>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, ALABAMA'S TOP ELECTED OFFICIAL IS PLEDGING TO WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH THE NATION'S NEW DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT, JOE BIDEN.

HE, OF COURSE, WAS SWORN-IN THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON AMIDST UNPRECEDENTED SECURITY, SAYING THAT HE WOULD BE A PRESIDENT FOR ALL AMERICANS.

OUR GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID THAT, IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT VIOLENT U.S CAPITOL UPRISING, SHE WAS HAPPY TO SEE A PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER.

>> THAT'S WHAT SEPARATES OUR COUNTRY FROM A LOT OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

I REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

WE'LL WORK IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG ISSUES TO TACKLE AND WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO SOLVE THE SITUATIONS.

>>DON: IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF COOPERATIVENESS, ALABAMA'S TWO NEW REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN, BARRY OF MOORE OF ENTERPRISE AND JERRY CARL OF MOBILE, JOINED 16 OTHER FRESHMAN LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, SAYING THEY WANT TO WORK WITH HIM ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES, RANGING FROM THE PANDEMIC TO THE ECONOMY.

CONGRESSMAN CARL TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE ALREADY DISAGREES WITH BIDEN ON SOME OF HIS FIRST EXECUTIVE ORDERS, BUT HE STILL WANTS TO FOSTER A SPIRIT OF COOPERATIVENESS.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS FROM A BI-PARTISAN STANDPOINT WE CAN BE WORKING ON.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME TO LET PRESIDENT BIDEN KNOW WE ARE HERE TO WORK.

WE ARE NOT HERE TO DISAGREE WITH HIM ON EVERYTHING.

WE WANT TO REACH OUT WITH AN OLIVE BRANCH, FOR LACK OF BETTER TERM, TO REACH OUT AND LET HIM KNOW WE ARE HERE AND WORK ON ISSUES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMON USES FOR.

>> DON: CARL SAYS INFRASTRUCTURE IN HIS SOUTH ALABAMA DISTRICT WOULD BE KEY AMONG THOSE ISSUES.

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

>> DON: WITH JOE BIDEN NOW IN THE WHITE HOUSE, A SHIFT OF POWER IN THE U.S. SENATE, AND A PRE-EXISTING MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, DEMOCRATS ARE NOW OSTENSIBLY IN CONTROL IN WASHINGTON.

THAT WAS GREAT NEWS TO ALABAMA'S LONE DEMOCRAT IN DC, CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA.

SHE SAID THIS WEEK THAT THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS MARKED A HUGE VICTORY FOR HER PARTY.

>> AS JOE BIDEN SAID, IT'S A NEW DAY IN AMERICA.

HE STRESSED UNITY.

HE STRESSED MOVING AWAY FROM DIVISION AND HEALING, AND I THINK THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT TONE.

I ALSO THINK WE OWE A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THE WOMEN SUFFRAGE, WOMEN OF COLOR AROUND THE WORLD WHO PAVED THE WAY SO WE WOULD HAVE THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND FIRST WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT.

>>DON: THERE WILL, OF COURSE, BE A NUMBER OF FIRSTS UNDER THE JOE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE U.S. SENATE THIS WEEK CONFIRMED HIS PICK TO BE DEFENSE SECRETARY.

HE'S MOBILE NATIVE AND RETIRED ARMY GENERAL LLOYD J. AUSTIN, WHO BECOMES THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO LEAD THE PENTAGON.

ALABAMA SENATORS RICHARD SHELBY AND TOMMY TUBERVILLE BOTH VOTED TO CONFIRM HIM.

THEY AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE DELEGATION ALSO APPROVED A WAIVER FOR AUSTIN THAT WILL ALLOW HIM TO SERVE AS DEFENSE SECRETARY, DESPITE HAVING ONLY BEEN RETIRED FROM ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY FOR FOUR YEARS.

FEDERAL LAW MANDATES A SEVEN YEAR PERIOD.

>>DON: ONE OF NEW PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S FIRST EXECUTIVE ORDERS THIS WEEK ELIMINATED A MEMORANDUM FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THAT WOULD HAVE BARRED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM BEING COUNTED IN THE U-S CENSUS.

THE MATTER IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ON-GOING LAWSUIT LED BY ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL AND CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS.

MARSHALL SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL ABOUT THE MOVE.

>> WE WERE DISAPPOINTED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN'S ACTIONS BECAUSE WE THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ORDER WAS UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS IN THE PROPORTION ACCOUNT.

IT WOULD HAVE HELPED THE ARGUMENT THE STATE WAS MAKING.

IT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR THIS CYCLE, FOR THE REMEDY WE WERE SEEKING IN THE CASE TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

WE HAVE THE CASE PENDING.

WE'LL PRESENT THE ARGUMENT IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE AND ALLOW THE CASE TO PROCEED AS IT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE.

>>DON: AS FAR AS REAPPORTIONMENT IS CONCERNED, MARSHALL AND OTHERS ARE WORRIED THAT ALLOWING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE COUNTED IN THE CENSUS WOULD FAVOR STATES WITH LARGE IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS, AND THAT ALABAMA COULD POSSIBLY LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT AND AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

>>DON: AMONG THE FLURRY OF PARDONS THAT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP GRANTED BEFORE HE DEPARTED WASHINGTON THIS WEEK WAS ONE FOR FORMER ALABAMA STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED HENRY OF HARTSELLE.

HENRY HAD PLEADED GUILTY IN A MEDICARE FRAUD CASE TWO YEARS AGO AND WAS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS OF PROBATION AND PAID A $4,000-DOLLAR FINE.

A STATEMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE SAID THE PRESIDENTIAL PARDON WAS GRANTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF ALABAMA U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE.

>>DON: GOVERNOR KAY IVEY THIS WEEK EXTENDED FOR THE FIFTH TIME HER STATEWIDE MASKING ORDER.

AS CAPITOL JOURNAL'S KAREN GOLDSMITH REPORTS FOR US TONIGHT, IVEY HAD HOPED THAT THE ORDER COULD END WITH THE NEW YEAR, BUT THAT TROUBLING CORONAVIRUS CASE NUMBERS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS NECESSITATED THE EXTENSION.

>> AT ONE POINT LAST WEEK, OF THE 1,600 ICU BEDS IN OUR STATE, 1,561 WERE OCCUPIED.

FOLKS, THAT MEANS THAT ONLY 39ICU BEDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR COVID-19, CANCER PATIENTS OR FOLKS INVOLVED IN SEVERE ACCIDENTS.

>> THAT IS WHY MANDATORY MASK WEARING HAS BEEN CONTINUED.

>> WITH THAT NEWS, IT SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE THAT DR. HARRIS AND I ARE HERE TO EXTEND THE CURRENT ORDER OF NO CHANGES FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS UNTIL MARCH 5TH.

>> BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER RECOGNIZE PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED WITH HAVING TO CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK AND WITH THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

BOTH ARE ASKING FOR PATIENCE AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO TRUST THAT THEY ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO GET SHOTS IN ARMS.

>> PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT WE COULD DO THINGS FASTER.

I THINK WE ALSO CAN DO THINGS FASTER.

>> THOUGH ALABAMA HAS ADMINISTERED 200,000 OF 400,000 DOSES, ACCELERATED VACCINE ROLLOUT EFFORTS ARE UNDER WAY.

>> COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS DOING VACCINATIONS ARE UNDER INSTRUCTION TO DO VACCINES ALL DAY EVERYDAY UNTIL THEY RUN OUT.

THEY ARE SPENDING SOME OF THEIR CLINICAL SERVICES TO THE EXTENT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.

>> DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS ACCELERATED VACCINE EFFORTS.

I'M KATHRYN GOLD SMITH.

>>DON: TEACHERS ARE AMONG A NEW PRIORITY GROUP OF ALABAMIANS WHO THIS WEEK BECAME ELIGIBLE TO START RECEIVING THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

BUT BECAUSE OF OUR 'SUPPLY VERSUS DEMAND' PROBLEM IN THE STATE, THERE WILL BE A DELAY BEFORE MOST TEACHERS CAN ACTUALLY START GETTING SHOTS.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION DR. ERIC MACKEY SPOKE WITH ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S 'SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION' PROGRAM ABOUT THE ISSUE.

>> BY THE END OF THIS WEEK, WE'LL HAVE A FEW THOUSAND TEACHERS THAT WILL HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, BUT OF THE HUNDRED THOUSAND THAT WE HAVE IS PRETTY SMALL PERCENTAGE STILL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE ROLLING OUT.

I THINK AND HOPE THAT BY THE END OF FEBRUARY, WE'LL BE MUCH FURTHER ALONG.

IT'S ABOUT THE SUPPLY OF VACCINE.

>>DON: TEACHERS THIS WEEK JOINED FIRST RESPONDERS LIKE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS IN THE NEW PRIORITY 'GROUP 1-B' FOR CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS.

>>DON: A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN STATE SENATORS THIS WEEK RELEASED A STATEMENT URGING THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO WORK OUT WHAT THE LAWMAKERS CALLED 'KINKS' IN OUR VACCINE SUPPLY PIPELINE.

SENATOR JIM MCCLENDON, WHO CHAIRS THE UPPER CHAMBER'S HEALTH COMMITTEE, WAS AMONG THEM.

HE TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HIS CONSTITUENTS SPURRED HIM ON.

>> THEY ARE TERRIBLY FRUSTRATED, AND THEY ARE SCARED.

THEY ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS VIRUS.

THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS THAT ARE DYING.

THERE WAS A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN IT WAS LIKE, IS THAT REALLY GOING ON OR NOT?

THEN, WE STARTED KNOWING SOME PEOPLE THAT GOT SICK, AND THEN I BET YOU EVERYONE THAT'S DIED FROM IT NOW.

THESE PEOPLE, THEY ARE AFRAID.

>>DON: THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THIS WEEK RESPONDED TO THE LAWMAKERS' CONCERNS, SAYING IT WANTED TO CLEAR UP SOME APPARENT MISUNDERSTANDINGS OVER THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS.

>>DON: THE PANDEMIC WILL FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN THE UPCOMING NEW SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WILL DELIVER HER ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 2ND, RIGHT AFTER LAWMAKERS HAVE RECONVENED.

SHE SAID TODAY THAT HER SPEECH THIS YEAR WILL BE VIRTUAL, WITH NO IN-PERSON AUDIENCE.

>> WE'LL BE GIVING THE STATE OF THE STATE FROM THE CAPITOL.

IT WILL BE A LIVE, TELEVISED ADDRESS.

AS DETAILS COME AVAILABLE AS TO WHERE WE'LL BE IN THE CAPITOL, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT.

AT THIS TIME, WE ARE HAVING A VIRTUAL STATE OF THE STATE.

I'LL BRING THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA INTO THE CAPITOL FOR THE ADDRESS.

>>DON: MEANTIME, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO MONTGOMERY, THEY WILL WORK FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN TAKE THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15TH OFF TO ASSESS HOW THINGS ARE GOING WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND DECIDE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE SESSION WOULD OSTENSIBLY RESUME ON FEBRUARY 23RD.

>>DON: A NEW STATE LAWMAKER WAS ELECTED THIS WEEK, JUST IN TIME TO GO TO WORK IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HE'S REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE BEN ROBBINS OF SYLACAUGA, WHO WON THE VACANT DISTRICT 33 STATE HOUSE SEAT OVER DEMOCRAT FRED CRUM IN A SPECIAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY.

ROBBINS TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT HE'S READY TO JUMP RIGHT IN AND TACKLE PRIORITIES IN HIS AREA.

>> WE ARE A RURAL DISTRICT.

SOME MAJOR ISSUES, IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, WE HAVE SLID DOWN THE INDICATORS -- ECONOMIC INDICATORS, WE HAVE SLID DOWN THE SCALE.

I THINK THERE IS A REAL NEED IN OUR AREA FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT NEED REPAIR.

WE HAVE LARGE AREAS OF THE RURAL DISTRICT WITHOUT RELIABLE INTERNET.

>>DON: ROBBINS SUCCEEDS THE LATE RON JOHNSON IN THE DISTRICT 33 STATE HOUSE SEAT.

JOHNSON DIED IN JULY FROM CANCER AT AGE 76.

HE WAS THE LONGEST CONTINUOUSLY SERVING MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE WHEN HE PASSED AWAY.

>>DON: IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, THE DISCOVERY OF THE WRECK OF THE CLOTILDA OFF OF THE ALABAMA COAST, THE SHIP WHICH BROUGHT THE LAST GROUP OF SLAVES TO THE U.S. AS CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT TELLS US, THE DISCOVERY HAS OPENED A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY.

>> NOT FAR FROM DOWNTOWN MOBILE SITS THE COMMUNITY WHERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SLAVES WERE BROUGHT TO LIVE.

THE HISTORY IS BEING UPDATED.

>> IT'S AFRICA TOWN'S BIG SECRET THAT THE WORLD DOESN'T KNOW.

WITH US TELLING THE STORY, IT BROADENS THE STORY FOR PEOPLE TO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.

>> THE SECRET -- HOW PEOPLE SURVIVED SLAVERY AND LEARNED TO PROSPER IN A NEW LAND.

>> THE STORY OF THE CLOTILDA HAS BEEN TOLD MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS, HOW IT WAS THE LAST SHIP TO DELIVER SLAVES TO AMERICA, HOW THEY WENT ON TO START THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

NOW THE STORY IS BEING TOLD AGAIN.

THIS TIME FROM A WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE.

>> THE CLOTILDA SHIPMATES ARE COMING TOGETHER TO TELL STORIES HANDED DOWN OVER TIME.

>> ON SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH, THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW STRONG SHE WAS.

SHE COULD WORK LIKE A MAN.

SHE WAS A SPECIAL PERSON.

