Dear Mr. xxxxxx:

Good morning. It's the first Saturday in December and the Christmas season is now in full swing. But as we look forward to all this month brings, join me in a cup of coffee this morning as we look back at November.

Government Shutdown Ends

After a month-and-a-half-long government shutdown that forced federal workers to go without pay and disrupted services Americans rely on, Senate Democrats finally did the right thing and allowed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to move forward. The Senate passed the compromise CR on November 10, and it then came over to the House, which acted to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government.

The U.S. House of Representatives subsequently passed the CR to end the Democrat shutdown and fund the federal government through the end of January. The measure also provided full-year funding for the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA); and Legislative Branch appropriations bills.

This legislation not only funds critical federal operations but also supports several health and workforce development projects across Alabama’s Fourth District.

Key Fourth District Investments in the Agriculture Bill

Speaking of those projects, I was able to secure funding for several key community projects across Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District through the full-year Agriculture appropriations measure which passed as part of this bill. These investments strengthen rural healthcare, workforce training, and community infrastructure: 

Fayette, AL – Health Clinic Construction 
$5,551,812 to construct a new 16,500-square-foot Rural Health Clinic serving Fayette County residents. 
 
Winfield, AL – Hospital Medical Equipment 
$1,147,500 for Northwest Regional Health to purchase and install new MRI equipment, expanding diagnostic capabilities in Marion County. 
 
Boaz, AL – Snead State Community College Workforce Advancement Center 
$437,500 to develop a new training center focused on high-demand trades and workforce development programs. 
 
Oneonta, AL – UAB St. Vincent’s Blount Medical Equipment 
$1,000,000 for the purchase of new CT scanner equipment at St. Vincent’s Blount Hospital, improving local access to advanced imaging technology. 
 
Jasper, AL – Career and Technical Education Center Equipment 
$1,100,000 to purchase equipment for welding, automotive, diesel labs, construction, engineering, and related areas. 
 
Rainsville, AL – Northeast Alabama Community College Nursing School Equipment 
$273,188 for the renovation of and new equipment for simulation labs for the Nursing and Medical Assisting programs. 

These projects are exactly the kind of targeted, community-driven investments that make a real difference for the people of Alabama’s Fourth District. By improving healthcare access and expanding job training opportunities, we’re ensuring that our rural communities continue to thrive. 

Christian Persecution in Nigeria

Nigeria has become the most dangerous place in the world for Christians. I commend President Trump’s commitment to end the Christian genocide in Nigeria, including his designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and his October 31 directive to House Appropriators to investigate these atrocities and report back to the Administration. This persecution must cease.

Terrorist groups and radicalized militias in Nigeria are responsible for killing thousands of believers every year, and the violence is escalating—seen again in recent kidnappings and attacks on churches and Christian schools. That is why I joined House Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart, Congressman Riley Moore, and House Foreign Affairs leaders in a December 2 briefing with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and other experts to examine these crimes and ensure U.S. policy responds with clarity and resolve. Freedom of religion is one of America’s most cherished constitutional rights, and the United States will not remain silent or turn away while people of faith face violence and discrimination worldwide.

Grand Opening of Defense Munitions Proving Ground in Walker County 

It was a privilege to be in Walker County for the Defense Munitions Proving Ground (DMPG) grand opening. DMPG is a powerful example of growth and innovation, showing what can be achieved when Congress, the Department of War, industry, and the local community work together. Since the first groundbreaking last August, the range has undergone a total transformation, adding a 15,000-square-foot Range Control building, a second warhead test arena, a Rocket on a Rope test area, and 700 additional acres, marking a major step forward for the company, the defense industry, and Walker County.

The facility directly supports Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, and Arsenal leadership already sees this range as a nearby asset that can reduce missile and munitions testing backlogs, accelerate critical work, and improve readiness in North Alabama. But this isn’t just about national defense, it’s about local opportunity too. Over the past year, construction has supported jobs and boosted the local economy, and with DMPG now hiring its first full-time Walker County employee, we’re seeing the beginning of long-term, high-quality job creation right here at home, exactly the kind of investment we want more of in Alabama.

Federal Affairs Briefing Hosted by Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama 

I appreciated the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the Federal Affairs Briefing hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. It is always great to see leaders, business owners, educators, and public servants who make West Alabama such a strong community. You can watch the event by clicking on the link above.

Adopt Act

This month, I introduced the Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act with original co-sponsors Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15), and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37). The ADOPT Act protects adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by unlicensed adoption intermediaries by requiring adoption providers and attorneys to operate only in states where they are licensed, ensuring families can rely on regulated, trustworthy providers in their communities.

Every child deserves the chance to find a loving, forever home in a safe and ethical way, and for too long unlicensed intermediaries have taken advantage of vulnerable birth mothers and prospective parents. This bipartisan legislation prevents the commodification of children by holding bad actors accountable and establishing clear oversight to stop those who operate outside moral and ethical standards. Introduced during National Adoption Month, the ADOPT Act is an important step toward safer, more transparent, and more responsible adoption practices.

National Adoption Month

As a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), I introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing November as National Adoption Month, with November 22nd named National Adoption Day. I was honored to advance this resolution as a way to keep adoption a legislative priority—promoting national awareness, encouraging all Americans to support the safety, permanency, and well-being of every child, and reaffirming our nation’s commitment to the importance of family. Uniting families is a cause that rises above party lines, and I remain committed to working in a bipartisan manner to address barriers to adoption so every child can experience the blessing of a loving home.

In my role as House co-chair, I help lead the bicameral, bipartisan CCA, which works to raise awareness of children awaiting families, improve the adoption process, and find loving homes for every child. Founded in 1985, the CCA has pioneered meaningful legislative change, and since the first National Adoption Day in 2000, more than 85,000 children have joined permanent families through this effort. I remain committed to ensuring American children are protected and adoptive parents are supported.
 

Fourth District Feel Good News: UNA Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 

The UNA Marching Pride did a fantastic job representing Alabama and the Fourth District in this year's Macy's Parade, playing hit songs recorded in the Shoals! See their appearance by clicking the link above.

That's all for this month. I will be back in touch shortly before Christmas. Until then, may God bless you and your loved ones. 

Sincerely,


Robert B. Aderholt