>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE ONGOING SAGA WITH THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, ITS COMMISSIONER KENT DAVIS AND THE BOARD THAT OVERSEES IT.

WE REPORTED LAST WEEK THAT THE STATE BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS VOTED TO APPROVE A MOTION ASKING DAVIS TO RECONSIDER HIS AGREEMENT TO RESIGN AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THAT WAS AFTER GOVERNOR KAY IVEY, WHO CHAIRS THE BOARD WITH WITH WHOM DAVIS MADE THE AGREEMENT, LEFT THE ROOM.

TODAY, GOVERNOR IVEY HAS CALLED A NEW BOARD MEETING WHERE SHE WILL ASK THE BOARD TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE DAVIS AS COMMISSIONER.

THIS ALL STEMS FROM A MESSY INTER-AGENCY DUST UP THAT BECAME PUBLIC BACK IN AUGUST, WHEN LEAKED DOCUMENTS REVEALED THAT DAVIS HAD FILED AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER KIM BOSWELL.

THAT COMPLAINT WAS QUICKLY DISMISSED AND IVEY CALLED IT FRIVOLOUS, WHILE ALSO RELEASING INFORMATION DOCUMENTING WHAT SHE CHARACTERIZED AS MISHANDLING OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT GRANT PROCESS WITH IMPROPER AND POTENTIALLY ILLEGAL GRANT SUBMISSIONS.

SHE CALLED ON DAVIS TO RESIGN BUT LATER MET WITH HIM AND AGREED TO SEE HIM SERVE OUT THE END OF THE YEAR.

BUT THIS WEEK, VA BOARD VICE CHAIR SCOTT GELDING SENT A LETTER TO HIS FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS SAYING THAT DAVIS HIMSELF MANIPULATED THE BOARD INTO VOTING IN HIS SUPPORT.

THAT SEEMS TO BE IN PART WHAT LED IVEY TO DEMAND HIS IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FOR CAUSE.

IN A 40-PAGE LETTER TO DAVIS, IVEY LAID OUT WHAT THOSE CAUSES ARE.

GENERAL LACK OF COOPERATION WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES, NAMELY MENTAL HEALTH AND FINANCE.

MISHANDLING OF THAT ARPA GRANT PROGRAM.

FILING OF ETHICS COMPLAINT.

BREACH OF AGREEMENT, AS SHE ARGUES FAILING TO PUBLICLY REAFFIRM HIS RESIGNATION CONSTITUTES BREAKING A PROMISE.

MANIPULATION OF THE BOARD.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH A FOLLOW UP ATTEMPT TO REAFFIRM THAT AGREEMENT.

AND GENERAL LOSS OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.

IVEY WROTE QUOTE,"YOU HAVE LOST THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF THE BOARD VICE CHAIR AND NUMEROUS LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IN ADDITION, YOU HAVE LOST MY TRUST AND CONFIDENCE."

DAVIS HIMSELF HAS DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THESE DEVELOPMENTS, BUT HER REFERRED QUESTIONS TO HIS ATTORNEY, JOHN SAXON.

SAXON SAYS DAVIS IS COMMITTED TO HONORING THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT TO ALLOW HIM TO REMAIN ON AS COMMISSIONER UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

THAT BOARD MEETING THAT IVEY CALLED IS SET FOR TUESDAY.

AND WE WILL BE THERE.

HOW ABOUT A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

OCTOBER HAS FINALLY BROUGHT COOLER TEMPERATURES TO ALABAMA AND THE VIBRANT COLORS THAT COME WITH FALL.

ALABAMA STATE PARKS IS REMINDING RESIDENTS THAT MANY OF OUR PARKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, OFFER SOME OF THE BEST FALL FOLIAGE VIEWS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THERE'S SOME FASCINATING SCIENCE BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL TRANSFORMATION OF THE LEAVES.

>> SO OUR FALL COLOR SEASON IS HUGE THROUGHOUT ALABAMA STATE PARKS, BUT ESPECIALLY AS SOON AS OCTOBER HITS.

AND, SO, KIND OF SOME OF THE SCIENCE BEHIND THIS, OF COURSE, TEMPERATURE HAS SOME TO DO WITH IT, BUT IT'S MOSTLY THE SHORTER DAYS AND THOSE LONGER NIGHTS, THAT IS WHAT'S REALLY TRIGGERING WHAT THESE GUYS ARE DOING.

AND, OF COURSE, BECAUSE OF DROUGHT, WE DO HAVE SOME TREES THAT GO AHEAD AND START TURNING.

THEY CAN START BY GOING TO ALAPARKS.COM, AND THERE'S A GREEN BUTTON THAT'S A PORTAL FOR PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE.

IT GIVES US JOY OF SEEING ALL THESE COLORS, THESE TAP INDUSTRY OF COLORS, LIKE WE LOOK UP THE MOUNTAINSIDE IN SPRING AND SEE THE DIFFERENT SHADES OF GREEN.

WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK UP AND SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT SHADES OF RED AND ORANGE.

>> BEAUTIFUL.

THE NEWLY FORMED ALABAMA WORKFORCE BOARD HELD ITS FIRST-EVER MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY, WITH LEADERS FOCUSING ON WAYS TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S LOW WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

THE BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE ALABAMA WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION ACT, ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S JEFF SANDERS WAS AT THAT MEETING AND HAS MORE.

>> THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE ALABAMA WORKFORCE BOARD MARKED A MAJOR STEP IN THE STATE'S PUSH TO IMPROVE ITS STRUGGLING LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION.

>> TAKE A LOOK AT 1.7 MILLION ALABAMIANS BETWEEN 16 AND 65 WHO DON'T HAVE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, AND WE LOOK AT OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND NUMBER OF JOBS THAT WE'RE HAVING TROUBLE FILLING AND DOING THINGS, IF YOU COULD MOVE 1% THE PARTICIPATION RATE, 40,000 ALABAMIANS GO TO WORK.

C.E.O.

OF ALABAMA POWER TOLD BOARD MEMBERS COLLABORATION IS KEY.

57.5%, ALABAMA'S LABOR PARTICIPATION RATE IS AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ALABAMA WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION ACT CREATED THE WORKFORCE BOARD AND REBRANDED THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE.

>> PEOPLE AROUND THE TABLE COLLABORATIVELY COME TO DECISIONS AND DO THINGS.

PEOPLE BUY INTO IT.

IF YOU'RE IN INDUSTRY AND THE INDUSTRIAL SIDES OF THINGS, YOU'RE DEFINING YOUR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND YOU WILL ALSO EMPLOY THEM.

SO I THINK INDUSTRY BEING AT THE TABLE IS PARAMOUNT TO SUCCESS.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY WHO SPEARHEADED THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE THAT CREATED THE BOARD ATTENDED THE MEETING.

SHE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE TO THE NEW APPROACH TO CREATING JOBS.

>> YOU PROBABLY HEARD ME SAY IT SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT ALABAMA IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY.

THE OPPORTUNITY IS HERE.

WE MUST ENSURE PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> MARTY REDDEN IS ALABAMA'S NEW LABOR SECRETARY.

HE SPOKE ABOUT CHANGES ALREADY UNDERWAY FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE WORKFORCE TRANSPORTATION ACT.

>> WHETHER THE PRIVATE SECRETARY OR ANY OTHER AGENCY IS THE INTERESTING CULTURE CHANGE.

WE'RE MERGING TWO DIFFERENT THOUGHT PROCESSES, BUT THAT'S NOT UNSURMOUNTABLE, AS LONG AS THERE'S CLEAR DIRECTION AND UNDERSTANDING AND THIS IS THE GOAL, NINE OUT OF TEN TIMES, EVERYBODY POINTS WAGON IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

>> NEXT MEETING FOR THE WORKFORCE BOARD IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 31.

