Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago, deadly tornadoes ripped through our district in Alabama. Homes and property were destroyed. While visiting the paths of the tornados that struck the Sixth District, I saw extensive damage to homes, businesses, and timber. I am amazed and extremely thankful that there were no fatalities. Despite the damage to peoples’ property, I was encouraged by the spirit and determination I saw in those who were hit to pick up the pieces and repair or rebuild.
It’s easy to let despair or fear take hold in other areas too. Over the last year, we’ve seen powerful politicians capitalize on fear in new ways. Fear is a powerful tactic, and Democrat leaders have shamefully exploited it since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even now, over a year into the fight against COVID-19, politicians are continuing to take advantage of fear to keep schools closed and resist transitions back to full normalcy. We’re also seeing The Biden Administration take advantage of fear to ram through policies that will do serious harm to our country and our way of life. The recent supposed relief package was passed under the guise of COVID care, but it actually funds leftist priorities at Americans’ expense. The upcoming infrastructure package is taking the same tactic – masquerading as something helpful in this time of need while actually doing more harm.
The good news is that in America, we the people still have some seat at the table of government, and I am confident that Americans are not afraid. I have seen American innovation, drive, and resiliency throughout my whole life, and I’ve seen it demonstrated in many ways over this past difficult year. I was definitely struck by it as I visited communities ravaged by tornadoes a few weeks ago. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he wrote, “When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
I appreciate this chance to update you, and as usual, please reach out if my office can be of any assistance.
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Gary Palmer
Member of Congress
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In the District
March 25th Tornadoes
Alabama, and especially the Sixth District, saw heartbreaking devastation from the tornadoes on March 25th. This was a difficult week for our communities, but I'm encouraged by how people have come together and helped those who have suffered the loss of homes and property. I had the chance to meet many people who faced serious damage to their homes, as well as volunteers, officials, and clean-up crews who are eager to help. It was inspiring and uplifting to see Alabamians showing great resiliency and coming together amidst this crisis. If you'd like to help or donate to those in need, check out the Red Cross or the United Way of Central Alabama. Supply drop-off locations will vary by area. Feel free to also contact my district office if we can be of any assistance.
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COVID-19 Updates
- Alabama is now making COVID-19 vaccines available to anyone who is over 16 years old and who wants one! Visit https://alcovidvaccine.gov/ to find further information and to schedule an appointment.
- In other encouraging news, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are continuing to trend downwards. Visit Alabama's COVID-19 Dashboard for detailed analysis of active cases, recoveries, hospitalizations, administered vaccines, and more.
- To date, Alabama has administered over 2 million vaccines.
- On April 9, Alabama's statewide mask mandate officially lifted, and a new Safer Apart Order from Governor Ivey went into effect. Read more here.
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From Washington
Biden Border Crisis
The Biden Administration's open border posture and rhetoric have directly encouraged the crisis that has been unfolding at the U.S. southern border over the last few months. In March 2021, Customs & Border Patrol saw the highest number of illegal crossings at the border in 15 years, including 18,890 unaccompanied children. These numbers represent a 71% overall increase in crossings from February and a 100% increase in number of children since February.
These facts represent only a fraction of the overwhelming crisis at the border. It is a national security problem as well as a humanitarian problem, as facilities are overflowing and criminal activity has increased. Despite it all, the Biden Administration refuses to take responsibility. Read more numbers on crossings, children coming into the country, and more from CBP's latest press release and reports linked within.
Democrat Infrastructure Bill
This upcoming plan has been given the ironic title of "The American Jobs Act." In reality, it takes would take jobs away from Americans and hinder our economy through massive tax hikes. Communist China's tax rate is around 25%, and this bill would raise the U.S.'s to roughly 28%. Furthermore, the legislation is far more about forcing through Green New Deal policies than about anything to do with infrastructure. Similar to how the Democrats' COVID "relief" package directed only 9% of its funding towards real relief, this bill directs less than 6% of its funds to roads and bridges and less than 2% for waterways, ports, airports, and other similar resources. Otherwise, this amounts to an enormous waste of money on Green New Deal schemes. Read more about the funding breakdown here from the Budget Committee. |
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From Gary’s Bookshelf
Carnage and Culture by Victor David Hansen
Written in 2002, Hanson examines nine landmark battles from ancient to modern times – from Salamis, where outnumbered Greeks devastated the slave army of Xerxes, to Cortes’s conquest of Mexico, to the Tet offensive. Victor Davis Hanson explains why the armies of the West have been the most lethal and effective of any fighting forces in the world. Looking beyond popular explanations such as geography or superior technology, Hanson argues that it is in fact Western culture and values –the tradition of dissent, the value placed on inventiveness and adaptation, the concept of citizenship – which have consistently produced superior arms and soldiers. Offering riveting battle narratives and a balanced perspective that avoids simple triumphalism, Carnage and Culture demonstrates how armies cannot be separated from the cultures that produce them and explains why an army produced by a free culture will always have the advantage.
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Congressional Spotlight: Discharge Petitions
A discharge petition is an important procedural tool for the minority party in Congress. When a bill is first introduced, it will typically then go to a Committee for debate and markup. It is after this that a bill can be voted out of Committee and then brought to the House floor for a vote by the full House.
However, if the majority party in a given committee votes against bringing a bill to the floor, the minority can have the option of filing a discharge petition. If the petition gains enough signatures, it will force a full vote on the House floor on said bill without further changes or votes from the committee preventing or slowing down the process.
This tool is currently being used to force a vote on the Born Alive Abortion Survivors' Protection Act. Democrats have repeatedly refused to bring this bill to the full House floor for a vote, both in the previous Congress and again in the current one. This bill is a common-sense measure on preventing infanticide, and it's time to make sure Americans know how their representatives will vote on it. We need 218 signatures on the petition to force a vote, and I am proud to be one of the 209 members who have signed onto it so far. Unfortunately, no Democrat members have seen fit to sign on at this point.
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Recent Press Talks
This district work period has afforded me many opportunities to speak particularly with local media to discuss the Democrat power grabs in Washington, including the recent stimulus bill and the upcoming Biden infrastructure bill that is actually far more about Green New Deal priorities. I've also been discussing the continued COVID vaccine rollout and President Biden's recent anti-Second Amendment executive actions. I hope these conversations and articles I have offered comment for are helpful and informative to you.
TV/Radio
Articles
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