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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

ALABAMA IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO SEEING TWO NEW MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

TWO SPECIAL ELECTIONS WERE HELD THIS WEEK TO FILL LEGISLATIVE SEATS RECENTLY VACATED.

IN HOUSE DISTRICT 16, WHICH INCLUDES FAYETTE COUNTY AND PARTS OF TUSCALOOSA AND JEFFERSON, BRYAN BRINYARK DEFEATED BRIAN COX IN A RUNOFF TO WIN THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

HE WILL FACE DEMOCRAT JOHN UNDERWOOD IN THE SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 9.

THAT SEAT WAS VACATED BY FORMER REPRESENTATIVE KYLE SOUTH WHO LEFT TO LEAD THE WEST ALABAMA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

IN BIRMINGHAM BASED HOUSE DISTRICT 55, TRAVIS HENDRIX DEFEATED SYLVIA SWAYNE IN A RUNOFF TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN RUNNING SO HENDRIX HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT SEAT WAS VACATED BY FRED PLUMP WHO RESIGNED AFTER BEING INDICTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES.

ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE'S LONG JOURNEY TOWARD AUTHORIZING AND REGULATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION MET THIS WEEK TO ESSENTIALLY RESTART THE LICENSING PROCESS.

MEMBERS VOTED TO VOID ALL LICENSES PREVIOUSLY AWARDED AFTER A FLURRY OF LAWSUITS CHALLENGED THE PROCESS.

THOSE COMPANIES SEEKING TO GROW, TRANSPORT, TEST AND SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS WILL NOW RESUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS.

THERE WILL ALSO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPLICANTS TO GIVE PRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSION TO MAKE THEIR CASE.

COMMISSION CHAIRMAN REX VAUGHN SAYS AFTER ALL THE DELAYS, THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT LICENSES WILL BE AWARDED BY THE END OF THE YEAR WHICH MEANS PRODUCTS COULD BE AVAILABLE BY SPRING.

>> HOW WILL THIS IMPACT GETTING MEDICAL CANNABIS TO PATIENTS NOW THAT YOU HAVE A NEW SET OF RULES YOU'RE GOING TO FOLLOW?

>> WE'VE ALREADY BEEN IMPACTED.

EVERY TIME WE GET A MONTH SETBACK IS A MONTH DOWN THE ROAD.

WE FEEL WE HAVE A TIMELINE THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE AGGRESSIVE AND WE SEE THE END COMING.

AND THIS WAS WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE.

WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE IF THE CALENDAR HOLDS UP, IT WILL GET US TO THE END OF THE YEAR THAT WE CAN HAVE LICENSES AWARDED AND ISSUED AND THOSE LICENSEES MOVING FORWARD WITH THE INDUSTRY GETTING UP AND RUNNING.

THAT WILL PROBABLY PUT US INTO THE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR BEFORE PRODUCT WILL BE AVAILABLE.

>> SEVERAL WHO PLAN TO REAPPLY FOR LICENSES WERE AT THURSDAY'S COMMISSION MEETING.

WE SPOKE TO ANTOINE MORDICAN, CEO OF NATIVE BLACK CULTIVATION, WHO SAID THE NEW PROCESS WILL GIVE HIS COMPANY AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A LICENSE AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS.

>> IT'S LIKE FRESH AIR UNDER MY WINGS.

I HAVE BEEN IN THIS PROCESS BEFORE THE LEGISLATION GOT SIGNED TO LEARN I WAS NOT AWARDED A LICENSE, AND NOW WE HAVE TO WAIT TO GET AWARDED A LICENSE.

WE'RE GOING TO PRESENT TO THE COMMISSION TO LET THEM KNOW OUR REASON, OUR PURPOSE, MAKING SURE WE GET ALIANS AND ALABAMA FARMERS AND ALABAMA BUSINESSES INVOLVED AND CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A PATH FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO BE ISSUED A LICENSE.

>> A MONTGOMERY JUDGE HAS DISMISSED A LAWSUIT FROM BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE AGAINST STATE TREASURER YOUNG BOOZER OVER THE DENIAL OF AN EMERGENCY LOAN TO KEEP THE SCHOOL AFLOAT.

JUDGE JAMES ANDERSON SAID HE WAS SYMPATHETIC TO THE COLLEGE'S STRUGGLES BUT THE LAW CLEARLY GIVES THE AUTHORITY FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE DISTRESSED COLLEGE FUND TO THE STATE TREASURER.

AT ISSUE IS THE COLLEGE'S LOAN APPLICATION AND THE INCLUSION OF PROMISED DONATIONS RATHER THAN ACTUAL ASSETS AS COLLATERAL.

BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN'S PRESIDENT SAYS THEY WILL CONSIDER AN APPEAL BUT THAT WITHOUT COURT INTERVENTION THE SCHOOL COULD FACE CLOSURE.

THE STATE MEDICAID UTILIZATION BOARD MET THIS WEEK TO GET AN UPDATE ON TREATMENTS AND VACCINES FOR RESPIRATORY SYNYTIAL VIRUS, BETTER KNOWN AS RSV.

YOU MAY REMEMBER DR. SCOTT HARRIS TALKING ABOUT THIS ILLNESS LAST TIME HE WAS ON THE SHOW.

IT'S A SEASONAL VIRUS THAT CAN BE ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO INFANTS AND OLDER ADULTS.

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR VACCINES FOR THE ILLNESS IS FACING A SHORTAGE DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, BUT DR. KELLI NEWMAN, DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL SERVICES FOR ALABAMA MEDICAID, SAID HER TEAM HAS WORKED THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS TO TRACK DOWN DOSES TO ENSURE ALABAMA BABIES AND SENIORS HAVE ACCESS TO THE DRUG.

>> WE HAVE MET WITH KEPRO.

WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE AAP HERE IN ALABAMA, AND WE HAVE A STAKEHOLDER GROUP THAT WE KEEP ALMOST IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH DURING THE SEASON, AND THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT, AS WE RECEIVE REQUEST PERCENTAGES BECAUSE OF THE ALLOCATION AND WE DO NOT WANT TO IMPEDE ACCESS TO THE CHILDREN OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, WE'RE APPROVING THE REQUESTS AS THEY COME IN.

