Dear Friends,
With all the hardship associated with the pandemic and riots, many people thought 2021 would have to be much better. Unfortunately, the riot at the United States Capitol on January 6th showed that this year may bring even more trouble and hardship. I certainly hope not.
January 6th was undoubtedly one of the darkest days I’ve experienced during my time in Congress, but I was appreciative of the many sympathetic messages I received. I am saddened by what happened, but I also remain convinced that we can weather this challenging political season. If American history has taught us anything, it is that Americans are a resilient and hopeful people. This past year has been the strangest and most challenging one in a generation, but I have hope that we can move forward together. We have a tough journey ahead of us, and I know there will be much work to do as we fight the already radical policy measures of the new administration, but our country is worth it and I hope you’ll join me.
I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of the 6th Congressional district. If my office can be helpful to you, please always feel free to reach out.
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Gary Palmer
Member of Congress
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In the District
COVID-19 Updates
Alabama is fortunately seeing drops in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. This is good news compared to the surges we saw during and after the holidays. I urge everyone to continue taking common-sense precautions. I am also encouraged by the growing numbers of people receiving the new COVID-19 vaccine. State officials recently announced an increased number of categories of individuals are now eligible to receive the vaccine. I encourage everyone who is able to take this vaccine. It is the fulfillment of almost a year of dedicated medical research and innovation, and it will help our country return to the normal we knew before this pandemic. Check your eligibility for receiving the vaccine and schedule an appointment at https://www.alcovidvaccine.gov/.
Fultondale Tornadoes
My heart goes out to everyone who was recently affected by the devastating tornadoes in Fultondale. I’m grieved by the loss of life and severe damage to so many homes and businesses. If you are looking for ways to assist in recovery efforts, here are some lists of helpful resources:
If my office can be of any assistance to you on these matters, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
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117th Congress Begins
What We’re Up Against:
If one thing has been made abundantly clear in these first few weeks of the 117th Congress, it is that we have our work cut out for us. Within his first week in office, President Biden signed 22 executive orders, which does not bode well for future cooperation between Congress and the executive branch. Compare those 22 orders during President Biden’s first week to the number signed by other recent Presidents during their first weeks in office. President Trump signed four, President Obama signed five, and President Bush signed zero. A President who governs so easily by the stroke of his pen should be concerning to any American.
Furthermore, the Biden Administration has lost no time in erasing jobs and threatening women-only spaces, healthcare choice, and the rights of pre-born children. One of President Biden’s first executive orders was to eliminate the Keystone Pipeline, which immediately killed 10,000+ American jobs. He has since taken more action to reduce our country’s energy independence, making us more reliant on foreign energy producers and weakens us in regard to foreign powers like Russia. Biden’s energy policies are an abandonment of Eastern European countries and a gift to Russian companies like to Burisma and Gazprom.
Among other measures, President Biden has also signed orders that will force young girls to share their sports teams and restrooms with biological males, take away healthcare choice, and expand abortion funding. These are radical moves that endanger our nation’s prosperity, women, and children. I strongly oppose all of these measures and will always fight for American self-reliance, personal choice in healthcare decisions, and the safety of our women and children. I was especially encouraged this month to see millions of Americans standing up for the unborn. Democrats are also threatening to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer funding for abortion. It has saved millions of lives and recognizes the conscience rights of Americans who oppose abortion. I joined my Republican colleagues in voicing our strong support for the Hyde Amendment.
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117th Congress Committee Assignments:
For this new Congress, I am honored to have been selected for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and for its subcommittees on Energy, Environment & Climate Change, and Oversight & Investigations. Great economic progress has been achieved in the U.S. over the last four years, especially due to regulatory reform. I look forward to using my policy experience to continue that progress. I’m also honored to bring representation from Alabama to this committee for the first time in decades. Our state has many commendable strengths in energy production and scientific research that will serve the Committee well.
Bills Signed and Introduced:
Transparency in Federal Buildings Projects Act: I am pleased that on January 19th, President Trump signed the Transparency in Federal Buildings Projects Act into law. I originally introduced this bill in May 2019. It is a common-sense measure that will require federal construction projects to be more publicly visible and accountable regarding their funding and progress. Read the bill text and more here.
Settlement Agreement Information Database Act: I introduced the SAID Act in early January and I’m grateful it was passed with bipartisan support in the House. This bill calls for transparency in recordkeeping on federal litigation and settlement agreements by requiring the establishment of a public database for all such information. This is the third successive Congress that I’ve introduced the SAID Act and that it has passed the House, and I hope it will now see further support in the Senate.
Ensuring Accurate & Complete Data Reporting Act: I am proud to partner with Rep. Ralph Norman on this bill that would require more stringent reporting of abortion data to the CDC. There are data points in this area that many states withhold in their reporting, and this bill would ensure that data is not distorted in an effort to cover up the true numbers of innocent lives lost by abortion. Laws that protect and recognize the value of life in the womb are more important than ever now, and I’m proud to introduce this one.
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From Gary’s Bookshelf
False Alarm: The Truth about the Epidemic of Fear by Marc Siegel
Written in 2006, False Alarm (originally released in 2008) reminds readers to look closely at the facts as the media covers the national pandemic news and spread of the virus. It also reinforces the notion that we must arm ourselves against fear tactics that inhibit our abilities to properly make decisions in a world of uncertainty. Life today for citizens of the developed world is safer, easier, and healthier than for any other people in history, thanks to modern medicine, science, technology, and intelligence.
So why is an epidemic of fear sweeping America? The answer, according to nationally renowned health commentator Dr. Marc Siegel, is that we live in an artificially created culture of fear. In False Alarm, Siegel identifies three major catalysts of the culture of fear—government, the media, and big pharma.
With fascinating, blow-by-blow analyses of the most sensational false alarms of the past few years, he shows how these fearmongers manipulate our most primitive instincts—often without our even realizing it. False Alarm shows us how to look behind the hype and hysteria, inoculate ourselves against fear tactics, and develop the emotional and intellectual skills needed to take back our lives.
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Congressional Spotlight: What is Budget Reconciliation?
One of Democrats’ first moves this Congress has been an attempt to push through a partisan COVID relief and budget bill under the reconciliation tool. Along with President Biden, congressional Democrats have quickly abandoned their calls for unity and are abusing the legislative process for their radically liberal wish list. The initial plan cost nearly $2 trillion and included a $15/hour minimum wage, $1400 stimulus checks, and billions of dollars in bailouts for state and local governments, among many other expensive measures. It would be devastating for small businesses and our economy.
Furthermore, this massive bill is set to be considered under reconciliation. This is a fast-track tool that can be used to make policy changes to spending bills or the debt limit, and it only requires 51 votes in the Senate for passage. It limits the committee debate and revision and is one of the easiest tools used by a majority to work around the filibuster in the Senate, which requires 60 votes for passage.
Though reconciliation has been historically useful for limited legislation, Democrats are now attaching their partisan policy priorities to budget proposals and subsequently using reconciliation to push through their most radical agenda items. This method sets a dangerous precedent for stifling debate, further limiting minority rights, and pushing through harmful legislation.
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Recent Press Talks
As mentioned, this new year and new Congress began with a dark day in Washington. I have discussed it at length with several longtime friends in Alabama’s media, and I sincerely appreciate their interest. I hope these conversations on the incident are helpful and explanatory for you.
In recent days, I’ve also begun important discussions in the media about goals for this new Congress, what we’re up against when it comes to the Biden Administration’s harmful policies, local news from the district, and more. I hope you enjoy these conversations as well.
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