age and did not care, he then send a photo of himself to her and got busted but he has never been charged.

6. Severe weather swept the state, schools were effected

• With the exception of the northwest corner of the state, severe weather was expected across the state yesterday. All areas of the state were affected except for the northwest corner of the state but varied in both location and severity, but the storm system created dozens of tornados and killed three in Louisiana.
• Some schools in central Alabama, and below, were closed or dismissed early because of the weather event which continued into the early morning Thursday.

5. Polls continue to trend away from Donald Trump

• It is worth noting that The Hill’s headline screams, “Trump favorability sinks to the lowest level since 2015” but Donald Trump still became president of the United States in 2016. Still, the Trump team can not be enjoying the multitude of polls showing his hold over the GOP waning significantly.
• In Tennessee, a red pro-Trump state, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is trumping Trump 54 to 41 among GOP voters. Nationally, it is only marginally better for the former President with DeSantis up 52 to 38. The Trump campaign has sputtered out of the gate in both message and execution but no one should count Trump out yet, DeSantis isn’t even in the race.

4. FBI investigating swatting

• The attempts to claim school shootings were occurring across the state of Alabama on Tuesday were not “threats,” they were “swattings.” The difference is that swatting attempts to get cops running into these schools with guns drawn as opposed to just ominous phone calls meant to shut down schools.
• FBI spokesman Paul Daymond released a statement that made it clear that they understand the difference, “FBI Birmingham is aware of the numerous swatting incidents wherein a report of an active shooter at a school is made. We are working alongside our law enforcement partners in identifying the source of the hoax threats.”

3. Shelby says U.S. Senate is not a congenial as it use to be

• He has been called a great appropriator and a guy who brings home the bacon, but U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) is calling it a day after only 36 years in the U.S. Senate. On his way out the door, he called for more bipartisanship, something sure to anger the Republican base in Alabama who have increasingly become annoyed with these calls.
• Shelby also thanked the state of Alabama for trusting him for all the years he has served, “I’m grateful and fortunate that the people of Alabama sent me up here six terms to the Senate and four terms to the House,” he said. “… We’ve tried to leave Alabama and the country better than it was.”

2. Looks like GOP wants a long-term deal before they get the U.S. House

• In what could be an ode to Shelby before his exit, a budget deal has been made before the Republican House takes office. The Republicans in the Senate are prepared to make a deal that would be a year-long budget deal that would cut the yet-to-be-seated GOP-led House off at the knees before they get in office.
• Incoming Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is now accusing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) of selling the House GOP out and trying to avoid letting hardline conservatives risk a government shutdown. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) right notes, “Republican voters fought hard to win back control of the House to take away insane spending control from the Democrats.”

1. AL GOP U.S. House members want border security now

• Almost every member of the Alabama U.S. House delegation has made statements on the current state of the U.S./Mexico border and none of them are happy about what is happening. Fox News’ Bill Melugin is covering the story and 3 members of the Alabama delegation are following along.
• U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) declared the report of over 1,000 people crossing the border into El Paso, “Unbelievable“. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said, “[t]his issue demands action AND accountability.” And U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) called for the impeachment of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

As Congress attempts to pass a bipartisan omnibus spending bill to fund the government before the end of the year, Alabama’s retiring senator made sure it included a lot of money for his state.

It was announced yesterday that top negotiators in Congress agreed to bipartisan framework agreement for a full-year $1.7 trillion funding bill for the remainder of fiscal 2023.

The funding package includes more than 7,500 earmarks totaling $16 billion.

According to Bloomberg Government, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) is the “top earmarker” in the FY2023 appropriation bills.

Shelby, the vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, will have 17 projects totaling $656.4 million. This gives Shelby the most earmarked funds for the second year in a row. The earmarks include $200 million for the Alabama State Port Authority, $100 million for Department of Transportation work on the Woolsey Finnell Bridge over the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa, and $76 million for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Medicine.

The senator told Bloomberg News he hopes the lawmakers will be able to come to some kind of deal before next year because he won’t be around to renegotiate a new deal.

“I’ll be gone. I’ll be cutting the grass and running errands for my wife,” Shelby said. “They’d start all over. I wouldn’t get anything.”

One potential hurdle for getting a deal done before the end of the year comes from House Republicans, and Minority leader Kevin McCarthy has come out against the deal saying, “Why would you want to work on anything if we [don’t] have the gavel inside Congress?”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee

Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, the Auburn Research Technology Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service broke ground this week for a research facility housing the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory.

The project will have four buildings: two in Auburn University’s Research Park and two constructed near campus.

“With these new buildings and the continuing cooperation with our research partners at Auburn University, we believe that the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory will continue to have a substantial positive impact on agriculture all over the world,” said Simon Liu, ARS acting administrator said.