SO THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR US IN OUR DEPARTMENT.

IF YOU ARE NOT A PEDIATRICIAN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND NOT ONE OF THE FOUR OR SEVEN PHARMACIES IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL TO YOU, BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL TO US BECAUSE RSV IS A CRITICAL ISSUE IN OUR GESTATIONAL BABIES.

SO WE HAVE VERY -- I BELIEVE VERY QUICKLY ADDRESSED THAT -- >> TURNING NOW TO WASHINGTON, WHERE THIS WEEK THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINALLY ELECTED A SPEAKER.

MIKE JOHNSON OF LOUISIANA WAS ELECTED WITH ALL HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOTING IN FAVOR AFTER THREE WEEKS OF INFIGHTING SINCE FORMER SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY WAS OUSTED.

ADDRESSING THE CHAMBER AFTER TAKING THE GAVEL, SPEAKER JOHNSON SAID THE HOUSE HAD WORK TO DO IN RESTORING THE PUBLIC'S TRUST IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

[APPLAUSE] >> TO MY COLLEAGUES, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TRUST THAT YOU HAVE INSTILLED IN ME TO LEAD US IN THIS HISTORIC AND UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN.

THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US IS GREAT, BUT THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW, AND I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN.

[APPLAUSE] >> I THINK ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT ONE TIME HAD GREAT PRIDE IN THIS INSTITUTION BUT, RIGHT NOW, THAT'S IN JEOPARDY.

AND WE HAVE A CHALLENGE BEFORE US TO REBUILD AND RESTORE THAT TRUST.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.

IT'S THE BEAUTY OF AMERICA THAT ALLOWS A FIREFIGHTER'S KID LIKE ME TO COME SERVE IN THIS SACRED CHAMBER WHERE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN HAVE SERVED BEFORE ALL OF US AND STRIVE TOGETHER AND BUILD AND PRESERVE WHAT LINCOLN DID REFER TO AS THE LAST BEST HOPE OF MAN ON EARTH.

WE STAND AT A VERY DANGEROUS TIME.

I'M STATING THE OBVIOUS, WE ALL KNOW THAT, THE WORLD IS IN TURMOIL, BUT A STRONG AMERICA IS GOOD FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD.

[APPLAUSE] >> ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER BRIEFLY THREW HIS NAME IN THE HAT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR SPEAKER, BEFORE WITHDRAWING AND ENDORSING JOHNSON.

I'LL SPEAK WITH MR. PALMER ABOUT THESE LAST THREE WEEKS LATER IN THE SHOW.

U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT RETURNED FROM ISRAEL THIS WEEK AFTER VISITING WITH SOME OF THAT NATION'S TOP POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS.

SHE WAS ALSO SHOWN FOOTAGE OF SOME OF THE HAMAS ATTACKS, WHICH SHE DESCRIBED AS "PURE EVIL."

>> WE MUST STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH ISRAEL AS THEY ERADICATE HAMAS TERRORISTS.

THESE TERRITORIES DON'T CARE, THEY DON'T CARE HOW MANY MEN THEY KILL, HOW MANY WOMEN THEY RAPE, HOW MANY CHILDREN THEY KIDNAP.

IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE VIDEO OF THE CHILDREN, THE TODDLERS, THE BABIES BEING HELD BY TERRORISTS, THEM USING THEM AS HUMAN SHIELDS, GO WATCH IT.

IF YOU HAVEN'T LISTENED TO THE REPORTERS TELL ABOUT WALKING IN TO THE PLACE WHERE THESE ATROCITIES HAPPENED, THEM GIVING THEIR RECOUNT OF WHAT THEY SAW, WHAT IT FELT LIKE, GO WATCH IT.

WE CANNOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO EVIL.

WE MUST STAND FIRM WITH ISRAEL.

>> OCTOBER IS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH.

WITH SO MUCH OF WHAT WE DO CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET, IT'S EASY TO TAKE OUR SECURITY FOR GRANTED.

CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT REPORTS ON HOW OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO HELP TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES ONLINE.

>> MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS A SCARY TIME, DUE TO HALLOWEEN, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS EXPERTS SAY PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT, THINGS LIKE CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION.

THIS IS WHY OCTOBER IS DESIGNATED AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH.

>> CYBERSECURITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT TOUCHES PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS FROM BROWSING THE WEB.

MOST PEOPLE USE THEIR PHONES FOR BANKING.

SO THE MORE YOU'RE AWARE OF HOW CYBERSECURITY WORKS AND AFFECTS YOUR LIFE, I THINK THE EASIER IT IS FOR YOU TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

>> TONY PORTERFIELD IS THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF MONTGOMERY.

IT'S HIS JOB TO KEEP MONTGOMERY SAFE FROM CYBERTHREATS AND HE HAS A COLLECTION OF TOOLS TO DO HIS JOB.

>> ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP A 24-HOUR MONITOR ON YOUR NETWORK.

WE HAVE A CONCIERGE SERVICE THAT NOTICE US OF ANY INTRUSIONS OR POSSIBLE INTRUSIONS AND LETS US KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY FALSE POSITIVES THAT LOOKS LIKE AN INTRUSION BUT IT'S NOT.

>> THROUGH A FEW DAYS LEFT IN OCTOBER DESIGNATED AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH.

EXPERTS SAY THE LESSONS TAUGHT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD SHOULD BE USED BY CITIZENS TO PROTECT THEIR HOMES, BUSINESSES AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, BUT THOSE LESSONS SHOULD NOT BE JUST FOCUSED ON OCTOBER BUT YEAR-ROUND.

YOUR OLD-SCHOOL SECURITY IS NOT SUFFICIENT ANYMORE.

THE BAD GUYS ARE GOING AFTER YOUR PERSONAL IDENTITY AND YOUR BUSINESS IDENTITY.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO MONITOR FOR THAT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO REACT WHEN YOU DO FIND SOMETHING.

>> BRADSHAW IS THE C.E.O.

OF SHAW TECHNOLOGY, AN I.T.

BUSINESS HELPING TO FIGHT PROBLEMS AND CRIME IN CYBERSPACE.

