U.S. Congressman Robert B. Aderholt <> HOME <[link removed]> ???|?
ABOUT ME <[link removed]> ???|? CONSTITUENT SERVICES
<[link removed]> ???|? NEWS/MEDIA
<[link removed]> ???|? 4TH DISTRICT
<[link removed]> ???|? CONTACT
<[link removed]> ???? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?|December
24, 2019|

Dear Friend,

It?s incredibly hard to believe yet another year has come and gone. As we
prepare to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, I wanted to take a moment to
update you on the latest news here in Washington. I also thought it would be a
great opportunity to reflect on some of our biggest accomplishments over the
past decade.

Fighting Against the Impeachment of President Trump For nearly three months,
Democrat leadership has wasted time on a pointless political investigation into
President Trump. On December 18, Democrats finally did what I, along with many
others, believe they?ve been trying to do since January 20, 2017, overturn the
2016 election by impeaching this duly-elected President. Rather than conducting
an investigation driven by facts, House Democrats chose partisanship and abused
one of the most powerful tools the Constitution gives Congress. This is one of
the things that the Founding Fathers feared the most.
The vast majority of House Democrats chose party over country. The real
reason they were so set on impeaching the President was because they feared he
would be re-elected. Over 80% of voters in the 4th district voted for President
Trump in 2016 and they still proudly support him.So do I.
I proudly voted against both articles, along with every single Republican in
the House of Representatives. Speaker Pelosi continues to drag out this
politicized process by refusing to send the articles to the Senate. We were
told it was urgent to complete impeachment by the end of the year, but by
holding up the process it further exposes the real reasons behind this entire
series-politics.
I hope my colleagues in the Senate are quick to acquit the President of any
wrongdoing so Congress can get back to what we?re supposed to be doing?working
with President Trump to keep our economy strong and help solve important
problems like health care, immigration and strengthening our nation?s military.
Fiscal Year 2020 On a lighter, but very important note, I was grateful House
and Senate leadership were able to strike an appropriations deal before the
December 20 deadline. I was pleased with most funding allocations for FY2020.
Funding President Trump?s Call for Renewed Leadership in Space Funding for
NASA and the Space Launch System (SLS) program was funded at a total of $22.6
billion. This $1.1 billion increase from FY2019 is significant for Marshall
Space Flight Center as they continue to lead the nation?s focus on space.
The SLS is one of the most powerful rockets ever made. We expect it to be the
rocket to take us back to the moon and into deeper space. With $2.5 billion
specifically allocated for SLS, I?m confident that the work at Marshall on the
SLS will stay on schedule and be completed. The engineers and leaders at the
Marshall Space Flight Center have made major advances in the manufacturing of
the SLS over the past few years and I?m excited to see how this additional
funding further expands their developments.
As part of the SLS funding, the bill secured around $300 million for
Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) which is ready to advance to production. The SLS
with an EUS will have the largest fairing in the world. With these
developments, we will be able to deliver large items already assembled inside
the fairing. This reduces risk faced with multiple launches and doing assembly
in space.

This test stand at Marshall Space Flight Center holds part of the Space
Launch System. This is the rocket that we believe will be best to take us back
to the moon in 2024 and then to Mars.

In August 2019, it was announced the Human Landing System would be managed at
Marshall. I?m happy that we were able to secure $600 million in funding for
FY20 which will allow NASA to make its planned schedule of awards and continue
to plan for the landing of a new crew- and the first woman- on the surface of
the moon in President Trump?s target date of 2024.
The bill also funded the Nuclear Thermal Propulsion program at $110 million.
This is crucial for the planning discussions for the mission to Mars. We were
able to position North Alabama to play a vital role in our missions back to the
moon and on to Mars. Without Alabama, none of these goals could be achieved.
Expanding Broadband
The appropriations bill also included $555 million to address the critical
issue of the lack of rural broadband in many parts of the country and
especially in Alabama. By funding the ReConnect Program, we provide loans and
grants to expand broadband infrastructure in rural America. Earlier this month,
USDA announced that the ReConnect Program would invest $62.3 million in
high-speed broadband infrastructure that would help bring new economic
development opportunities to rural Alabama.
Clearing the Rape Kit Backlog We also secured $102 million in FY20 to address
the significant problem of untested DNA from rape investigations. Through the
Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant program, we provided funding for law enforcement
to clear the rape kit backlog that currently serves as an obstacle for
prosecuting sexual assault perpetrators. Every victim deserves to have justice.
This funding gives thousands of victims hope that justice will be done.
Replacing NAFTA with USMCA
To culminate our funding victories, the House also voted on President Trump?s
long-promised trade deal with the United States, Mexico and Canada. The United
States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaces and modernizes the outdated
NAFTA agreement and makes improvements to foster economic growth and American
jobs. This agreement directly benefits Alabama with provisions that improve
the interest of those in the agriculture and automotive industries. Alabama is
the nation?s second largest poultry producing state. Under NAFTA, poultry
farmers did not have access to Canadian poultry markets. USMCA changes that.
Auto provisions in the agreement require for more goods and materials to be
manufactured in the US. Transportation equipment was Alabama?s largest export
to Canada and Mexico in 2018 with nearly $3.2 billion in exports. These exports
will only expand under the new agreement.


Earlier this year, I met with President Trump in the Oval Office to encourage
better trade deals for the United States.
This trade agreement is yet another promise made and kept by President Trump
to the American people.
Year In Review and Top 10 Moments of the Decade Serving as your Congressman
from the 4th District of Alabama is the honor of my life. Here are some of our
top 10 moments of the decade and photos from this past decade.

