Alabama Political Landscape: Becoming the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives seems to be a mixed bag. On one hand, you’re suddenly everyone’s target.
Democrats might paint you as a mean-spirited underminer of the Constitution, while some fellow Republicans may label you a sellout RINO for trying to get things done rather than just tweeting. Despite these negatives, the allure of wielding the big metaphorical mallet seems to outweigh the drawbacks, as evidenced by the nine Republicans vying for the position since Jim Jordan’s unsuccessful bid.
Representing Alabama in this political melee is Gary Palmer of Hoover, who, over the weekend, announced his candidacy for House Speaker with a goal of uniting Republicans under “steady, conservative leadership.”
Shifting gears to Alabama’s legislative scene, the first bill for the 2024 session has made its entrance. This Republican-backed measure aims to tighten rules on absentee ballots. If passed, it would criminalize the provision of absentee ballot applications by third parties paid by campaigns or activist organizations. The bill also addresses concerns about ballot harvesting, making it explicit that such practices are illegal in Alabama.
In more maritime news, a potential state-record blue marlin was reeled in by Houston’s Scooter Anderson in the Gulf of Mexico. Weighing in at a colossal 1,145.6 pounds, it surpasses both the previous Gulf record and the Alabama state record by substantial margins.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, despite facing criticism from fellow Republicans, remains optimistic about cooperation, stating, “We’re still the majority party. We’re willing to work with them, but they gotta tell us what they need.”
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