REPORTING FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M JEFF SANDERS.

>> JOINING ME AT THE DESK TO TALK MORE IS JEFF SANDERS.

JEFF, THANKS FOR COMING TO OFFER ANALYSIS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE ESPECIALLY AS GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TRY TO GROW THAT JOB FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

>> SURE.

LAST SESSION, THERE WAS SO MUCH FOCUSED TON WORKFORCE ISSUE, THE BIG PACKAGE OF BILLS.

IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG, HEAVY LIFT FOR THE STATE, WHICH I GUESS IS WHY THEY JUST STARTED THE PROCESS.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID IT IS A BIG LIFT FOR GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CHANGING ALMOST THEIR ENTIRE MISSION IN SOME WAYS.

WITH THIS WORKFORCE BOARD AND THIS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LED BY THE C.E.O.

OF ALABAMA POWER JEFF PEOPLES KIND OF CHANGING THE WAY GOVERNMENT GROWS NOT JUST INDUSTRY BUT GETS PEOPLE BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

>> YOU MENTIONED JEFF PEEP ALSO, ALABAMA POWER, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE PRO FORMA INVOLVEMENT FROM C.E.O.S, HE SEEMS A LOT MORE HANDS-ON IN TERMS OF BEING A PART OF THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

>> HE TALKED ABOUT THAT PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP AND HE SAID DURING A MEETING THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT INDUSTRY LEADERS, I THINK I MENTIONED A LIT IN MY STORY, THEY WANT TO GET OUT TO SOME OF THESE SMALL, MEDIUM AND BIG INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE.

WHAT DO THEY NEED?

HOW DO THEY NEED IT AND HOW DO THEY NEED WORKERS TRAINED AND GET THEM INVOLVED WITH THE STATE TELLING HEM THIS IS WHAT WE NEED SO YOU CAN GET THEM TO US AND GET THEM TRAINED.

IT WILL CREATE BETTER WORKERS AND A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING IN THE STATE.

HE SEEMED VERY INVOLVED AND POSITIVE ABOUT WHERE THIS CAN GO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU MENTIONED THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION.

IF THAT TICKED UP JUST 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS, YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR G.D.P., WHAT THAT MEANS FOR REVENUE INTO THE STATE.

IT'S AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING ISSUE, ONE WE'LL REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO GOING FORWARD.

THANKS, JEFF, FOR COVERING THIS VERY IMPORTANT STORY.

>> I APPRECIATE IT, TODD.

>> A FEW WEEKS AGO WE SPOKE WITH MOBILE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT BRADLEY BYRNE ABOUT HOW ALABAMA'S PORT CITY WAS BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER DOCK WORKERS SUSPENDED THEIR BRIEF STRIKE TO NEGOTIATE A LARGER AGREEMENT IN JANUARY.

BUT THE SITUATION SERVED AS A REMINDER OF JUST HOW IMPORTANT ALABAMA'S PORT IS FOR OUR STATE AND REGION.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT LOOKS AT JUST HOW DEEP THAT IMPACT GOES.

>> MARCH 26, 2024, HA CARGO SHIP LOSES POWER AND CRASHES INTO THE KEYBRIDGE IN BALTIMORE CAUSING A MAJORITY OF IT TO COLLAPSE INTO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THIS EVENT CAUSED PORTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO HANDLE BUSINESS SINCE THIS MAJOR ROUTE WAS OUT OF COMMISSION.

THIS INCLUDED ALABAMA'S PORT OF MOBILE.

FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS AND BALTIMORE'S PORT HAS REOPENED AND SHIPPING AT OTHER PORTS HAS RESUMED.

BUT NOW A STRIKE BY PORT AND DOCK WORKERS AROUND THE NATION THREATENS TO BRING THAT FLUID WORK TO A HALT.

THE DISAGREEMENT IS OAF WAGE INCREASES, AND INTRODUCING NEW TOOLS TO DO WORK AT DOCKS.

CONCERNS WERE RAISED IF THIS WOULD AFFECT WORK IN MOBILE.

>> WE ACTUALLY DO THE INSPECTIONS OF ALL THE GRAINS THAT GO THROUGH THE PORT OF MOBILE AND, SO, NO, FORTUNATELY, THAT OPERATION DOWN THERE IS OPERATED BY NON-UNION WORKERS.

SO WE WERE STILL SHIPPING SOYBEANS AND OTHER THINGS OUT OF THE PORT OF MOBILE.

>> ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER RICK PATE KEEPS A CLOSE EYE ON DEVELOPMENTS.

>> IT NEVER SLOWED US DOWN A ALL.

IT ACTUALLY PICKED UP THIS YEAR.

YOU CAN IMAGINE OTHER PORTS WERE IMPACTED BY THE STRIKE, MORE WILL COME TO MOBILE.

>> AGRICULTURE IS BIG BUSINESS FOR ALABAMA.

YOU CAN SEE ITS INFLUENCE IN MANY PLACES.

YOU WANT TO SEE THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BE MOVED.

IF QUESTIONS AROSE, IF THERE WAS A STRIKE AT THE DOCKS, HOW WOULD THAT AFFECT THE MOVEMENT AND THE AVAILABLE TO OF THOSE PRODUCTS.

>> WE DON'T IMPORT A LOT OF OUR FOOD ANYWAY, AND, SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE ADVANTAGE ALSO WE KNOW THAT FOOD SECURITY AND NATIONAL SECURITY, WE SAW THAT DURING COVID.

>> A SOLUTION WAS REACHED BETWEEN BOTH SIDES OF THE STRIKE AND ENDED BEFORE THINGS GOT WORSE.

BUT THERE'S A CHANCE THIS ISSUE COULD RETURN IN A FEW MONTHS AND WORK IS ALREADY UNDERWAY TO BE READY FOR IT.

>> IT'S PRETTY INTRICATE SYSTEM, SO IT'S NOT MADE FOR EVERYBODY TO BUY TWICE AS MUCH TOILET PAPER OR BEEF AND FILL UP THEIR FREEZERS.

SO, WHEN PEOPLE BEHAVE UNUSUALLY IN BUYING HABITS, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.

ACTUALLY, THE SYSTEM IS PRETTY RESILIENT.

>> IN NORMAL, RANDY SCOTT, "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> AND RANDY SCOTT JOINS ME TO TALK MORE ABOUT HIS STORY ON THE PORT.

I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN THE PORT WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN ALABAMA, BUT I GUESS SEEING WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A STRIKE HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, REALLY IS A REMINDER OF HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.

>> YES, THEY DO CALL MOBILE THE PORT CITY, SO THAT LETS YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THE FOLKS DOWN AT THE COAST.

LET ME TAKE YOU BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS HOW IMPORTANT PORTS ARE.

IN THE HEIGHT OF COVID, REMEMBER THE SCENE IN CALIFORNIA WHERE YOU HAD A LOT OF SHIPS ON THE EAST COAST AS WELL, TOO, TRYING TO GET IN TO DROP OFF GOODS AND SERVICES BUT DUE TO COVID, THEY COULDN'T COME TO SHORE.

WE GOT PAST THAT.

FAST FORWARD TO EARLIER THIS YEAR IN MARCH WHERE THE COLLISION OCCURRED IN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE AND THE KEY BRIDGE CAME DOWN AFTER BEING RAMMED BY THE SHIP, UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE LOST LIVES.

BUT ITSELF CLOSED A GOOD TIME AS WELL, TOO.

THERE WAS TALK IT OUT OF THE GUILTY THAT MOBILE WOULD SEE MORE WORK.

WE SOMEWHAT HAVE MADE IT PAST THAT.

THEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE STRIKE WITH DOCK WORKERS.

IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE, AGAIN, THEY WANTED TO HAVE CONTRACTS RESTRUCTURED BECAUSE THEY FELT THEY WERE DUE WAGE INCREASES.

SO THAT WAS ANOTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE OF SHIPS SHUTTING DOWN PORTS WHICH WAS A VERDICT BECAUSE THE STRIKE WAS A VERDICT.

I HAVE TO REMIND YOU, WE ARE STILL IN HURRICANE SEASON.

NOT TRYING TO TALK IT UP, BUT HURRICANE SEASON DOESN'T EXPIRE TILL NOVEMBER.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE TO HIT A PORT AND CAUSE THAT MUCH MAJOR DAMAGE BUT IT'S STILL SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

>> LIKE BRAY BYRNE SAID, BREATHER A SIGH OF RELIEF.

LOOKING FORWARD TO JANUARY.

THEY WERE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THAT.

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

OUT OF TIME, BUT THANKS FOR YOUR REPORTING, RANDY.

WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO MOBILE SOON AND GETTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORT AND ALL THE PORT CITY HAS TO OFFER.

>> PORT CITY, HERE WE COME.

>> THIS WEEK, APT EDUCATION REPORTER TRISHA POWELL CRAIN ATTENDED A BOARD MEETING AT I-3 ACADEMY IN BIRMINGHAM.

IT'S ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CHARTER SCHOOLS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT ARE GIVEN GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR INNOVATION AND OUT OF THE BOX IDEAS IN EXCHANGE FOR STRICTER ACCOUNTABILITY.

ONE OF THE SPEAKERS IS A PARENT WHO DESCRIBED THE DIFFERENCE I-3 ACADEMY MADE FOR HER CHILDREN.

AND NOW SHE SERVES ON THE BOARD.

>> -- PENALIZED FOR THE WAY THEY LIVE.

THE KIDS ARE SMART REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM.

KIDS HAVE NEEDS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM AND I SAW THEM MAKING THE NEEDS.

ALISON STARTED IN 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC AND NOW SHE'S IN FOURTH GRADE.

AND WE SEE OURSELVES AS A FAMILY.

MY MOM, DAD, HUSBAND, AND OUR SENIOR FAMILY BEING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

WE LOVE IT.

I WANT TO DO WHATEVER I CANNOT JUST AS A BOARD MEMBER BUT AS A PARENT AND MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY THAT ALL STUDENTS, NOT JUST MINE, HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO MOVE FORWARD TO BE THE AGENTS OF CHANGE.

THERE'S A THING FROM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO COLLEGE CURRICULUM, EVERYTHING WE NEED HERE.

>> ALABAMA'S CHARTER SCHOOL LAW PASSED IN 2015.

TRISH REPORTS THAT THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 8,000 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE 17 CHARTER SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

COMING UP IN THE INTERVIEW PORTION OF OUR SHOW, WE'LL TURN TO POLITICS.

THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY AND ALABAMA IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED RACES IN THE COUNTRY.

ALABAMA'S 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WAS RELIABLY REPUBLICAN FOR DECADES, BUT AFTER A COURT-ORDERED REDRAWING OF THE MAP, THE DISTRICT IS A TRUE TOSS UP.

AND WITH CONTROL OF CONGRESS LIKELY TO BE DECIDED OVER A HANDFUL OF SEATS, BOTH PARTIES ARE PRIORITIZING THIS RACE.

I'LL SIT DOWN ONE LAST TIME WITH THE CANDIDATES: DEMOCRAT SHOMARI FIGURES AND REPUBLICAN CAROLEENE DOBSON FOR IN DEPTH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THEIR VIEWS, GOALS AND WHAT KIND OF CONGRESSMAN THEY ASPIRE TO BE.

THOSE INTERVIEWS WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

IN JUST OVER TWO WEEKS, VOTERS IN ALABAMA'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WILL VOTE IN A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NATIONAL WATCH ELECTION FOR CONGRESS.

JOINING ME NEXT TO TALK ABOUT IT IS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR CONGRESS SHOMARI FIGURES.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE AND SEE YOU, TODD.

THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT FOR US TO COVER THIS RACE.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, TRULY COMPETITIVE RACE.

HAVEN'T HAD ONE OF THOSE PROBABLY SINCE 2010, SO IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO THIS.

LIKE I SAID, JUST OVER TWO WEEKS TO GO IN THE CAMPAIGN, TRULY THE HOME STRETCH, WHAT IS YOUR CLOSING MESSAGE TO VOTERS TO SELL THEM ON YOUR CANDIDACY?

>> WELL, LOOK, I WANT TO START BY COMMENDING YOU AND THE STATION HERE BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF, A, PRIORITIZING THIS RACE, GIVING IT THE PLATFORM IT DESERVES ACROSS THE STATE AND DOING SO IN A VERY BALANCED AND UNBIASED AND NON-PARTISAN FASHION, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

MY CLOSING MESSAGE TO VOTERS, YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN THE SAME MESSAGE THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE WE GOT INTO THIS RACE AND THAT IS WE HAVE A CHOICE.

WE HAVE A CHOICE TO PUT SOMEONE IN LEADERSHIP THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUES THAT WE SEE PLAGUING TOO MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN IN THIS RACE WE'VE HAD FOUR HOSPITALS SHUT DOWN JUST IN THIS DISTRICT ALONE, AND A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF PRIORITIZATION OF RURAL ALABAMA, OF THE CONDITIONS THAT UNIQUELY IMPACT TOO MANY OF OUR COUNTIES.

BULLOCK COUNTY, CLARKE COUNTY, MACON COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES IN THE DISTRICT THAT ARE LOSING ACCESS TO BASIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

THE REASON I START THERE AND THE REASON THAT LEVEL OF FOCUS AND ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE THERE IS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONVERSATION WHEN THE CONVERSATION BEGINS WITH THE FACT THAT WE DON'T A HOSPITAL.

IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC ISSUE.

I DON'T BELIEVE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WANT COMMUNITIES WITHOUT HOSPITALS, BUT WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS WE HAVE NOT FIXED THAT ISSUE, AND WE HAVE TOO MANY PLACES LEFT BEHIND BY THE POLICIES OF THIS STATE AND NATION.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO BUT SOMEONE THERE TO PRIORITIZE MAKING THIS DISTRICT THE MOST ECONOMICALLY VIABLE IT CAN BE, A DISTRICT WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE, WHERE FAMILIES WANT TO RAISE CHILDREN, GO TO SCHOOL AND RETIRE TO.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO THAT.

WE CAN DO THAT.

WE CAN PUT SOMEONE EXPERIENCED, MYSELF THAT KNOWS HOW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKS, DOESN'T AGREE WITH HOW IT WORKS IN MANY RESPECTS, BUT CERTAINLY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HOW IT WORKS AND CAN LEVERAGE THAT EXPERIENCE AND HOW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKS TO MAKE IT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND DESIGNED TO WORK FOR.

THAT'S THE REASON WE GOT IN THIS RACE AND THE ATTITUDE WE WILL TAKE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. >> IT'S INTERESTING.

LET ME ASK YOU A BROAD QUESTION BUT AN IMPORTANT ONE BECAUSE I THINK IT INFORMS -- I HAVE A BUNCH OF ISSUES I WANT TO GET TO -- BUT THIS INFORMS ALL ISSUES, REALLY, THAT IS THE ROLE OF CONGRESS.

WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE DECADES THE EROSION, REALLY THE SELF-EROSION OF CONGRESS' AUTHORITY BECAUSE, ESSENTIALLY, IT HAS CHOSEN FOR LACK OF CONSENSUS ON ONE ISSUE OR ANOTHER TO CEDE ITS AUTHORITY TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE COURTS AND SO IT'S THE SHRINKING AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS.