HE HAS MANY SUGGESTIONS FOR CITIZENS, COMPANIES AND OTHER ENTITIES TO STAY SAFE.

>> COMPLEX PASSWORDS.

YOU DON'T NEED TO USE THE SAME PASSWORD ANYWHERE.

YOU NEED TO PRACTICE SEPARATION BETWEEN PERSONAL AND BUSINESS PASSWORDS.

YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE MFA, MULTI-FACTORIAL.

>> IS IMPORTANT.

SOME PEOPLE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED BECAUSE IT'S SO ACCESSIBLE.

I THINK IF YOU HAVE IT HAPPEN TO YOU, IT'S EASIER FOR YOU TO LEARN HOW TO KEEP IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

SO I THINK THAT THE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THE COMMUNITY IS ABOUT CYBERSECURITY, THE EASIER IT IS FOR THEM, BUSINESSES, TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

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

>> COMING UP NEXT ON THE SHOW, I'LL SPEAK WITH CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER ABOUT THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAGA PLUS HIS FUTURE POLITICAL PLANS.

LATER, I'LL SIT DOWN THE U.S. ATTORNEY PRIM ESCALONA TO TALK ABOUT HER ROLE IN BRINGING THE NATALEE HOLLOWAY CASE TO A RESOLUTION PLUS OTHER ISSUES HER OFFICE IS TACKLING.

AND HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ANTHONY DANIELS JOINS US LATER IN THE SHOW TO DISCUSS HIS CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT PROPOSAL AND A POSSIBLE RUN FOR CONGRESS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT FROM WASHINGTON IS ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN GARY PALMER OF THE 6TH DISTRICT.

CONGRESSMAN THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON, TODD.

>> WELL, IT HAS BEEN A WILD THREE WEEKS UP THERE IN WASHINGTON, IN THE HOUSE.

YOU FINALLY HAVE A SPEAKER, NOW, IN MIKE JOHNSON.

THAT'S GOT TO BE A SENSE OF RELIEF THAT THE PROCESS IS FINALLY OVER.

>> WELL, IT'S A SENSE OF RELIEF, BUT IT'S ALSO -- I'M REAL EXCITED ABOUT SPEAKER JOHNSON.

MIKE AND I KNEW EACH OTHER BEFORE WE WERE EVER ELECTED TO CONGRESS, AND DURING MY TIME WORKING IN THE PRO-FAMILY MOVEMENT WITH WHAT WAS THE ALABAMA POLICY INSTITUTE, AND MIKE'S WORK WITH THE ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM, WE HAD A VERY HIGH REGARD FOR EACH OTHER EVEN BEFORE WE GOT ELECTED TO CONGRESS.

HE CAME IN THE TERM AFTER ME AND, INTERESTINGLY, HIS OFFICE WAS THREE DOORS DOWN FROM MINE.

SO WE'VE HAD A VERY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER WE WERE IN CONGRESS.

>> MM-HMM.

WELL, YOU PUT YOUR NAME FORWARD FOR SPEAKER AFTER JIM JORDAN CAME UP SHORT.

THERE WAS KIND OF A LONG LIST OF FOLKS BEING CONSIDERED.

YOU EVENTUALLY BOWED OUT AND SUPPORTED MIKE JOHNSON, BUT TELL ME WHAT LED YOU TO PUT YOUR NAME FORWARD FOR SPEAKER IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> WELL, MIKE, I THOUGHT, WAS A VERY HIGH-QUALITY CANDIDATE, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW CONVOLUTED THINGS HAD GOTTEN IN OUR CONFERENCE MEETINGS LEADING UP TO CHOOSING A SPEAKER, AND IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE MEMBERS WEREN'T LISTENING TO EACH OTHER, THEY WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS AND HOW WE GET TO THE RIGHT PLACE ON SOME OF THESE KEY ISSUES, PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATIONS.

AND I THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND STRUGGLED WITH IT ALL WEEKEND RIGHT UP TILL LITERALLY SEVEN MINUTES BEFORE THE DEADLINE AND I THOUGHT SOMEBODY'S GOT TO RUN FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

AND, SO, LITERALLY, WITH SEVEN MINUTES BEFORE THE DEADLINE, I SENT A TEXT SAYING I WOULD GET IN.

WHAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IN PARTICULAR WAS HOW WE ADDRESS THE APPROPRIATIONS ISSUE.

WE -- EVERY YEAR, AND YOU WERE UP HERE SO YOU'VE EXPERIENCED THIS YOURSELF, WE GET UP TO THE SEPTEMBER 30TH DEADLINE, CREATE CLIFFS FOR OURSELVES AND START PASSING SHORT-TERM CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS THAT EXPIRE RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS WHEN EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO HOME THEN GET HAMMERED WITH A BUNCH OF OMNIBUS BILLS.

SO WHAT I'VE PROPOSED DURING THE CANDIDATE FORUM WAS THAT WE DISPENSE WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT REQUIREMENT -- OR AT LEAST THE TRADITION OF WAITING ON THE PRESIDENT TO SUBMIT A BUDGET.

BIDEN WAS 100 DAYS LATE, AND WE DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET.

SO DO AWAY WITH THAT.

DISPENSE WITH WAITING TILL MAY 15TH TO TAKE UP APPROPRIATIONS BILLS ON THE FLOOR.

IF THE COMMITTEE IS READY TO BRING THEM UP, BRING THEM UP WHEN THEY'RE READY.

BUT THE BUDGET CONTROL ACT REQUIRES UP A APPROPRIATIONS BILLS BE PASSED BEFORE JUNE 30, BUT THERE'S NO ENFORCEMENT.

WHAT I DO IS SAY IF THEY'RE NOT PASSED BY JUNE 30TH, NO OTHER LEGISLATION CAN BE CONSIDERED ON THE FLOOR, UNTIL ALL 12 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS ARE PASSED.

SO WE DON'T CREATE CLIFFS TORE OURSELVES.

THE OTHER THING IS REQUIRE THE SENATE TO GET THE BILLS BACK TO US IN 30 DAYS AND SAY NO SENATE-ORIGINATED LEGISLATION WILL BE CONSIDERED UNTIL THEY DO.