Response to 2011 Tornadoes April 27, 2011 was one of the most tragic days in
our state?s history. There were over 60 tornadoes across Alabama that claimed
the lives 249 people. More than half of those deaths occurred in the 4th
Congressional District. But, in the midst of this tragedy, we stood together
and responded quickly to help our neighbors. State, local and federal agencies
were timely in responding to requests and we were able to rebuild our state in
record time.
US Leadership in Defense Over the past decade, I have continuously pushed for
funding for innovative weapons that are made in and around North Alabama. I
have always advocated to position the US to be the world?s leader in defense.
This includes adequately funding the military, ensuring the readiness and
preparedness of our troops and prioritizing US interest across the globe.

???
Fighting the Opioid Epidemic
In the past decade, the opioid epidemic has been one of the biggest threats
facing the country. Alabama is one the states hit hardest by the opioid crisis.
This is something I take very seriously and am continuously working to fix.
Through my role on the appropriations committee I have helped secure more than
$370 million in funding to address the ongoing crisis.

I-22 Corridor Funding
After years and years of planning, Alabama finally saw the completion of the
I-22, originally known as Corridor X. Securing federal funding for this project
along with other infrastructure projects in the state like the I-65 interchange
in Cullman and the I-59 interchange in Fort Payne were some of my biggest
priorities. I will continue to use my voice in Congress to enhance and improve
the infrastructure across the district and across the state.
Promoting Religious Freedom Our Founding Fathers valued religion and believed
that every person has a right to practice their faith freely. That was one of
the biggest reasons they left England and came to America. This freedom remains
one of the biggest parts of America?s DNA. We know that this is not the case
for thousands of Christians across the globe. In an effort to promote religious
freedom across the globe, I advocated for language to be included the FY20
appropriations bill to protect persecuted religious minorities, including
victims of genocide. This includes victims of ISIS?s genocide on Iraqi
Christians.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act In December 2017, President Trump and Congressional
Republicans passed the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This was the first major
overhaul of the US Tax Code in nearly 30 years. Since its passage, the US has
experienced record economic growth. No matter how hard some may try to distract
the world from President Trump?s successes, the results speak for themselves.
Just this past week, the Council of Economic Advisers announced that at 2.7%,
the unemployment rate in Alabama reached a record low for the state in November.


North Alabama as a Leader in Space Exploration I, along with members of the
Alabama delegation, have worked strategically to position North Alabama as a
leader for US space exploration. By advocating for sufficient funding for
projects like SLS and EUS, there is no doubt that Marshall Space Flight Center
and hundreds of area companies that subcontract and support this work have
become the epicenter of space exploration projects including the US mission to
go back to the moon.
Saving Rural Hospitals The decline of rural hospitals continues to be an
issue facing rural communities across the country. More than seven hospitals
closed in Alabama over the past decade. Hospitals in Haleyville and Winfield
were almost forced to close their doors. I am thankful to have been able to
work with officials to keep the doors of the hospitals open. As a native of
Haleyville, I understand the importance of having access to healthcare for
rural Americans. We were able to work with the local governments to find ways
to ensure neither of these hospitals were closed. I?m proud to say that the
hospitals in Haleyville and Winfield are still open today.
USDA ReConnect Program Broadband infrastructure is one of the key elements to
spurring economic development opportunities. The lack of this infrastructure in
rural communities has limited thousands of communities across the country. I
led the Congressional effort to create the ReConnect program which provides
loans and grants to expand broadband infrastructure to rural America. This year
alone, USDA will be investing more than $62 million in rural Alabama. This will
improve e-connectivity for more than 8,000 rural households, 57 farms, 44
businesses, 17 educational facilities and three health care facilities in rural
Alabama.
Supporting Pro-Life Policies I learned about the sanctity of life at an early
age. In Sunday School, we sang songs that said, ?we are all precious in His
sight? and ?little ones to Him belong.? I?m a firm believer that life is given
to us by our Creator and He is the only one who can take that away. Since Roe
v. Wade, it?s estimated that nearly 55 million babies have been aborted in the
U.S. That?s heartbreaking.
In January 2017, I supported efforts to reinstate the Hyde Amendment in the
Appropriations bill. The Hyde Amendment prevents federal funding the U.S. from
paying for abortions. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for procedures that
explicitly contradict their values. I have always been a staunch supporter of
life in Congress and I will continue to be as long as you allow me to serve.
Looking Ahead? The House is in recess for the Christmas holiday and returns
the week of January 6.?
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. Additonally, you can follow me
on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to stay up to date on the latest events.?


From my family to yours, we wish you a very Merry?Christmas and a happy New
Year!? ?????????? Sincerely,

??

? ? ? ? ? ? Robert B. Aderholt
????????????Member of Congress






<[link removed]>


<[link removed]>


<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>
<[link removed]>



?? How Can Robert Help You

??? Help with a Federal Agency
<[link removed]>

??? Flag Request <[link removed]>

??? D.C. Tours &?? Tickets
<[link removed]>

??? Internships <[link removed]>

??? Academy Nomination
<[link removed]>

??? Art Competition <[link removed]>

??? Resources <[link removed]>






Subscribe <[link removed]>

?

?

Washington DC
235 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4876


Cullman Office
205 4th Avenue NE
Suite 104
Cullman, AL 35055
Phone: (256) 734-6043


Gadsden Office
107 Federal Building
600 Broad Street
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: (256) 546-0201


Jasper Office
247 Carl Elliott Building
1710 Alabama Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: (205) 221-2310


Shoals Office
1011 George Wallace Blvd.
Suite 146
Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Phone: (256) 381-3450


UNSUBSCRIBE <>