>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, ALABAMA AND THE NATION CONTINUE TO REEL FROM THE EVENTS AT THE US CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

OF COURSE, ANGRY SUPPORTERS OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP STORMED THE BUILDING ON WEDNESDAY AS LAWMAKERS BEGAN THE PROCESS OF RATIFYING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES THAT CERTIFIED JOE BIDEN AS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT.

>> DON: A CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER DIED AFTER BEING ATTACKED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

A WOMAN WAS SHOT AN KILLED IN THE VIOLENCE AND THREE OTHER PEOPLE DIED FROM MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.

OFFICIALS SAY ONE OF THEM WAS 55-YEAR-OLD KEVIN GREESON OF ATHENS, ALABAMA, WHO HIS FAMILY SAYS SUFFERED A FATAL HEART ATTACK.

ANOTHER ALABAMIAN, LONNIE COFFMAN OF FALKVILLE, WAS REPORTEDLY ARRESTED ON FIREARMS CHARGES DURING THE UPRISING.

ALABAMA'S US HOUSE DELEGATION AND BOTH OF OUR SENATORS, WERE ALL WHISKED AWAY TO SAFETY AS THE RIOTERS BREACHED THE CAPITOL.

DON: OUR STATE'S FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ROUNDLY DENOUNCED THIS WEEK'S VIOLENCE IN WASHINGTON.

CONGRESSMAN MO BROOKS OF HUNTSVILLE WAS AMONG THEM, CALLING THE SITUATION ‘DESPICABLE AND UN-AMERICAN.'

BROOKS, OF COURSE, HAS RECEIVED A LOT OF ATTENTION FOR HELPING LEAD THE CHARGE TO OBJECT TO THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES IN SOME KEY STATES, AND HE ALSO SPOKE AT A RALLY ON WEDNESDAY THAT PRECEDED THE VIOLENT UPRISING AT THE CAPITOL.

IT WAS AT THAT RALLY THAT BROOKS DELIVERED FIERY REMARKS TO A CROWD OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SUPPORTERS.

>> TODAY IS THE DAY AMERICAN PATRIOTS START TAKING DOWN NAMES AND KICKING ASS!

[CHEERING] NOW, OUR ANCESTORS SACRIFICED THEIR BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS AND FORTUNE AND SOMETIMES THEIR LIVES TO GIVE US THEIR DESCENDANTS AN AMERICA THAT IS THE GREATEST NATION IN WORLD HISTORY.

SO I HAVE A QUESTION TO FOR YOU: ARE YOU WILLING TO DO THE SAME?

[CHEERING] MY ANSWER IS YES!

DON: CONGRESSMAN BROOKS HAS ALSO ALLEGED THAT MEMBERS OF THE LEFT-WING POLITICAL ACTIVIST GROUP KNOWN AS ANTIFA WERE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE US CAPITOL VIOLENCE.

FRESHMAN US REPRESENTATIVE BARRY MOORE OF ENTERPRISE, WHO SUPPORTED BROOKS IN HIS ELECTORAL COLLEGE OBJECTIONS, SAID THIS WEEK THAT IT WAS TOO SOON TO KNOW WHETHER ANTIFA WAS INVOLVED.

>> WE HAVE NO IDEA.

IT'S STILL EARLY ON IN THE INVESTIGATION OF WHO ALL WAS IN THE CROWD AND WHAT HAPPENED.

SO I DON'T WANT TO VENTURE A GUESS UNTIL I HAVE MORE INFORMATION.

BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT I SAW -- WHEN I SAY MOST, A V MAJORITY OF THE CROWD THAT I SAW WERE LAW-ABIDING, KIND, CONSIDERATE PEOPLE.

THE NIGHT BEFORE I WAS TALKING TO THEM ON THE STREET NEAR WRITE LIVE AND EVEN HERE AT THE CAPITOL YESTERDAY.

I HAVE NEVER HAD AN IN COLLISION SOMETHING LIKE THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

DON: AN ANTIFA THREAT HAS NOT, SO FAR, BEEN VERIFIED, ALTHOUGH CONGRESSMAN BROOKS SAYS HE WAS WARNED OF A POSSIBLE THREAT AND, FEARING FOR HIS SAFETY, SLEPT IN HIS OFFICE FOR SEVERAL NIGHTS.

DON: THIS WEEK'S UPRISING AT THE NATION'S CAPITOL LEFT DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN ITS WAKE, AND IT SENT OUR LAWMAKERS SCRAMBLING FOR SAFETY.

ALL MEMBERS OF ALABAMA'S HOUSE AND SENATE DELEGATIONS REPORTED THAT THEY WERE NOT HARMED.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL OF SELMA RELEASED THIS VIDEO LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

TODAY WAS A VERY SAD DAY IN AMERICA'S HISTORY.

ARMED INSURGENTS STORMED THE CAPITOL.

I HAPPENED TO BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AT THE TIME, AND I'M SAFE.

SO IS MY STAFF.

YOU DON'T WANT THANK ALL OF MY CONSTITUENTS AND ALL HAD TO SENT THEIR PRAYERS AND TEXTS AND CALLS.

WE ARE SAFE.

AND I ALSO KNOW WE ARE RESILIENT AS A PEOPLE AND AS A NATION.

DON: SEWELL, WHO WAS THE LONE MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA HOUSE DELEGATION TO NOT SUPPORT OBJECTIONS TO SOME STATES' ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES, HAS SINCE SAID THAT SHE IS NOW BACKING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, EITHER THROUGH USE OF THE 25TH AMENDMENT OR THROUGH IMPEACHMENT.

DON: ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER OF HOOVER SAYS HE THINKS REMOVING TRUMP FROM OFFICE WOULD BE WRONG AND WOULD ONLY ESCALATE THE CONTROVERY.

BUT, PALMER SAYS HE BELIEVES THAT THE PRESIDENT BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VIOLENCE THAT OCCURRED.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL," PALMER POINTED TO A WASHINGTON RALLY SPEECH BEFORE THE CAPITOL UPRISING, A SPEECH IN WHICH TRUMP REPEATED MANY OF HIS STOLEN ELECTION ALLEGATIONS.

>> WITH A CROWD THAT SIZE GOING TO THE CAPITOL, IT'S A WRONG THING TO DO.

I THINK THAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON ALL OF US TO BE VERY CIRCUMSPECT ABOUT WHAT WE SAY AND HOW WE SAY IT.

OUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WHAT CAN'T BE.

I HOPE THAT THE PRESIDENT REALIZES HOW HIS WORDS -- DON: CONGRESSMAN PALMER WILL JOIN US ON THE BROADCAST SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS WEEK'S HISTORIC EVENTS IN WASHINGTON.

OVER IN THE US SENATE THIS WEEK, ALABAMA'S SENIOR SENATOR, RICHARD SHELBY, VOTED AGAINST OPPOSING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES IN SOME STATES, WHILE FRESHMAN SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE OBJECTED TO THE VOTES FROM ARIZONA.

DON: HERE AT HOME, THE OUTGOING LEADER OF THE STATE SENATE HAS DENOUNCED THE VIOLENCE IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, AND HE SAYS THAT, IN HIS MIND AT LEAST, THE WHOLE ELECTION CONTROVERSY REALLY BOILS TO ONE KEY ISSUE.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> I TRULY BELIEVE THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION WAS THAT WE WERE HANDED A NEW SET OF RULES BECAUSE OF COVID OF ABSENTEE BALLOT, MAIL IN BALLOT, AND THE DEMOCRATS LEARNED AND WORKED BY THOSE RULES AND THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T DO AS WELL.

AND POSSIBLY PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T DO AS WELL.

THE POLLING WAS WRONG AND THAT SHOWED UP.

BUT IF YOU'RE GIVEN A SET OF RULES PLAY BY, YOU BETTER PLAY BY THEM.

AND THE DEMOCRATS DID IT TO PERFECTION.