The buildings will house research on conservation cropping systems, environmentally sound animal waste management and global climate change. Research efforts also will focus on improved poultry production practices, cotton disease control, improved forage production and the use of biochar in agriculture.

The laboratory develops economical and environmentally sound crop management systems. Additionally, scientists are pioneering efforts for a national focus on soil and water quality to maintain the productivity of our nation’s farms.

David Palmore is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.

Honoring Sen. Richard Shelby as a “staunch advocate for research and education,” the University of Alabama in Huntsville, along with Huntsville and North Alabama community and business leaders, announced the establishment of the Sen. Richard Shelby Endowed Chair in Engineering in the UAH College of Engineering.

“Throughout his decades-long tenure in Congress, Senator Shelby has been a staunch advocate for research and education and made an indelible impact on higher education in Alabama,” said University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis St. John. “The University of Alabama System is deeply grateful for Senator Shelby’s countless contributions and service to our state.

“This endowment will allow UAH to recruit exceptional faculty, further prepare tomorrow’s leaders and honor a true public servant.”

Pending approval from the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, the endowment will honor the retiring senator. An endowed chair is one of the highest academic accolades a scholarly expert can receive and promotes the highest standard of excellence.

“Throughout my career, I have worked hard to prioritize higher education in Alabama. Our universities are of supreme importance when it comes to the future of our state,” said Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa), who leaves office in January. “I am deeply honored that UAH and community leaders have created this Chair in Engineering in my name. This endowment will undoubtedly be of benefit long after my service in the United States Senate.

“I look forward to the talent that is procured by this fund and the impact it will have on  UAH’s students, the Huntsville community and the state as a whole.”

“This is very special for UAH,” said UAH President Charles L. Karr. “Certainly, Senator Shelby has been a great champion for North Alabama, UAH, the University of Alabama System and higher education throughout his tenure. His support has had a tremendous impact at UAH, and in our state and the nation.

“It will be an honor for us to have an endowed chair in his name, and it will allow us to bring outstanding faculty members to UAH – the type of faculty member that will make Senator Shelby proud. In addition, we are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed, making this possible.”

Former U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer saluted Shelby for his contributions to the area.

“Our North Alabama community pays a much-deserved tribute to Senator Richard Shelby today, as we announce an endowed Chair in Engineering in his name at The University of Alabama in Huntsville,” Cramer said. “This endowment will help UAH recruit and retain nationally recognized faculty in the College of Engineering that are training the next generation, highly-skilled workforce that serves the Huntsville community and beyond.”

Shelby was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 and is in his sixth term. He is the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, of which he previously served as chairman.

He is a senior member on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, as well as the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, of which he is the longest-serving member in the history of the committee.

Shelby also serves on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and during his tenure he has chaired the Senate Banking Committee and served on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as well.

“I was born and raised in North Alabama, and was privileged to have served in the U.S. Congress with Senator Shelby,” Cramer said. “I saw firsthand his focused accomplishments for our state and region. His impact on Huntsville and North Alabama has been nothing short of remarkable. Huntsville’s metro population has more than doubled since 1986, the year Richard Shelby was elected to the U.S. Senate.

“Federal assets at Redstone Arsenal have grown from 20,000 on-post jobs in 1985 to 44,500 today. Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama. We are not the same community we were due to his service in the U.S. Senate. We will miss him as our senator and will forever be grateful to him. Thank you, Senator Shelby.”

Shelby’s efforts have helped significantly expand Redstone Arsenal units, missions and tenants, including the Army Material Command, Army Aviation and Missile Command, the Missile Defense Agency, NASA’s Marshal Space Flight Center, DIA’s Missile and Space Intelligence Center and the expanding presence of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He has been a vital supporter of the relocation of Space Command to this region as well, which will complement the existing command at Redstone Arsenal. In addition, he was instrumental in securing funds for a new $86 million federal courthouse in Huntsville.

Shelby’s impact on these programs and companies that support them range from $23 billion in NASA SLS appropriations over the past 10 years, to $2.5 billion in support of the
FBI since FY19, as well $17 billion in Department of Defense programs in support of small- and medium-sized defense companies since FY18.

Shelby has also played a key role in bringing important facility and infrastructure enhancements to UAH. Examples include the Shelby Center for Science and Technology, the Intermodal Facility, the Invention to Innovation Center and the first phase of the Altenkirch Lawn greenway.

The senator has been the prime driver of funding to support numerous UAH research projects and programs as well, including the UAH Propulsion Test Facility, climate research, NOAA Tornado Center, Tornado and Hurricane Hazards Operations Center, drought research, transportation, infrastructure and logistics research and optical systems research.