IF WE DON'T GET OUR APPROPRIATIONS BILLS DONE BY SEPTEMBER 30TH, WE'LL HAVE A SELF-EXECUTING, CONTINUED RESOLUTION THAT CUTS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING BY 1%, WITH EXCEPTIONS FOR DEFENSE AND MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS, THROUGH APRIL 15TH.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MORE OF THESE SHORT-TERM CONTINUED RESOLUTIONS THAT WIND UP RESULTING IN OMNIBUS BILLS.

>> WELL, TAKE US INSIDE THESE CONFERENCE MEETINGS BECAUSE IT'S THERE IN THE CAPITOL, THAT BIG ROOM IN THE BASEMENT, ALL THE REPUBLICANS GATHER, YOUR ENTIRE CONFERENCE, AND THAT'S WHERE THESE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE, I GUESS SOME IN LONGWORTH, AS WELL.

BUT THESE FACTIONS IN THE PARTY AMONGST THE CONFERENCE, YOU'VE GOT SOME OF THE MORE MAGA/FREEDOM CAUCUS FACTION, YOU HAVE THE KIND OF TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN FACTION.

INSIDE THOSE MEETINGS, THOSE ARGUMENTS, ARE THOSE DIVIDING LINES AS STARK AS THEY APPEAR TO US FROM THE OUTSIDE?

>> I THINK THERE WAS A GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT WE NEEDED TO CHANGE THE PROCESS, THAT WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT KEPT PRESSING US UP WAS A LOT OF THIS WAS PERSONAL, AND, SO, IT FELT LIKE WE WERE JUST GOING THROUGH A WASHING OUT, AND SOME OF IT, I THINK, WAS PATENTLY UNFAIR, BUT YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

I THINK WE HAD TO GET DOWN TO A CANDIDATE LIKE MIKE JOHNSON, WHO HAS UNQUESTIONED CONSERVATIVE CREDENTIALS, WHO'S A TERRIFIC GUY, VERY LIKABLE, BUT ALSO SOMEONE WHO IS AN EXCELLENT COMMUNICATOR.

IF YOU HEARD HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH, IT WAS OUTSTANDING.

MIKE IS A VERY THOUGHTFUL GUY, A BRILLIANT CONSTITUTIONAL LAWYER AND I THINK WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS TO GET THERE.

AND THE GOOD THING ABOUT HAVING SO MANY PEOPLE PUT THEIR NAME FORWARD FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP, IT GAVE MEMBERS A CHANCE TO DIRECT QUESTIONS TO THOSE OF US WHO SAT BEFORE THEM.

AND I TELL PEOPLE THIS ALL THE TIME, I LEARN A WHOLE LOT MORE LISTENING THAN I DO TALKING, AND I THINK IT REALLY GAVE US INSIGHTS INTO WHERE WE NEED TO GO AND HOW WE NEED TO CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS.

>> IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE BEST WAY FOR THIS REPUBLICAN MAJORITY TO GET, YOU KNOW, GET WINCE TO GOVERN IS TO GROW THE MAJORITY, HAVE A BIGGER MAJORITY BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO GOVERN THAT WAY, RIGHT.

BUT THAT MEANS WINNING ELECTIONS.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THIS EPISODE AND ALL THE CHAOTIC NATURE OF IT THE LAST THREE WEEKS WILL DAMAGE THE REPUBLICAN BRAND, YOU KNOW, IN THE EYES OF VOTERS GOING IN TO 2024?

>> I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS YOU CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HERE.

ONE IS I'M REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW ENERGIZED THE CONSERVATIVE BASE IS OVER THE ELECTION OF MIKE JOHNSON, AND THAT'S ACROSS THE BOARD, THE PRO FAMILY CROWD, THE CONSERVATIVE, EVEN ON THE LIBERTARIAN SIDE, I THINK, THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT FOR JOHNSON AS SPEAKER.

THE OTHER THING, THOUGH, IS YOU HAVE TO DELIVER.

I'VE GOT A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT I THINK WE CAN GET TO THE FLOOR.

WE'RE GOING TO FINISH THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS AND SEND THEM OVER TO THE SENATE.

WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO PASS CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS.

THE QUESTION IS HOW LONG WILL IT GO?

IF IT CAN GO THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY, THEN THE MASSEY -- OR THROUGH APRIL 15TH, THEN THE MASSEY CONTINUED RESOLUTION WILL GO INTO EFFECT.

BUT WE HAVE TO DELIVER AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO.

I JUST GOT AN AMENDMENT PASSED THAT STRIKES DOWN A DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REGULATION THAT WILL MAKE PEOPLE'S AIR CONDITIONING A WHOLE LOT MORE EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES PEOPLE ARE FACING -- HAVING DIFFICULTY BUYING GROCERIES, BUYING GAS FOR VEHICLES, KEEPING HOMES HEATED.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR OWN POLITICAL FUTURE WITH -- YOU KNOW, AFTER REDISTRICTING, ALL THESE DISTRICTS ARE DIFFERENT, YOURS IS DIFFERENT.

THERE'S BEEN SEPARATION YOU MIGHT NOT RUN FOR REELECTION.

CAN I ASK YOU, DO YOU PLAN ON RUNNING FOR ANOTHER TERM?

>> YEAH, I'VE ALREADY SAID THAT I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO RUN AGAIN, AND I'VE HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COME TO ME AND SAYING, HAVING LOST SESSIONS IN THE SENATE, HAVING LOST MARTHA ROBIE AN APPROPRIATOR AND BRADLEY BURN WHO WAS ON THE RULES COMMITTEE, THE POWER SHIFTED FROM THE SENATE, AS FAR AS ALABAMA IS CONCERNED, TO THE HOUSE, WHERE YOU HAVE MIKE ROGERS CLEARING ARMED SERVICES, ROBERT ADERHOLT CHAIRING ONE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES ON APPROPRIATIONS AND I'M IN LEADERSHIP IN THE POLICY COMMITTEE AND ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE.

EVEN THOUGH I'VE ONLY BEEN THERE EIGHT YEARS, NINE MONTHS, 23 DAYS, I'M NOW THE THIRD MOST SENIOR REPUBLICAN IN OUR DECISION.