I DON'T THINK WHAT THEY DID IN GETTING THOSE VOTES AND GETTING UNDER THE NEW RULES WERE AGAINST THE LAW.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE ELECTION WAS LOST.

DON: SENATOR MARSH HAS, OF COURSE, ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION TO HIS SEAT IN 2022, AND THAT HE WILL RESIGN AS SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENES NEXT MONTH.

MARSH SAYS HE NOW WANTS TO FOCUS ON GETTING SOME KEY LEGISLATION PASSED IN HIS FINAL TWO YEARS IN MONTGOMERY, INVOLVING BOTH EDUCATION REFORM AND BROADBAND EXPANSION.

AND, HE PLANS TO BRING A NEW LOTTERY BILL, AFTER PREVIOUSLY SPONSORING SIMILAR LEGISLATION.

>> THE LEGISLATION I HAD SOME YEARS AGO WAS MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE BILL DEALING WITH NOT ONLY THE LOTTERY, BUT GAMING IN GENERAL, TO SOLVE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CREATE A CONTROL TO GAMING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I THINK THAT'S THE APPROACH TO GO.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION VERIFIED THAT.

AND I AM WORKING ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION AS WE SPEAK THAT IS MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE PIECE.

AND THERE GEORGIAN CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO MAKE A DECISION AND SOLVE THIS ISSUE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

DON: A SPECIAL TASK FORCE PUT TOGETHER BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY LAST MONTH UNVEILED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT THAT FOUND ALABAMA COULD MAKE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM A LOTTERY AND THAT IT COULD CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS.

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

DON: AS THE PANDEMIC WORSENS IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OUR STATE IS ALSO ONE OF MANY FACING CHALLENGES IN THE VACCINATION PROCESS.

WE'RE STILL GIVING SHOTS TO A FIRST PRIORITY GROUP INCLUDING HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, AND ALABAMA IS NOT EVEN HALF-WAY DONE IN THAT PROCESS.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE'S AS FRUSTRATED AS THE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONTACTED HIS OFFICE ABOUT THE VACCINATION PROBLEMS.

>> WE TALK TO PEOPLE ALMOST ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY WHO SAY I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M NOT IN THE PRIORITY GROUP THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR BECAUSE OF MY AGE, HEALTH CONDITIONS OR OCCUPATION.

AND IN EVERY CASE I AGREE WITH THEM.

YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU SHOULD BE AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE.

IT'S JUST THAT THERE IS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF VACCINE AND THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS FOLLOW THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE CDC AND OUR PRIORITY GROUPS.

I UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, AND I CAN'T SAY THAT THEY'RE WRONG BUT I CAN SAY WE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION TO FOLLOW AN ALLOCATION PLAN AND THIS IS THE ONE THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING.

DON: MEANTIME, OFFICIALS ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC NOT TO CALL THEIR LOCAL HOSPITAL TO SET UP APPOINTMENTS TO RECEIVE A SHOT, THAT HOSPITAL SWITCHBOARDS ARE BEING OVERWHELMED.

THE STATE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT PEOPLE 75 AND OLDER AND FIRST RESPONDERS INCLUDING POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS WILL BE ADDED TO THE VACCINATION PRIORITY GROUP ON JANUARY 18TH AND THAT MORE INFORMATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING.

ALABAMA'S COVID NUMBERS CONTINUED TO RISE THIS WEEK, AVERAGING 35-HUNDRED TO 4-THOUSAND DAILY, WITH SOME DAYS OVER 5,000.

AND DR. HARRIS TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" SAYS THAT THINGS WILL ONLY GET WORSE.

>> CHRISTMAS, JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INFECTED AROUND THAT TIME PROBABLY HAVEN'T COME TO ATTENTION ENOUGH TO REGARD THIS AT THIS POINT.

ONE CONSISTENT NUMBER THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE RESPONSE HAS BEEN ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WHO GET DIAGNOSED END UP NEEDING A HOSPITALIZED BED AT SOME POINT.

USUALLY AROUND THREE WEEKS AFTER THEY BECOME ILL.

SO WE ARE JUST NOW BEGINNING TO SEE THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO GOT INFECTED AT CHRISTMAS IN THE NEXT WEEK TO TWO WEEKS.

A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM.

DON: DR. HARRIS WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE WORSENING PANDEMIC AND ABOUT THE VACCINATION CHALLENGES.

ALABAMA PASSED 3,000 COVID PATIENTS THIS WEEK, PUTTING A FURTHER STRAIN ON OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

AND ALABAMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DR. DON WILLIAMSON TELLS CAPITOL JOURNAL THAT THE NUMBER WILL, UNFORTUNATELY, CONTINUE TO GO UP.

>> CLEARLY WE ARE NOT SEEING THE HOSPITALIZATIONS YET THAT ARE GOING TO RESULT FROM CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S.

THOSE ARE GOING TO BE NEXT WEEK AND UNFORTUNATELY LATER IN JANUARY.

BUT WHEN I LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE TODAY, WE HAD THE FEWEST AVAILABLE ICU BEDS WE HAVE EVER HAD, ONLY 80 STATEWIDE.

51 PERCENT OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN ICU'S IN ALABAMA NOW HAVE COVID.

A THIRD OF ALL OF THE PATIENTS WHO ARE ON OUR GENERAL HOSPITAL FORWARD HAVE COVID.

WE HAD MORE PATIENTS WITH COVID IN THE ICU AND ON VENTILATORS THAN EVER BEFORE >> DON: SOME STATE HOSPITALS ARE ALREADY CURTAILING ELECTIVE PROCEDURES TO PROVIDE MORE CARE FOR VIRUS SUFFERERS.

DON: WITH NURSING HOME RESIDENTS AND WORKERS BEING IN THE TOP PRIORITY VACCINATION GROUP, ITS WORTH NOTING HOW HUGE THAT POPULATION IS AND ITS BEARING ON AVAILABLE VACCINE.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'"S RANDY SCOTT TAKES A CLOSER LOOK FOR US TONIGHT.

>> PHASE II OF THE WAR ON CORONAVIRUS IS ON THE WAY WITH THE ARRIVAL OF VACCINES.

SOME SAY IT'S NOT MOVING AS FAST AS IT SHOULD BUT THERE ARE PLANS TO CHANGE THAT, SAYS ALABAMA NURSING HOME SPOKESMAN JOHN MATSON.

>> VERY WE'RE FORTUNE THAT THE GOVERNOR BUT NURSING HOMES AND RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES IN CATEGORY 1A.

WE AMONG THE FIRST GROUP TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE.

IT BEGAN BEING ADMINISTERED TO THE RESIDENTS AND STAFF AT THE END OF THE DECEMBER.

>> IT'S THE TALK ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HOW CAN MORE COVID VACCINES ARRIVE AND HOW CAN THEY BE GIVEN TO CITIZENS?

CONCERNS INCLUDE THOSE WHO HAVE THE HIGHEST REACH OF RISK OF CATCHING OF COVID AND AT THE TOP OF THE LIST ARE CITIZENS.

>> WE ASK IF COVID-19 VACCINE IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

THE NURSING HOME RESIDENTS SHOULD RECEIVE FIRST VACCINES.

>> THEY'RE WORKING WITH NURSING HOMES THROUGHOUT ALABAMA TO GET THEM HELP QUICKLY.

>> IT'S A PARTNERSHIP THAT THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE MEDICAID SERVICES BUT TOGETHER WITH CVS, WALGREENS AND HERE IN ALABAMA SENIOR CARE PHARMACY.

EVERY NURSING HOME CHOSE WHICH PHARMACY IT WANTED TO SIGN UP WITH.

AND THAT PHARMACY WORKED WITH THE NURSING HOME TO CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE VACCINE CLINICS.

THE PHARMACIES WILL COME TO THE NURSING HOME.

THEY WILL ADMINISTER THE VACCINE TO RESIDENTS, STAFF AND FILL OUT ALL OF THE NECESSARY GOVERNMENT PAPERWORK.