IT'S NOT PARTISAN, BUT CONGRESS IS IMPORTANT.

THERE'S A REASON WHY IT'S ARTICLE 1, RIGHT?

I'M CURIOUS, YOUR THOUGHTS, IF ELECTED, WHAT CAN BE REMEDIES FOR CONGRESS RECLAIMING THAT BALANCE OF POWER THAT'S PART OF OUR SHARED POWERS?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE PEOPLE WE'RE SENDING TO CONGRESS, RIGHT.

I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THERE TO REPRESENT PEOPLE, RIGHT.

BETTER YET, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING THERE, ARE THEY GOING TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OR BE A PAWN IN A BROADER POLITICAL GAME.

I DON'T MEAN THIS ON A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

THERE'S A THING THAT I THINK EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS SHOULD BE AND I THINK AT ONE POINT IT'S WHAT EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS ASPIRED TO BE, THAT'S A STATESMAN, RIGHT?

THAT'S SOMEBODY THAT GOES THERE IN YOUR NUMBER ONE INTEREST EVERY SINGLE DAY.

WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND GO TO SLEEP, IT'S THINKING HOW YOU CAN MAKE BETTER THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP YOUR DISTRICT.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THAT HAS BEEN LOST, RIGHT, AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN THE EROSION OF THAT ON BOTH SIDES, RIGHT.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN THE EROSION OF THAT OVER SEVERAL DECADES.

YOU ARE THERE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE WHO SENT YOU THERE AND THE INTEREST OF YOUR SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES.

IF YOU LEAD THROUGH THAT LENS AND WORK THROUGH THAT LENS, IT'S GOING TO FORCE YOU TO COLLABORATE IN BIPARTISAN FASHIONS.

IT'S GOING TO FORCE YOU TO DIVE INTO ISSUES THAT BENEFIT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS A POOR COMMUNITY AND WORKER COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO FORCE YOU TO DO ALL THE THINGS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE LIFE OUTCOMES AND POSSIBILITIES IN YOUR COMMUNITIES, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD BE ABOUT.

RIGHT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE ROLE OF CONGRESS IS KIND OF SET FORTH IN THE CONSTITUTION, ITS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY BEING THE POWER OF APPROPRIATIONS, HOW IS THE NATION COLLECTING REVENUE AND SPENDING SAID REVENUE, WHAT IS IT SPENDING THAT REVENUE ON, AND I THINK CONGRESS SHOULD BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I'LL PRIORITIZE IN CONGRESS IS THAT, MAKING SURE WE PRIORITIZE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THE INITIATIVES, THE PROJECTS, THE INVESTMENTS WE NEED HERE TO CREATE JOBS, TO BETTER THE CONDITIONS HERE FROM MOBILE TO MONTGOMERY FROM PHENIX CITY TO TROY, BETTER THOSE CONDITIONS THROUGH THE POWER OF APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH DRIVING THE INVESTMENTS IN OUR DISTRICTS.

IF EVERYONE DOES THAT WE'LL SEE CONGRESS EMERGE BACK TO THE ROLE, THE STATUS IT HAD WITHIN THE THREE CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT IT HAD IN DECADES PAST.

>> HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.

THAT'S IMPORTANT, THE BALANCE.

YOU HIT ON THIS A BIT.

LET ME TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

PRICES ARE UP, LOTS OF REASONS WHY, BUT PRICES ARE UP.

WAGES HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH PRICES.

SO THAT MEANS, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING.

WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO TO EASE THAT SQUEEZE BETWEEN HIGH PRICES AND WAGES NOT KEEPING UP, EASE THAT SQUEEZE FAMILIES ARE FEELING?

WHAT DO YOU THINK CONGRESS' ROLE CAN BE THERE?

>> LOOK, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

PRICES ARE UP AND PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND DISTRICT AND ACROSS THIS STATE, BUT ONE THING WE KNOW ABOUT BEING IN ALABAMA IS THAT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A NEW STRUGGLE FOR FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING HERE IN THIS STATE FOR FAR TOO LONG, FAR TOO LONG.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, RIGHT.

SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE.

AND, SO, THE ROLE OF CONGRESS WITH THE ECONOMY IS STRAIGHTFORWARD, RIGHT.

CONGRESS MUST, A, MAKE SURE WE'RE LEADING BY EXAMPLE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING ITS RESOURCES ON.

IT MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE FEDERAL FINANCIAL AGENCIES USING ITS OVERSIGHT AND LEGISLATIVE POWERS TO MAKE SURE OUR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AGENCIES OR HAVE A ROLE IN THE FINANCIAL PROCESS, THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, THAT THEY'R IMPLEMENTING SOUND FISCAL POLICIES THAT WILL NOT LEAD US IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

WE'VE SEEN IN THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION THROUGH NO FAULT OF ANY PRESIDENT.

JOE BIDEN AND THE ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, THEY LITERALLY INHERITED THE WORST ECONOMIC SITUATION WE'VE SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION ALL THANKS TO COVID, WHICH WAS SOMETHING NOBODY COULD FORESEE.

CONGRESS DID THE RIGHT THING DURING COVID AND MADE CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN THE ECONOMY TO MAKE SURE WE DID NOT FALL OFF INTO A FISCAL CLIFF OR GO INTO A DEPRESSION OR RECESSION OR WORSE.

THAT'S THE ROLE OF CONGRESS.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE GEARING THOSE PROGRAMS THERE.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CUTTING COSTS ON SOME OF THE BIGGER TICKET ITEMS THAT WE KNOW DRIVE COSTS.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT?

PROTECTING OUR SENIORS, CAPPING THE PRICE THEY'RE SPENDING ON INSULIN OUT OF POCKET, MAKING SURE THEIR PRESCRIPTION COSTS WON'T LEAD THEM TO LOSING A HOME OR BALANCE EACH MONTH WHETHER THEY PAY RENT OR THE ELECTRIC BILL OR BUY THEIR MEDICATION, AND THERE'S A ROLE FOR CONGRESS TO PLAY IN DOING THAT AND I THINK CONGRESS HAS DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB IN PROTECTING SENIORS AND PROTECTING AND TRYING TO GUARD AGAINST RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SO WE'VE CERTAINLY GOT TO PRIORITIZE DOING THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MAKING THE INVESTMENTS IN THINGS THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO LIVE HERE IN AMERICA, MAKING SURE WE HAVE POLICIES IN PLACE PROMOTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MAKING SURE WE ARE PROMOTING POLICIES THAT CURB THE RISING COSTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION BECAUSE AS THE PRICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION GOES UP, CERTAIN COMMUNITIES ARE LEFT OUT OF INVESTIGATE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THAT WHICH MEANS THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE THE GOOD HIGH-PAYING JOBS TO PROVIDE FOR FAMILIES AS THEY GO FORWARD.

>> ONE ECONOMIC QUESTION IS GOING TO BE ON CONGRESS' PLATE NEXT YEAR NO MATTER WHAT IS THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT, LOCALLY KNOWN AS THE TRUMP TAX CUTS ENACTED IN 2017.

THEY EXPIRE I'M PRETTY SURE THE END OF 2025, AROUND THE TIME NEXT YEAR.

CONGRESS CAN LET THEM EXPIRE, CONGRESS CAN REAUTHORIZE THEM JUST AS WRITTEN, CONGRESS CAN AMEND THEM.

WHERE DO YOU STAND IN TERMS OF WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD DO TO THAT SPECIFIC TAGS POLICY?

>> WHAT'S MORE REALISTIC AND LIKELY TO HAPPEN IS IT WILL BE AMENDED IN SOME SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION.

THERE WERE SOME GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE TAX CUTS, THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT DID NOT PROVIDE THE TYPES OF BENEFITS THAT WERE PROMISED.