>> THEY CREATED THE COMMUNITY.

THEY GREW IT.

WHAT WE SEE TODAY IS BECAUSE OF THEM.

IT'S NOT JUST THE MEN WHO DID THIS.

THE WOMEN CARRY A LOT ON THEIR BACKS.

>> WHEN I HAVE STRUGGLES, I THINK ABOUT HER.

IF SHE COULD DO IT IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO FAIL WITH WHAT I HAVE.

THEY ARE MORE THAN MEN.

THERE ARE WOMEN THERE.

THEY BORE THE CHILDREN.

THEY CAME OVER ALONG WITH THEIR HUSBANDS.

WHY NOT HONOR THE WOMEN?

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

>> YOU WITH WATCH PAST EPISODES ONLINE.

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CONNECT WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL AND LINKS TO PAST EPISODES ON THE CAPITOL JOURNAL FACEBOOK PAGE AND LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF CAPITOL JOURNAL DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAPITOL JOURNAL.

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

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU, DON.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> ANOTHER BIG WEEK IN WASHINGTON WITH THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW PRESIDENT.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH A LETTER YOU AND FELLOW FRESHMAN BARRY MOORE OF ENTERPRISE SIGNED ON TO PLEDGING TO WORK WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

TELL US ABOUT THE LETTER.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS FROM A BI-PARTISAN STANDPOINT WE CAN WORK ON.

IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO LET NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT BIDEN KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO WORK.

WE ARE NOT HERE TO DISAGREE WITH HIM ON EVERYTHING.

WE WANTED TO REACH OUT WITH AN OLIVE BRANCH, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

REACH OUT AND LET HIM KNOW WE ARE HERE, AND WE ARE WILLING TO WORK ON ISSUES WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMON USES FOR, INFRASTRUCTURE IS A GREAT ONE FOR EXAMPLE.

INFRASTRUCTURE BILL HAS BEEN KICKED AROUND.

SOMETHING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON FOR ALABAMA.

OF COURSE, DISTRICT ONE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS IN DISTRICT ONE WE COULD TOUCH ON WHERE THE ECONOMY AND BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE CONCERNED, THINGS THAT DREW ACCUSATIONS AGAINST YOU AFTER YOUR MOVE NOT TO RATIFY THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

IT WAS INTENDED BY DEMOCRATIC LEADERS THAT YOU SULLIED YOURSELF, AS I BELIEVE THEY PUT IT OVER NOT RATIFYING THE ELECTORAL VOTE IN KEY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN SOUTH ALABAMA.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT FOR A MOMENT.

THE DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE A GOOD HISTORY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ANYWAY.

I WOULDN'T TAKE A LOT OF ADVICE FROM THEM ON THAT.

I GOT A 45 PAGE REPORT.

I STUDIED IT CLOSELY.

FROM THE ACCUSATIONS THAT WE WERE MADE, I TRIED TO STAY OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND GET SOLID ANSWERS.

THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS, IF I FELT IF I DIDN'T VOTE AGAINST IT KNOWING IT WAS GOING TO FAIL, BUT IF I DIDN'T VOTE AGAINST IT, IT WOULD LET MY VOTERS DOWN.

SO MANY FEEL THIS HAPPENED AND THEIR VOTE DOESN'T COUNT ANYMORE.

I WANTED THEM TO KNOW THERE IS SOMEONE THAT WOULD STAND UP FOR THEIR THOUGHTS.

LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE I SAW, THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS OUT THERE.

I WAS TRYING TO SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN TO ARGUE IT ON THE FLOOR.

IT WAS NOT ANY TIME FOR ANYTHING -- IT WAS RAMRODDED THROUGH.

I VOTED THE WAY I VOTED.

I WOULDN'T CHANGE THAT.

>> CONGRESSMAN, DO YOU SENSE AN ATTITUDE IN D.C. TO MOVE PAST ALL OF THAT ELECTORAL CONTROVERSY?

>> YES.

I THINK THEY ARE TAKING SOME OF THE EVENTS FROM THE RIOTS WE HAD INSIDE THE CHAMBERS.

I THINK THEY ARE TAKING THAT A LITTLE FAR.

THE ELECTORAL -- THEY CHALLENGED IT IN 2017.

TALKING ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS.

THEY CHALLENGED IT IN 2005.

IT'S NOTHING NEW.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HOOPLA IS ABOUT IT.

IT'S BEEN CHALLENGED BEFORE BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I THINK IT'S OUR JOB AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF OUR LEADERSHIP.

THAT'S WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT.

>> THE RIOTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE HOUSE IMPEACHED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR A HISTORIC SECOND TIME ACCUSING HIM OF HELPING TO INCITE THE INSURRECTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

DO YOU BELIEVE HE WAS AT LEAST SOMEWHAT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENCE OCCURRED AT THE CAPITOL?

>> THE VIOLENCE AT THE CAPITOL NO ONE WILL SAY IS JUSTIFIED.

I SAID THAT FROM THE BEGINNING.

I'LL SAY IT UNTIL WE DIE.

THAT IS NOT THE MAGNA MOVEMENT I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I WAS CAUTIOUS NOT TO GIVE MY OPINION.

I'LL STILL BE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE I THINK THE FBI IS DOING A LOT OF DIGGING AND INVESTIGATING.

I WANT SOME SOLID ANSWERS.

WE ARE GUARANTEED THEY'LL GIVE US ANSWERS WHETHER WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT OR NOT.

THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION COMING OUT.

ACCORDING TO WHAT WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR, AND THIS HAS BEEN ON THE NEWS, IT WAS PLANNED AHEAD OF TIME, PLANNED AHEAD OF TRUMP.

THEY WERE MOVING TOWARD THIS -- TO THE CHAMBERS-TOWARD THE CHAMBERS WHEN TRUMP WAS TALKING.

THEY STARTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE GATE BEFORE TRUMP GOT THROUGH.

I DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN PUT THAT BLAME ON THE PRESIDENT.

I DON'T THINK IT HELPED -- DON'T GET ME WRONG, I DON'T THINK IT HELPED, BUT THIS WAS MORE PLANNED OR ORGANIZED THAN WE INITIALLY WANT TO GIVE IT CREDIT FOR.

>> SOME OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS SAID IF NOTHING ELSE JUSTIFIES IMPEACHMENT, THEIR BELIEF IS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S ALLEGED ACTIONS DESERVE IMPEACHMENT.

AS WE LOOK TOWARD A POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ACTIONS THAT ARE ALLEGED BEING AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE?

>> I THINK IMPEACHING SOMEONE BASED ON AN OPINION, WE ARE GETTING OURSELVES INTO TROUBLE THERE.

IF YOU ARE IMPEACHING SOMEONE BASED ON THEIR OPINION, YOU GIVE A LOT OF POWER TO A PARTICULAR PARTY.

IF I DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU SAY, I CAN HAVE YOU IMPEACHED.

WORDS SHOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES, BUT VOTERS SHOULD DECIDE THAT.