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

>> DON: ONE OF THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAS BEEN SUFFERING WITH COVID SINCE BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS OF HUNTSVILLE TELLS "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE HAD TO QUARANTINE THROUGH CHRISTMAS AND THAT HE WAS REALLY SICK.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING I DON'T WISH ON ANYONE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK, FOR ME, THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE TOUGHEST EXPERIENCE OR THING I HAVE GONE THROUGH.

I THOUGHT -- IT WAS TIME DONE WHERE I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE PAIN AND CONSISTENCY OF THE PAIN AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO, NOT HAVING ANY GUIDANCE.

>> DON: DANIELS SAYS HIS PAIN BECAME SO GREAT THAT HE WAS EVENTUALLY GIVEN AN ANTIBODY INFUSION THAT HE SAYS STARTED TO TURN THINGS AROUND FOR HIM.

>>> DON: ORGANIZERS OF A FILM FESTIVAL ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SAY THEY ARE HOPING THAT IT WILL HELP SHOW THE NEED TO EXPAND SUCH ACCESS.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH REPORT TONIGHT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" KAREN GOLDSMITH HAS MORE.

>> WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF PNC BANK THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA, THE ALABAMA SCHOOL READINESS ALLIANCE AND THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS ARE GIVING YOU THREE FREE OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

THE INVEST EARLY ALABAMA FILM FESTIVAL SHOW DAYS TWO MOVIES.

>> I JUST LOVE THE WAY THAT THE FILM MATTERS AND THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD KIND OF DEMONSTRATES THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHY THOSE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE ARE SO IMPORTANT.

BUT IT DOES IT THROUGH REAL-LIFE STORIES.

Reporter: IT ALSO INCLUDES THE AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY "STARTING AT ZERO" WHICH FOCUSES ON ALABAMA'S HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FIRST-CLASS PRE-K PROGRAM AND THE VALUE OF EARLY LEARNING.

>> SO THE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES THAT CHILDREN HAVE WITH PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, CHILDCARE CENTERS, PRE-K PROGRAMS, THAT SHAPES THEIR BRAIN.

AND 90 PERCENT OF THE BRAIN IS DEVELOPED IN THOSE FIRST FIVE YEARS.

>> THE THIRD OPPORTUNITY IS THE LUNCHTIME CONVERSATIONS HELD ON THE ALABAMA SCHOOL READINESS FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> EVERY TUESDAY IN JANUARY, WE WILL BE HOSTING LIVE FACEBOOK CONVERSATIONS WITH PANELS OF EXPERTS WHO ARE IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD, IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, IN THE EDUCATION FIELD WHO WILL TALK ABOUT THE THEMES FROM THE TWO FILMS IN THE FESTIVAL AND HOW THAT APPLIES TO ALABAMA.

>> TO REGISTER FOR LINKS TO THE MOVIES, GO TO WWW.

INVEST EARLY ALABAMA.ORG .

FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" I'M KAREN GOLDSMITH.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER OF HOOVER JOINS US FROM HIS DISTRICT OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM.

CONGRESSMAN WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> WHAT A WEEK IT HAS BEEN IN WASHINGTON.

ONE CERTAINLY FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS.

MANY ARE SAILING IT WAS A DARK SPOT ON OUR HISTORY THIS WEEK.

YOU WERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WHEN RIOTERS STORMED AT THE CAPITOL.

TELL ME WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEING IN THE MIDST OF ALL OF THAT.

>> THE VAST IT SHOW ONE OF THE VAST EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD.

I WAS INVOLVED ON THE BASEBALL FIELD 20 STEPS FROM WHEN HE STARTED SHOOTING AND SAW MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES GO DOWN.

WEDNESDAY WAS ANOTHER VERY SAD AND DARK DAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY.

WHEN AMERICANS CARRY OUT AN ASSAULT ON OUR CAPITOL -- YOU KNOW OUR CAPITOL REPRESENTS TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THE BEST IN TERMS OF GOVERNMENT -- THE BEST IN TERMS OF OPPORTUNITY, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE THEY SEE US AS A LAND OF LAW AND ORDER AND OPPORTUNITY, AND WHAT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY WAS JUST SHATTERING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT WILL GO DOWN AS A VERY DARK DAY IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

AND I JUST HOPE THAT THERE'S STILL ENOUGH PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT REVERE THE CONSTITUTION, THAT UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TRY TO LIVE TOGETHER LAW FLEE.

IF WE HOPE THERE'S -- IF THERE'S ANY HOPE FOR THIS REPUBLIC TO CONTINUE.

>> CONGRESSMAN DID YOU EVER FEAR FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY ON WEDNESDAY?

>> NOT REALLY.

CONCERN FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND ONE OF THEM LOST HIS LIFE.

I HAVE A GREAT RESPECT AND GREAT AFFECTION FOR MANY OF THOSE GUYS.

I KNOW THEM PERSONALLY.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT OFFICER BUT HIS COLLEAGUES.

THERE'S A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY FIT WERE NOT FOR THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE COURAGE THAT THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO LITERALLY RAN INTO THE GUNFIRE.

I'M JUST HEARTBROKEN.

>> CONGRESSMAN, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE PLACED BLAME OR AT LEAST SOME OF THE BLAME ON WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

THEY ACCUSE HIM OF INCITING THE VIOLENCE THAT ENSUED AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

DO YOU FEEL THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP BARES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED?

>> TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

I THINK THE FACT THAT HE TOLD PEOPLE TO GO TO THE CAPITOL AND GIVING THEM A FALSE HOPE THAT BARES SOME RESPONSIBILITY THERE, TO WHIP UP A CROWD THAT SIZE, TELL THEM TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL -- WRONG THING TO DO.

I THINK THAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON ALL OF US TO BE VERY CIRCUMSPECT ABOUT WHAT WE SAY AND HOW WE SAY IT.

BE VERY ACCURATE IN OUR COMMUNICATIONS TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WHAT CAN'T BE DONE.

>> SINCE ALL OF THIS HAPPENED THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS OF COURSE FOR THE 25TH AMENDMENT TO BE INVOKED, CONTENDING THE PRESIDENT ISN'T FIT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE, THERE'S EVEN BEEN IMPEACHMENT TALK.

HOW DO YOU STAND ON THOSE CALLS?

>> I THINK THAT'S THE WRONG COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY ESCALATE THINGS.

WE'RE SO DIVIDED RIGHT NOW, THERE'S SO MUCH ANGER ON BOTH SIDES, FOR CONGRESS TO TAKE THAT STEP -- AND, BY THE WAY, CONGRESS DOES NOT HAVE ANY AUTHORITY TO INVOKE THE 25TH AMENDMENT.

>> THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SOME CONTENTIONS THAT LAWMAKERS LIKE YOURSELF HOLD SOME CULPABILITY IN WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN OBJECTING TO SOME OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES IN THE KEY STATES, SORT OF FUELING THE FIRE OF SOME OF THE VITAL PROTESTERS' CONCERNS THIS WEEK.

WHAT DO YOU SEE TO THOSE FOLKS WHO CONTEND THAT?

>> I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO ESCALATE -- I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

FOR THE FOURTH TIME, I TOOK AN OATH TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

PART OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY IS TO EXERCISE MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS WITH CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE CONSTITUTION WAS VIOLATED IN TERMS OF THE -- THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STATUTE LEGISLATURES HAVING THE SOLE AUTHORITY TO MAKE CHANGES TO ELECTION LAWS.

ME AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I HOPED TO DO DURING THE DEBATE, KNOWING THAT WE HAD ALL OF THE AMERICAN MEDIA FOCUSED ON THE DEBATE, UNFILTERED AND UNCENSORED, TO EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT HAPPENED, THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF ELECTIONS IN CERTAIN STATES AND ALSO THE FAILURE TO ENFORCE ELECTION LAWS THAT WERE PASSED BY CONGRESS, MOST NOTABLY NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT THAT WAS PASSED BY THE DEMOCRATS IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS AND SIGNED BY BILL CLINTON IN 1996.

