Alabama’s Senior Senator remains well-positioned to continue advocating for Alabamians’ best interests
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Alabama’s Senior Senator, today announced he will continue to serve on Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG), Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) in the 118th Congress. Remaining on these committees will position him to build on several key wins secured for Alabamians in the 117th Congress.
“Making sure Alabamians have a seat at the table is my top priority. That’s why I fought to secure committee assignments that would allow me to best advocate for the interests of the state,” said Senator Tuberville. “My team and I brought the concerns of folks back home to Washington, D.C. by pushing back against policies that drive inflation, standing up to big government overreach, and sounding the alarm on liberal attempts to dismantle traditional family values. I look forward to defending our conservative beliefs and safeguarding Alabama’s interests in the 118th Congress.
TUBERVILLE’S COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) oversees aeronautical and space activities associated with the development of weapons systems or military operations; the Department of Defense including the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force; and military research and development. The committee also drafts the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) annually to fund our nation’s military.
- Senator Tuberville’s work on SASC over the past two years was instrumental in securing wins for Alabama’s military and defense installations in the FY23 and FY22 NDAAs. Additionally, Senator Tuberville fought back against attempts to derail the U.S. Air Force’s decision to make Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville the permanent home of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM).
- In regards to remaining on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Tuberville said, “With our state’s long history of military excellence, it’s an honor to remain on the Senate Armed Services Committee and represent the nearly half a million active-duty military, National Guard, reservists, and veterans who call Alabama home. I look forward to building on the past two years of our success in securing wins for Alabama’s defense industry in the National Defense Authorization Act process, and I will double down on efforts to bolster our military and defense installations so that Alabama stays at the forefront of protecting our national security.”
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG) oversees agricultural economics and research; agricultural extension services and experiment stations; agricultural production; and forestry and forest reserves.
- As a member of the AG Committee, Senator Tuberville advocated for Alabama’s agriculture community and pushed back against burdensome regulations impacting our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Senator Tuberville also sought to help rural communities with the introduction of legislation to simplify the federal grant process for local governments. As the Committee oversees drafting of the Farm Bill, passed every five years to fund America’s agricultural and food programs, Senator Tuberville will ensure the voices of Alabama’s farmers and foresters are heard throughout the 2023 Farm Bill drafting process.
- In regards to remaining on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Senator Tuberville said, “Alabama is home to some of the most productive and innovative farmers, producers, and foresters our country has to offer. My priority this year is making sure their voice is heard in the Farm Bill drafting process. Now more than ever, the agriculture industry needs certainty and stability to ensure our farmers and our rural communities can continue to be productive and successful. I will continue efforts to get big government out of the way so that our farmers are supported as they feed, fuel, and clothe our nation.”
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) oversees the compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education, medical care, assistance in transitioning to civilian life, and civil relief of America’s 19 million veterans, nearly 400,000 of which call Alabama home.
- During his first two years as a member of the Committee, Senator Tuberville introduced several pieces of legislation to bring about meaningful changes to how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs delivers care and benefits. Two of those bills were signed into law by President Biden in the 117th Congress: the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act and legislation to streamline post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
- In regards to remaining on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Tuberville said, “Making life better for Alabama’s 400,000 veterans is one of my top priorities. In addition to the legislation I have championed so far, I remain committed to removing the bureaucratic red tape that prevents our country’s heroes from receiving the world-class health care and benefits they have earned.”
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) oversees health, education and training, and labor legislation. The Committee also presides over most agencies and programs within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Administration on Aging, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
- During his time on HELP, Senator Tuberville fought to preserve women’s sports by urging leaders of the Biden administration not to go through with its proposed rule to allow biological males to compete in women’s sports. He also introduced amendments to prohibit institutions that allow biological males to compete in women’s athletics from receiving federal funding and led his colleagues in raising awareness about the positive impacts of Title IX to the public and administration leaders.
- Additionally, Senator Tuberville pushed to make the CDC Director a Senate-confirmed position instead of a political appointment to give all Americans a voice in the process. He also sought to hold the Biden administration accountable for the lack of consistency, leadership, and transparency in its COVID-19 response during hearings with top officials such as Dr. Anthony Fauci.
- In regards to remaining on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Senator Tuberville said, “Throughout my four decades in K-12 and then higher education, I’ve seen the challenges our students, parents, and educators face every day. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored many things, especially the importance of mental health, expanded educational opportunities, and the need for Americans to have a voice in selecting influential positions, such as the CDC Director. As a member of the HELP committee, I’ll continue to fight for oversight on health and education funding, prioritize education over indoctrination, promote a fair playing field for student-athletes, and look for ways to reduce the federal government’s burdensome role in education so that parents and those at the local and state levels can be empowered to choose what’s best for students.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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