I FELT, IN TERMS OF WHAT'S BEST FOR THE SIXTH DISTRICT AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT I NEEDED TO STAY.

AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR DELEGATION.

TUBERVILLE HAS DONE WELL, KATIE BRITT IS GOING TO BE A ROCK STAR.

BUT WE NEED TO LET THE NEWCOMERS, SO TO SPEAK, GET ESTABLISHED, GET THE COMMITTEES THEY NEED TO BE ON.

WE HAVE JERRY CARL IN HIS FIRST TERM AS AN APPROPRIATOR.

I DON'T PLAN BEING THERE DROOLING IN MY OATMEAL, CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK, THAT'S NOT MY PLAN, BUT I DO THINK YOU HAVE TO STAY LONG ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE MISSION, AND I DON'T THINK THE MISSION IS COMPLETE YET.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR DAY ON CAPITOL HILL TO JOIN US.

CONGRATULATIONS ON HAVING THE EPISODE FINALLY OVER.

WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION, YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK TO WORK, INCLUDING ON THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

THANK YOU, CONGRESSMAN.

>> THANKS, TODD, FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> LAST WEEK THE FAMILY OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY FINALLY GOT THE ANSWERS THEY SOUGHT ABOUT HER DISAPPEARANCE FOR 18 YEARS AS JORAN VAN DER SLOOT FELT COMPELLED TO CONFESS TO CHARGES OF EXTORTION.

HIS STATEMENT DETAILED THE KILLING IN 2005.

VAN DER SLOOT'S EXTRADITION AND CONVICTION WERE MADE POSSIBLE BY AMERICAN AND PERUVIAN PROSECUTORS.

MOST NOTABLY PRIM ESCALONA, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, KIND ENOUGH TO SIT DOWN WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TO TALK ABOUT THE HOLLOWAY CASE AND OTHER ISSUES HER OFFICE IS WORKING ON.

HERE'SO OUR INTERVIEW.

PRIM, THANKS FOR SOMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> THE NATALEE HOLLOWAY CASE, DOESN'T GET MUCH BIGGER, HIGHER PROFILE THAN THAT.

I THINK IF YOU ASKED MOST ALABAMIANS OR REALLY ANYBODY NATIONWIDE THAT FOLLOWED THIS CASE, MOST WOULD BET THAT THE FAMILY NEVER WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A FINAL RESOLUTION.

IT JUST SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE AFTER 18 YEARS.

YET, NOW THEY DO, AND YOU PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN BRINGING THE SUSPECT BACK TO THIS COUNTRY TO STAND IN COURT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHERE DID YOU INVOLVEMENT IN THIS CASE BEGIN?

>> I GREW UP IN ALABAMA, AND I THINK FOR MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM ALABAMA, EVERYONE REMEMBERS WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THEY HEARD ABOUT NATALEE HOLLOWAY AND HER DISAPPEARANCE, AND IT REALLY WAS SOMETHING THAT I FOLLOWED AND I THINK MOST ALABAMIANS FOLLOWED OVER THE YEARS, YOU KNOW, AFTER HER DISAPPEARANCE AND EVERYTHING THAT HER FAMILY HAS DONE AND THE MEDIA HAS DONE TO KEEP HER AND JUSTICE FOR HER FAMILY IN THE FOREFRONT.

SO I CERTAINLY WAS AWARE OF ALL OF THAT.

NOW, I WILL ADMIT THAT WHEN I CAME TO THIS POSITION, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE WAS THE INDICTMENT IN 2010.

AND, SO, WHEN WE LEARNED ABOUT THAT AND WE LEARNED ABOUT THE EFFORTS THAT HAD BEEN MADE PREVIOUSLY TO BRING JORAN VAN DER SLOOT BACK TO THE COUNTRY, THINGS THAT HAD BEEN JOINING ON SINCE 2012, 2014 THAT HAD NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO TRY TO EXTRADITE HIM BACK.

WE TALKED TO THE F.B.I.

AND OTHERS AND THOUGHT, WELL, LET'S TRY ONE MORE TIME.

SO NEW INFORMATION KIND OF DEVELOPED.

THERE WAS MORE OF A PRESSING NEED.

THE MEDIA FOCUS WAS STILL ON THAT CASE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT, AND, SO, IT GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO PERU, AND THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT HAD CHANGED AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO EXTRADITE HIM AT THAT TIME HAD CHANGED AND, SO, WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IT WAS WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR THE HOLLOWAY FAMILY AND FOR NATALEE.

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT HIS CONVICTION IS NOT ACTUALLY FOR THE MURDER THAT HE HAS CONFESSED TO.

THAT WAS PART OF THE ARRANGEMENT, RIGHT, WHICH I KNOW IS A BIG DEAL FOR THE FAMILY.

WALK ME THROUGH THE PARTICULARS OF WHERE AND WHEN -- HOW LONG WILL HE ACTUALLY SERVE AND WHERE WILL HE SERVE?

>> YES, WE DO NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE MURDER, SO HE WAS NOT TRIED FOR THAT.

HE WAS TRIED TORE THE SEPARATE CHARGES OF THE EXTORTION AND THE WIRE FRAUD RELATED TO HIS EXTORTION OF BETH HOLLOWAY ABOUT WHERE NATALEE'S REMAINS WERE.

AND, SO, HE, TYPICALLY FOR THOSE CHARGES, MIGHT EXPECT THREE TO FIVE YEARS, BUT HE AGREED AND WE AGREED TO THAT 20-YEAR SENTENCE.

THE JUDGE RAN THAT 20-YEAR SENTENCE CONCURRENT WITH HIS SENTENCE IN PERU.

SO HE'LL SEVEN HIS TIME IN PERU.

THAT WAS PART OF THE TREATY TO BEGIN WITH.

IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE HE WOULD SERVE TIME IN PERU BEFORE HE WOULD COME AND SERVE TIME IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT THE JUDGE HERE RAN THAT SENTENCE CONCURRENT WITH HIS PERUVIAN SENTENCE.

SO HE WILL SERVE HIS 20 YEARS IN PERU IN CUSTODY.