WE LITERALLY HAD 24 MILLION PEOPLE REGISTERED IMPROPERLY.

1.8 MILLION ARE DEAD N PENNSYLVANIA THERE ARE 100,000 INACTIVE VOTERS STILL ON THE ROLES AND SOME STATES HAVE INTENTIONALLY FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THAT LAW.

AND WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS TO -- THIS WAS NOT ABOUT PICKING A WINNER OR LOSER.

THIS WAS TO PUT US ON A PATH TO GET OUR ELECTION LAWS CONSISTENT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY STATE CONDUCTS A CONSTITUTIONAL HONEST AND FAIR ELECTION AND RESTORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE THAT THEIR VOTE MATTERS AND COUNTS.

THAT'S WHAT IS DRIVING A LOT OF THIS.

AND WE NEEDED TO HAVE THAT DEBATE.

AND WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THAT DEBATE UNTIL THESE ANARCHISTS ATTACKED THE CAPITOL.

AND TOOK AWAY THE PLATFORM THAT WE HAD HOPED TO USE TO LAY THIS PLAN OUT.

AND THAT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.

BUT AS DISAPPOINTING AS IT IS, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE ARE THE RIGHT STEPS TO GET OUR ELECTION PROCESS BACK WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GO TO THE POLLS AND KNOW THAT THEIR VOTES MATTER.

>> CONGRESSMAN DID YOU BELIEVE THESE PEOPLE YOU DESCRIBED AS ANARCHISTS -- MAYBE MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT CONGRESS COULD AND COULD NOT DO ON WEDNESDAY WHERE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES WERE CONCERNED?

>> I'M CERTAIN OF THAT.

SOME OF THEM HAD BEEN TOLD THAT BUT REFUSED TO BELIEVE IT.

I KNOW A NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS I DID HERE, PARTICULARLY LOCALLY WHERE THAT WAS RAISED I MADE IT CLEAR THAT THERE WAS NO WAY THAT -- TO OBJECT TO STATE CERTIFICATION COULD WORK.

THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THAT THEY HAD ONE VOTE AND I MADE IT CLEAR THAT THERE WAS NO PATH FORWARD.

WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO IS SET THE STAGE WITH REGARD TO OUR ELECTION LAWS, LIKE I SAID, THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE COMPARE HONEST ELECTIONS.

THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED MIKE PENCE HAD THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY TO REJECT ELECTORAL VOTES AND CERTIFICATION AND THAT'S NOT TRUE.

ANY SIMPLE READING OF THE TWELFTH AMENDMENT MAKES IT'S CLEAR THAT THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS TO SEE THE OPENING OF THE ENVELOPES.

THE COUNT IS DONE BY THE CLERKS AND REPORTED BY MEMBERS WHO ARE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THERE WAS NOTHING MIKE PENCE COULD DO THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE CONSTITUTIONAL.

AND THAT'S WHAT CONCERNS ME, DON.

IS THAT WE HAVE BOTH SIDES THAT ARE MAKING CLAIMS AND ASKING TO US DO THINGS THAT ARE NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.

AND I'M TALKING ABOUT BOTH SIDES, THE EXTREME RIGHT AND THE EXTREME LEFT.

AND THIS COUNTRY CANNOT CONTINUE TO EXIST AS A REPUBLIC UNLESS WE ABIDE BY THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE SEPARATION OF POWERS.

IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT EXIST, AND WE AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE TO BE WILLING TO USE THOSE CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THEY WERE PUT THERE NO N. PLACE TO PREVENT SOME OF THE STUFF THAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

AND CONGRESS IS NOT SUBSERVIENT TO THE COURTS OR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WHILE WE RESPECT FEDERALISM WE'RE NOT SUBSERVIENT TO THE STATE.

CONGRESS HAS A ROLE IN THIS.

THERE'S A LONG HISTORY OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO REVERSE STATE LAWS, MOST NOTABLY THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THAT LAW WAS VIGOROUSLY ENFORCED AND UPHELD BY THE COURTS BUT WE FAILED TO ENFORCE THE 1993 VOTER REGISTRATION ACT, PASSED ON THE MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS IN BOTH HOUSES, 17 OF THOSE DEMOCRATS STILL SERVE TODAY INCLUDING NANCY PELOSI AND OTHERS.

THEIR LEADERSHIP TEAM.

SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO PEOPLE IS CALM DOWN, LET'S WORK TOGETHER.

WE HAVE MAJOR, MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN TERMS OF POLICY.

BUT IF WE START DIVIDING THE COUNTRY OVER WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION, I THINK WE'VE GOT AN EVEN GREATER PROBLEM.

>> CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER OF HOOVER.

ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE SAFE AFTER THE EVENTS OF THIS WEEK.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME ZERO SPEAK TO YOUR AUDIENCE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON JOINS US.

I WANT TO START WITH WHAT HAPPENED NO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK.

YOU HAVE SEVERAL TIMES CONSIDERED CANDIDACY FOR THE U.S. SENATE, AND I'M IMAGINING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PUTTING YOURSELF IN THE POSITION OF SOME OF THESE LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK AS THE DRAMA UNFOLDED.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE WEEK'S EVENTS?

>> BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN I'M GLAD I CHOSE NOT TO GO.

OBVIOUSLY I BELIEVE IN PEACEFUL PROTEST.

PEOPLE HAVE THAT; RIGHT.

WE AS A COUNTRY SEEM TO BE FRACTURED RIGHT NOW, VERY NARROW DIVIDE ON THE VOTES.

BUT WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES, REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMOCRATS ALIKE TO JUST WORK TOGETHER.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED SOME UNITY HERE.

AND THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES, WITH COVID AND EVERYTHING ELSE WE NEED OUR LEADERS SHOWING UNITY TO MOVE US IN A CORRECTION SO I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT WILL TAKE PLACE.

>> SENATOR, OF COURSE BACK BEFORE CHRISTMAS YOU ANNOUNCED THAT YOU WOULD NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION TO YOUR SENATE SHEET AND SAID YOU WOULD STEP DOWN AS PRO TEM.

WE WILL GET TO THAT.

BUT YOU ALSO SAID AT THAT TIME THAT YOU HAD NO INTEREST IN HAD A POSSIBLE FUTURE RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE ANYMORE OR A POSSIBLE GUBERNATORIAL RUN.

AND I THINK YOU EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION AT THE TIME WITH THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.

>> YEAH, OBVIOUSLY IN WASHINGTON, I JUST DON'T SEE AN ATMOSPHERE THUS FAR THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE.

AND YOU CAN BE IN DIFFERENT PARTIES AND HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE OF WHAT IS BEST FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND I DIDN'T GET THAT FEEL WHEN I WAS THERE THAT THAT WAS OF THE INTENT.

AND I HOPE GOING FORWARD THAT WILL BE.

BUT, LISTEN, I'M CONTEND.

I HAVE ENJOYED ANY SERVICE IN ALABAMA, SERVING MY DISTRICT.

IT'S BEEN JUST AN HONOR TO DO SO.

BUT YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS.

I HAVE GOT FIVE GRANDKIDS NOW, AND THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO AND I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE THINGS GOING FORWARD.

>> SENATOR, EXPRESSING THE FRUSTRATION THAT YOU DID ABOUT TENSIONS IN WASHINGTON NOT JUST NOW, BUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THAT YOU HAVE CONSIDERED POSSIBLE RUNS FOR THE U.S. SENATE, YOU SAID THAT IN SOME WAYS YOU BLAMED PRESIDENT TRUMP, THIS DRAIN THE SWAMP MENTALITY AS YOU PUT IT.

