I hope your New Year is off to a great start. It's hard to believe it's already the end of January. I was hoping that with the New Year, Congress would be ready to make a strong return to Washington and begin working on solutions to the pressing issues facing everyday Americans. However, Democrat leadership made clear that would not be their intention.
Sham Impeachment
Democrats have now entered their second year of controlling the House and they still have nothing to show for it. They spent the first year trying to find ways to overturn the 2016 election and it appears this year will be no different. Speaker Pelosi insisted impeachment was urgent for our national security, yet she waited nearly four weeks to finally transmit the articles to the Senate. So, now Democrats have carried this partisan and inappropriate impeachment into a new year. I think it's because they have no true plans or ideas for improving our nation, they are just obsessed with trying to remove Donald Trump from office. Now, Democrats have carried this partisan and inappropriate impeachment into a new year because they are obsessed with trying to remove Donald Trump from office.
I am confident that the Senate will quickly acquit the President of any wrongdoing and return to regular order. Maybe then Democrats will accept the results of the 2016 election and start working for the American people, but I'm not holding my breath.
Eliminating Soleimani
On January 3, 2020, President Trump ordered a drone strike that resulted in the death of Iranian military general and international terrorist Qassem Soleimani. Just a week before Soleimani's death, his proxies orchestrated a rocket attack that killed a U.S. defense contractor in northern Iraq. President Trump's decision to order the strike came after Iran-backed protesters stormed the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
was responsible for killing thousands of innocent people, including hundreds of U.S. service members in Iraq. Yet, it seems that many Democrats and many in the national news media tried to turn his life into a "local boy makes good" type story. The Congressional authorization for U.S. troops to be in Iraq gives President Trump the power and the responsibility to protect our armed forces there. He did not need permission to save American lives. was an evil terrorist and the world is safer now because he is no longer in it.
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Religious Freedom Day
January 16, 2020, marked the 234th anniversary of the adoption of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Our nation was founded on the principle of religious freedom and it's great to have a President committed to protecting that freedom more than 200 years later. I believe everyone has the right to worship freely in peace. My office is devoted to ensuring that every human has that right.
On Religious Freedom Day, President Trump announced several administrative actions to ensure protections for religious freedom. Some of those new provisions include protecting prayer in public schools, the rights of faith-based organizations, leveling the playing field for religious and non-religious organizations competing for federal grants and protecting all First Amendment freedoms.
Christians and other religious people across the globe face the risk of religious persecution now more than ever. In Congress, I've made it a priority to see that we punish countries who engage in religious persecution. I am committed to the right of religious freedom here at home and abroad. Let's remember how important these freedoms are and let's never take them for granted.
Too see the full layout of the Trump Administration's new religious freedom provisions, please click
here.
Sweet Home Alabama
The week of January 20th was a District Work Period. This is a time when Congress goes into recess to allow members to work back in their home Districts. I spent this week visiting the western side of the 4th District. photos below show some of the places and people I visited with:
On January, 20, 2020, I sat down with the board of directors of the Northwest Alabama Airport. We spoke about the importance of this airport for continued economic growth in the Shoals area.
I visited Blue Origin's new production facility in Huntsville, AL on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Blue Origin is planning on producing the rocket engines that will help American astronauts go to space on American made rockets.
Congressman Aderholt and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), third from right, are given a tour of United Launch Alliance in Decatur.
I also visited Winfield, Alabama in Marion County to speak at the annual C3 Event. The C3 is tha annual combined economic development efforts of Marion, Lamar and Fayette counties. I spoke with them about ways we can ensure Alabama's economic boom reaches every corner of both the 4th district and Alabama.
While I was in Alabama, I was able to meet with elected officials and constituents in Cherokee, Alabama in Colbert County. Being able to hear from constituents one on one is one of my favorite things about going back to the 4th district.
Also, while in Alabama the week of January 20th, I toured Guin Elementary School as it was recognized as a 2019 National Blue-Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. The National Blue Ribon Schools Program recognizes schools for their academic success in closing achievement gaps between student groups. I presented the school with their official award during their Blue-Ribbon School Ceremony. I am so proud of the studetns, faculty and staff at Guin Elementary School. Keep up the hard work!
United Treating and Distribution is a company in Muscle Shoals that specializes in making pressurized and treated lumber for building outdoors. I toured their facilities in order to learn more about the work they do in and around the 4th District. Locally-owned companies like this play an important role in growing the 4th District's economy.
Back in 2018, I worked with Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure the Northwest Medical Center in Winfield, AL stayed open. The decline of rural hospitals continues to be an issue facing rural communities in Alabama and across the nation. Ensuring people in rural communities have access to healthcare remains one of my biggest priorities as your Member of Congress.
What's Ahead
In the next few weeks, Congress will begin working on the federal budget for Fiscal year 2021. I'm also looking forward to hearing what President Trump will say in the State of the Union on February 4, 2020. It should be interesting against the backdrop of impeachment. Although Democrats have made impeachment their top priority, under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. is experiencing record low unemployment rates, a booming economy and renewed strength on the world stage. The President continues to deliver on his promises made to the American people.
As always, if you need assistance with a federal agency or an upcoming visit to Washington DC, please don't hesitate to contact me. I, along with my staff, are happy to answer any questions you may have and help in any way we can. You can contact my Washington DC office at 202-225-4876 or you can email me directly
here. Additonally, you can follow me on
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