(Courtesy of the University of Alabama in Huntsville)

7. Turkey pardons are dumb fun, we should get a pardon from this terrible holiday

• Biden pardoned two terribly-named turkeys, Chocolate and Chip, but took the time to joke about our untrusted voting system, “First of all, the votes are in. They’ve been counted and verified. There’s no ballot stuffing. There’s no fowl play. The only red wave this season is going to be if a German shepherd, Commander, knocks over the cranberry sauce on our table.” Wakka wakka.
• Ivey did it first, she pardoned two terribly-named turkeys, Gobbles and Cranberry, in early November. If Ivey wants to help Alabamians, she should bar people from eating dry turkey and stuffing in the state of Alabama.

6. Shelby recounts Jan. 6

• Outgoing senior U.S. Sen., and namesake of more buildings in Alabama than there are Chick-fil-As, Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) has recounted to aldotcom his view on the events of the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan.6, 2021. He was not happy, “I never thought I’d see that in America.” Senator Shelby has been in D.C. for 44 years and this was something that concerned him on that day, “‘Were we concerned?’ Yeah, we were concerned about the nation first.”
• “I never thought that would happen that a mob would storm the U.S. Capitol while the House and Senate were counting votes for the election … electoral votes. Never did it cross my mind like that. But it was real.” And more troublingly, “‘(A SWAT team member) is right across from (me) putting his machine gun together. He says, ‘Get down! Get down, everybody, get down!’ I didn’t get down on the floor, I got stuck. I’m tall. I thought, ‘Wow.’ You knew it was real then. You could hear the commotion.”

5. Vaccine mandate is still in place?

• Most people may not know it, as we have all basically moved on from COVID-19, but there is still a vaccine mandate for certain healthcare workers. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and AGs from 21 states have called for its end.
• In a letter to the Biden administration, they implore the White House end this abomination, declaring accurately that, the policy is “neither lawful nor medically justified.” Marshall says the mandate, “violated the rights of health care workers and worsened staffing shortages in that sector, especially in rural and frontier states like Alabama.”

4. Alabama still being hit by RSV and flu

• RSV and flu are taxing Alabama’s hospitals, the flu virus hit the state earlier than other states and shows some signs of breaking in the state with a lower rate of infection for the week of Nov. 6 than the weeks before. At peak times, the wait at Children’s Hospital of Alabama was up to 10 hours.
• Outpatient services are still be consumed at an increased rate, in Alabama and beyond. Not surprisingly, flu vaccinations are down from other years, they believe this is because the past few years have had mild flu season; trust is a huge factor here as well. Flu shots are recommended for almost all Americans who are 6 months old or older.

3. No more executions

• Executions in Alabama are not good enough right now, we must stop them and figure out how to better kill convicted murderers, according to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
• She wants the pending justice being delivered to convicted murderers Alan Eugene Miller and James Edward Barber halted and no more justice for murderers scheduled until the state’s execution protocol is reviewed. To Ivey’s credit, she notes this is an issue with legal wrangling from murderers, their lawyers and sympathetic judges that manipulate the system, “I don’t buy for a second the narrative being pushed by activists that these issues are the fault of the folks at Corrections or anyone in law enforcement, for that matter. I believe that legal tactics and criminals hijacking the system are at play.” Ivey is right, Alabama needs to figure out how to play this game better.

2. School choice seems to be gaining steam

• Students of parents lucky enough to send their kids to the worst schools in the state will now have some school choice options for their kids. Other parents in other bad schools? Too bad. Alabama’s conservative Legislature thinks the schools are just fine and fear the hit those fine schools will receive if parents are given options.
• These are terrible excuses not to act, and State Sen. William Barfoot (R-Pike Road) calls out the argument that kids will flee wonderful schools systems. “If your school system is truly a good school system, you won’t have a mass exodus from that school because parents are satisfied that their children are getting a great education and they will continue to stay there. So you won’t have a[n] exodus from that school system…if you have a good school system: guess what? March on. You won’t be affected.”

1. Some people cannot be criticized anymore

• The American media is truly running with the narrative that anyone who criticized drag queens in schools or any LGBTQ legislation is, at minimum, OK with the slaughter at a gay bar in Colorado Springs or fully supportive of the attack. There is literally no evidence backing this assertion up. Either way, they will try to silence those opinions.
• While the attacker is facing murder and hate crime charges, conservatives are being maligned as accessories. Like cowards, the Washington Post changed a headline of an opinion piece that originally read, “The Colorado Springs shooting is rooted in right-wing homophobia,” before it was changed to, “The Colorado massacre cannot be blamed on mental illness. It’s rooted in hate.”