>> THERE HAS BEEN -- I HAVE SEEN THIS LAST ELECTION STATUS, IF YOU'RE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL YOU'RE LEAKED AT AS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

I SERVED IN ALABAMA A LONG TIME AND SERVED WITH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND BOTH SIDES OF THE ISLE AND I PRIDE MYSELF AS HAVING A UNIFIED BODY THAT WORKS WITH THE PEOPLE.

AND I THINK WE HAVE.

I THINK SOMETIMES -- AND I DO, I BLAME THE PRESIDENT HAS LABELED ALL INCUMBENTS IF YOU WILL AS PARTICIPANT OF THE STABILITY AND BAD.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE WHO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY'RE THERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS AND WE HAVE TO QUIT -- WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND LOOK POSITIVE AND THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> WHERE THE ELECTION DEBATE WAS CONCERNED THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY IT WENT WAY TOO FAR.

DID YOU SHARE THAT SENTIMENT?

DID YOU AGREE WITH YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN WASHINGTON WHO SAID, WELL, LET'S FIGHT TO THE END ON THIS.

LET'S EXPLORE WHETHER THERE WAS FRAUD?

>> LISTEN, I THINK -- I TRULY BELIEVE THIS.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME FRAUD IN EVERY ELECTION.

BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT FRAUD WAS THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION.

I TRULY BELIEVE THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION WAS THAT WE WERE HANDED A NEW SET OF RYALS BECAUSE OF COVID, OF ABSENTEE BALLOT, MAIL IN BALLOT, AND THE DEMOCRATS LEARNED AND WORKED BY THOSE RULES AND THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T DO AS WELL.

AND POSSIBLY PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T DO AS WELL.

THE POLLING WAS WRONG, AND THAT SHOWED UP.

BUT IF YOU'RE GIVEN A SET OF RULES TO PLAY BY, YOU HAD BETTER PLAY BY THEM AND THE DEMOCRATS DID IT TO PERFECTION.

I DON'T THINK WHAT THEY DID IN GETTING THOSE VOTES, IN GETTING UNDER THE NEW RULES WERE AGAINST THE LAW, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE ELECTION WAS LOST.

>> YOU THINK WE'RE IN FOR A TURBULENT FOUR YEARS IN WASHINGTON.

>> ANY TIME YOU HAVE THIS CLOSE OF A DIVISION -- AND TO THE REPUBLICANS' CREDIT -- WHAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO SEE, WE WERE THERE FOUR YEARS EVERY DAY FIGHTING THE DEMOCRATS WHO WOULDN'T ACCEPT TRUMP.

THEY HAVE A REASON TO SAY, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE SAME THING.

I WOULD ASK THEY NOT DO THAT.

WOULD I ASK THAT WE, OKAY, LET'S WORK FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

LET'S MOVE FORWARD, AS I SAID EARLIER.

WITH THIS SITUATION WITH COVID WE'RE STILL NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

I MEAN IT'S GOING TO BE SEVERAL MONTHS, I BELIEVE, IF NOT A YEAR, BEFORE THE VACCINES ARE ADEQUATELY DISTRIBUTED AND PEOPLE CAN SAY, OKAY, IT'S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR DECISION NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION TO YOUR SENATE SEAT AND ALSO TO STEP DOWN EVENTUALLY FROM THE PRO TEM POSITION.

YOU ALREADY STATED THAT YOU WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION TO THE SENATE SEAT IN TWO YEARS.

YOUR DECISION TO STEP DOWN AS PRO TEM, TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE IS, I CAN TELL -- YOU HAVE SEEN IT.

THE LEGISLATURE ISN'T FUNCTIONING AS IT USED TO UNDER THE COVID SITUATION.

I MEAN WE'RE REALLY HAVING TO -- IN FACT WE MAY TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED FOR SAFETY REASONS.

BUT IT'S JUST HARD TO OPERATE WITH THE VIRUS.

AND I KNOW THIS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BIG PIECES OF LEGISLATION DEALING WITH EDUCATION, DEALING WITH BROADBAND, THAT I THINK ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

AND I TOLD MY COLLEAGUES I WANT TO FOCUS ON THOSE ISSUES ON MY LAST TWO YEARS, AND I CAN FOCUS ON THOSE BETTER AND PERHAPS HOPEFULLY HAVE SUCCESS ON THOSE IF I'M NOT HAVING TO RUN THE SENATE CHAMBER.

I WENT TO MY COLLEAGUES, I EXPLAINED THIS.

I HAD MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES OBVIOUSLY ASKED ME TO RECONSIDER.

I SAID, LISTEN, THIS IS WHAT I THINK IS BEST FOR ME AND FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AND I CAN HAVE AN IMPACT.

SO IN THAT, WE MET AS A CAUCUS, I EXPLAINED THAT.

THEY HAVE ACCEPTED THAT.

I PLAN ON GOING IN ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SESSION, TURN IN MY RESIGNATION, I WOULD MOVE THAT WE PUT ASIDE THE RULES WHICH REQUIRE A THREE-DAY WAITING PERIOD AND ELECT A NEW PRO TEM.

I THINK IT WILL BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, AND I WILL BE AT THAT POINT ABLE TO FOCUS ON CERTAIN LEGISLATION THAT ARE THE IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> THE CAUCUS YOU REFER TO THE REPUBLICAN SENATE CAUCUS SUPPORTING GREG REED OF JASPER TO BE THE NEW PRO TEM AND CLAY SCHOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE TO BE THE NEW MAJORITY LEADERS.

YOU THINK THESE ARE FINE SUCCESSORS IN.

>> YES.

I WORKED WITH GREG CLOSELY.

HE WAS MAJORITY LEADER FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION.

GREG ALSO HAS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MINORITY CAUCUS AS I DID.

AS I SAID, IF THE UNITED STATES SENATE WORKED AS WELL AS THE ALABAMA SENATE WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE EARLIER CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD.

IT'S A VERY CORDIAL, GREAT RELATIONSHIP.

PEOPLE RESPECT EACH OTHER.

THEY TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT.

AND WE GET THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF BIRMINGHAM AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS ABOUT AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOING TO BE GOING FORWARD.

>> BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL PRO TEM UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE RECON CONVENIENCE, YOU HAVE BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN MEETINGS PLANNING FOR THE SESSION AND THERE AGAIN ARE A LOT OF THE CHALLENGES THEREIN, GIVEN THE CONTINUE BE PANDEMIC.

I THINK YOU MET JUST THIS WEEK AGAIN ON THESE VERY ISSUES.

THE PLAN SO TO MEET HERE AT THE STATEHOUSE, BUT PUBLIC ACCESS IS STILL GOING TO BE AN OPEN QUESTION.

>> WE'RE WORKING TO DO IS ADOPT A PROCESS THAT ALLOWS PUBLIC ACCESS AND A SAFE ROUNDED CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE.

AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.

NOW, IN THE SENATE, WE HAVE LESS CHALLENGES IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE SHEER NUMBERS.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO SET UP SPECIFIC ROOMS TO ALLOW CONSTITUENTS TO COME AND MEET WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT FANTASTICS ARE REQUIRED, TEMPERATURE CHECKS ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROTOCOL TO GO BY, AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK ALL OF OUR MEMBERS TO ADHERE TO THIS AS WELL.

SO WE ARE GOING TO DO ALL WE CAN TO CREATE A SAFE ATMOSPHERE AS WE CAN AND TO ALLOW PUBLIC ATMOSPHERE WHERE WE CAN.

>> IT MAY LOOK SIMILAR TO THE WANING DAYS OF THIS PAST YEAR'S SESSION; RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

FOR INSTANCE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE GOING TO ASK OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS TO POST 24-HOUR NOTICES TO FOR ANY COMMITTEE MEETING AND LEGISLATIONS IN THAT MEETING AND WE WILL ASK THE PUBLIC TO GIVE US A 12-HOUR NOTICE IF THEY WANT TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THOSE THINGS AND ARRANGE TO HAVE THAT PUBLIC ACCESS AS BEST WE CAN AND BE VERY OPEN WITH WHAT THE AGENDA IS SO PEOPLE HAVE PLANED OF TIME TO RESPOND TO THAT AGENDA.

>> THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC, SENATOR, HAVE AGAIN RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF OUR EXISTING STATEHOUSE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE YOU HAVE VISITED BEFORE LAST YEAR.

YOU MADE A LOT OF HEADLINES WHEN YOU SUGGESTED FEDERAL CARES ACT MONEY COULD BE USED TO BUILD THE STATEHOUSE AND YOU BACKED OFF OF THAT.

>> FIRST LET ME CLEAR THIS UP.

THERE WAS A GROUP OF SENATOR AND HOUSE MEMBERS SAT AROUND A TABLE AND PUT IDEAS ON THE TABLE.

THE NEW STATEHOUSE WAS NOT MY IDEA AND I'M NOT GOING TO PIN THAT ON ANYBODY.

BUT IN MY RESPONSIBILITY AS PRO TEM, IF SOMEBODY BRINGS SOMETHING TO THE TABLE IT'S ON THE TABLE FOR DISCUSSION.

THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.

THAT'S A DISCUSSION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD.

WE NEVER GOT TO THAT DISCUSSION WHEN ALL OF THIS CAME OUT, BUT, YES, THE STATEHOUSE HAS ITS PROBLEMS, AND WE WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE AND WHEN WE CAN.

AN EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW IS IF YOU HAD THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS YOU COULD HAVE BETTER PUBLIC ACCESS IN OUR STATEHOUSE.

THIS BUILDING, AS YOU KNOW, WAS BUILT AS A HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FOR ALABAMA, I THINK, BACK IN THE '60S.

IT'S BEEN RETROFITTED, CHANGED AROUND.

IT'S NEVER BEEN AN IDEAL LEGISLATIVE BUILDING FOR PUBLIC ACCESS BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW WE MAY ADDRESS THAT GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT WILL BE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE OR FURTHER -- >> NO.

I DON'T I DON'T.

I DON'T SEEN SEE A STATEHOUSE -- I HAVEN'T HEARD NINE WITH A STATEHOUSE CONVERSATION FOR THIS SESSION.

>> NOW, LET'S GO TO THE LEGISLATION THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON IN YOUR LAST TWO YEARS IN OFFICE.

EDUCATION AND BROADBAND.

YOU HAVE BEEN KNOWN OVER YOUR TENURE FOR EDUCATION REFORM MEASURES, THE ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT PRIMARILY AMONG THEM.

CAN YOU GIVE US ANY INSIGHT INTO WHAT YOU MAY BE PONDERING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR EDUCATION REFORM?

>> I MENTIONED BROADBAND AND EDUCATION REFORM.

BROADBAND TIES IN.

TAKE WHAT WE'RE IN WITH THE SITUATION OF COVID, WE HAVE HAD SOME OF OUR CITIZENS BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BROADBAND AND EDUCATION FROM HOME.

IN THE RURAL AREAS HAVE NOT.

THEY'RE DISADVANTAGED.

I THINK THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA MORE THAN EVER SEE THE NEED FOR BROADBAND EXPANSION AND I'M GOING TO DO ALL I CAN TO FIND THE FUNDING FOR THAT AND A PLAN TO GET THE ENTIRE STATE WITH HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND.

NOT ONLY FOR EDUCATION BUT IT AFFECTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TELEMEDICINE, MANY THINGS WE DEALT WITH DURING THIS PANDEMIC, AND I THINK THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA OVERWHELMINGLY WANT HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, BROADBAND ACROSS THIS STATE AND THAT'S ONE THING I'M GOING TO WORK ON AND I HAVE BEEN DOWN WORKING ON IT AND WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON THAT.

ON THE EDUCATION SIDE, I CAN -- BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE RANKED 52ND IN EDUCATION.

I WOULD SAY 50TH BUT 52ND, THEY ARE PUERTO RICO AND SOMEBODY ELSE IN DC.

AND WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS THAT.

I MEAN IF EDUCATION, AS WE ALL KNOW, IF THE KEY FOR IMPROVING QUALITY OF THE LIFE FOR OUR CITIZENS, FOR TRACKING INDUSTRY INTO THIS AREA, WE HAVE TO -- IF WE ARE LAST, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT.

SO I'VE GOTTEN A POSITION OR BECOME IN A POSITION THAT I DON'T WANT TO TELL THE TEACHERS WHAT POLICIES SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

I'M NOT AN EDUCATOR.

BUT AS LONG AS WE CAN AGREE THIS IS A PROBLEM AND WE HAVE GOT TO SOLVE IT, THEN I'M AT THE TABLE TO SAY HOW DO WE SOLVE THIS, HOW DO WE CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF BIRMINGHAM AND HOW CAN WE OVERLOOK THIS.

IT IS THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS OUR STATE.

AND WE CAN'T OVERLOOK IT.

AND I CAN'T -- FIND ME SOMEONE IN THE LEGISLATURE OR IN GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD SIT ON THIS STAGE WITH ME AND SAY EDUCATION IS NOT IMPORTANT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO FIND IT.

SO IF WE AGREE THAT IS THE ISSUE, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, SOLVE IT, BRING IDEAS TO THE TABLE.

I'M GOING TO BE TALKING TO MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT IT AND HOPEFULLY FIND THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO CREATE A BETTER ATMOSPHERE FOR EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> ONE THING YOU TRIED TO DO LAST YEAR WAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD HAVE MOVED US TO AN APPOINTED SCHOOL BOARD.

VOTERS ULTIMATELY REJECTED THAT.

ARE WE LOOKING AT SOMETHING ON A SIMILAR SCALE, SWEEPING LEGISLATION?

>> I WOULD SAY THIS, ANY LEGISLATION I WOULD LOOK AT WOULD BE LARGE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD I PUT UP AS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SO PEOPLE COULD MAKE THAT DECISION.

BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN I WANT EVERYBODY TO BUY IN.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT EDUCATION IS THE ISSUE WHERE WE NEED TO SPEND OUR TIME AND OUR MONEY TO DETERMINE WHAT WE CAN DO TO FIX IT.

BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

A STATE THAT CAN CLAIM TO HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM OR WHICH HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEMS AND OTHER STATES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, YOU WON'T HAVE TO GIVE ANY ECONOMIC INCENTIVES OUT.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME TO YOUR STATE IF YOU HAVE THE WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION LEVEL.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AND WE'RE GOING TO STRIVE TO DO AND PUSH UNTIL MY LAST TWO YEARS OF THIS, MY LEGISLATIVE CAREER.

>> STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> LET'S SPEND THE LAST MINUTE OR TWO TALKING ABOUT A LOTTERY.

YOU HAVE SPONSORED LOTTERY EDUCATION IN THE PAST.

THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR PUT TEAGUE GAMBLING TASK FORCE TO GIVE HER RECOMMENDATIONS.

THEY DID THAT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR AND TOUTED HOW MUCH MONEY COULD BE MADE AND HOW MANY JOBS CONCRETED.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER ANYWHERE NEW LOTTERY EDUCATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR IS CORRECT, AND I HAVE SAID THIS.

THE LEGISLATION THAT I HAD SOME YEARS AGO WAS MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE BILL DEALING WITH NOT ONLY THE LOTTERY BUT GANG GENERAL TO SOLVE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CREATE A CONTROL TO GAMING IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

THAT'S THE APPROACH TO GO.

I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION VERIFIED THAT.

AND I AM WORKING ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION AS WE SPEAK THAT IS MORE OF A COMPREHENSIVE PIECE.

AND THERE AGAIN A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO ALLOW THE TEAM MAKE ITS DECISION AND TRY TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> DO YOU THINK GIVEN THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION AND IT'S REPORT TO LAWMAKERS THAT MIGHT BE SOME SORT OF TURNING POINT WHERE THE LOTTERY IS CONCERNED?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT IF YOU LOOK AT SEMI-OF THE POLLING DATA THAT IS OUT THERE, WE POLLED REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, EVERYBODY.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT PEOPLE ARE READY TO VOTE ON THIS ISSUE.