THERE WERE SOME THINGS THERE THAT PRIORITIZED CERTAIN GROUPS OF EARNERS AND DID NOT PRIORITIZE LOWER GROUPS OF EARNERS.

THERE WERE PROVISIONS IN THERE THAT CERTAINLY BIN FITTED BUSINESSES.

I'M A BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF.

THERE WERE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOWED BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO INVEST MORE IN THEIR BUSINESSES.

SO WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT AND RECOGNIZE THE BENEFITS.

WE CERTAINLY CAN'T OPPOSE SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE TRUMP'S NAME IS TIED TO IT, JUST AS I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE NOT TO OPPOSE SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE OBAMA OR BIDEN'S NAMES ARE ATTACHED TO IT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION BUT ALSO MAKE SURE THE TAX SYSTEM IS FAIR.

WE CANNOT HAVE A TAX SYSTEM THAT PLACES AN UNFAIR TAX BURDEN ON THOSE WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD IT.

WARREN BUFFETT SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN FOR DECADES, IT MAKES NO SENSE HE PAYS A LOWER EFFECTIVE TAX RATE THAN HIS SECRETARY.

THE MEDIAN INDIVIDUAL INCOME HERE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IS $39,000.

PEOPLE WHO MADE $39,000 OR LESS DID NOT REAP THE BENEFITS OF THAT TAX BILL, RIGHT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR TAX POLICIES MUST BE FAIR, PEOPLE MUST PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE, AND WE CANNOT EXPECT TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE EXPECT OUR TEACHERS, OUR POLICE OFFICERS, OUR SOLDIERS TO PAY MORE OF AN EFFECTIVE TAX RATE THAN PEOPLE WHO MAKE TRIPPING, FIVE TIMES, SIX TIMES AS MUCH AS THEY DO.

IT'S ABOUT FAIRNESS.

I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO BALANCE FAIRNESS WHILE ALSO RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS THAT TAX CUTS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES CAN PROVIDE TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

>> SWITCH GEARS WHILE WE HAVE THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY.

CONGRESS OBVIOUSLY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN NATIONAL SECURITY.

THERE ARE ESCALATING TENSIONS.

ISRAEL, UKRAINE, YOU COULD SAY TAIWAN.

TAIWAN'S NOT HOT RIGHT NOW BUT THE OTHER TWO ARE CERTAINLY HOT.

>> YEAH.

>> BASED ON YOUR VIEW OF THINGS, WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS' ROLE BE IN THOSE -- LET'S JUST TAKE ISRAEL AND UKRAINE SPECIFICALLY ON WHERE WE ARE WITH YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD DO IN TERMS OF PROVIDING SUPPORT OR NOT GOING FORWARD.

>> YEAH, LOOK, I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HISTORY AND WE HAVE TO BE INFORMED BY HISTORY AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HISTORY TELLS US ARE POSSIBLE AND IN SOME CASES LIKELY FORESEEABLE OUTCOMES THAT THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT PLAY THE ROLE OF A LEADER.

AND CONGRESS HAS A ROLE IN THAT.

I MEAN, WE BEGIN THIS WITH A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ROLE OF CONGRESS AND SORT OF LIKE IT'S HISTORICAL SORT OF STATUS THAT IT HELD AMONGST THE THREE CO-EQUALS.

THE POWER TO DECLARE WAR WAS SPELLED OUT IN THE CONSTITUTION AS ONE OF CONGRESS' RESPONSIBILITIES TO DO, SO I THINK THE CONSTITUTION INHERENTLY RECOGNIZES CONGRESS' ROLE IN LEADERSHIP ON ISSUES OF NATIONAL SECURITY.

I THINK THE UNITED STATES HAS AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PREVENT THE EXPANSION OF DICTATORS AND PREVENT THE EXPANSION OF THE AGGRESSION WE SEE IN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE.

I THINK, LIKEWISE, WE HAVE AN ALLY IN ISRAEL THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPORT.

ISRAEL IS A STRATEGIC ALLY TO THE UNITED STATES FOR MORE THAN ONE REASON.

IT IS A SOURCE OF STABILITY IN THE MOST VOLATILE REGION ARGUABLY THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN.

ISRAELI SECURITY AND BRINGING THAT CONFLICT TO AN END AND MAKING SURE ISRAEL IS THERE AND EXISTS IN A PEACEFUL, LONG-TERM FORMAT IS A MATTER THAT AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY HERE AND DOMESTICALLY AS WELL.

SO I THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO LEAD ON BOTH ISSUES, IN BOTH RESPECTS, AND LEAD IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY THAT HAS THE SAME END GOAL THAT I KNOW THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WANT AND THAT'S TO BRING LONG-TERM PEACE AND STABILITY AND PUTS US IN A PLACE AS THE WORLD AND THE REGIONS AND CERTAINLY IN AMERICA WHERE WE ARE MORE SAFE AND SECURE BECAUSE OF IT.

>> RELATED IN TERMS OF THE MILITARY IS JUST READINESS AND EVERYTHING, BUT WHAT THEY CALL BRAC, BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE.

IT'S BEEN ABOUT MORE THAN 20 YEARS SINCE WE HAD A BRAC, MEANING THE PROCESS BY WHICH CONGRESS BY COMMITTEE GOES THROUGH AND SAYS, OKAY, THE MILITARY CHANGED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, SO THIS BASE CAN BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THIS BASE AND ALL THAT.

IT CAN BE A PAINFUL PROCESS, ESPECIALLY IN A STATE LIKE ALABAMA THAT HAS A LOT OF MILITARY PRESENCE AND NOBODY WANTS TO LOSE A MISSION, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> LOOKING AT THAT, I KNOW YOU'RE STILL JUST A CANDIDATE RIGHT NOW, BUT LOOKING AT THAT, WHAT WOULD BE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY TO PROTECT ALABAMA'S MILITARY FOOTPRINT SHOULD THERE BE A REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE PROCESS?

>> RIGHT.

I DID NOT GROW UP IN THIS ERA BUT I GREW UP IN THE SHADOWS OF IT AND SEEN THE IMPACTS OF A MILITARY BASE CLOSING IN MY HOMETOWN OF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

BROOKLY FIELD.

I THINK THE LAST MILITARY BASE SHUTTERED IN ALABAMA.

IT WAS A THRIVING MILITARY BAILS THAT SUPPORTED SO MANY JOBS DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY IN THE MOBILE AREA.

IT AMOANSED IN -- WHEN THAT BASE CLOSED, THERE WERE ESTIMATES OF UP WARDS OF GREATER THAN 10% OF ALL JOBS IN THE CITY OF MOBILE WERE LOST.

WE SAW A SIGNIFICANT EXODUS OF PEOPLE MOVING TO OTHER AREAS.

I'M MOVING TO MONTGOMERY.

I'M GOING TO ATLANTA AND OUT WEST, OUR CURRENT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WAS BORN IN MOBILE AROUND THAT TIME AND HIS FAMILY MOVED, I BELIEVE, OUT WEST.

I GREW UP OF SEEING THE IMPACT OF THAT ON THE COMMUNITIES IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO WHERE BROOKLY FIELD WAS.

MY BROTHER GREW UP IN A NEIGHBORHOOD ADJACENT TO THE BASE.

I'VE SEEN THE IMPACT THAT CAN HAVE.

WE CAN'T TOLERATE OR STAND FOR THAT WITHOUT GIVING IT OUR BEST SHOT TO MAINTAIN, PROTECT AND GROW AND SOLIDIFY THE PRESENCE OF THE MILITARY WE HAVE HERE IN THIS DISTRICT AND ACROSS THIS STATE.

WE HAVE DEFENSE CONTRACTORS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICTS THAT WERE VERY IMPORTANT KEY DEFENSE CONTRACTORS.