>> YOU SENT A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT STATING YOUR PLEDGE TO WORK WITH HIM ON KEY ISSUES.

AT THE SAME TIME, PRESIDENT BIDEN, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT YOU WERE NOT HAPPY WITH.

FOR INSTANCE, THINGS DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION, THINGS DEALING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS, AND ALSO THIS MOVE ABOUT THE CENSUS AND COUNTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS PART OF THE CENSUS.

DO YOU FEEL THAT WAS TOO MUCH TOO FAST?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

HE -- IN MY OPINION, HE'S MADE HIS MIND UP LONG BEFORE HE GOT HERE.

THERE IS SO MUCH HE SIGNED OFF ON YESTERDAY.

THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE PROJECT, THAT'S GOING TO KILL PRICES AND AFFECT CHEMICAL PRICES AND DRIVE PRICES UP.

IT MAY MAKE US DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL.

AT THIS POINT, WE ARE NOT DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL.

THE KEYSTONE OFFICE IS NOT FINISHED, BUT WE COULD MAKE OURSELVES 100% INDEPENDENT FOR THE FUTURE, NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE JOBS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF JOBS TO BE LOST THERE.

THE PARIS CLIMATE CONTROL, MIXED IN THAT IS SO MANY OTHER THINGS.

IN THAT PROJECT, SO I UNDERSTAND IT, NOW THEY HAVE TO TEACH IT IN SCHOOLS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WHEN HE PUT THAT ACT INTO LAW ALSO.

NOT ONLY TALKING ABOUT IT WITH TRUE KNOWLEDGE, BLOCKING THE FUNDING PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD BLOCKED FOR THE GRANTS GOING INTO FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOR ABORTION.

BIDEN HAS LOOSENED THAT UP.

HE'S DONE AWAY WITH THAT BLOCK.

WE HAVE FOREIGN MONEY -- THE MEXICO CITY ACT IS WHAT IT'S REFERRING TO.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS SIGNED OVER YESTERDAY.

WE CAN'T JUST FEED ON THE NEGATIVE.

WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR THE POSITIVE.

WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AND TRY TO WORK WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR A NEW PRESIDENT TO COME IN AND UNDO THINGS FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION THAT HE WASN'T HAPPY WITH.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE CENSUS ISSUE FOR A MOMENT AND WHETHER OR NOT TO COUNT ILLEGAL ALIENS IN THE CENSUS.

MANY LOOK AT THAT AS SUPPORTING THE CASE FOR ALABAMA LOSING A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IN AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S MOTIVATION, BUT I'M CERTAIN THAT STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA WOULD LOVE TO GET ANOTHER MEMBER THERE.

THE WAY IT'S SHAKING OUT, I THINK THEY LOST TWO MEMBERS.

IF THEY COUNT THE ILLEGAL ALIENS HERE, THEY'LL KEEP THE TWO MEMBERS.

THEY ARE BOTH DEMOCRATS.

THERE IS A LOT OF POLITICS PLAYED THERE.

I TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH COUNTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

THEY ARE NOT CITIZENS.

WHY SHOULD WE COUNT THEM IN OUR CENSUS REPORT?

I HAVE NEVER AGREED WITH THAT REGARDLESS OF WHO PUSHED THE IDEA.

IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY.

>> BACK TO THE IMPEACHMENT ISSUE FOR THE MOMENT AND THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE RATIFICATION.

YOUR COLLEAGUE IN CONGRESS, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MO BROOKS HAS TAKEN HEAT FOR THINGS HE SAID AT THE VALLEY PRIOR TO THE CAPITOL VIOLENCE.

THERE IS A MOVE FOR HIS RESIGNATION, THERE IS A MOVE TO CENSOR HIM.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THESE THINGS?

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A PARTY ATTACKING SOMEONE FOR THEIR OPINION.

I THINK MO BROOKS IS ENTITLED TO HIS OPINION AS MUCH AS I AM ENTITLED TO MINE.

THE VOTERS DETERMINE WHO IS REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

NOT A POLITICAL PARTY.

I THINK THAT'S TOTALLY WRONG.

I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERY COLLEAGUE.

I AM INDEPENDENT.

I HAVE MY OWN OPINION ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES, BUT MO BROOKS IS ENTITLED TO HIS OPINION.

THE VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT WILL MAKE THE DECISION IF HE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED OR NOT -- PUT OUT OF OFFICE.

THAT'S WHAT THE ELECTION SYSTEM IS SET UP FOR.

>> CONGRESSMAN, AS WE GET READY TO CLOSE, LOOKING BACK ON THAT FRIGHTENING DAY WHEN THE CAPITOL WAS STORMED BY ARMED PROTESTERS, YOU LIKE MANY COLLEAGUES HAD TO SEEK SAFETY QUICKLY.

LOOKING BACK ON ALL OF IT AND CONCLUSIONS DRAWN ABOUT WHY IT HAPPENED AND WAS IT SPURRED ON IN ANYWAY BY THE PRESIDENT AND HIS RHETORIC CONCERNING ELECTION FRAUD.

HOW DO YOU ENCAPSULATE IT A COUPLE OF WEEKS OUT?

>> IT'S NANCY PELOSI'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SURE SECURITY IS PROVIDED.

IT'S LACK OF PLANNING.

I THINK WHEN THEY BREACHED THE FIRST FENCE, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THERE.

CAPITOL POLICE WORK 12 HOURS A DAY.

NO ONE KNEW THERE WOULD BE THAT SIZE CROWD THERE.

NO ONE -- WE FOUND OUT THEY KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE AN ARMED PROTEST ACCORDING TO THE FBI, 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.

THE FBI LET D.C., IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY, AND NOTHING WAS DONE.

THAT SPEAKS ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHERE WE WENT WRONG.

WE DIDN'T SUPPORT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS BIG ON CUTTING BACK, CUTTING BACK, CUTTING BACK.

IT WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED WERE WE BETTER CONTROLLED.

>> WHAT ABOUT BLAME FOR THE INSURRECTION ITSELF?

WE GO BACK TO WHETHER OR NOT PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOULDERED RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL AS THOSE THAT STIRRED UP ELECTORAL VOTES IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> I PLACE THE BLAME ON ANY PERSON THAT ENTERED THE BUILDING.

I TALKED TO ONE MAN WHO POLICE TOLD TO LEAVE AND HE WALKED OUT.

IT WAS A WAVE OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF CURIOSITY.

IT PROBABLY WASN'T BUT 35 OR 40 ANGRY PEOPLE TEARING THINGS UP.

I PUT THE BLAME ON EACH ONE OF THEM.

IT'S EASY TO BLAME A PERSON OR A PARTY, BUT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR ACTIONS.

THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT CAME IN, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.

I THINK WE ARE UP TO 110 OR 112 THEY ARRESTED.

LET'S GET EVERY ONE OF THEM.

>> CONGRESSMAN, IT'S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS, DON.

APPRECIATE IT.

