>>DON: TONIGHT ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, WE'LL BE JOINED BY CONGRESSMAN ROBERT ADERHOLT OF HALEYVILLE, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THIS WEEK'S HISTORIC U.S. HOUSE VOTE TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR A SECOND TIME, A MOVE HE DID NOT SUPPORT.

ADERHOLT CONTENDS IT ONLY FURTHER DIVIDES THE COUNTRY.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT MOUNTING PROBLEMS WITH DISTRIBUTION OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN ALABAMA.

HE SAYS WHILE THE STATE IS WORKING ON IT, THINGS MAY NOT GET BETTER ANY TIME SOON.

AND SENATOR GERALD ALLEN OF TUSCALOOSA WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS AN EFFORT IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO REPEAL HIS MONUMENTS PRESERVATION ACT, A MOVE HE SAYS HE WILL VIGOROUSLY OPPOSE.

IT'S ALL NEXT, ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>>DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, WITH TENSIONS RUNNING HIGH IN THE WAKE OF LAST WEEK'S DEADLY RIOTING AT THE U.S. CAPITOL AND THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION, THE ALABAMA STATE CAPITOL AND THOSE IN ALL 50 STATES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON HIGH ALERT BY THE FBI FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF ARMED PROTESTS.

THE ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SAID THIS WEEK IT WAS CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION AND GOING INTO THE WEEKEND, GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WAS URGING CALM.

>> WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, ETC.

WE ARE PREPARED.

I HOPE THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON UNITING OUR COUNTRY, NOT DIVIDING OURSELVES.

WE'LL STAY VIGILANT.

>>DON: MONTGOMERY MAYOR STEVEN REED SAID THIS WEEK THAT LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WORKING WITH STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, WERE ALSO TAKING EVERY STEP POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF RESIDENTS IN THE CAPITOL CITY IN THE COMING DAYS.

>>DON: ALL REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF ALABAMA'S U.S. HOUSE DELEGATION THIS WEEK VOTED AGAINST IMPEACHING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED SECOND TIME.

DEMOCRAT TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA WAS THE LONE ALABAMA 'YES' VOTE.

SHE AND FRESHMAN CONGRESSMAN BARRY MOORE OF ENTERPRISE SPOKE OUT ON THE U.S. HOUSE FLOOR THIS WEEK.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, I RISE TO SUPPORT IMPEACHMENT.

I DO SO WITH A HEAVY HEART IN MEMORY OF BEING IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE, RIGHT UP THERE, FEARING FOR MY LIFE, AND WHY?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CITED OTHERS TO BE VIOLENT IN THIS HOUSE.

IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

IT LED TO THE KILLING OF FIVE AMERICANS.

BLOOD IS ON THIS HOUSE.

WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

I ASK THAT WE MOVE FROM STOPPING THE STEAL TO HEALING.

HEALING REQUIRES ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN NO HEARINGS.

THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMMITTEES.

WE MUST PROTECT THE RIGHT AND DEFEND THE PROCESS OF IMPEACHMENT.

IF WE PURSUE THIS, FROM NOW ON TO THIS DAY FORWARD, IMPEACHMENT WILL BE A POLITICAL PROCESS.

MY FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE TALK ABOUT HEALING.

HOW DO WE COME TOGETHER AS A NATION?

SINCE 2016 THERE HAS BEEN HASHTAGS, NOT OUR PRESIDENT.

RESIST.

RESIST.

MEMBERS ACROSS THE AISLE HAVE SUPPORTED ATTACKING THE PRESIDENT AND DEMEANING HIM.

THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

>>DON: IN VOTING AGAINST IMPEACHMENT THIS WEEK, MANY REPUBLICANS HAVE CONTENDED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT INCITE THE DEADLY RIOT AT THE U.S. CAPITOL AND DID NOT COMMIT AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

CONGRESSMAN ROBERT ADERHOLT OF HALEYVILLE WAS AMONG THEM.

HE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> I DON'T THINK HIS ACTIONS WERE SOMETHING THAT WOULD RISE TO IMPEACHMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTIONS OF THOSE AT THE CAPITOL THERE, THEY HAD A PLAN WELL BEFORE DONALD TRUMP SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE THERE THAT DAY BEFORE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TIME TO LEAVE THERE, GET THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT SOME OF THEM HAD.

>>DON: CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE TURMOIL IN WASHINGTON.

>>DON: WITH THE HOUSE VOTING TO IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT FOR A HISTORIC SECOND TIME THIS WEEK, THE MATTER NEXT MOVES TO THE U.S. SENATE, WHERE A TRIAL WOULD TAKE PLACE.

THAT'S NOT EXPECTED UNTIL AFTER THE INAUGURATION AND ITS OUTCOME IS UNCERTAIN.

ALABAMA'S SENIOR SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY SAID THAT HE BELIEVED HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES SHOULD WAIT AND HEAR THE EVIDENCE BEFORE VOTING ON WHETHER TO CONVICT PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR INCITING VIOLENCE.

FRESHMAN SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE SAID ON WEDNESDAY THAT HE THOUGHT THIS WEEK'S IMPEACHMENT ACTION WAS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

>> WELL, WE HAVE THE WORST PANDEMIC, HEALTH PANDEMIC IN MY LIFETIME AND WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT IMPEACHING A GUY THERE SEVEN MORE DAYS.

MAKES NO SENSE TO ME.

THAT'S TYPICAL OF WASHINGTON D.C.

THE SWAMP DOESN'T DO THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE.

THEY DO THINGS FOR THEMSELVES.

SOONER OR LATER YOU HOPE THEY SMELL THE ROSES.

I'M ANXIOUS TO BE UP THERE MORE TO SEE THE TEMPERAMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

RIGHT NOW, THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTRY ARE BASICALLY ON THEIR OWN.

EVERYONE THERE IS WORRIED ABOUT THEMSELVES AND POWER.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING TO ME HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT.

WE'LL GET THROUGH IT.

WE ARE A GREAT COUNTRY.

GREATEST COUNTRY ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY ARE RUNNING THIS RABBIT DOWN THE HOLE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE.

THEY CAN KEEP WASTING THE TAXPAYER MONEY.

>>DON: SENATOR TUBERVILLE THIS WEEK ALSO SUGGESTED THAT GIVEN BOTH THE TENSIONS AND THE PANDEMIC, THAT PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN COULD BE SWORN-INTO OFFICE NEXT WEEK, BUT THAT HIS FORMAL INAUGURAL CEREMONY COULD BE DELAYED.