MAXWELL GUNTER AIR FORCE BASE IS A NUCLEUS OF MONTGOMERY AND SO VITAL TO OPERATIONS AND MILITARY REDNESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE MILITARY HISTORY IN THE DISTRICT GOING BACK TO TUSKEGEE AIRMEN IS WHAT AMERICA MUST PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN IT COMES TIME TO RECONSIDER WHERE THERE WILL BE MILITARY BASE IT IS.

IN CONGRESS, WE CAN ADVOCATE AND FIGHT FOR THE EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE BASED OUT OF THE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS THAT WE HAVE HERE, TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT THAT THEY HAVE ON LOCAL ECONOMIES HERE THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO EXPAND, NOT CONTRACT, THE IMPACT OF THOSE FACILITIES HERE IN THIS DISTRICT.

>> WELL, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

IT'S PROBABLY THE LAST TIME I'M GOING TO SEE YOU BEFORE ELECTION NIGHT UNLESS I SEE YOU ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SOMEHOW.

BUT GOOD LUCK AND SEE YOU ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU, TODD.

REGARDLESS OF OUTCOME, IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO GET TO KNOW YOU AND BE HERE AT THE STATION AND IN THE STUDIO, MAN.

THANK YOU.

>> LIKEWISE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE ALABAMA SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CAROLEENE DOBSON.

CAROLEENE, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT JUST OVER TWO WEEKS TO GO IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

I KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY READY FOR IT ALL TO BE OVER, BUT IT'S THE HOME STRETCH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO I'M CURIOUS, WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO VOTERS NOW THAT THEY'RE REALLY STARTING TO PAY ATTENTION, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> WHAT'S YOUR CLOSING ARGUMENT FOR YOUR CANDIDACY?

>> WELL, MY CLOSING ARGUMENT IS MY OPENING ARGUMENT.

I'M RUNNING TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

I'M A WORKING MOM.

I GOT IN THIS RACE BECAUSE I GREW UP IN ALABAMA, WENT TO COLLEGE AND LAW SCHOOL OUT OF STATE, MOVED BACK TO ALABAMA BEFORE THE BIRTH OF MY FIRST CHILD BECAUSE HAVING LIVED ELSEWHERE, I APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE IN ALABAMA, A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND FAITH.

THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE I WANTED TO RAISE MY KIDS.

I CAME BACK TO ALABAMA.

IN THE FIVE YEARS I HAVE BEEN BACK, I'VE SEEN ALABAMA FAMILIES STRUGGLING ESPECIALLY IN THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

SO I'M RUNNING TO BRING DOWN GAS AND GROCERY PRICES, I'M RUNNING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND MOST OF ALL TO GIVE OUR KIDS OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HAVE SUCH A BRAIN DRAIN PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE RURAL AREAS OF THE DISTRICT, HERE IN MONTGOMERY WE HAVE YOUNG TALENT LEAVING, GOING TO BIRMINGHAM, ATLANTA, NASHVILLE, HUNTSVILLE, NEVER COMING BACK.

WE HAVE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES.

WE'VE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF CONNECTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DISTRICT.

I KNEW THAT I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO LOOK MY DAUGHTERS IN THE EYE AT THE END OF THE DAY AND SAY I TRIED TO MAKE HYPHBETTER FOR YOU AND THE KIDS IN THIS DISTRICT AND TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS CAN COME HOME AND HAVE A FRUITFUL CAREER AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO THEM.

THAT'S WHY I'M BACK IN ALABAMA AND WHY I WANTED TO RUN AND THAT'S BEEN MY MESSAGE CONSISTENTLY.

BUT, YES, NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY HONED IN, AGAIN, I'M NOT A POLITICIAN, AND FRANKLY I THINK WE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD TOO MANY D.C.

INSIDERS THAT ARE CONCERNED WITH FUNDING D.C.

INSTEAD OF DELIVERING RESULTS TO THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA.

>> SPEAKING OF D.C., I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ROLE OF CONGRESS, AND THIS IS GOING TO KIND OF INFORM -- BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT.

THIS CAN KIND OF INFORM THEM ALL BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GENERALLY AGREED UPON AND ACCEPTED THAT CONGRESS OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE DECADES, MAYBE LONGER, HAS BY ITS OWN ACCORD CEDED ITS AUTHORITY TO THE COURTS, TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, BASICALLY FOR LACK OF A CONSENSUS, LACK OF THE ABILITY TO PASS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION.

IT'S NOT A PROBLEM YOU CAN SOLVE OVERNIGHT BUT IT IS A PROBLEM AND I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

HOW CAN CONGRESS, YOU KNOW, RECLAIM THAT AUTHORITY SO THERE TRULY IS THE BALANCE THAT THE FOUNDERS CAME UP WITH?

>> RIGHT, AND THAT'S WHY, AGAIN, I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE AN ALABAMIAN REPRESENTING ALABAMA FAMILIES IN THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE, TO YOUR POINT, YOU KNOW, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WITH DESIGNED THE HOUSE TO REALLY BE THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

SENATORS WERE ORIGINALLY ELECTED BY STATE LEGISLATURES, SO THAT WAS KIND OF THE VOICE OF THE STATE AS OPPOSED TO THE VOICE OF THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN.

THAT'S BEEN MY GOAL IS TO SPEND EVERY MINUTE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT LISTENING TO THE VOTERS, HEARING WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE, AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE BALANCE OF POWER, WING WE SAW A -- I THINK WE SAW A HUGE VICTORY OF THE BALANCE OF POWER COMING FROM A SUPREME COURT WITH THE DECISION THAT OVERTURNED THE CHEVRON.

REGULATIONS ARE KILLING SMALL BUSINESSES.

A DOLLAR SPENT TOWARDS COMPLYING WITH A REGULATION OR HAVING TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK TO, YOU KNOW, A CERTAIN GOVERNMENT AGENCY IS A DOLLAR LESS A COMPANY CAN PAY AN EMPLOYEE OR REINVEST.

THAT AFFECTS BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, WHETHER SMALL MOM AND POP CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, SMALL FARMERS, CERTAINLY THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AS WELL.

ACROSS THE BOARD, WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH REGULATION.

THE SUPREME COURT SET THE FRAMEWORK FOR SCALING BACK THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND RESTORING THAT BALANCE OF POWER, BUT NOW CONGRESS, WITH CONGRESSIONAL REVIEW ACTS, REALLY NEEDS TO TAKE A LONG, HARD LOOK AT SOME OF THESE REGULATIONS THAT -- LOOK, WE NEED A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, WE NEED REGULATIONS, BUT THEY SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND NOT CONTROL THE PUBLIC AND NOT STYMIE THE GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY.

RONALD REAGAN ONCE SAID GOVERNMENT VIEWS THE ECONOMY LIKE THIS -- IF IT MOVES, TAX IT.

IF IT KEEPS MOVING, REGULATE IT.

IF IT STOPS MOVING, SUBSIDIZE IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THIS ADMINISTRATION.

SO IT'S CRUCIAL THAT REALLY KIND OF ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WORK TOGETHER IN RESTORING THAT POWER.

WE SAW IN 2020 THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTUALLY ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THE REGULATORY BILL OF RIGHTS THAT LIMITED THE POWER OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BECAUSE IT SET IN PLACE BASIC GUIDELINES AND PROTECTIONS FOR AGENCY INVESTIGATIONS AND AUDITS OF INDIVIDUALS OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

FOR INSTANCE PRIOR TO THE REGULATORY BILL OF RIGHTS, THERE WASN'T A STANDARD ORDINANCE.