YOU TAKE CARE.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> STAY IN TOUCH WITH CAPITOL JOURNAL ONLINE, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

YOU CAN CONTACT US BY E-MAIL OR BY MAIL.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, SENATOR MALIKA SANDERS FORTIER JOINS US IN STUDIO.

WELCOME TO THE CAPITOL JOURNAL.

YOU MADE HEADLINES THIS WEEK OVER A BILL YOU ARE PROPOSING FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH THEE POSSIBLE RENAMING OF THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE IN SELMA.

IT HAS SO MANY RAMIFICATIONS GIVEN THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE BRIDGE.

LET'S BEGIN WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, YOU WANT TO GIVE LAWMAKERS THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE IF THE BRIDGE IS RENAMED.

YOU ARE NOT PROPOSING IMMEDIATELY RENAMING IT, BUT YOU ARE STARTING A PROCESS, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

WE ARE AT A MOMENT IN NATION'S HISTORY WHERE CONFEDERATE NAMES AND ISSUES ARE AT ISSUE AGAIN.

WE DON'T WANT TO IMMEDIATELY CHANGE THE NAME.

WE DON'T WANT TO PRETEND IT'S NOT AN ISSUE AS WELL.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INVOLVE OUR COMMUNITY IN WHAT WE CALL A BELOVED COMMUNITY BUILDING PROCESS WHERE WE CAN LISTEN TO EACH OTHER'S STORIES AND LISTEN TO EACH OTHER'S PERSPECTIVE.

I HAVE HAD CONVERSATION WITH LOCAL FOLKS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS ON THE ISSUE OVER THE YEARS.

I HAVE ALSO HAD SOME MORE RECENTLY HERE WITH STATE SENATORS, CONSERVATIVE SENATORS FROM ACROSS THE AISLE.

I HAVE LEARNED A LOT.

I HAVE SEEN DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAT I DIDN'T SEE BEFORE.

I WANT MY COMMUNITY TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER AND HEAL WITH ONE ANOTHER.

>> TO REMIND FOLKS, THE NAME OF THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE WAS A FEDERAL LAWMAKER ALSO PART OF THE KU KLUX KLAN.

IT WAS THE SCENE OF THE BLOODY SUNDAY INCIDENT IN 1965.

ONE OF THOSE INJURED WAS OUR FORMER CONGRESSMAN THAT PASSED AWAY THIS YEAR.

THERE IS A MOVE TO RENAME THE BRIDGE AFTER HIM.

>> THAT IS PART OF WHAT BROUGHT THIS UP AGAIN.

CONGRESSMAN LEWIS HAD A FAMOUS MOMENT ON THE BRIDGE.

HE CAME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR TO UPLIFT VOTING RIGHTS AND LIFT UP THE CIVIL RIGHT'S MOVEMENT.

SEVERAL CONGRESS PEOPLE FROM OUR AREA HAVE ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE BRIDGE BY LETTER AND LOCAL FOLKS HAVE HAD SOME OF THEIR OWN THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

I THINK MANY SEE THE BRIDGE AS A PLACE NOT JUST ONE PERSON BUT MANY PEOPLE CAME, FOOT SOLDIERS CAME, DR. KING CAME.

MANY PEOPLE RISKED THEIR LIFE TO GET VOTING RIGHTS AND HUMAN DIGNITY FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT WHETHER TO CHANGE IT, WHETHER NOT TO CHANGE IT, WHAT TO CHANGE IT TOO.

IT'S TIMELY FOR SELMA RIGHT NOW.

LAST WEEK SELMA AND DALLAS COUNTY, CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR, MAYOR PERKINS AND THE PROBATE JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSION VOTED TO MAKE SELMA THE BELOVED COMMUNITY OF THE NATION.

THE BELIEVED COMMUNITY IS WHAT DR. KING CALLED THE MOMENT GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE AT A MOMENT OF NEW VISION IN SELMA.

KEEPING WITH THE PROCESS, WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER THE RICH HISTORY WE HAVE ALL COME THROUGH GENERATIONS FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND HEAL TOGETHER AND TALK TOGETHER AND MAKE A CHOICE TOGETHER.

>> CONGRESSMAN LEWIS WAS BEATEN ON THE BRIDGE AS YOU ELUDE TO.

HE CAME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR FOR THE BRIDGE CROSSING COMMEMORATION.

I THINK THERE ARE FEW OF US THAT WILL FORGET THE IMAGE EVEN IN DEATH THE FINAL IMAGE OF THE CROSSING OF THE BRIDGE IN A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE.

IT WAS A MOVING THING.

>> IT WAS.

WE WANT TO HONOR HIM.

WE WANT TO HONOR HIM AS PART OF THIS PROCESS.

JOHN LEWIS EVERY YEAR BROUGHT PEOPLE TO THE BRIDGE.

HE WOULD BRING A DELEGATION OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TO THE BRIDGE EVERY YEAR TO MARCH ACROSS THE BRIDGE.

IN THE SAME SPIRIT, WE WANT CONSERVATIVES AND DEMOCRATS TO COME TOGETHER IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE BRIDGE MEANS TO US.

WHAT IT MEANS TO THE CIVIL WAR ERA.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA AND WHERE WE CAN GO FROM HERE.

>> YOU MENTIONED PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS RENAMING THE BRIDGE.

OTHERS ARE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF NAMING IT AFTER CONGRESSMAN LEWIS.

OTHERS SAY KEEP THE PETTUS NAMES AND REMIND US WHAT IT MEANT IN HISTORY.

>> YES AND OTHERS SAY LET'S NOT DEAL WITH IT AT ALL.

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THE NAME OF THE BRIDGE.

WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH UNEMPLOYMENT.

WE NEED NEW BUSINESSES.

WE NEED A MAKEOVER OF DOWNTOWN.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER AT ALL?

WHAT WE COLLECTIVELY NEED TO SEE IS THAT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS AT A CRUCIAL MOMENT NOT JUST IN SELMA, BUT IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

>> WE HAVE COME OFF OF A YEAR OF RACIAL RECKONING, HAVE WE NOT?

>> WE HAVE.

OUR COUNTRY IS AT A CROSS ROAD.

LAST YEAR WE HAD FOLKS IN DIFFERENT EXTREMES.

FOLKS TEARING DOWN CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS.

WHAT HAPPENED JANUARY 6TH AT THE CAPITOL.

PEOPLE RUSHING THE CAPITOL.

WE HAVE HAD SOME EXTREMES OVER THE LAST YEAR.

WHAT SELMA HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WITH THE NAMING OF THE BRIDGE IS TO SAY, LET'S SLOW DOWN.

LET'S SLOW DOWN.

LET'S COME TOGETHER.

LET'S LISTEN TO EACH OTHER.

LET'S DISCOVER TRUTH TOGETHER.

WE ARE ALSO IN A MOMENT OF OUR NATION'S HISTORY WHERE THERE IS CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT TRUTH IS.

OUR VARYING OPINIONS ARE SO STRONG IN MANY CASES THAT I AM ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT I KNOW ABOUT OVER HERE.