>>DON: CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE THIS WEEK FACED SOME CALLS FOR HIS RESIGNATION AND OTHERS FOR HIM TO BE CENSURED OVER A FIERY SPEECH HE DELIVERED AT A PRO-TRUMP RALLY THAT PRECEDED LAST WEEK'S WASHINGTON VIOLENCE.

CRITICS CONTENDED THAT BROOKS HELPED INCITE THE CROWD TO STORM THE CAPITOL.

BROOKS HAS NOT BACKED DOWN FROM HIS REMARKS, SAYING IN A STATEMENT THIS WEEK• "SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS AND THEIR FAKES NEWS MEDIA ALLIES WON'T GET AN APOLOGY FROM ME BECAUSE MY REMARKS WERE NOT WRONG.

CONVERSELY, THE SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS AND THEIR FAKE NEWS MEDIA ALLIES SHOULD BE APOLOGIZING TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE EGREGIOUS AND MANIPULATIVE WAY THAT THEY HAVE DECEIVED THE PUBLIC ON THIS ISSUE.

REST ASSURED: I WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR FIGHTING TO WIN OUR CAUSES AT THE BALLOT BOX.

THAT IS THE AMERICAN WAY!"

>>DON: CONGRESSMAN BROOKS HAS CONTENDED THAT HIS CRITICS ARE MISREPRESENTING HIS RALLY REMARKS FROM LAST WEEK, REMARKS HE SAYS WERE INTENDED TO ADDRESS VOTER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS AND SERVE AS A PEP TALK FOR THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE.

BROOKS HAS CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL, CALLING IT 'DESPICABLE AND UN-AMERICAN.'

>>DON: THERE WERE MORE DETAILS THIS WEEK ABOUT AN ALABAMA MAN WHO WAS ARRESTED IN LAST WEEK'S CAPITOL UPRISING.

70-YEAR-OLD LONNIE COFFMAN, WHO LIVES NEAR FALKVILLE, IN MORGAN COUNTY, WAS TAKEN IN ON WEAPONS CHARGES AND WAS NAMED IN A 17-COUNT FEDERAL INDICTMENT THIS WEEK.

>>DON: LONNIE COFFMAN IS SEEN HERE IN A PHOTO TAKEN AT THE U.S. CAPITOL LAST WEEK.

AUTHORITIES SAY HE HAD TWO GUNS ON HIM AND SEVERAL OTHERS IN HIS TRUCK, WHICH WAS SAID TO BE PARKED A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE CAPITOL.

POLICE ALSO FOUND IN THE TRUCK AMMUNITION, STUN GUNS, A CROSSBOW, A COUPLE OF MACHETES AND ABOUT A DOZEN MOLOTOV COCKTAIL EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.

OFFICIALS ALSO FOUND A HANDWRITTEN NOTE WITH THE NAMES OF LAWMAKERS AND MEDIA PERSONALITIES THAT COFFMAN SUPPOSEDLY EITHER LIKED OR DIDN'T LIKE.

>>DON: LONNIE COFFMAN HAS BEEN ORDERED HELD WITHOUT BAIL.

AUTHORITIES HAVE CONTENDED THAT THERE WAS CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT COFFMAN WOULD POSE A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY IF RELEASED FROM CUSTODY.

THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE COMMENT FROM COFFMAN'S ATTORNEY.

>>DON: ANOTHER ALABAMA MAN HAS NOW BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF THE PROTESTORS WHO BREACHED THE U.S. CAPITOL LAST WEEK.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SAY JOSHUA BLACK OF LEEDS FACES CHARGES FOR BEING AMONG THE CROWD THAT FORCED ITS WAY INTO THE CAPITOL.

HE WAS IDENTIFIED FROM PHOTOS AND VIDEO TAKEN ON THE U.S. SENATE FLOOR LAST WEEK.

FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SAID BLACK LATER POSTED THIS VIDEO ONLINE.

>> I PLAN ON CALLING THE FBI AND TURNING MYSELF IN AS SOON AS I GET THIS UPLOADED AND HOPEFULLY SPREAD AROUND ENOUGH WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET MY SIDE OF THE STORY.

IT WAS A LOT HAPPENED.

I MEAN, IT WAS -- ONCE WE FOUND OUT THAT PENCE TURNED ON US, AND THEY HAD STOLEN THE ELECTION OFFICIALLY -- THE CROWD WENT CRAZY.

I MEAN -- IT BECAME A MOB.

>>DON: BLACK'S FACE WAS INJURED WHEN HE WAS HIT WITH A PROJECTILE DURING THE CAPITOL VIOLENCE.

HE IS CHARGED WITH ENTERING A RESTRICTED BUILDING OR GROUNDS; VIOLENT ENTRY AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

>>DON: ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL SAID THIS WEEK THAT HE'S STILL LOOKING INTO THE PARTICIPATION OF AN ORGANIZATION HE LEADS IN LAST WEEK'S RALLY THAT PRECEDED THE U.S. CAPITOL VIOLENCE.

MARSHALL HEADS THE GROUP CALLED THE RULE OF LAW DEFENSE FUND, WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS THE POLICY ARM OF THE REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL ASSOCIATION.

>> THE INTERNAL REVIEW IS ONGOING.

WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

WE ARE A PRIVATE AGENCY AND NONPROFIT PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED WHAT GOES ON.

WE ARE ENGAGING OUR BIGGEST REVIEW.

WE'LL HAVE THAT COMPLETED SHORTLY.

>>DON: MARSHALL HAS SAID THAT THE RLDF'S ROLE IN LAST WEEK'S WASHINGTON RALLY WAS NOT AUTHORIZED AND THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF IT IN ADVANCE.

THE REPUBLICAN ATTORNEYS GENERAL ASSOCIATION HAS SAID THAT RLDF'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HAS SINCE RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION.

>>DON: MEANTIME, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STOOD WITH OTHER STATE OFFICIALS THIS WEEK TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY, AND TO VOW TO KEEP UP THE BATTLE AGAINST THE CRIME.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS.

>> ROADS AND HIGHWAYS BRING A LOT TO ALABAMA BUT ONE THING STATE LEADERS WANT TO STOP FROM COMING HERE IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

>> CLEARLY THE WAY TO STOP THEM IS TO ROOT THEM OUT AND BRING THEM TO JUSTICE.

>>ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHAL AND OTHER AGENCIES CAME TOGETHER FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS DAY TO ANNOUNCE A NEW PROGRAM TO FIGHT IT BRINGING IN NEW ENFORCEMENTS TO WORK TOGETHER.

MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A $2.9 MILLION GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES OF JUSTICE, THE TRAFFICKING ALLIANCE WILL MARSHAL THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NONGOVERNMENTAL GROUPS FORMING A POWERFUL FRONT IN FIGHTING THE SURGE IN OUR SOCIETY.