IF AN AGENCY CAME TO YOUR SMALL BUSINESS AND SAID YOU HAVEN'T BEEN COMPLYING WITH THE REGULATIONS, VERY VARYING GUIDELINES.

THE BURP VARIED FROM AGENCY TO AGENCY AS TO WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL BUSINESS HAD TO ACTUALLY PROVE THAT THEY WERE INNOCENT OR WHETHER ITSELF ON THE AGENCY TO PROVE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL BUSINESS HAD ACTUALLY VIOLATED THAT REGULATION AND THAT REGULATION APPLIED TO THAT BUSINESS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO THAT WAS A HUGE VICTORY FOR ALL AMERICANS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON WHO'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE, YOU COULD, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'VE SEEN CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INVESTIGATIONS OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, BUT THAT COULD GO EITHER WAY, DEPENDING ON WHO'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE OSTENSIBLY.

SO THE REGULATORY BILL OF RIGHTS WAS A HUGE THING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESTORING BALANCE.

40 DAYS IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THE REGULATORY BILL OF RIGHTS WAS REVOKED BECAUSE IT WAS TOO BURDENSOME ON FEDERAL AGENCIES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE FOCUS SHOULD BE AS OPPOSE TO THE BURDEN ON THE CITIZEN OR THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

>> WE COULD PROBABLY TALK ALL DAY ABOUT THAT ISSUE AND TALK LATER ABOUT EXPANDING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MY HOBBY HORSE.

WE HAVE A LOT TO GET TO.

MOVING TO THE ECONOMY.

YOU'VE HIT ON IT BROADLY, BUT I WANT TO GET SPECIFIC.

WE KNOW PRICES ARE UP, WAGES HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THOSE PRICES, SO THAT LEAVES FAMILIES IN A FINANCIAL SQUEEZE.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT ISSUE.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAN CONGRESS DO, WOULD YOU ADVOCATE AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO EASE THAT SQUEEZE?

>> THREE THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO SPEND LESS AND MORE WISELY.

WE'VE SEEN AN ADMINISTRATION, YOU KNOW, THAT HAS SPENT AN ADDITIONAL $80 BILLION ON EXPANDING THE I.R.S.

THAT SPENT $70 BILLION ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE COOL, DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT DOES THAT ACTUALLY BEN FOLKS HERE IN THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHEN THE AVERAGE COST OF A NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLE IS $55,000 AND THE AVERAGE ANNUAL ALABAMA INCOME IS $59,000?

YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT FOLKS HERE THAT DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO SEWAGE.

WE DON'T NEED TO SPEND RECKLESSLY BECAUSE IT'S A FACT THE MORE THE GOVERNMENT SPENDS AND INJECT INTO THE MARKETPLACE THE MORE PRICES WILL RISE.

WE'VE SEEN 1.4 BILLION SPENT ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SENT TO FOREIGN WARS.

SO WE NEED TO FOCUS ON, AGAIN, SPENDING A LOT MORE STRATEGICALLY.

AND I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE KIND OF AUSTERITY REPUBLICANS THAT SAYS WE HAVE TO STOP SPENDING ENTIRELY BECAUSE WE PAY FEDERAL TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND RELY ON OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WE NEED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET AND FOCUS ON PROVIDING AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF AMERICANS FIRST AND FOREMOST AND THAT WILL HELP DECREASE INFLATION.

SECONDLY, WE'VE GOT TO AGAIN GET REGULATION UNDER CONTROL.

WE SEE OVERREGULATION THAT'S INCREASING THE COST OF BUSINESSES TO COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS, AGAIN, AT EVERY SCALE AND KIND OF ON EVERY LEVEL OF THE ECONOMY, AND THEN, THIRDLY, WE HAVE TO UNLEASH AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE.

WE WERE ENERGY INDEPENDENT IN 2019 AND IN THREE AND A HALF YEARS WE'VE SEEN MERGE COSTS GO UP 40%.

THAT IMPACTS WHAT YOU AND I PAY AT THE GAS PUMP BUT, ALSO, FERTILIZER IS A BY-PRODUCT OF NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES.

IT IMPACTS FERTILIZER COST AND THE BOTTOM LINE FOR FARMERS IN THE DISTRICT AND THE COST OF FOOD AT THE GROCERY STORE, THE COST OF DIESEL, ALL THE TRUCKING AND TRANSPORTATION BUSINESSES BASED IN THIS DISTRICT.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE UTILIZE -- AND WE SHOULD BE EXPLORING OUR RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY, BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF NOT RESPONSIBLY DEVELOPING OUR NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES BECAUSE, WHEN WE'RE NOT ENERGY INDEPENDENT, WE ARE NOR RELIANT ON BAD ACTORS LIKE RUSSIA, NATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

WE MAKE THE WORLD MORE RELIANT ON THOSE NATIONS.

WHO DO YOU TRUST MORE?

AMERICAN OR RUSSIAN ENERGY PRODUCERS WHEN IT COMES TO RESPONSIBLY DEVELOPING NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES?

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I USED TO PRACTICE A LITTLE BIT OF OIL AND GAS LAW, BUT I THINK WE HAVE ENERGY PRODUCERS HERE IN AMERICA THAT ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DEVELOP NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES IN MORE EFFICIENT WAYS THAT ARE CLEANER AND KINDER TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, SO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IS A WAY WE COULD IMMEDIATELY BRING DOWN THE COST OF WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW THINGS, BUILD THINGS, MAKE THINGS, MOVE THINGS, AND THAT WOULD BE REFLECTED AT THE GROCERY STORE FOR EVERY ALABAMA FAMILY IN THIS DISTRICT.

>> OKAY.

THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT LOCALLY KNOWN AS TRUMP TAX CUTS, PASSED IN 2017, SET TO EXPIRE THE END OF NEXT YEAR, SO CONGRESS HAS A DECISION TO MAKE.

SHOULD THEY BE EXTENDED, MADE PERMANENT, AMENDED, WHAT'S YOUR DECISION IN.

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE MADE PERMANENT.

THIS WILL HELP TO CONTINUE TO FOSTER GROWTH.

OUR TAX REVENUES ARE HIGHER THAN THEY'VE EVER BEEN.

WE DON'T HAVE A TAX REVENUE PROBLEM, WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM.

WE HAVE BEEN RECKLESSLY SPENDING MONEY, AGAIN, TO THE DETRIMENT OF FOLKS WE SAW RECENTLY, VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HELENE AND MILTON.

THEY'RE SAYING THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE IT THROUGH HURRICANE SEASON, YET THE ADMINISTRATION SENT $157 MILLION TO LEBANON.

SO WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE THE TRUMP ERA TAX CUTS PERMANENT.

AND I WOULD ALSO FIGHT FOR A TAX RELIEF FOR A LOT OF OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND AG PRODUCERS HERE IN THIS DISTRICT.

YOU KNOW, THE DEATH TAX REALLY HURTS A LOT OF AG PRODUCERS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT FOR THE AVERAGE AMERICAN FAMILY FARM, ABOUT 90% OF THEIR ASSETS AREN'T LIQUID, LAND COSTS, EQUIPMENT COSTS.

SO WE'RE ANTICIPATING SEEING ABOUT 40% OF AMERICAN FAMILY FARMS SWITCH HANDS INTERGENERATIONALLY IN THE NEXT 15 TO 20 YEARS.

WE'RE GOING TO WITNESS FRAGMENTATION UNLIKE WE'VE EVER SEEN UNLESS WE CAN HAVE MORE RELIEF WHEN IT COMES TO THE ESTATE TAX.

THE HARDEST HIT ARE THE SMALLER FAMILY FARMS, 100 ACRES, A COUPLE HUNDRED ACRES.

IT'S A CRUCIAL PART OF AMERICA'S FOOD SECURITY AND WE CANNOT IGNORE THAT EITHER.