WHAT I AM CLEAR ABOUT IS WHAT I KNOW OVER HERE.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT BY A FELLOW FRESHMAN TOOK ME TO AN AREA IN DOWNTOWN MONTGOMERY WHERE THERE IS A MONUMENT.

IT TALKS ABOUT HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO OWN OR ENSLAVE AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

EVEN BACK THEN, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, IT WAS OVER $1,000.

THE POINT WAS, EVERYONE COULD NOT AFFORD TO OWN SLAVES IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AS SOON AS HE SAID IT, OF COURSE I KNEW THAT, BUT AS SOON AS HE SAID IT, I HAD THE SENSE THAT THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT TAKE PRIDE IN THE CONFEDERACY NOT AS I THOUGHT AT ONE POINT.

NOT BECAUSE THEY JUST HATED BLACK PEOPLE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEY HAD THEIR FARMS OR THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING.

THE NEXT THING THEY KNOW ALL OF THAT IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

THEY ARE GRAPPLING WITH JUST TRYING TO LIVE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY WEREN'T BENEFITING.

I UNDERSTOOD A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAT PERSPECTIVE WHEREAS I HAVE SEEN ON TV AND IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, THERE WAS ONE PARTICULAR INCIDENT WHERE A BLACK FAMILY ASKED FOR A PLUMBER TO COME TO THEIR HOUSE.

HE HAD A CONFEDERATE FLAG ON THE BACK OF HIS VEHICLE.

THEY WERE PANICKED.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS OF HOW PEOPLE SEE THINGS.

WE HAVE A HISTORY BUT TOGETHER WE GET THE RICHNESS OF TOTALITY OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

I BELIEVE PART OF BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY TOGETHER IS LISTENING TO EACH OTHER AS I BELIEVE THE LORD WOULD HAVE US DO AND MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> YOU HAVE TO BEAR IN MIND THE MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT ENACTED NOT ONLY TO PROTECT THE MOVEMENT OF HISTORIC MARKERS INCLUDING CONFEDERATE MARKERS, RENAMING OF STREETS, BRIDGES, THAT SORT OF THING.

DO YOU FEEL IF YOU TOOK THE STEP TO RENAME THE BRIDGE YOU WOULD BE IN LINE AND NOT OUT OF SYNC WITH THAT?

>> IN THIS CASE IF THE LEGISLATURE DID MOVE AND VOTE TO RENAME, TO GIVE US THE AUTHORITY TO RENAME THE BRIDGE OR NOT TO RENAME THE BRIDGE, THAT, THAT WOULD SUPERSEDE, JUST FOR THIS PARTICULAR BRIDGE, THAT PARTICULAR ACT.

>> I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE, OF COURSE, THAT THERE IS A REPEAL EFFORT EXPECTED IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AN EFFORT TO REPEAL THE PRESERVATION ACT.

GIVEN THE BRIDGE ISSUE AND YOUR REMARKS THIS EVENING, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE REPEAL EFFORT?

>> I HAVE ALWAYS HAD, QUITE FRANKLY, SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THAT MEMORIAL PRESERVATION ACT.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT IT, PARTICULARLY AS A LAWYER, THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN FROM THE BEGINNING, GAVE ME NO RECOURSE TO ACT, AT A CERTAIN POINT THOUGH THERE WAS A COMMISSION SET UP, THE COMMISSION COULD NOT ADDRESS MEMORIALS OR STREET NAMES PAST A CERTAIN AGE.

FOR SAFETY ISSUES, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF CONCERNS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN THE ACT WAS CREATED.

I BELIEVE BECAUSE PEOPLE RUSH TO TRY TO PRESERVE THINGS, EVEN THINGS NOT AFFECTING CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, IF YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO PRESERVE SOMETHING IN EVERY COMMUNITY AND NOT GIVE THE COMMUNITY A VOICE TO DECIDE TO SAY HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT HAVING THE STREET NAME OR HAVING THE BRIDGE NAME, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE AMERICAN WAY.

IN AMERICA, WE GIVE PEOPLE CHOICES ABOUT THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

>> GIVEN THE EVENTS OF 2020, THE RACIAL RECKONING AND THE MOVE TO TEAR DOWN AND MOVE CERTAIN CONFEDERATE MONUMENTS, WE HAD SENATOR GERALD ALAN ON THE SHOW LAST WEEK WHO AUTHORED THE PRESERVATION ACT.

HE WAS OPPOSED TO AN APPEAL BUT MIGHT BE OPEN TO A TWEAKING OF THE LAW.

DO YOU THINK A TWEAKING WOULD GO FAR ENOUGH OPPOSED TO AN OUT RIGHT APPEAL?

>> I HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATOR ALAN ABOUT THIS ACT.

WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DO SOME TWEAKING.

HE PROPOSED WE WOULD KEEP THE LAW.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HIS VERSION OF TWEAKING.

FOR EXAMPLE, AT LEAST IN THE LAST BILL, THERE WAS A $25,000 FEE.

IF YOU COVERED UP A MONUMENT OR DEFACED A MONUMENT OR DID ANYTHING TO A MONUMENT.

WELL, IN THE LAST BILL HE WANTED TO TAKE IT FROM A $25,000 FEE, TO A $10,000 FEE UNTIL IT WAS RESTORED.

IF THE COMMUNITY, IN AMERICA, WE GIVE PEOPLE CHOICES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

IN ORDER TO STOP THAT CHOICE, YOU WANT TO GO FROM A $25,000 FEE TO A $10,000 FEE, THAT PER DAY, THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME.

I THINK AS A COMMITTEE, THEY LOWERED IT TO $5,000 PER DAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL GO BACK TO THE 10,000 OR WHERE HE STANDS ON THAT.

IN ORDER TO TAKE THAT CHOICE FROM THE COMMUNITY IS VERY CONCERNING.

>> SENATOR, OUR TIME IS UP, BUT WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING DOING IS STARTING A CONVERSATION ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME OF THE EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE.

>> I'M NOT SAYING WE'LL CHANGE IT AT ALL.

I'M SAYING GIVING LOCAL PEOPLE THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF CAPITOL JOURNAL ONLINE ANY TIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WEBSITE, APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

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

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST TONIGHT IS OUR WEEKLY VISIT WITH DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

ALWAYS NICE TO SEE YOU.

A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE STATEMENT FROM SEVEN STATE SENATORS THIS WEEK EXPRESSING A LOT OF CONCERN TO YOU AND OTHERS ABOUT THE VACCINE ISSUE.

TELL US ABOUT THE GIST OF THE LETTER AND HOW YOU ANSWERED IT?

>> SURE.

WE APPRECIATE HEARING FROM LEGISLATORS OR ANYONE WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO THAT AND GET THE CORRECT INFORMATION OUT.

THE GIST OF THE LETTER, WHICH WAS NOT SENT TO US, IT WAS SENT TO THE MEDIA.