THE ALABAMA ANTIHUMAN TRAFFICKING ALLIANCE HAVE PARTNERS STATEWIDE WHO SEEK TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

VOLITA DAVIS IS FROM HUNTSVILLE.

>> TO COME TOGETHER TO NOT ONLY CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE HORRIBLE VIOLENCE TAKING PLACE, BUT TO MAKE SURE HAS THE SURVIVORS OF THE TRAUMA, THEIR NEEDS ARE MET.

>> KAY KNIGHT IS DIRECTOR OF THE SUNSHINE CENTER.

>> THIS WILL GIVE US A STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT TO HELP US DETERMINE WHERE THE THE GREATEST RISKS ARE AND WHERE HUMAN TRAFFICKING MAY BE TAKING PLACE.

>> FOR THE CAPITOL JOURNAL, I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>DON: PROBLEMS CONTINUED THIS WEEK WITH DISTRIBUTION OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN ALABAMA.

A NEW TELEPHONE HOTLINE OPENED FOR RESIDENTS TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS, BUT IT WAS QUICKLY OVERWHELMED.

OFFICIALS WERE MOVING TO IMPROVE CAPACITY THERE AND TO BRING ABOUT ONLINE APPOINTMENTS.

TATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS HARRIS SAYS ALABAMA IS STILL DEALING WITH A VERY LIMITED INITIAL AMOUNT OF THE VACCINE COMPARED WITH A HUGE DEMAND FOR IT.

AND WHILE THE STATE WILL EVENTUALLY GET MORE SHOTS AND MORE PROVIDERS WILL BE ADDED, WE ASKED DR. HARRIS IF THINGS WOULD GET MUCH BETTER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> WE HOPE WHEN WE HAVE NEW PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET, THE THE JOHNSON AND JOHNSON VACCINE OR THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'LL HAVE MORE PRODUCT AVAILABLE TO US.

AS WE ADD PROVIDERS, THERE ARE MORE PLACES PEOPLE CAN GO.

THAT WILL HELP A LITTLE BIT.

WE EXPECT TO HAVE 400 PROVIDERS IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO TOTAL, COUNTING WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF VACCINE WON'T CHANGE AT ALL.

IT WILL INCREASE PEOPLE'S OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO A SITE, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER.

>>DON: RESIDENTS 75 AND OLDER AND FIRST RESPONDERS LIKE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE ADDED TO THE PRIORITY VACCINATION GROUP STARTING ON MONDAY.

DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

MEANTIME, THE STATE'S DAILY CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS HAVE VARIED OVER THE LAST WEEK, FROM AROUND 25-HUNDRED UP TO ALMOST 4,000.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S GATHERINGS CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATISTICS AND THERE'S A NEW WORRY.

THIS WAS THE SCENE IN TUSCALOOSA MONDAY NIGHT WHERE THOUSANDS GATHERED ON CAMPUS TO CELEBRATE THE CRIMSON TIDE WIN OVER OHIO STATE.

THE FOOTAGE MADE HEADLINES FOR THE SIZE AND NUMBER OF FOLKS NOT WEARING MASKS.

IT'S BEEN LABELED AS SOME AS A SUPER SPREADER.

FANS SAID IT WAS NATURAL THEY WOULD WANT TO CELEBRATE, BUT THEY WISHED MORE WORE MASKS.

THERE WAS HUGE NEWS THIS WEEK FROM ALABAMA FOR THE AIR FORCE.

THE AIR FORCE SELECTED RED STONE ARSENAL IN HUNTSVILLE FOR THE LOCATION FOR THE NEW SPACE COMMAND.

SENATOR SHELBY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT IT WAS OUTSTANDING NEWS, NOT ONLY FOR OUR STATE BUT ALSO FOR THE AIR FORCE AND THAT IT WAS A TRUE TESTAMENT TO ALL THAT ALABAMA HAS TO OFFER.

SHELBY SAID HUNTSVILLE IS THE RIGHT PICK FOR A HOST OF REASONS - OUR SKILLED WORKFORCE, PROXIMITY TO SUPPORTING SPACE ENTITIES, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

>>DON: THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK WAS HERALDING THE HUGE IMPACT OUR STATE'S AIRPORTS HAVE ON OUR ECONOMY.

IT FOLLOWED A 2-YEAR STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S AERONAUTICS BUREAU.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> RESULTS OF THE STUDY SHOW AVIATION COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE IS A VITAL PART OF ALABAMA'S GROWTH AND STABILITY.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY DROVE HOME THE POINTS.

>> THE AIR FORCE ACCOUNTS FOR 3.1 BILLION IN SPENDING IN TOTAL AND $4.9 BILLION IN ACTIVITY.

THIS REPRESENTS 2% OF OUR STATE'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND DIRECTLY EMPLOYEES 24,000 ALABAMIANS ON A YEARLY BASIS.

>> SHE HADS THAT COMMERCIAL AIRLINES BROUGHT 450,000 VISITORS TO ALABAMA IN 2019.

THOSE BUSINESSES SPENT $70 BILLION SUPPORTING ALABAMA SMALL BUSINESS AND TOURISM INDUSTRY.

>> DESPITE COVID-19, MONTGOMERY SAW A 20% GROWTH IN REVENUE.

>> WE WERE HAVING AIRLINES, CUTTING FLIGHTS, SAVING DESTINATIONS.

>> THE MONTGOMERY AIRPORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> FOR THE COMMITMENT TO HEALTH SAFETY AND CONTINUING SERVICE, WE TALK HOW MGM CONTINUES TO EMERGE FROM THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AT AN IMPRESSIVE RATE.

POSITIONED WITH OTHER AVIATIONS LITERS COMMITTED TO FULL RECOVERY.

>> THE FULL REPORT CAN BE VIEWED ONLINE.

FOR THE CAPITOL JOURNAL, I'M KAREN GOLD SMITH.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES AT WWW.APTV.ORG .

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

CONNECT WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, CONGRESSMAN JOINS US.

>> THERE ARE THOSE THAT SAY PRESIDENT TRUMP HELPED INCITE VIOLENTS WITH HIS WORDS OF ELECTION FRAUD AND AT A RALLY AT THE CAPITOL LAST WEEK.

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS IF HE BEARS RESPONSIBILITY, AND IF HE DOES, WAS IT AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK IT WAS AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE WORDS HE SAID, THEY WOULD NOT RISE TO THAT LEVEL.

HE LIKE MANY AMERICANS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION AND THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED AND THE LAWS WERE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH, AND A LOT OF THIS DEALT WITH COVID-19 AND THE WAY THE STATES WERE DOING THINGS.

THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT -- WE COULD TALK ABOUT IT FOR AN HOUR.

I DON'T THINK HIS ACTIONS WERE SOMETHING THAT WOULD RISE TO IMPEACHMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE ACTIONS OF THOSE IN THE CAPITOL, THEY WERE THERE AND HAD A PLAN WELL BEFORE DONALD TRUMP SPOKE TO THE PEOPLE THERE THAT DAY BEFORE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TIME TO LEAVE THERE, GET THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT SOME OF THEM HAD THAT -- LIKE THE TIES WE HAVE SEEN IN PHOTOS AND OTHER OBJECTS THEY HAD.

THAT HAD TO BE PREMEDITATED.

I KNOW THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON THAT DAY.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THERE THAT DAY I DO NOT THINK WERE PART OF THE RIOTS THAT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL.

>> YOU DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT'S WORDS RISE TO THE LEVEL OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENCE, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THOSE THAT SAY HE BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT ULTIMATELY HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL?

>> AGAIN, I WOULD SAY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED HAD AN AGENDA APART FROM WHAT ANYTHING DONALD TRUMP SAID THAT DAY.

YOU KNOW, AS I HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN HELPFUL IF THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE SPOKEN AND SAID, LET'S KEEP IT PEACEFUL.

LET'S NOT BE VIOLENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS 2020.

I HAVE LOOKED AT THE WORDS THE PRESIDENT USED THAT DAY, AND HE IN NO WAY FROM WORDS I HAVE SEEN IN THE TRANSCRIPT, DID HE IN ANYWAY TRY TO INCITE ANY RIOTS.

THOSE THAT SAY SO ARE LOOKING FOR SOME REASON TO TRY TO FAULT THE PRESIDENT.

>> CONGRESSMAN, YOUR COLLEAGUE IN THE ALABAMA DELEGATION, MELL BROOK OF HUNTSVILLE IS TAKING HEAT SINCE THE UPRISING AT THE CAPITOL FOR A FIERY SPEECH HE MADE AT A PRE-VIOLENCE RALLY.

THERE ARE CALLS TO RESIGN FROM HIS OFFICE AND CALLS TO CENSURE HIM.

DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT SITUATION?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IF YOU KNOW CONGRESSMAN BROOKS, HE'S VERY PASSIONATE.

AGAIN, I DON'T THINK WHAT HE SAID CAUSED THE RIOTERS TO GO DO WHAT -- THEY HAD TO HAVE HAD A PLAN WELL BEFORE CONGRESSMAN BROOKS SPOKE.

AGAIN, I THINK LOOKING BACK, HIS WORDS COULD HAVE BEEN CHOSEN DIFFERENTLY, HE COULD HAVE MADE HIS POINT WITHOUT USING SOME OF THE WORDS HE DID, BUT I DON'T THINK IT ROSE TO THE INCITING OF VIOLENCE THAT DID OCCUR.

AGAIN, HINDSIGHT IS 20-20.

HE IS COMMITTED IN WHAT HIS COMMENTS WERE, BUT HE PERHAPS WOULD HAVE CHOSEN THE WORDS DIFFERENTLY HAD HE KNOWN THE OUTCOME.

OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU KNOW CONGRESSMAN BROOKS, HE'S VERY PASSIONATE ON WHATEVER ISSUE HE WORKS ON.

I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE DAY THERE THAT HE WAS CONCERNED, LIKE MANY OF US WERE, THAT THE ELECTORAL VOTES WERE GOING TO BE COUNTED.

THERE WAS A LOT OF QUESTION.

WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE QUESTIONING GOING THE BALLOT TO BE SURE THEIR VOTE IS COUNTED.

IF WE START DOWN THAT PATH, I THINK IT'S THE END OF OUR DEMOCRACY AS WE KNOW IT.

PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WHEN THEIR VOTE IS CAST, THEIR VOTE IS NOT GOING TO BE PUT IN THE BALLOT BOX THAT IS NOT CREDIBLE AND IS QUESTIONABLE.

>> CONGRESSMAN, TEN OF YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE JOINED DEMOCRATS IN IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD TRUMP.

WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT TEN OF YOUR COLLEAGUES VOTED TO IMPEACH?

>> I KNEW THERE WOULD BE SEVERAL MEMBERS THAT WOULD VOTE.

A LOT OF THOSE THAT CAME FROM THE DISTRICTS THAT HAD A LOT OF -- YOU KNOW, ANTI-TRUMP SENTIMENT IN IT ANYWAY.

I THINK A LOT OF THEM WERE -- THERE WAS FRUSTRATION.

THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS, WHILE THEY LIKE THE POLICY OF DONALD TRUMP, THEY ARE NOT BIG FANS OF DONALD TRUMP THE MAN.

I THINK THEY HAD SUPPORTED DONALD TRUMP BECAUSE OF HIS POLICIES, BUT ALWAYS HAD RESERVATIONS MAYBE ABOUT HIM PERSONALLY, AND THIS WAS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON RECORD AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

LIKE I SAID, ALABAMA DELEGATE ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IMPEACHMENT.

AS I GO BACK TO SAY, THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE VOTER CREDIBILITY -- OR VOTER BOX CREDIBILITY IT HAD BECAUSE OF SO MANY STATES PLAYED LOOSE WITH THE ELECTION LAWS.

>> CONGRESSMAN, TWO ALABAMIANS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE STORMING OF THE U.S. CAPITOL LAST WEEK.

I ASSUME YOU WERE LIKE MANY THAT FOUND THAT DISTURBING TO SAY THE LEAST?

>> WELL, YEAH.

IF YOU LOOK, TENNESSEE, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY JUST ABOUT -- I THINK WHEN THIS ALL IS SAID AND DONE, YOU MAY HAVE SOME FROM EVERY STATE INCLUDED IN THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

AS SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE, AND I COULDN'T REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT ALL OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE CROWD COMING INTO THE CAPITOL.

THE ONLY THING I KNEW AT THE TIME WHEN I WAS ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE ON THAT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON WAS THE FACT THAT I HEARD THERE HAD BEEN A BREACH INTO THE CAPITOL -- SECURITY WAS BREACHED AND TEAR GAS WAS BEING USED.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THEY SAID TEAR GAS WAS BEING USED, WHO WAS USING THE TEAR GAS.

THEN WITH THE LOCKDOWN -- IT WAS UNNERVING.

THIS IS NOT HOW WE HANDLE THINGS IN THIS COUNTRY.

I THINK IT'S A BAD PRECEDENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON ON THAT WEDNESDAY NO WAY A PART OF WHAT TOOK PLACE.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM MY AREA OF THE STATE THAT CAME UP JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTORAL VOTES AND COUNTED THE WAY THEY WERE.

