Dear Mr. xxxxxx:

Good Saturday morning. I hope you are enjoying the start of the summer season. It was a very busy May in both Washington and the Fourth District.

BREAKING NEWS: President Trump Found Guilty in New York City Court

Let me begin by speaking about the news that was announced on Thursday afternoon. A jury, in a deep blue, liberal New York City court, found former President Donald Trump guilty of "falsifying business records."

Considering the circumstances, I don't believe this outcome really shocked anyone. As I said in my statement I released after the verdict, this was never about justice. This was about politics. I think the reaction we saw from so many on the left spoke volumes – that they never doubted the outcome of the trial because in their opinion, President Trump was guilty, no matter the facts of the case. The cards were stacked against President Trump from the beginning and the standards by which a trial should be held were ignored. This was not about justice – it was about political retribution. 

President Trump and his legal team will appeal this verdict, and I am confident his conviction will be overturned. Voters will deliver the real verdict on November 5th.

Fiscal Year 2025 Funding Legislation Markup

The House Appropriations Committee began the markup process on Fiscal Year 2025 funding bills in May. We began with funding for military construction, veterans' affairs, and other related agencies. During the markup process, members of the Committee can propose amendments that are then debated and subsequently voted on. If these amendments are successful, they will be attached to the House bill. 

I rose to speak against one amendment in particular during this hearing. This amendment would have allowed VA clinics and hospitals to perform abortions freely, contrary to many state and federal laws that are in place to prevent this. I am happy to say that this amendment was ultimately not added to the House bill.  

Special Order on Pastors Unjustly Held in Nicaragua

I joined Reps. Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, and Harriet Hageman on the House floor to call for the release of the pastors being unjustly held by the Nicaraguan government. These pastors are affiliated with Mountain Gateway Ministries and have been held since December 2023, as a result of a series of mass revivals that had been previously approved by the Nicaraguan government. During their imprisonment, they have been barred from contacting legal representation or their families.  
 
This situation in Nicaragua is blatant religious persecution. It is of the utmost importance that we do not become complacent in advocating for the release of these pastors. We must use the freedoms we enjoy here in the United States to advocate for those being persecuted around the world simply for their faith. Religious persecution must be dealt with in Nicaragua and this situation must be rectified.  

Welcoming Joseph Pelfrey, Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center 
 

I had the pleasure of welcoming NASA’s Joseph Pelfrey, Director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, to Washington this month. Director Pelfrey spoke to a group of staffers and representatives from organizations about the incredible achievements in the realm of space exploration that have been made at Marshall. It was an honor to be asked to introduce Director Pelfrey and speak about the wonderful job he is doing leading Marshall.  

After Director Pelfrey spoke, we met in my office to discuss the ways Congress can help with the incredible work being conducted by NASA at Marshall. I was presented a flag that was flown on the first Artemis mission.  

Say Hello to the First Session Interns in My Washington Office  

May also brought the first session of summer interns to my Washington office. These college students will spend the first six weeks of their summer break learning valuable skills while working with my administrative, legislative, communications, and district teams. Through this internship, they will get a first-person look into what it takes to serve the constituents of the Fourth District while being able to participate in projects they are passionate about.  

Pictured above, from left to right: Kenna Cline (University of Alabama), Mary Gibbons Miller (University of Alabama), Matt Savas (University of Alabama), Reagan Saylor (University of Alabama), Tudor Munteanu (Auburn University), Sam Obitts (Wheaton College), Andrew “Garrett” Gay (University of Alabama), Abigail Stephenson (Auburn University), Mary Ann Rickles (University of Alabama), and Jessica Perez-Ferman (University of Alabama).  

Thomas Ward Graduates from West Point

Thomas Ward, a Jasper High School alumnus, graduated last week from the United States Military Academy at West Point. I nominated Thomas to West Point back in 2019. Not only has Thomas proven himself worthy of his diploma and his Army rank and uniform, his classmates also chose him as this year's senior class president.

Upon graduation, he is now a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and will be stationed in Colorado. His parents, Caroline Ivey and Tom Ward are shown here pinning on his bars. Congratulations.

Fourth District Feel Good News

Tharptown High School Team Wins American Rocketry Challenge

Congratulations to the rocketry team at Tharptown High School in Franklin County. The team was named the National Champion out of a record-setting 922 teams at this year's American Rocketry Challenge at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia.

This summer the team will travel to London to represent the United States in the International Rocketry Challenge. You can read more about there win by clicking here.

I hope you have a great June and of course Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there. I will be back in touch the first Saturday of July. Until then, may God bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,


Robert B. Aderholt