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.

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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!