POINT CLEAR, Ala. — Members of Alabama’s congressional delegation discussed infrastructure priorities, concerns about social media’s impact on youth and “playing team ball” during a panel conversation Saturday at the Business Council of Alabama’s annual government affairs conference.
“Infrastructure is the basic foundation for economic development and growth,” Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, told the record crowd of elected officials and business and association leaders.
Sewell voted in 2021 for the $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill. Over five years, Alabama will get about $5 billion from that bill for roads and bridges, as well has several hundred million for water and sewer projects, a priority in the Black Belt, a part of which she represents and broadband expansion
“(Infrastructure) employs people today and creates the byways and the highways of the future, so it’s a win-win for the state,” she said.
Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, said infrastructure in his districts includes Port of Alabama, “the bloodstream of Alabama.”
Earlier this year, more than $1 billion in capital projects were happening at the port, including deepening and widening it to allow for larger cargo ships. That work should be done in March or April.
Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, praised the resumed work last week on the Northern Beltway, a long-planned loop that will divert traffic around Birmingham.
“We’ve been trying to get this done since 1989,” Palmer said.
Road, water and broadband improvements will bring new business to the state.
“If we want to do things the right way, we can build out our economy and maintain our quality of life,” Palmer said.
Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, praised state leaders for their work on broadband expansion using a mix of federal and state dollars.
“We have to make sure we have good, solid broadband for all of Alabama, not just the large cities,” Aderholt said.
Asked about federal appropriations, Aderholt, who serves on the House appropriations committee, said he doubts any 2025 spending bills will be approved until after November.
“The truth of the matter is, we’re going to pass a continued resolution,” Aderholt said. “We’re going to come back after the election, and then we will decide, proceed on passing the appropriations bills.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt agreed. Lawmakers are on an August break, will return to D.C. in September and then have another legislative break in October. She said Congress’ decades-long inability to approve budget bills on time is a point of frustration for her.
“The fiscal year doesn’t move, we know when it is,” she said. “So why in the world can’t we meet that deadline?”
Sewell, vice-chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, spoke about how the delegation works together to advance their appropriation priorities.
“I really hope you all appreciate — because I know I do — that we do try to function in a bi-partisan way for the betterment of our state.”
She thanked Britt for her help in getting federal disaster relief for the Selma area after last year’s tornado.
“I think as a delegation, we box above our weight and I think it’s because we have a bi-partisan delegation,” she said.
Britt agreed, crediting a team effort that helped her last year secure $232.1 million in federal funding for state projects, the ninth highest amount for any Senator, according to Roll Call.
“In the long-term, we win as a state as a team,” said Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise.
Republicans in the delegation also thanked Sewell for her support in trying to get U.S. Space Command located in Huntsville and Britt said the group “played team ball” to defend the state. President Joe Biden last year decided to make Colorado the permanent home of the U.S. Space Command headquarters, rather than the previously selected Huntsville.
“The data reflects that bringing Space Command to Alabama is what is right for national security,” said Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville. The move would bring 1,700 direct jobs to the area, he said.
“… If Donald Trump is elected president, I believe it’s coming to Alabama because it’s right for national security.”
Delegation members also discussed rising mental health issues and suicide attempts among young people, increased social media use and a potential TikTok ban.
“I think putting up proper guardrails where you can still allow for innovation, still allow for our children to explore, but realizing that we have to put parents back in the driver’s seat is really important,” Britt said.
The U.S. Senate last month passed legislation that put more restrictions on social media companies and increased their responsibility for protecting minors from harmful content. It now goes to the House.
“Protection of our kids is vitally important and crucial,” Aderholt said. “(And so is) national security.”
Lawmakers and Biden earlier this year approved a ban on Chinese-owned TikTok unless it is sold.
“The Chinese Communist Party is not our friend and they are utilizing these mediums to get to the next generation,” Britt said. “They know if they control the minds of the next generation, they control America.”
Suicide rates among people age 10 to 24 increased 62% from 2007 through 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It is absolutely critical that we get control of our social media because of the enormous damage it is doing,” Palmer said.