>> WE HAVE FIVE MINUTES.

I WANT TO GET TO NATIONAL SECURITY.

CONGRESS PLAYS A BIG ROLE WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND IT'S A DANGEROUS WORLD OUT THERE.

LOTS GOING ON.

BUT IN YOUR ESTIMATION, WHAT IS THIS COUNTRY'S PRIMARY GREATEST NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT AND WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS DO ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK, IMMEDIATELY, WHAT REALLY DOESN'T REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE ACTION, IT REQUIRES ACTION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BECAUSE THIS ADMINISTRATION OPENED OUR BORDER, BUT OUR OPEN BORDER IS A HUGE NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT.

IT'S ESTIMATED 8 MILLION TO 10 MILLION NON-CITIZENS HAVE COME ACROSS OUR SOUTHERN BORDER IN THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS WHEN THE BORDER WAS OPENED BY EXECUTIVE ACTION ALONE.

PART OF THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION, MY OPPONENT IN THIS RACE WAS PART OF THE BIDEN TRANSITION TEAM THAT MADE THAT DECISION, AND IT PUT A TREMENDOUS STRAIN ON OUR RESOURCES.

THE ESTIMATE IS THAT ABOUT $1.4 BILLION HAVE BEEN SPENT ON NON-CITIZENS IN THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.

IT'S ALSO CERTAINLY INCREASED THE FENTANYL CRISIS THAT WE SEE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, 100,000 AMERICANS DIED OF FENTANYL OVERDOSE LAST YEAR.

ABOUT 1,300 OF THOSE WERE IN ALABAMA.

MY GOD-BROTHER IN ALABAMA DIED OF A FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

IT'S HARD TO FIND FAMILIES WHO HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED BY THAT PROCESS.

IT'S MADE MAINLY IN CHINA.

THE MAIN PATH OF ENTRY IS ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

CRIMINALS ARE COMING ACROSS THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

I.C.E.

RELEASED DATA SHOWING 662,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH KNOWN CRIMINAL HISTORIES OF VARYING DEGREE COME ACROSS OUR BORDER.

OF THOSE 13,000 HAD MURDER HISTORIES, MURDER CRIMINAL HISTORIES THAT HAVE COME ACROSS OUR SONAR BORDER.

SO IT'S MAKING OUR COUNTRY LESS SAFE AND, AGAIN, REALLY PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON ECONOMIES, STATE ECONOMIES AND MOST CERTAINLY RULE ECONOMIES, SMALL-TOWN ECONOMIES ALREADY UNDER STRAIN.

SO THAT'S A HUGE NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE.

ALSO, WE LOOK AT JUST THE RISE OF GLOBAL THREATS.

>> I MEANT TO ASK YOU SPECIFICALLY ABOUT UKRAINE AND ISRAEL.

>> YEAH, AND, YOU KNOW, IRAN, WHEN IT COMES TO ISRAEL, WE HAVE TO ABSOLUTE SUPPORT ISRAEL, BUT, IN DOING SO, WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE A TOUGH STANCE AGAINST IRAN BECAUSE THAT'S THE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR A LOT OF THESE TERRORIST TRAINING CAMPS FOR VARIOUS TERRORIST GROUPS.

WE HAVE TO TAKE A TOUGH STANCE AGAINST IRAN.

AND WE ALSO HAVE TO CRACK DOWN ON ANTI-SEMITISM HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE HAVE TO SHOW THAT THAT WON'T BE TOLERATED, YOU KNOW, GROUPS AND PROTESTERS CALLING FOR THE DEATH OF JEWISH STUDENTS AT OUR CAMPUSES.

WE HAVE TO SHOW THAT THERE'S A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO HATE SPEECH AND HATE CRIME AGAINST THOSE OF JEWISH HERITAGE AND JEWISH FAITH HERE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO PROJECTING STRENGTH.

YOU KNOW, OUR GOALS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE PEACE, BUT WE CAN ONLY OBTAIN PEACE WHEN WE CAN DETER THE EVIL FORCES IN THE WORLD, AND WE CAN ONLY DETER WHEN WE ARE, ONCE AGAIN, STRONG.

THE COMBINED BRANCHES OF THE MILITARY MISSED RECRUITING TARGETS BY 41,000 TROOPS LAST YEAR.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS ON ENSURING OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEED AND WE ALSO HAVE TO TREAT OUR VETERANS WITH THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE AND GIVE THEM BETTER ACCESS TO SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.

>> I NEED TO ASK YOU QUICKLY ABOUT BRAC, IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE WE'VE HAD A BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE PROCESS.

ALABAMA WAS RELATIVELY UNSCATHED BY THAT, ACTUALLY SAW GROWTH IN HUNTSVILLE.

BUT ONE COULD HAPPEN.

THIS IS THE PROCESS WHERE THEY ANALYZE, YOU KNOW, WHAT BASES SHOULD BE MODIFIED, CLOSED, GROWN, THAT KIND OF THING.

SHOULD THAT HAPPEN IF YOU'RE IN CONGRESS, WHAT WOULD YOUR ROLE BE IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PROTECT AND GROW ALABAMA'S MILITARY FOOTPRINT.

>> OVER 50% OF THE STATE'S MILITARY ASSETS ARE IN DISTRICT TWO.

IT'S IMPORTANT NOT JUST TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY BUT THE ECONOMY AND HEALTH OF ALABAMA AS A WHOLE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE MILITARY EXPANDED HERE.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME REAL OPPORTUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO MROS, AIRPORTS AND MAINTENANCE REPAIR AND OPERATIONS CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICTS AND SOME OF OUR SMALL TOWNS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BUT REALLY EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF THE MILITARY AND TRYING TO UTILIZE YOUNG PEOPLE THERE, YOU KNOW, IN THE DISTRICT.

TUSKEGEE HAS AEROSPACE ENGINEERING.

I THINK THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES THERE WHEN YOU THINK OF MAXWELL AND THEN JUST THE LEGACY OF THE RED TAILS, YOU KNOW, AND TUSKEGEE AND NOW WITH THE F-35 HERE IN MONTGOMERY, ALSO.

BUT I'M VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE HOUSE SERVICES COMMITTEE AND DOING SO ADVOCATING TO EXPAND THE MILITARY FOOTPRINT WE HAVE HERE IN MONTGOMERY AND ALSO ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A THRIVING ECONOMY FOR ALL OF OUR MILITARY FAMILIES BECAUSE WE CAN'T IGNORE THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY, THIS DISTRICT ATTRACTIVE TO SPOUSES, TO CHILDREN, HOPEFULLY TO GET FOLKS WHO HAVE SERVED, WHO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS WAS THEIR LAST STOP TO RETIRE HERE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO KIND OF LOOK AT THE SERVICE FAMILY MEMBERS HOLISTICALLY AND ENSURING WE'RE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN ALL GROW AND THRIVE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME, UNFORTUNATELY.

GOODLUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

TWO WEEKS TO GO.

THE FINAL STRETCH.

PROBABLY WON'T SEE YOU TILL THE END, BUT GOOD LUCK, AND I GUESS WE'LL SEE YOU ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> LET ME SAY BEFORE WE CLOSE THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE BOTH SHOMARI AND CAROLEENE BEING WILLING TO COME ON CAPITOL JOURNAL MULTIPLE TIMES FOR EXTENDED INTERVIEWS.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIVE IN THE 2ND DISTRICT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHO OUR STATE'S NEXT MEMBER OF CONGRESS WILL BE.

WITH THAT, THANKS FOR WATCHING CAPITOL JOURNAL.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME WHEN MY COLLEAGUE JEFF SANDERS WILL ANCHOR THE SHOW WHILE I'M WASHINGTON.

FOR OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.