NOT AT ALL THAT THEY WERE THERE TO CAUSE THE INJURY OR HARM TO ANYONE.

>> CONGRESSMAN, HOW CONCERN ARE YOU ABOUT SAFETY FOR INAUGURATION DAY IN WASHINGTON?

THE NATION'S CAPITOL IS ON HIGH ALERT, FORTIFIED WITH NATIONAL GUARDSMEN, SOME FROM ALABAMA, STATE CAPITOLS ARE ON ALERT FOR UNREST ON OR AROUND INAUGURATION DAY.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU?

>> EVERYONE IS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY HERE.

I'M TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.

AFTER WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEDNESDAY ON THE RIOTS, THINGS ARE BEING HANDLED MUCH DIFFERENTLY NOW.

I WAS, OF COURSE, AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE.

I CAN TELL YOU SECURITY THERE IS ALMOST LIKE FORT NOX.

I THINK KNOWING WHAT THEY KNOW NOW, THEY WERE ILL PREPARED LAST WEEK WHEN THEY HAD THE RIOTS.

I THINK THEY UNDERSTATED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

I HEARD THERE ARE 20,000 TROOPS AROUND THE WASHINGTON AREA AND AROUND THE CAPITOL.

I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE INCREASED MORE.

YOU HAVE THE CAPITOL POLICE.

IT WILL BE FORTIFIED.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CAPITOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I'M SURE THEY ARE TAKING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

I FEEL SECURE THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH SECURITY AROUND THE CAPITOL.

AGAIN, YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

>> CONGRESSMAN, LET'S CLOSE QUICKLY WITH HOW ALL OF THIS AFFECTED OUR IMAGE AROUND THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY COUNTRIES WITH WHICH WE HAVE TENSIONS, CHINA, RUSSIA, IRAN -- DO YOU WORRY ABOUT HOW THE VIOLENCE LOOKS TO THE COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD?

>> IT DIDN'T SEND A GOOD MESSAGE BECAUSE A LOT OF COUNTRIES THAT WOULD LIKE TO OVERTAKE OUR GOVERNMENT, THEY MAY HAVE GOT IDEAS ON THINGS.

IF THEY CAN DO THAT IN JUST AN AVERAGE AMERICAN STORMING THE CAPITOL LIKE THAT, THINK WHAT WE COULD DO.

AGAIN, I THINK THE RISK ASSESSMENT IS BEING LOOKED AT CAREFULLY.

I THINK THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, WE TAKE PRIDE THAT OUR CAPITOL IS NOT A FORTRESS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, WE'LL BE MORE IN THAT TYPE OF THE WAY THE CAPITOL IS GUARDED IS GOING TO BE MORE LIKE A FORTRESS THAN IT'S LIKE A CAPITOL BUILDING.

IF ANY COUNTRY HAS ANY IDEA OF DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I THINK THEY'LL BE MET WITH STRONG RESISTANCE.

THE FOLKS INVOLVED WITH THE RISK ASSESSMENT, IT'S TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED NOW.

>> CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

STAY SAFE.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> CONTACT US BY E-MAIL @APT.ORG OR BY MAIL.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR ALAN BACK IN THE STUDIO.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AS WELL.

IT'S BEEN A FAST YEAR.

>> IT HAS AND IT HASN'T.

THE PANDEMIC MADE IT SEEM SLOW.

IN OTHER WAYS, IT WENT BY VERY SLOW.

HERE WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS YOU HAVE PROBABLY BEEN GETTING WHAT IF ANYTHING WILL BE DONE WITH THE MEMORIAL CONSERVATION ACT WITH MONUMENTS IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE NATION IN THE LAST YEAR.

ANY TWEETS IN STORE?

>> I HAVE HEARD ACTIVITIES FROM THE HOUSE MEMBERS, BUT I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE DETAILS ARE.

I'M CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE ACTIVITY COMING FORTH FROM THE HOUSE.

TO DATE, THERE IS NOTHING AS FAR AS THE SENATE END OF IT.

I'M SURE YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE ACTIVITY FROM THE HOUSE.

>> WOULD YOU GO INTO THAT PROCESS WITH AN OPEN MIND?

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TWEAKS TO THE LAW?

>> 2017 THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT INTO LAW.

IT'S A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WORKING, BUT THE SUPREME COURT OFFERED SUGGESTIONS TO US.

THAT WAS LEFT ON THE TABLE LAST MARCH.

CURRENTLY, IT'S WORKING.

THE AG'S OFFICE IS DOING THINGS AS WELL.

ISSUED A STATEMENT ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR STATE OFFICIALS STATEWIDE TO BE CAREFUL AND LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE LAW.

ANYWAY, IT'S WORKING.

>> YOU WOULD BE OPPOSED TO A REPEAL OF THE LAW WHICH HAS BEEN SUGGESTED IN PREFILED LEGISLATION?

REPRESENTATIVE CA VAN PREFILED AT THE HEIGHT OF TENSIONS OF THE MONUMENT?

>> YES, I -- LIKE I SAID IN THE PAST, IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT.

IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH AND PROTECT IT.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT TOOK PLACE IN HISTORY THAT IS SHAMEFUL AND UGLY AND DISGRACEFUL.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

IT TELLS A STORY ABOUT WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE COME FROM, AND IN FACT, SO MANY ADVANCES ARE TAKING PLACE HERE IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THIS GREAT COUNTRY THAT REPRESENTS MAJOR MAJOR POLICY CHANGES.

SOME OF THOSE EVENTS TOOK PLACE IN THIS GREAT STATE.

CERTAINLY, I THINK FOR OUR GENERATION AND GENERATIONS THAT FOLLOW EACH OF US AND FOUR AND FIVE GENERATIONS DOWN THE LINE, FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO TELL THE STORY ABOUT WHAT TOOK PLACE AND HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE, SO TO TELL THAT STORY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

YOU START REMOVING THINGS, AND START SAYING THAT THINGS SHOULDN'T EXIST, WE NEED TO BE OPENMINDED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PROTECT HISTORY.

IT'S A REAL ISSUE TO SOME, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IT IS HISTORY.

>> AND AGAIN, YOU BELIEVE THE LAW IS WORKING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU MIGHT BE AMENABLE TO TWEAKS BUT AN OUT RIGHT REPEAL IS NOT NECESSARY?