THE GIST OF THE LETTER WAS THAT ALABAMA SOMEHOW HAS A KINK IN ITS SUPPLY OF VACCINES, AND WE ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BEING GIVEN QUICKLY ENOUGH.

I WOULD SAY WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE WANT TO GIVE VACCINES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THAT'S AN INCORRECT ASSUMPTION OF HOW IT WORKS.

VACCINES ARE GIVEN ACCORDING TO POPULATION OF EACH STATE.

WHETHER WE GIVE THEM QUICKLY OR SLOWLY DOESN'T DETERMINE THE SUPPLY.

WE GET 60,000 BY WEEK BECAUSE THAT'S ALABAMA'S SHARE.

THERE WERE QUESTIONS IN THE LETTER ABOUT WHY CERTAIN DATA WASN'T AVAILABLE, WHICH IS AVAILABLE.

I WISH WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BEFORE THE QUESTIONS WERE SENT TO THE MEDIA.

WE DO POST ON THE DASHBOARD EVERYDAY UPDATED DAILY, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DOSES SHIPPED IN ALABAMA AND HOW MANY GIVEN.

WE HAVE THAT BROKEN DOWN BY DATE FOR ANYONE TO SEE.

THERE ARE LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS ABOUT IF WE COULD DO IT FASTER.

THE ANSWER IS, WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO IT FASTER.

I WISH WE HAD A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THE LETTER BEFORE EVERYONE IN THE STATE WAS ASKING US ABOUT IT.

>> SENATOR MCCLENDON WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT MADE A STATEMENT.

HE SAID HE WAS REACTING TO CONSTITUENTS, WHICH I'M SURE ALL OF THE LAWMAKERS WERE.

>> YES, AND I APPLAUD THAT.

IT'S THEIR JOB TO REPRESENT CONSTITUENTS.

IF THERE ARE CONCERNS, WE ARE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONS.

WE ARE HAPPY WE HAD A CHANCE TO RESPOND.

HOPEFULLY THE RECORD IS STRAIGHT ON THAT.

>> YOU SAID IT WAS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S INTENTION TO GET AS MANY SHOTS OUT AS POSSIBLE EVERYDAY.

YOU ARE URGING COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO WORK ALL DAY EVERYDAY AND GET SHOTS OUT.

YOU SAID IF THERE IS LEFT OVER VACCINE AT THESE DEPARTMENTS OR CLINICS OR ANY PROVIDERS THAT THEY ARE NOT USING, YOU WILL TAKE IT BACK AND REDIRECT IT.

>> WE HAVE BEGUN DOING THAT.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED CASES WHERE THE VACCINE IS NOT GIVEN OUT QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE KNOW THERE ARE PLACES IN THE STATE WHERE IT'S CHALLENGING TO GET THE VACCINE OUT IN A TIMELY WAY.

WE HAVE COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE HOSPITALS.

ONE WITHOUT A COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE COUNTIES THAT DON'T HAVE FULL TIME MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

IT'S A CHALLENGE TO HAVE A LARGE SCALE VACCINATION CLINIC IN THOSE AREAS.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO PENALIZE COUNTIES THAT ARE OPERATING LIKE THAT.

IN SOME CASES THERE ARE SOME THAT SHOULD BE DOING THIS MORE QUICKLY.

WE HAVE EVERY PROVIDER IN THE STATE OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, WE SHOULD HAVE THE INFORMATION ROLLED UP BY FRIDAY.

WE'LL BE ABLE TO TELL IF THERE IS VACCINE SITTING THERE AND NOT GIVEN, AND IF THERE IS, AND THERE IS NOT A GOOD EXPLANATION, WE'LL TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LOCATION.

>> THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT LAUNCHED A DASHBOARD SITE FOR PEOPLE TO GO.

>> WE HAVE A MAP SO PEOPLE CAN FIND OUT WHO IN THE COMMUNITY HAS THE VACCINE.

WE ARE INCLUDING ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE VACCINES SO FAR.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION TO SAY "SO FAR."

A LARGE NUMBER OF PROVIDERS IN THE STATE ENROLLED AND READY TO GO DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE VACCINES BECAUSE WE HAVE NONE TO SEND THEM.

WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 300 PROVIDERS WHO HAVE HAD VACCINE AT SOME POINT.

WE HAVE 800 PROVIDERS SIGNED UP AND READY TO GO.

200 DRUGSTORES, HUNDREDS OF CLINICS AND PHYSICIAN'S OFFICES, VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE STATE, YET WE DON'T HAVE VACCINE FOR ALL OF THEM AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

THIS COMING WEEK, OUR ALLOCATION IN ALABAMA IS ENOUGH TO SEND TO 117 SITES OUT OF 800 SIGNED UP READY TO GIVE VACCINES.

>> HAS IT BEEN CONSIDERED OR DISCUSSED WHETHER ALABAMA NEEDS TO MOVE TO THINGS WE SEE IN OTHER STATES LIKE VACCINATING IN LARGE ARENAS OR PUBLIC VENUES?

>> YES, WE HAVE HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE DRIVE THROUGH CLINICS, ALBEIT A SMALLER SCALE.

THERE IS ONE IN MONTGOMERY, FOR EXAMPLE, NOT THIS WEEKEND BUT NEXT WEEKEND.

WE HAVE HAD DRIVE IN CLINICS IN BALDWIN COUNTY ALL THIS WEEK.

THE LIMITING FACTOR IS NOT HAVING VACCINES.

WE HAVE 675 PROVIDER SITES IN ALABAMA READY TO GO THIS MINUTE AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE ANY VACCINES BECAUSE WE HAVE NONE TO SEND THEM.

THE ONLY WAY TO DO LARGE SCALE CLINICS IS TO TAKE IT FROM THOSE THAT GET VACCINES THIS WEEK.

WHEN WE HAVE ENOUGH, WE'LL DO THAT.

IF WE FIND A TROVE OF VACCINE UNUSED, WE'LL DO THAT.

MASS CLINICS ARE NOT WITHOUT THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

THEY HAVE BEEN CHAOTIC, LONG WAITS, PEOPLE BEING TURNED AWAY.

THERE IS THE ISSUE OF THE SECOND SHOT, DO YOU DO IT OVER AGAIN AND SIT IN TRAFFIC HOURS ON END?

THE GOVERNMENT HAS STATED THEY MAY PROVIDE RESOURCES TO DO IT.

UNTIL WE GET MORE VACCINE, IT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED BALDWIN COUNTY WITH ONE OF THOSE MASS VACCINATION EVENTS.

IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF SNOW BIRDS THAT COME ALONG THE GULF COAST.

>> OUR PRIORITY IS FOR ALABAMIANS TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME THROUGH OUR CLINICS, WE WOULD NEVER SAY THERE HASN'T BEEN SOMEONE FROM ANOTHER STATE THAT HASN'T GOTTEN VACCINATED IN THE STATE.

I THINK PROBABLY THERE HAS BEEN.

CERTAINLY, ALABAMIANS HAVE GONE TO OTHER STATES TO BE VACCINATED AS WELL.