I THINK OUR JOB IN CREATING A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS TIGHT, TRULY CONTROLS GAMING, MAKE SURE THAT IT IS A COMMISSION THAT IS -- THAT PEOPLE PERCEIVE AS STRAIGHT UP, AND I THINK IF WE CAN DO THAT AND PUT THAT ON A CA, WE HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING SOME LEGISLATION PASSED.

>> THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES ON GROUND HOGS DAY, FEBRUARY 2ND.

ARE WE STILL LOOKING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT?

I KNOW THE PANDEMIC MAY LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN BY THE THAT'S THE PLAN.

>> THAT IS THE PLAN.

AND THERE AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PROTOCOL TO DEAL WITH THE VIRUS AS WE'RE IN SESSION BUT WE'RE COMING INTO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A LOT -- WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES OUT HERE WE HAVE TO RESOLVE.

WE HAVE A JOB TO DO.

MY COLLEAGUES WILL BE HERE TO DO THE JOB FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

AND I FEEL SURE THE HOUSE WOULD BE AS WELL.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM AND SOON TO BE OUTSTANDING PRO TEM IF YOU DON'T TALK TO YOU BETWEEN NOW AND THEN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES.

>> THANK YOU, VERY KIND.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU BET.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> FINALLY ON THE BROADCAST, IT'S OUR VISIT WITH STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> NEW HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

>> I WITCH WE HAD MORE ENCOURAGING NEWS WHERE COVID IS CONCERNED BUT THINGS ARE LOOKING BLEAK WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE CONCERNED AND THE DAILY CASES CONTINUE TO MOUNT.

HOSPITALIZATIONS PASSED 3,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE WILL GET TO ALL OF THAT BUT I WANT TO BEGIN WITH VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

THERE'S BEEN SOME FRUSTRATION EXPRESSED WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE IN ALABAMA.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING TO FOCUS WHO ARE EXPRESSING THIS FRUSTRATION?

>> I WOULD SAY WE HAVE FRUSTRATION AS WELL, THINGS HAVE NOT GONE OUT AS FAST AS WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO GO OUT.

I THINK SOME OF THE ISSUES IS THE EXPECTATION ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHEN EXACTLY THEY'RE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

OUR FIRST PRIORITY GROUP INCLUDES HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS.

THERE ARE 336,000 PEOPLE THAT FALL INTO THAT GROUP.

ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO RECEIVE TWO SHOTS TO BE VACCINATED SO MORE THAN 650,000 DOSES NEED TO BE GIVEN BEFORE WE'RE REALLY TO FULLY MOVE TO A PHASE 1B GROUP.

>> AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO DO THAT WITH A LIMITED SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

OUR STATE ALOE ALLOCATION WHICH GETS WIDELY REPORTED IS NOT THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED IN THE STATE.

IT'S THE AMOUNT WE'RE ELIGIBLE FOR BASED ON THE POPULATION OUR STATE HAS.

WE'RE 1.4% OF THE POPULATION.

WE GO 1.4 PERCENT OF THE AVAILABLE STOCK.

WE RECEIVED ABOUT 180,000 DOSES SO FAR.

AS OF THE MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE GIVEN OUT JUST OVER 06,000ADOSIS OF THAT.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> SOME WOULD SAY IT'S MOVING TOO SLOW.

WHAT DO YOU SEE TO THOSE FOLKS.

>> I AGREE WITH THEM.

IT IS MOVING TOO SLOW.

WE CERTAINLY WISH WE WERE MOVING FASTER.

PART OF THE FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF PEOPLE THAT THERE ARE 51 DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO THIS JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER ASPECT OF THE COVID RESPONSE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS LEFT IT UP TO STATES TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS, AND EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE THEY SHOULD BE A PRIORITY AND SHOULD BE AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE.

AND FRANKLY, I AGREE WITH THEM.

I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD.

WE TALK TO PEOPLE ALMOST ALL DAY LONG EVERY DAY WHO SAY I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M NOT IN A PRIORITY GROUP THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR BECAUSE OF MY AGE OR HEALTH CONDITIONS OR MY OCCUPATION.

AND JUST IN EVERY CASE I AGREE WITH THEM.

YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU SHOULD BE AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE.

IT'S JUST THAT THERE IS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF VACCINE.

THERE HAVE BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE AT THIS BUOYANT IS FILED THE FEDERAL GUIDANCE THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE CDC AND THE PRIORITY GROUPS.

I UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE DON'T GREW WITH THAT, AND -- DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

I CAN'T SAY THEY'RE WRONG BUT I CAN SAY WE HAD TO MEDICATION A DECISION TO FOLLOW THE ALLOCATION PLAN AND THIS IS THE ONE WE'RE FOLLOWING.

>> BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF AVAILABLE VACCINE YOU HAVE PROBABLY GOTTEN TO HALF OF OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS; RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE GIVEN A LITTLE OVER 6-00-00 SHOTS.

SO AGAIN THERE'S ABOUT 326,000 PEOPLE IN THAT GROUP.

SO MUCH LESS THAN HALF.

EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE VACCINE IS JUST COMING OUT IN DRIPS.

AND YOU KNOW, WEEP DON'T USUALLY KNOW UNTIL A DAY OR SO BEFORE IT ARRIVES WHAT OUR ALLOCATION IS GOING TO BE.

IT'S MADE IT CHALLENGING TO PLAN AHEAD.

YOU KNOW THE FIRST WEEK WE RECEIVED THE VACCINE, THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BECAUSE DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS THAT PFIZER VACCINE THAT NEEDS ULTRACOLD STORAGE THERE WERE ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF PLACES THAT COULD RECEIVE THE VACCINES AND THOSE WERE HOSPITALS AND THOSE DELIBERATELY STAGGERED GIVING THE VACCINE TO THE STAFF SO THEY WOULDN'T IMMUNE EYES EVERYBODY AT ONCE AND RUN THE RISK OF PEOPLE WITH VACCINE REACTION MAKING STAFF UNAVAILABLE TO THEM.

SO THE FIRST WEEK WENT VERY SLOW ON PURPOSE.

THE SECOND WEEK THOUGH THE PFIZER ALLOCATION THAT WE GOT WENT TO THE LONG-TERM CARE PHARMACY PROGRAM THAT CVS AND WALGREENS ARE ADMINISTERING IN OUR NURSING HOMES SO THAT WAS GREAT AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE THAT PRODUCT BUT IT MEANT THE REST OF THE STATE HAD NO ALLOCATION THAT WEEK AT ALL.

WE DID START GETTING A LITTLE MODERNA VACCINE THAT WEEK BUT IT'S JUST BEEN LAST WEEK THAT WE HAVE HAD OUR ROUTINE SUPPLY IF YOU WILL OF MODERNA AND PFIZER BOTH, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE STILL IN SMALL NUMBERS.

>> IS IT GOING TO GRADUAL GET BETTER.

>> WE CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

THERE'S TO QUESTION THAT THE HOLIDAYS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH GIVING VACCINES.

THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WHO JUST DIDN'T SEEK THEM BECAUSE WE HAD BASICALLY TWO FOUR-DAY WEEKENDS BACK TO BACK.

THERE WERE SOME SITES THAT WERE NOT GIVING VACCINE JUST BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAYS.

THE NURSING HOME ROLLOUT BY CVS AND WALGREENS DID NOT EVEN START, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD VACCINE ON HAND THEY DECIDED TO NOT START UNTIL AFTER THE HOLLYWOOD.

THAT IS BEHIND US.

WE INCREASED UP TO 140 SITES, ALL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAVE VACCINE AVAILABLE AND PEOPLE CAN MAKE APPOINTMENT GUESS THEY'RE IN THE ELIGIBLE GROUP.

WE CONTINUE TO ADD MORE SITES.