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT INJUSTICE TO HISTORY, TO GO THAT FAR WITH IT, AND TO PUT IT IN SUCH A WAY WHERE CURRENTLY THERE IS A MECHANISM IN PLACE, AND A VERY GOOD PROCESS IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS MUST GO THROUGH, AND ONE OF THOSE TIMES, STEPS WE PUT IN PLACE TO GUARANTEE THAT WE'LL BE CAREFUL TO PROTECT HISTORY AS WELL.

>> WE'LL WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS UNFOLDS.

SENATOR, YOU WILL BE BACK THIS YEAR DEALING WITH THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.

YOU WOULD LIKE SCHOOLS TO PERFORM THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS AT -- WATCHING MY GRANDDAUGHTER, GOT THERE EARLY, LEFT LATE, NEVER HEARD THE NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYED.

IT GOT ME THINKING.

SO, ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, IN THE FALL, IN ALABAMA ACROSS THE SOUTH AND THIS COUNTRY, YOU HEAR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS CONCERNING TO ME WAS THAT SO MANY STUDENTS DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO BE INVOLVED WITH AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES AND NEVER HEAR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

WE FELT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR ONCE A WEEK THAT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BE PLAYED IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA.

FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU ARE ON CAMPUS AND HAVE A BASKETBALL GAME, VOLLEYBALL -- WHATEVER IT MAY BE, CERTAINLY, THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE PLAYED.

>> IT COULD BE AN ASSEMBLY, RIGHT?

YOU CAN SIT IN A NUMBER OF ARENAS.

>> EXACTLY.

OF COURSE, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD WILL SET UP THE GUIDELINES FOR IT.

FOR INSTANCE, YOU CAN USE A BAND OR A SOLOIST OR A SMALL CHOIR GROUP OR EVEN HAVE AN ADMINISTRATOR TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OR A SCIENCE TEACHER COULD COME IN AND DO IT.

IT'S SOMETHING I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT'S A TOOL TO HELP US REMIND EVERY CITIZEN THAT THE COUNTRY THAT WE LIVE IN IS ONE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE STANDS BY HISTORY TO PROTECT IT AND BE A PATRIOT AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF GOOD EVENTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR WHO WE ARE.

WE ARE GREAT AMERICANS.

>> SENATOR, YOU ARE GOING TO BE BACK IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A BILL YOU CARRIED FOR SEVERAL YEARS DEALING WITH A CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON'S PERMIT.

YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO BE A REQUIREMENT IN THIS STATE.

YOU HAVE TRIED THIS SEVERAL TIMES.

THERE IS ALWAYS PUSHBACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT, I BELIEVE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO FULFILL YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL -- YOU KNOW, ON FULFILLING THAT COMMITMENT AS FAR AS THE SECOND AMENDMENT WITHOUT PAYING A FEE.

FOR INSTANCE, IN ALABAMA, IT'S AN OPEN CARRY STATE.

FOR INSTANCE, IF I WAS OPEN CARRY WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND I DO NOT HAVE A PERMIT, AND I GET IN MY VEHICLE, I'M IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW -- CONCEALED.

OR ELSE, IF A PERSON HAS A PERMIT AND THEY LEAVE THEIR WEAPON IN THEIR VEHICLE, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD THING TO DO, BUT IF THEY LEAVE THE WEAPON IN THE VEHICLE AND THEIR SPOUSE GETS IN THAT VEHICLE AND RUNS TO THE CONVENIENCE STORE AND THAT SPOUSE DOES NOT HAVE A PERMIT, THEN IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEN THAT SPOUSE IS IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW AS WELL.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I FEEL LIKE THAT WE AS AMERICANS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO FULFILL OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY A WEAPON AND FULFILL THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

IT'S ONE I FEEL I HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT MYSELF, MY FAMILY, MY PROPERTY.

IF YOU ARE ON A BUSINESS OR YOU'RE AT HOME, IT'S NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A PERMIT.

ONCE YOU LEAVE YOUR BUSINESS OR YOUR PLACE OF RESIDENCE, AND YOU GO OUTSIDE OF THOSE TWO BUSINESSES, AND YOUR HOME, THEN UNLESS YOU ARE AN OPEN CARRY PERSON, THEN YOU'RE OKAY.

IF YOU GET IN YOUR VEHICLE OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT, THEN YOU'RE IN VIOLATION.

IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS PUSHED BACK OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

>> THEY HAVE.

I RESPECT THEM GREATLY.

THEY ARE MY DEAR FRIENDS.

THEY KNOW THAT AS WELL.

IT'S ONE THAT -- IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BECAUSE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASE A PERMIT ARE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS TO RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT.

THE ONE WHO DOES NOT RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW THAT DOES NOT SEE THE NEED TO GO TO PURCHASE ONE, AND IT'S A DIFFERENCE THERE.

YOU GOT A GROUP OF CITIZENS WHO ARE GOING TO PURCHASE A PERMIT AND IF THE BILL PASSES, STATISTICS SHOWS US THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN PURCHASE THE PERMIT.

THAT'S SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND AND TO KNOW.

>> YOU THINK YOU HAVE EDUCATED FOLKS ENOUGH OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS OF CARRYING THE BILL THAT IT MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE THIS YEAR?

>> IT'S JUST ONE THAT YOU KNOW, SEVERAL STATES HAVE ALREADY PASSED IT.

WE HAVE THE NUMBERS TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY PURCHASED A PERMIT DOES NOT GO DOWN AT ALL.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO PENALIZE THE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, THE ONES THAT RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW BY REQUIRING THEM TO PAY A FEE TO FULFILL THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO PENALIZE THE LAW-ABIDING ONES.

DO YOU IN SOME WAY ENABLE THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT BY DOING THIS?

>> IF YOU WALK INTO A GUN SHOP, AND YOUR FIRST TIME THERE, THEY ARE GOING TO DO A FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECK ON YOU THOROUGHLY, WHICH IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU LEAVE THE SHOP WITH A WEAPON, AND YOU GO STRAIGHT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO PURCHASE YOUR PERMIT.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE TALKINGS ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO UNDERSTAND THE LAW, UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO RESPECT THE LAW AS WELL.

>> DON: SAFEGUARDS WOULD BE IN PLACE FOR LAWBREAKERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF I COME TO VISIT YOU, AND I CONCEAL, AND YOU CAN ASK ME, LEAVE YOUR WEAPON IN THE VEHICLE, AND OUTSIDE OF MY PROPERTY LINE.

IF I DON'T DO THAT, THEN YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

>> SENATOR GERALD ALAN OF TUSCALOOSA.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE NEW SESSION.

>> AND CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES ONLINE AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WEBSITE WWW.APTV.ORG .

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON THE CAPITOL JOURNAL FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> FINALLY IT'S THE WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE CONTINUE TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS AND PROBLEMS WHERE GETTING THE VACCINE OUT TO FOLKS IS A CONCERN.