OUR PRIORITY IS ALABAMIANS FIRST.

THERE ARE TWO STATES THAT ENACTED RULES TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES GETTING VACCINATED.

AT THIS POINT, VIRTUALLY EVERY OTHER STATE ALLOWS THAT.

>> A LOT OF SIDE DEBATES DEVELOPED OVER THE ISSUE.

I'M SURE YOU HEAR ABOUT THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.

ONE IS THE RISK DEBATE THAT YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE TO WEIGH RISK, RISK OF EXPOSURE VERSUS UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S FAIR OR MORAL IN SOME RESPECTS?

>> IT'S A DIFFICULT BALANCE.

WHEN YOU HAVE A SCARCE RESOURCE LIKE THE SUPPLY WE HAVE, PEOPLE FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE HAVE INSTEAD OF THE HAVE NOT GROUP.

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

THE DECISIONS MADE IN ALABAMA ARE BASED ON THE GUIDANCE FROM CDC AND THE IMMUNIZATION THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE SOME REASON THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM EXPOSURE.

WE COULD UNDERSTAND A 22-YEAR-OLD PERSON WORKING IN A HOSPITAL IS SOMEONE WHO THEMSELVES IS NOT LIKELY TO GET THAT SICK IF THEY GET COVID-19, CHANCES ARE.

THEY MAY HAVE A JOB THAT REQUIRES THEM TO TAKE CARE OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, OR THEY EXPOSE OTHERS TO COVID-19 IN A WAY TO CREATE A PROBLEM IF THEY THEMSELVES BECAME SICK.

I WOULD NEVER SAY A 22-YEAR-OLD HEALTHCARE WORKER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A 75-YEAR-OLD NURSING HOME RESIDENT.

OF COURSE, THEY ARE NOT.

THEY BOTH DESERVE VACCINE.

THEY BOTH DESERVE TO GET IT.

IT'S A CHALLENGE TO BALANCE THOSE MOST AT RISK FOR SERIOUS DISEASE AND MOST AT RISK FOR EXPOSURE.

>> YOU BRING UP ANOTHER ANGLE OF DEBATE.

SOME THAT FALL WITHIN THE FIRST TIER PRIORITY GROUPS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, FRONT LINE WORKERS, MAY BE YOUNGER PEOPLE MORE HEALTHY BUT FIRST IN LINE OVER ELDERLY RESIDENTS MORE AT RISK.

>> YEAH, EVERYONE IS IN LINE EVENTUALLY.

IT CERTAINLY COMES DOWN TO THE PLACE IN LINE.

WE REALIZED WE NEED TO EXPAND PRIORITY TO OTHER PEOPLE.

WE ADDED THOSE OVER 75 TO OUR PHASE ONE GROUP, 350,000 PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

WE ADDED FIRST RESPONDERS LIKE POLICE AND FIRE.

THEY HAVE JOBS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US, JOBS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE.

THEY HAVE JOBS THAT GENERALLY SPEAKING MEAN THEY CAN'T SOCIALLY DISTANCE, STAY SIX FEET FROM OTHERS AND WEAR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN THEIR JOBS THOUGH THEY MAY BE YOUNG HEALTHY PEOPLE.

WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING PRIORITIZED, IMMEDIATELY WE THINK OF A HIERARCHY OR STATUS.

WHY IS THAT PERSON MORE IMPORTANT THAN I AM.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT.

EVERYONE DESERVES THE VACCINE.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND SO WE ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW TO GET IT TO PEOPLE AS FAST WE CAN.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND IF THERE ARE THOSE INCLUDED ARE ELDERLY HOME CARE WORKERS THAT GO TO HOMES TO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY?

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GET THEM INCLUDED.

IT'S A CHALLENGE SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIT INTO THE OCCUPATION BOX ON THE SAME RISK SCALE AS AN ICU NURSE OR RISK FOR DISEASE LIKE A NURSING HOME RESIDENT.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE RISK.

WE ARE TRYING TO REACH THEM AS WELL.

IT'S MORE PROBLEMATIC TO GET TO THOSE PEOPLE.

WE DON'T HAVE AN EASY REGISTER OF THEM.

THEY ARE NOT GENERALLY SPEAKING LICENSED IN A WAY TO REACH OUT TO THE SINGLE GROUP.

>> TWO THINGS, A, IS THE CURRENT PLAN TO STICK WITH THE CDC GUIDELINES WHERE DISTRIBUTION IS CONCERNED?

THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT WHETHER THAT IS WORKING FOR ALABAMA AND OTHER STATES HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR OWN GUIDELINES.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION IS NOT FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE, BUT WHEN DO WE MOVE DOWN THE LIST IN WE ARE WAITING FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION.

THEY RELEASED A DOCUMENT YESTERDAY.

THAT COULD ADD PERSONS OVER AGE 65, ANOTHER HALF MILLION PEOPLE IN ALABAMA.

AGAIN, WE CERTAINLY AGREE THOSE PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE VACCINED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT EVEN ADDING THE GROUP, WE DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL VACCINE TO GROUP.

>> GOVERNOR IVY EXTENDED THE MASK WEARING FOR ANOTHER SIX WEEKS.

WERE YOU HAPPY TO HEAR THAT?

>> YES.

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THEM, BUT IT SAVES LIVES.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

WE APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT OF THAT.

>> STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

CAPITOL JOURNAL WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WHEN THE SOVIET UNION LAUNCHED SPUTNIK IN OCTOBER 1957, THE UNITED STATES NEEDED TO JOIN THE SPACE RACE.

THE HEAD OF THE U.S.

PROGRAM IN HUNTSVILLE SUGGESTED A RED STONE ROCKET TO PRESIDENT EISENHOWER, IT LAUNCHED THE FIRST SATELLITE INTO ORBIT JANUARY 31, 1958.

IT REMAINED IN SPACE UNTIL 1970.

>> 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 WE'RE SET TO BE JOINED BY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MAC MCCUTCHEON OF MONROVIA, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL UNFOLD IN THE MIDST OF THE RAGING PANDEMIC.

AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK WITH US TO TALK ABOUT THE LATEST ON THE PANDEMIC AND VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

WE CLOSE TONIGHT REMEMBERING BASEBALL GREAT HANK AARON.

>>DON: THE MOBILE NATIVE AND BASEBALL HALL OF FAMER PASSED AWAY TODAY IN ATLANTA.

IN 1974, AARON BROKE THE LEGENDARY BABE RUTH'S RECORD OF 714 HOME RUNS WHILE PLAYING FOR THE ATLANTA BRAVES.

THAT AFTER OVERCOMING YEARS OF RACIST HATE MAIL AND DEATH THREATS.

AARON WAS THE FINAL PLAYER FROM THE NEGRO LEAGUES TO REACH THE MAJORS.

HE WAS SELECTED FOR A RECORD 25 ALL-STAR GAMES.

HANK AARON WAS 86 YEARS OLD.

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

I'M DON DAILEY.