Dear Mr. xxxxxx:

Heading into June, I want to bring you an update on the past few weeks in Washington, D.C and Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District. We saw a leaked Supreme Court draft ruling that signaled the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade, another month of record-high gas prices in every state, and the House Appropriations Committee began its hearings for the FY2023 Federal Budget.

Overturning Roe v. Wade

I am sure you saw the news of a leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling that would overturn the decades old Roe v. Wade. For those of us that believe in the right to life, this is a huge step in the right direction for an America where our most vulnerable are protected. We expect the final decision of the Court to be released in the coming weeks.

It is important to note that if Roe v. Wade is in fact overturned, abortions would not be illegal, but the issue and any restrictions would return to selected state officials to decide if they will be allowed or not. I will continue to fight for the protection of our unborn, regardless of the Supreme Court’s final decision.

Record High Gas Prices

This month we saw gas hit record highs in every state, with the national average reaching $4.58 per gallon.  Around Haleyville this week, it's been around $4.19-$4.29. I'm sure it's similar where you live. Too high!

After banning the importation of Russian oil, House Republicans called on President Biden to reopen U.S. pipelines and approve new drilling leases. Instead, he lifted sanctions on Venezuelan oil, allowing negotiations with Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro. Biden’s proposed solution to the crisis is to stop importing oil from one authoritarian regime and start importing it from another.

We need to see our pipelines flowing, approve new leases for American oil, and prioritize energy independence by not depending on dictators to fuel our country.

House Appropriations Committee

In the past few weeks, the House Appropriations Committee began its hearings for the FY2023 Federal Budget. We heard testimonies from agency heads and administrators as to how they will use taxpayer dollars to move the United States forward. As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS), and as a Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I had the opportunity to ask important questions regarding their budget requests and regarding their policies to hold these agencies accountable.

NASA Budget Request

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson appeared before the CJS Subcommittee last week and I asked him how NASA will further protect U.S. research and technology as China continues to steal our intellectual property. Watch the clip here.

Department of Defense

During a Defense Subcommittee hearing, we heard from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley about an issue I’ve been raising for the last few months: The U.S. is 100 percent reliant on an array of critical minerals. Even more alarming, most of them are coming in from China, and I asked the Secretary about it here. We need to see our defense budget increase while making sure that we aren’t wastefully spending on far-left agendas within our armed services.

Speaking on that very point, in early May, I gave a speech in North Alabama to address how our military is falling short of the funding it needs to address the challenges in the coming decades.  Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are all wanting to challenge the U.S.  Currently, we are unprepared if we had to take on Russia and China in a full-scale war.  We cannot allow China in particular, to overtake us in might or capability.  You can watch the speech I gave here.

I've written several op-eds on this topic.  One of them below, ran in The Hill newspaper in Washington.

Our defense budget gap threatens America’s security

Department of Commerce

During the CJS hearing on the budget for the Department of Commerce, I also had the chance to ask Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo about her concerns with reliance on imported critical minerals as well. This is an important issue for our nation’s economy as well as our national defense. You can see her response to my questions on this issue here.

The Fourth District

Geraldine School

I had the privilege to speak to students at Geraldine School in DeKalb County and answer their questions on how Congress and the other branches of government operate. These bright students asked important questions and I look forward to seeing the great things they do in the future!  Go Bulldogs!

You can watch the video we put together for them here.

Muscle Shoals and Russellville Rocketry Teams

I also had the honor to visit with the Muscle Shoals and Russellville Rocketry Teams the day before competing in the National Finals in Virginia. Several other schools and groups from the 4th District also competed.  You can see the results here. These students prove to be another example of the skill and talent found in Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District.

Happy Memorial Day

Monday we will celebrate Memorial Day.  Veterans Day, which we celebrate in November, is a day to honor all of those who have served in our armed forces.  However, Memorial Day is different and unique.  It is to honor and remember those who died while fighting for our country.  Take time this holiday weekend to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

Click on Our Memorial Day Tribute Video

I hope you all have a great June and a Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there.

May God bless you and your loved ones.
Sincerely,

Robert B. Aderholt