THERE WERE REPORTS THAT ALABAMA RANKED LAST IN THE COUNTRY FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DISPUTED SOME OF THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE COME OUT RIGHT.

>> THE NUMBERS REPORTED ON THE CDC WEBSITE ARE NOT CORRECT.

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE WAY THEY ARE RECEIVING THE DATA.

A LOT OF THEM ARE FROM THE PHARMACY PROGRAM, CVS AND WALL GREENS.

WE COULD DO A BETTER JOB.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS PUT INTO PLACE TO DO THAT.

WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING LAST IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY.

AS OF FRIDAY, THE NUMBERS LOOK A LOT BETTER ON THE CDC WEBSITE.

THEY'LL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AS WE IMPROVE DATA COLLECTION.

>> STILL YOU SAY YOU ARE FAR FROM WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE.

THE HOTLINE YOU CAN CALL TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS GOT JAMMED PRETTY QUICKLY.

YOU ARE EXPLORING AN ONLINE OPTION FOR FOLKS TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS.

WE HEAR THERE ARE MORE AVAILABLE.

YOU ARE WORKING ON ALL OF THAT.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS?

>> THE PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF VACCINE.

THERE IS VACCINE IN THE STATE THAT HASN'T BEEN GIVEN YET.

WE HAVE TO GET IT ALL OUT THERE, BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE FAR OUT SEE THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR.

THOSE 75 AND OLDER, 350,000 PEOPLE, WE HAVE AROUND 330,000 TO 340,000 HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THAT GROUP.

REMEMBER, EVERY PERSON NEEDS TWO DOSES.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

THE PHONE NUMBER WAS OVERWHELMED BECAUSE OF PENT UP DEMAND.

I'M GLAD PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET THE SHOT.

MANY PEOPLE GOT THROUGH.

WE GAVE APPOINTMENTS TO GIVE EVERY BIT OF VACCINE WE HAVE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THOSE THAT COULDN'T GET THROUGH.

THE PHONE VENDOR ADDED CAPACITY TO TAKE MORE CALLS.

WE'LL TAKE INFORMATION FROM PEOPLE AS THEY CALL AND PUT THEM ON THE LIST TO CALL BACK WHEN THERE IS VACCINE AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE AN ONLINE OPTION WE HOPE TO HAVE UP AND RUNNING IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

WE HAVE THE PHONE NUMBER FOR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLINICS, NOT FOR THE OTHER SITES THAT GIVE VACCINES.

>> YOU MENTIONED 370,000 TOTAL DOSES WERE AVAILABLE TO ALABAMA INITIALLY.

WE HAVE GIVEN OUT 30 TO 45% OF THE DOSES?

YOU ARE WORKING ON GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO PUT THE SHOTS IN ARMS, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

AS OF YESTERDAY, WE HAD GIVEN ALMOST 131,000 DOSE IN THE STATE.

ACTUALLY, OVER HALF OF THAT WAS IN THE PAST WEEK.

WE HAD MORE IN THE PAST WEEK THAN IN THE PREVIOUS TWO AND A HALF WEEKS COMBINED AS WE ROLL OUT MORE PROVIDERS IN MORE LOCATIONS.

WE FEEL WE ARE IMPROVING IN A BIG WAY.

WE COULD DO A BETTER JOB.

WE DON'T WANT DOSES ON THE SHELVES AT ALL.

THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS VACCINATING ALL DAY EVERYDAY.

AS WE GET NEW ALLOTMENTS, THEY'LL RUN OUT OF CASES IN THE WEEKS.

WE'LL STAGGER THEM OUT AS CONVENIENT FOR PEOPLE.

WE'LL RETRIEVE VACCINE FROM THE SITES ADMINISTERING FAST ENOUGH.

WE WANT TO REALLOCATE TO THOSE DOING IT ON A MORE SUFFICIENT BASIS.

SOME OF THE SMALLER AREA OR RURAL AREAS ARE NEVER GOING TO DO LARGE VOLUME CLINICS.

WE WANT TO BE SURE THEY ARE STILL TAKEN CARE OF.

>> YOU TOLD US WE WERE CURRENTLY FOLLOWING A PLAN SUPPORTED BY THE CDC AND ANOTHER FEDERAL AGENCY.

SEVERAL STATES HAVE ABANDONED THOSE PLANS AND ARE DEVELOPING THEIR OWN PLANS IN LIGHT OF DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS.

IT BEGS THE QUESTION, WHY ARE WE STICKING WITH THE CDC PLAN?

>> IT'S A MATTER OF NUMBERS.

WE ARE OPEN TO ADDITIONAL GUIDE APPS.

OPERATIONAL WORK DID A CONFERENCE WITH DIRECTOR REDFIELD FROM THE CDC.

THEY SAID IT'S NEVER MEANT TO BE RULES.

IT'S JUST GUIDANCE.

WE THINK YOU SHOULD PRIORITIZE THOSE OVER 65 AND THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS FIRST.

YES, WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT BUT THAT'S 2,000,000 PEOPLE IN OUR STATE IN ADDITION TO THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN LINE.

OF COURSE, EVERY ONE OF THE PEOPLE ARE DESERVING.

WE THINK THEY NEED THE VACCINE AS FAST POSSIBLE.

WHEN YOU TELL MORE THAN 2,000,000 ALABAMIANS THAT THE SHOT IS HERE, THEY ASSUME IT'S AVAILABLE, WHEN THERE IS NOWHERE NEAR ENOUGH.

IF EVERY DOSE WE HAVE TODAY WAS GIVEN TODAY, WE WOULD STILL BE LESS THAN HALFWAY THROUGH THE PHASE 1A POPULATION NOT TO MENTION THE PEOPLE OVER 75 OR FIRST RESPONDERS.

WE MAY WELL EXPAND WHO IS IN THE PRIORITY CATEGORY IF THERE ARE NOT UPDATES, IF THERE IS AVAILABLE VACCINE.

IT'S DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE SAYING IT'S YOUR TURN BUT THERE IS NO VACCINE TO GIVE THEM.

>> REMIND FOLKS THE TIER ONE GROUP YOU MENTIONED INCLUDES HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND NURSING CARE RESIDENTS.

WE ARE ADDING STARTING MONDAY TO THAT GROUP, THOSE 65 AND OLDER AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHICH INCLUDES POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.

>> PEOPLE 75 AND OLDER IS WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE IN ALABAMA.

THE GROUPS YOU MENTIONED, PHASE 1A AND 75 AND OLDER AND FIRST RESPONDERS, THAT'S 75,000 PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

THERE IS OVERLAP, BUT IT'S APPROXIMATELY 700,000 PEOPLE.

