Dear Mr. xxxxxx:

Good Saturday morning. January seemed like a long, cold month. I hope you made it through the ice and snow ok. But here we are in February, the shortest month of the year. Also, I want to just say real quick, our newsletter subscriber count is now almost 40,000!  Thank you for subscribing and reading.

Fiscal Year 2024 Government Funding

I want to begin with the appropriations process, which is the process by which we fund the federal government. Congress has a Constitutional responsibility to fund the U.S. government to ensure that our economy remains stable, our national security is strong, and vital services for seniors are protected. As you may know, Fiscal Year 2024 officially started back on October 1, 2023.

In order to give ourselves more time to negotiate, and to ensure the functions of our government continue, we have approved a series of Continuing Resolutions (CRs) that extend funding temporarily. The current funding, depending on which federal agency is involved, will run out on either March 1 or March 8th.

I know some wanted a government shutdown in order to deal with the crisis at the United States/Mexico border. I have publicly said that if we cannot get the Biden Administration to take the border crisis seriously, then I can support withholding funding from the Department of Homeland Security. However, I did not want to stop funding for all of the other government functions, like pay for our military members and services for our veterans.  As the old saying goes, I believe we can "walk and chew gum at the same time."

The House Republican Conference is united in delivering our promise to rein in out-of-control spending in Washington, while providing support for important programs that touch the lives of every American. As the Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to pass fiscally responsible appropriations bills and I stand with the Speaker of the House in pushing back against an omnibus package.

Border Crisis

Speaking of the border, I traveled with House Speaker Mike Johnson and several of my Republican colleagues to the border at Eagle Pass, Texas on January 3rd.  While I've been to the border before, we wanted to get a first hand look at this current surge that is taking place of illegal immigrants crossing into our country.

In the video above, you can see as two illegal immigrants cross the river into the United States while I was filming. They were taken into custody by border patrol agents, but the issue is, what will become of them?  Under the Biden Administration, these individuals will claim amnesty and then they will likely just be released into the interior of the country, given a date to return for a hearing and never be heard from again. And we have no idea who these people really are, or their ultimate intentions.  This is not just an issue of our national sovereignty, but also national security.

And this is happening over and over, day after day, week after week. 

Secretary Mayorkas Impeachment

Because this border crisis is happening unimpeded, the House Homeland Security Committee has been investigating Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his lack of action. The committee believes, and I agree, that his lack of action has risen to the level of "high crimes and misdemeanors." 

The committee voted early Wednesday morning to advance two articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas to the full House.  When this comes to a vote, I will be voting to impeach. All the Secretary had to do was enforce the immigration laws that are already on the books, but he has refused.

Republicans have repeatedly said the Biden Administration should also immediately reinstate the Trump border policies. We saw how much the numbers dropped during his Presidency. This would turn this crisis around.  However, I'm afraid that President Biden is too proud to admit that his predecessor's policies were better than his own.

As they used to say on tv shows, this issue is "To Be Continued" in next month's newsletter.

Fentanyl Deaths

We can't speak about the border without also talking about the huge amount of deadly fentanyl streaming across the open border. On average, 200 Americans die each day from fentanyl overdoses.  We made the video above to show what that means just for January alone.

Pregnant Students' Bill of Rights

This month the House also passed the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act. A large number of the abortions performed in this country are on college aged women. Many of them choose abortion because they feel like it's the only way they can continue their college education.  This bill ensures that colleges and universities inform pregnant students of the life-affirming resources, accommodations, and rights available to them. Young women must not be told to choose between having a baby and having an education. They can have both.

Blount County is Headed Back to the Fourth

In a newsletter a few months ago, I told you about how the courts ordered the Alabama Legislature to redraw the Congressional District lines. As part of that redistricting, Blount County, which has previously been in the Fourth District, but was moved into the Sixth District, will once again be in the Fourth. Blount will officially be part of the Fourth District on January 3rd of next year, when the new Congress is sworn in.

However, I wanted to go ahead and meet with leaders in the county to reacquaint myself with everyone, but most importantly to find out what their priorities are and how I can help. So, we had a very good meeting in Oneonta, which I think was very productive. I'm looking forward to Blount County being back, and if I may say so, back where it belongs.

Cullman Chamber Lunch

I was honored to be asked by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce to speak at their monthly luncheon at Stonebridge Farms. I gave them a Washington update, with much of the information I'm sharing with you in this newsletter.  I also went over the funding my office has secured or is working to secure for Cullman County in the two most recent appropriation cycles.

All of these projects are part of the annual Congressional appropriations, and were not part of the infrastructure bill. You can see the list of projects my staff and I have secured for other areas in the district and projects we are working on by clicking here.

I believe that we must be good stewards of the people's money. That's why those funds should be used for projects that benefit large numbers of people. I also believe members of Congress are in a much better position of knowing the needs of their districts than is a bureaucrat sitting at a desk in a government agency in Washington.

Fourth District Feel Good News

I always like to end the newsletter on an upbeat note. It is one of my honors and privileges as a Member of Congress to each year nominate outstanding young people from the Fourth District to our nation’s service academies. This year we have three young men whom I am confident will honorably serve their nation.  The service academies are renowned for molding future leaders, not only of our military, but also of our country, communities, businesses, and families.

These young people have dedicated themselves to pursuing the highly competitive process of attending a service academy.  This goal is never achieved in a vacuum, so I would also like to thank their families, friends, and teachers who have surely provided support and encouragement along the way.

My Nominations:

Richard James Hyche of Union Grove, Alabama who is a student at Arab High School.  I have nominated James to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Alexander Scot Moland of Gadsden, Alabama, who is a student at Hokes Bluff High School. I have nominated Alex to both the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Alexander Price Wilson of Jasper, Alabama who is a student at Jasper High School. I have nominated Alex to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Until my next newsletter, I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day and also with this being a Leap Year, I hope you have a Happy Leap Day on February 29th. 

As usual, I'll be back in touch the first Saturday in March. Until then, may God bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,


Robert B. Aderholt