NOW, IF HIS PERUVIAN SENTENCE AND CUSTODY ENDS BEFORE THE 20 YEARS, HE WILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE UNITED STATES AND SEVEN THE REMAINDER HERE, IF FOR SOME REASON.

NOW, HE'S SET TO SERVE 20 ADDITIONAL YEARS IN PERU UNDER HIS CHARGES THERE.

BUT, IF, FOR SOME REASON, THAT SENTENCE WERE TO BE SHORTENED AND HIS SENTENCE IN CUSTODY ENDED, HE WOULD THEN HAVE TO COME BACK.

>> LIKE WE SAID, THIS IS A HIGH PROFILE CASE AND GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION.

I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHER CASES THAT DON'T GET NEARLY THE ATTENTION UPTHAT THIS ONE DOES, BUT, GIVEN THAT IT'S THE NATURE OF BEING HIGH PROFILE, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE IT, TO SEE JUSTICE SERVED, TO MAYBE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE FAITH IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THAT IT WORKS?

>> I THINK THAT'S SO TRUE, WE DO HUNDREDS OF SENTENCINGS EVERY YEAR.

WE PROSECUTE, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF DEFENDANTS FOR A VARIETY OF CRIMES EACH YEAR.

AND, SO, A LOT OF THEM DON'T GET THE ATTENTION THAT THEY MAYBE RIGHT OFLY DESERVE.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT WE DO SEE IS WE SEE, YOU KNOW, THE CRIME OCCUR, SO THERE'S SOME PRESS THERE SOMETIMES, AND WE SEE MAYBE THE INDICTMENT, AND IT'S VERY QUIET UNTIL SENTENCING OR UNTIL A PLEA OR A TRIAL.

AND, SO, IT'S A NICE REMINDER THAT, EVEN WHEN WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING, THE WORK IS BEING DONE.

AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SO OFTEN WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES WHERE THEY DON'T DO IT IN THE PRESS, THEY CAN'T FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, WHETHER PROTECTION OF THE CASE, PROTECTION OF THE VICTIMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS.

BUT THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING DOESN'T MEAN THE WORK'S NOT GETTING DONE, AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE HERE.

THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE BEING DONE STARTING IN 2010 THAT BORE FRUIT IN 2023, AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME AND IT TOOK A LOT OF PEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE GOVERNMENT, AT OUR OFFICE, AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, OVERSEAS, THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE ENGAGED.

THE F.B.I., TENACIOUS ABOUT IT.

EVEN OUTSIDE ENTITIES THAT KEPT THE FOCUS ON NATALEE AND ON THE HOLLOWAY FAMILY.

AND, SO, ALL OF THAT KIND OF WORKS TOGETHER OVER TIME AND SEEDS THAT ARE PLANTED IN 2010 AND 2012 AND 2014 FINALLY BORE THAT FRUIT IN 2023.

IT WAS SO GRATIFYING TO BE EVEN A SMALL PART OF THAT.

SO I THINK THAT'S JUST A REMINDER TO FOLKS THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T SEE THE WORK BEING DONE DOES NOT MEAN JUSTICE IS NOT COMING.

>> SWITCHING GEARS, WE COVER THE LEGISLATURE A LOT AND YOUR OFFICE HAS AN OPEN CASE INVOLVING CORRUPTION CHARGES ON STATE LAWMAKERS, ONE FORMER, ONE CURRENT AND STAFF.

LIKE YOU JUST SAID, I REALIZE YOU PROBABLY CAN'T COMMENT ON THE SPECIFICS OF INDIVIDUAL CASES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THESE TYPES OF INVESTIGATIONS FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL INTO PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

>> I THINK ONE THING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT OUR COUNTRY IS BUILT ON THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE IDEA THERE IS THAT EVERYONE IS SUBJECT TO THE LAW, AND NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW OR BEYOND THE LAW.

AND, SO, OUR OFFICE, WHEN WE LOOK AT PUBLIC CORRUPTION CASES, WE THINK ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE JUST AS THE PEOPLE WHO WORK -- WHETHER THEY WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE OR THE JAIL OR A FEDERAL CORRECTIONS FACILITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT COMMUNITIES HAVE PUT THEIR TRUST IN MAINTAIN THAT TRUST AND FOLLOW THE LAW.

SO, ANYTIME THAT WE SEE A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE HAS VIOLATED THE LAW, VIOLATED THEIR ETHICAL DUTIES, VIOLATED THE TRUST THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS PUT IN THEM, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO ADDRESS BECAUSE WE WANT FOLKS TO KNOW IN THIS DISTRICT THAT THEY'RE REPRESENTED BY PEOPLE THAT ARE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS, OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF ETHICS AND WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW.

BUT I HAVE TO SAY, IT'S NOT JUST A FEDERAL PROSECUTION.

WE DO SO MUCH WITH OUR STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO WORK WITH THE STATE AG'S OFFICE AND OUR LOCAL DA'S BECAUSE WE SEE OUR WORK AS SUPPORTING THEIR WORK IN SO MANY WAYS.

AND SOMETIMES THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT MAKES MORE SENSE FOR PROSECUTIONS TO HAPPEN ON THE STATE LEVEL, AND SOMETIMES IT MAKES MORE SENSE FOR THEM TO HAPPEN ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WE'VE GOT A GREAT TEAM HERE IN PUBLIC CORRUPTION AND FERRETING THAT OUT IS VITAL TO THE OFFICE, AND WE HAVE ATTORNEYS WHO ARE FANTASTIC IN THAT REALM, BUT IT'S DRIVEN BY A DESIRE TO MAKE OUR INSTITUTIONS AS SECURE AND AS WORTHY OF TRUST AS POSSIBLE.

>> WELL, SPEAKING OF WORKING WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU HAVE FOCUSED ON TWO HEINOUS CRIMES DURING YOUR TIME AS U.S. ATTORNEY, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND SEX TRAFFICKING, SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY COMING INTO FOCUS NATIONWIDE AND IN ALABAMA.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES TO BRING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE RESOURCES OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TO BEAR WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE CRIMES, ESPECIALLY ACROSS STATE LINES AND STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SOMETIMES HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES.