EACH PERSON NEEDS TWO SHOTS.

IT WOULD TAKE 1.4 MILLION DOSES TO COVER THE GROUP.

WE HAVE RECEIVED 375,000 IN THE STATE.

EVERYONE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE THE SHOT.

WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET 1.4 MILLION DOSES INTO THAT PEOPLE, BUT WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO DO IT.

IT'S A TRAGEDY IN A WAY.

IT'S A SCARCE RESOURCE.

IT'S BEING RATIONED.

THERE IS A RATIONAL TO DOING IT.

WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THOSE THAT ARE OLDER, NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, THOSE AT RISK FOR EXPOSURE BECAUSE OF THEIR DUTIES WHICH INVOLVE A LOT OF EXPOSURE TO OTHER PEOPLE.

IF PEOPLE SAID IT WAS PRIORITIZING CORRECTLY, I CAN'T ARGUE AGAINST THEM.

I'LL JUST SAY IT'S THE PRIORITIZATION THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED TO US.

MOST STATES FOLLOW IT.

IT'S A PLAN WE HAVE AT THE MOMENT.

WE'LL CONSIDER CHANGING IT AS TIME GOES ON.

>> DON: ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE THAT THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE A NATIONAL PLAN INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT UP TO STATES AS NEEDS AND RESOURCES VARY?

>> I DO.

EVERYTHING IS A TRADE OFF.

I'M NOT NAIVE ENOUGH TO THINK IT WOULD FIX EVERY PROBLEM.

EVERY STATE HAS THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED.

I'M NOT HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THAT.

I WILL SAY WHEN THERE ARE 51 PLANS IMPLEMENTED IN THE 50 STATE AND DC, IT'S DIFFICULT TO MANAGE THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE PUBLIC.

ANY GROUP THAT SEES ANY OTHER GROUP IN FRONT OF THEM CAN POINT TO ANOTHER STATE SAYING THEY ARE DOING IT THIS WAY.

WHY CAN'T WE DO IT THIS WAY?

>> THERE IS NOT A LOGICAL EXPLANATION, IT'S PRIORITIZATION BECAUSE WE ARE RATIONING WHAT WE HAVE.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

DISK DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE TO ALLOCATE.

>> WILL THIS GET BETTER ANY TIME SOON?

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

WE HOME WHEN WE HAVE NEW PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET, JOHNSON AND JOHNSON OR ASTRAZENECA, WE'LL GET MORE PRODUCT, AND AS WE HAVE MORE PROVIDERS THERE WILL BE MORE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.

THAT WILL HELP A LITTLE BIT.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF VACCINE WON'T CHANGE AT ALL.

IT WILL INCREASE PEOPLE'S OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO A SITE BUT NOT THE NUMBER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS.

THE DAILY CASE RATE IS ALARMING.

IT'S GONE UP AND DOWN 2500 TO 3,000 TO 3500 DAILY CASES.

THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE, WE TALKED ABOUT HOW CONCERNING THAT IS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND HOW LOW THE ICU BEDS ARE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HEARD THAT THE RATE WAS AT LEAST FLAT.

AM I READING THE NUMBERS RIGHT?

>> IT GOT TO 3100 INPATIENTS ON ANY GIVEN DAY OVER THE WEEK AND LAST WEEK.

IT'S A LITTLE BELOW 3,000 RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S A RELIEF.

I KNOW I HEARD DR. WILLIAMSON SAY THIS WEEK ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE PATIENTS IN ALABAMA HOSPITALS HAS A DIAGNOSIS OF COVID-19, HALF OF THE PATIENTS IN ICU HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF COVID-19.

ONE DAY THIS WEEK ICU BEDS AROUND THE STATE 98% FULL.

EVEN HAVING 2% OF YOUR BEDS AVAILABLE DOESN'T MEAN THERE'S STAFFING AVAILABLE FOR THE BEDS, DEPENDING ON THE FACILITY.

IT'S A CRISIS SITUATION.

>> ARE MOST OCCUPIED BY COVID-19 PATIENTS?

I THINK IT'S 50%.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING GIVEN THE NUMBERS WE HAVE SEEN.

AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE ON THE SHOW, WE EXPECT 8 TO 10% OF THE PEOPLE WILL REQUIRE A HOSPITAL BED AT SOME POINT.

>> AGAIN, WE EXPECT THE DAILY CASE COUNT TO GO UP.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE STATEWIDE MASKING MANDATE IS SET TO EXPIRE NEXT WEEK.

I KNOW YOU WILL MEET WITH GOVERNOR IVEY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT?

>> IT EXPIRES JANUARY 22ND.

SHE IS LIKELY TO ADDRESS THAT BEFORE THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON -- I RECOMMEND NOT CONTINUING THE MASK MANDATE.

WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT SHE HAS HAD OF THAT SO FAR.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO UNTIL WE GET ENOUGH VACCINE FOR EVERYONE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED HOW MUCH CAN GO INTO THE SIMPLE ACT OF PUTTING ON A MASK.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN UNDERPLAY IT, RIGHT?

>> LISTEN, AS I SAID EARLIER ON THE SHOW TONIGHT, EVERYTHING IS A TRADE OFF.

THERE ARE REASONS NOT TO WEAR A MASK.

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THEM OR BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO, THOSE ARE ALL VALID, BUT MASKS ARE SAFE TO WEAR FOR YOU.

THEY ARE EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF DISEASE.

A THIRD OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE DISEASE DON'T REALIZE THEY ARE INFECTED, YOU CAN SAVE THE LIFE OF SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT WITHOUT REALIZING YOU HAD BEEN PUTTING THEM AT RISK.

I BELIEVE IN THEM THOUGH I DON'T LIKE THEM EITHER.

HOPE EVERYONE WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR THEM.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES ONLINE.

CAPITOL JOURNAL EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE ON APT FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT TO PAST EPISODES ON THE CAPITOL JOURNAL FACEBOOK PAGE AND LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES WHILE DRIVING OR ON TO GO WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>>DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE AND FROM WASHINGTON, INCLUDING A WRAP-UP OF THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN AND ALL OF THE TENSIONS AND EXTRAORDINARY SECURITY THAT IS EXPECTED TO SURROUND IT.

WE ALSO HOPE TO BE JOINED BY ONE OF OUR FEDERAL LAWMAKERS FOR REACTION TO NEXT WEEK'S EVENTS.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO DISCUSS THE PANDEMIC AND WHETHER OR NOT ALABAMA'S MASKING MANDATE WILL BE EXTENDED.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DONE DAILY.

GOODNIGHT.

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