I THINK A LOT OF THE SLOW START PROBLEMS ARE BEHIND US NOW THINKING OF THOSE GROUPS, YOU'RE GOING TO EXPAND STARTING JANUARY 19TH SERVING SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE POPULATION, THOSE 75 OR OLDER AND OTHER "FRONTLINE" WORKERS LIKE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS; RIGHT?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

WE ANNOUNCED THAT THIS WEEK.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO NOT HAVE VACCINE SITTING AROUND.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF IT SITTING AROUND BUT WE DO HAVE PLACES THAT SAY WE HAVE EMPTY APPOINTMENTS OR NO SHOWS WHEN WE TRY TO SCHEDULE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND WE DON'T WANT TEAM WASTE VACCINE.

ONCE IT HAS BEEN THANK YOUD IT NEEDS TO BE USED IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

SO ALL OF OUR SITES ARE ENCOURAGED EVEN NOW TO KEEP A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO CALL AND ASK FOR VACCINE APPOINTMENTS AND THEN THEY BRING THEM BACK, YOU KNOW, AT THE LAST MINUTE IF NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T WASTE ANY SHOTS.

THAT'S GOING ON NOW.

WEE ENCOURAGE THAT.

SO THERE ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THAT PHASE 1A GROUP WHO ARE GETTING VACCINATED IN THAT WAY.

BEGINNING ON JANUARY 19TH WE'RE GOING TO OFFICIALLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL SITES BEGIN BOOKING APPOINTMENTS FOR NOT JUST HEALTH CARE WORKERS BUT ALSO PEOPLE OVER AGE 57 AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS LIKE POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS.

NOW, THAT'S GOING TO ALMOST -- THAT'S GOING TO MORE THAN DID YOU BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE AT THE FRONT OF LINE SO TO SPEAK GO FROM 3-2-6000 TO ALMOST 700,000 WITH THAT ADDITION.

AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A LOT MORE VACCINE.

BUT I THINK IT DOES MAKE IT MORE LIKELY THAT PEOPLE CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT IS HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT VACCINE FOR THEM WHEN THEY NEED TO GET IT.

>> LET'S GO BACK TO THE NUMBERS.

WE MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET WE CROSSED THE 3,000 MARK FOR HOSPITALIZATIONS.

DR. WILLIAMSON WITH THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION TOLD US THIS WEEK THAT AVAILABLE ICU BEDS ACROSS THE STATE ARE CRITICALLY LOW AND THE DAILY CORONAVIRUS CASES WERE AVERAGING ABOUT 3500 TO 4,000 A DAY.

I.

KNOW IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WE HAD A COUPLE WHERE WE ARE FIVE THOUSAND OR MORE AND I THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE WORST OF IT.

WE WILL START SEEING THE RESULTS OF CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK; RIGHT?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THE TAIL END OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS AND ALSO MAYBE SOME EARLY IN THE CHRISTMAS SEASON GET-TOGETHERS EARLY IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON, CHRISTMAS, YOU KNOW, JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INFECTED AROUND THAT TIME PROBABLY HAVEN'T COME TO ATTENTION ENOUGH TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION AT THIS POINT.

I.

KNOW YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE BUT ONE CONSISTENT NUMBER THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE RESPONSE HAS BEEN ANT 10 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO GET DIAGNOSED END UP NEEDING A HOSPITAL BED AT SOME POINT.

USUALLY AROUND THREE WEEKS OR SO AFTER THEY BECOME ILL.

SO WE ARE JUST NOW BEGINNING TO SEE THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO GOT INFECTED AT CHRISTMAS IN THE NEXT WEEK TO TWO WEEKS.

A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM.

>> WE'RE NOT ENACTING ANY SORT OF SURGE PLANS BUT I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SOME HOSPITALS THAT HAVE BEEN DELAYING ELECTIVE PROCEDURES.

>> IT'S PROBABLY TRUE THAT JUST ABOUT EVERY HOSPITAL IS MAKING THAT DECISION ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS IF THEY HAVEN'T IMPLEMENTED SOMETHING.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF JUST-IN-TIME DECISIONS ON WHAT THE STAFFING LOOK LIKE TOAD AND THE STAFFING SO HOSPITALS ARE MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS RIGHT NOW.

>> ALABAMA'S CURRENT MASK MANDATE WILL LAST ANOTHER TWO WEEKS.

AND I'M SURE YOU WILL BE HUDDLING WITH THE GOVERNOR BETWEEN NOW AND THEN TO DECIDE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

GIVEN WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE'RE HEADED WITH THIS, MASKS WOULD SEEM ALMOST INVALUABLE?

>> THE MASK MANDATE EXPIRES I BELIEVE THE 22ND OR 23RD.

BUT, THERE'S NOT A REAL DEFENSIBLE REASON WHY WE SHOULD DO AWAY WITH THAT AT THIS POINT.

THERE'S STILL WIDESPREAD COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THERE IS SOME VACCINATION GOING ON BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO WEAR MASKS EITHER.

VACCINES ARE NOT 100% EFFECTIVE AND IT'S STILL POSSIBLE PEOPLE CAN BECOME INFECTED AND SPREAD THE DISEASE EVEN IF THEY DON'T GET THAT SICK FOLLOWING A VACCINATION SO WE HOPE TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> ONE PERSONAL OBSERVATION BEFORE WE CLOSE.

I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WEARING MASKS BUT IT'S BELOW THEIR NOSE.

THE MOUTH IS COVERED BUT THE NOSE IS NOT, AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT CORRECT WAY TO WEAR A MASK.

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

THE OPENINGS IN YOUR NOSE ARE CONNECTED TO YOUR LUNGS.

WE HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THAT.

I WOULD SAY IF YOU HAVE A CORONAVIRUS TEST, DO YOU REMEMBER HOW THEY DO IT?

THEY STICK A Q-TIP UP YOUR NOSE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE VIRUS IS.

PLEASE WEAR A MASK OVER YOUR NOSE SO YOU DON'T RUN OF RISK OF INFECTING SOMEONE ELSE.

>> THAT I DON'T HAS ALWAYS TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR THE YEOMAN PEACE JOB YOU'RE DOING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DR. SCOTT HARRIS ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN US NEXT FRIDAY WHEN WE WILL BE JOINED BY SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE TO DISCUSS THE UPRISING AT THE CAPITOL AND HIS PRIORITIES AS A NEW LAWMAKER.

WE JOINED BY GERALD ALLEN OF TUSCALOOSA WHO WILL DISCUSS HIS MONUMENT PROTECTION LAW AND ANOTHER GUN BILL SHE BRINGING.

STATE HEALTH OFFICER DR. SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE BACK TO DISCUSS THE LATEST ON THE PANDEMIC.

WE CLOSE TONIGHT IN REMEMBRANCE OF TWO ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES.

DR. BILL STEWART WAS A RENOWNED POLITICAL SCIENCE EXPERT IN OUR STATE HAVING TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND SERVED AS A GUEST ANALYST ON TV AND ROW FOR MUCH OF THE PAST FIVE DECADES.

YOU CAN SEE DR. STEWART HERE ON HIS LAST SHOW HERE AS AN ANALYST SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

HE DIED LAST SUNDAY AT AGE 81.

WE ALSO PAUSE TO REMEMBER THE PASSING OF A LONGTIME FORMER EMPLOY OF ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, TRACY LARKIN WAS MOST RECENTLY A FOUR-TERM MEMBER OF THE MONTGOMERY IS THE DOCUMENT.

BEFORE THAT HE HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN BROADCASTING.

TRACY LARKIN IS SEEN HERE ONE OF HIS LAST ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION HOST OF HOSTING JOBS IN 2008.

HE WAS A PRIMARY ANCHOR FOR THE "FOR THE RECORD" PROGRAM WHICH WAS THE PRECURSOR TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

HE WAS A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL AND REMEMBERED BY ALL OF US FONDLY AT APT.

TRACY LARKIN DIED THIS WEEK AT 71.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M DON DAILEY.