>> SO I THINK THOSE ARE TWO AREAS THAT VERY SIMILARLY CROSS NOT ONLY STATE LINES BUT OFTEN INTERNATIONAL LINES, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SEX TRAFFICKING AND YOU HAVE THE INTERNET, THE EXPLOSION OF THE INTERNET AND IT CAN BE PREDATORS WHO ARE IN ONE STATE, YOU KNOW, FINDING VICTIMS IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STATE.

AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE THAT, SAME WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING, YOU HAVE A SITUATION WHERE CRIMINALS CAN BE SMART AND MAKE TRY TO ELUDE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

AND, SO, WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED, IT'S A WAY TO KIND OF CROSS THOSE LINES.

IT'S BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND SAYING, OH, I HAVE A CONNECTION IN MILWAUKEE, RIGHT, AND A LOCAL CONNECTION THERE.

AND, SO, THAT KIND OF NETWORK THAT WE HAVE BOTH ON THE TRAFFICKING SIDE OF THE -- THAT THE DEPARTMENT FACILITY STATES ON THE SEX TRAFFICKING SIDE AND ALSO ON THE DRUG TRAFFICKING SIDE, SYSTEMS IN PLACE THAT CONNECT PROSECUTORS, FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO EVERYONE IS TALKING TO EACH OTHER AND WORKING TOWARDS THAT COMMON GOAL.

THE OTHER THING THAT THE DEPARTMENT BRINGS TO BEAR IN BOTH OF THOSE SITUATIONS IS A LOT OF VICTIMS' SERVICES.

LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WONDERFUL BUT THEY ARE OFTENTIMES VERY FINANCIALLY STRAPPED.

SO, A LOT OF TIMES, THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THE VICTIMS' SERVICES WORKS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SEX TRAFFICKING THAT TAKES LONG-TERM VICTIMS' SERVICES, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE FOLKS AND STAFF THAT DO VICTIMS' SERVICES AS THEIR ENTIRE JOB.

SO WE BRING THAT ASPECT AS WELL.

SO WE CAN DO THE PROSECUTION, WE CAN FOLLOW IT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROSECUTION, BUT WE CAN ALSO HELP THE VICTIMS AFTER TRIAL KIND OF REGAIN THEIR FOOTING.

ALSO, IN BOTH THOSE AREAS, WE DO A LOT WITH GRANTS, WITH BRINGING FEDERAL DOLLARS INTO OUR DISTRICT THAT GET USED TO COMBAT SEX TRAFFICKING, CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND CHILD EXPLOITATION AND ALSO DRUG TRAFFICKING.

SO, FOR INSTANCE, I'M THINKING THE LAST MAYBE FIVE YEARS, ABOUT $14 MILLION IN FEDERAL D.O.J.

GRANTS HAVE COME INTO THE NORTHERN DISTRICT TO DEAL WITH THE DRUG EPIDEMIC AND THE FENTANYL CRISIS.

WE HAVE ALSO SEEN ABOUT $10 MILLION COMING IN TO THE NATIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER IN HUNTSVILLE THAT HELPS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DEAL WITH CHILD EXPLOITATION AND SEX TRAFFICKING.

SO WE CAN BRING NOT ONLY RESOURCES IN TERMS OF PEOPLE AND PROSECUTIONS, BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF GRANT DOLLARS.

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, AND YOU HAVE THIS INITIATIVE OPERATION SAFE FAMILIES THAT'S BEEN GOING A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT IT'S HAD.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WHEN I CAME INTO THIS OFFICE BECAUSE I REALLY FELT LIKE, ANECDOTALLY, I BELIEVED THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LED TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND THAT HAS BEEN BORNE OUT THROUGH RESEARCH, THAT THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS DONE.

THE D.A.

'S OFFICE LOOKED AT ALL THEIR STATISTICS AND REALIZED ABOUT 70% OF THEIR HOMICIDE OFFENDERS, JUST IN GENERAL, WERE COMMITTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HAD A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

AND, SO, WHAT WE KNOW NOW FROM DATA WHICH WE KNEW ANECDOTALLY IS THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEADS TO COMMUNITY VIOLENCE.

SO, IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT, WE WANT OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE SAFE.

>> THAT PROBABLY INCLUDES GUN VIOLENCE.

>> ABSOLUTELY INCLUDES GUN VIOLENCE.

IF A GUN IS INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT, IT'S 500 TIMES MORE LIKELY THAT WILL RESULT IN A HOMICIDE.

>> WOW.

>> AND, SO, IT FEELS RIGHT ANECDOTALLY THAT IF YOU'RE WILLING TO HARM THE PEOPLE THAT YOU LOVE THE MOST, THEN IT'S NOT A VERY FAR STEP TO HARM PEOPLE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND, SO, WE'RE SEEING -- AS WE SEE VIOLENT CRIME THAT HAS INCREASED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE NOW KNOW THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PRECURSOR TO A LOT OF VIOLENT CRIME.

SO IF WE CAN INTERCEDE EARLY IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CYCLE, THEN WE CAN DRIVE DOWN COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENT CRIME, WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOAL OF OUR OFFICE.

>> WELL, IT STRIKES ME YOU ARE A RARITY AS A PROSECUTOR.

YOU HAVE SERVED BOTH IN A REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION AND NOW IN A DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S KIND OF RARE FOR U.S.

ATTORNEYS.

HOW DID YOU MANAGE THAT?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN MY GREAT HONOR.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL JOB, AND IT HAS BEEN A DELIGHT TO BE HERE.

I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO COME IN KIND OF AT THE TAIL OF THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND WAS COURT APPOINTED AND HAVE REMAINED DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SO OFTEN FOCUS ON DIFFERENCES.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THIS JOB IS VERY SIMILAR FROM ADMINISTRATION TO ADMINISTRATION IN A LOT OF WAYS AND IN THE WAYS THAT MATTER.

THE FOCUS REMAINS ON KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE -- DECREASING VIOLENT CRIME, PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS, FERRETING OUT PUBLIC CORRUPTION -- AND THOSE CORE VALUES HAS BEEN THIS OFFICE'S CORE VALUES FOR YEARS ACROSS MANY ADMINISTRATIONS, AND IT IS JUST AN HONOR TO GET TO CONTINUE THAT LEGACY.

>> I GUESS THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

WE SHOULDN'T CHANGE THE VALUES AND CORE VALUES OF THE OFFICE JUST BECAUSE A DIFFERENT PARTY IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> AND THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF CHANGE ON THE MARGINS AND THE EMPHASIS CHANGES AT THE EDGES CHANGE A LITTLE, BUT THE CORE WORK THAT PROSECUTORS DO ACROSS THE COUNTRY REMAINS STEADY, REGARDLESS OF, YOU KNOW, THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE.

>> WELL, YOU ALSO WORKED AT MAIN JUSTICE, RIGHT, THE BUILDING RIGHT THERE, THE NERVE CENTER KIND OF OF THE WHOLE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

SO I'M CURIOUS IF THAT EXPERIENCE -- BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WALKING THOSE HALLS, IN THOSE MEETINGS, UNDERSTANDING THE NUANCES OF HOW MAIN JUSTICE WORKS, MAKES YOU A BETTER PROSECUTOR WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE.

>> WELL -- >> HERE IN THE DISTRICT, RIGHT, AND AT THE LOCAL.

>> I'LL HAVE TO TELL A QUICK STORY IF IT'S OKAY.

>> SURE.

>> I COME FROM A VERY SMALL TOWN NEAR MONTGOMERY, AND WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, IT WAS SMALLER THAN TODAY.

IT WAS WAY BEFORE HGTV CAME TO TOWN.

>> SPEAKING FROM THE PRATTVILLE SECTION, WE'RE AWARE.

>> I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN.

ALL MY FRIENDS WENT TO LOCAL COLLEGES OR CHOSE TO GO INTO OTHER PROFESSIONS.

I WENT TO BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE.

I CAN REMEMBER BEING A FRESHMAN AND WALKING ACROSS THE GROUNDS AND SAYING THERE COULDN'T BE ANYTHING BETTER.

TO BE IN COLLEGE CLASSES, THIS IS AMAZING.

THE SECOND TIME THAT I HAD THAT FEELING WAS WALKING THROUGH THE DOORS OF MAIN JUSTICE AND GETTING TO WORK IN THOSE HALLS AND BEING ABLE TO SEE WHERE, YOU KNOW, ATTORNEYS GENERAL FOR YEARS HAVE BEEN IN THOSE OFFICES AND TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THE A.G.'S OFFICE AND GET TO WORK WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES TO THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE, AND THOSE ARE SOME HALLOWED HALLS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF KNOCKS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THESE DAYS WHICH I THINK ARE UNWARRANTED IN A LOT OF WAYS, BECAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THAT BUILDING ARE DOING EXCELLENT WORK, THEY'RE WORKING HARD AND WORKING TOWARDS JUSTICE, AND I THINK THAT IS WONDERFUL.

AND IT WAS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO GET TO WORK THERE.

AND IT IS SOMETHING I THINK THAT PERSPECTIVE OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT GOES -- ALL OF THE COMPONENTS AND ALL OF THE WORK THAT GOES INTO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND BEING ABLE TO BRING THAT KNOWLEDGE BACK TO THE DISTRICT, KNOWING ABOUT THAT ATF HAS NOW A PROGRAM AND GETTING TO SEE THAT IN OTHER PLACES AND GETTING TO TALK TO FOLKS HERE ABOUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN WICHITA.

BEING ABLE TO KNOW HOW GRANTS MOVE THROUGH THE SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUR LOCAL PARTNERS WHEN THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT GRANTS THEY SHOULD APPLY FOR, HOW TO DO IT, IS INCREDIBLY VALUABLE.

JUST KNOWING KIND OF THE STRUCTURE.

WE LAUGH AND SAY, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOVES AN ACRONYM.

SO IF YOU CAN KNOW THE ACRONYMS, THEN YOU'RE A STEP AHEAD.

AND, SO, KNOWING THE ACRONYMS, KNOWING KIND OF WHO DOES WHAT AND WHAT LEVERS TO PULL, I THINK, IS INCREDIBLY BENEFICIAL AND ALSO JUST REALIZING THE MAGNITUDE OF WHAT THE DEPARTMENT DOES AND THE RESOURCES IT BRINGS TO BEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS HELPFUL WHEN YOU COME INTO AN OFFICE BECAUSE YOU'VE KIND OF SEEN THE BIG PICTURE, WHICH IS LOVELY.

>> UNITED STATES ATTORNEY PRIM ESCALONA.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANTHONY DANIELS, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER FOR THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

>> WE TALK ON THE SHOW ABOUT TO WORKFORCE SHORTAGE, RIGHT.

WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE SUFFERED IN ALABAMA.

THE GOVERNOR'S HAD A BIG FOCUS ON IT.

YOU HAD THIS INTERESTING OP-ED IN ALABAMA DAILY NEWS RECENT HI ABOUT CHILDCARE, SPECIFICALLY, AND HOW THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CHILDCARE REALLY SERVED AS A BARRIER FOR FOLKS TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

YOU'VE GOT SOME LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.

TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO -- HOW YOU WANT TO ATTACK IT.

>> WELL, TODD, I'LL TELL YOU, WE'RE DEALING WITHIN OUR OWN PRIVATE BUSINESS, BUT YOU HEAR FROM BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT'S TRYING TO FIGURE WHAT IS IT THAT WE COULD DO TO TRY TO GET INCREASED THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

SO WHAT WE FIND SINCE COVID, THERE'S A LOT OF WOMEN OUT THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND, SO, OFTENTIMES, ACCESS IS AN ISSUE AND COST.

AND, SO, WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS DEVELOP A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGES IN THE WORKFORCE WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY AN AN OPTION FOR FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN FRONT OF A CURRICULUM.

SO IT WOULD TAKE CARE OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS WORKFORCE BUT ALSO HELP THE WORKING FAMILY AND ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE FREELY.

SO WHAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL DO, CERTAINLY SENATOR GUDGER INTRODUCED IT AND WE WILL BE REINTRODUCING IT, THAT WILL GIVE BUSINESSES AND PROVIDERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD CHILDCARE FACILITIES AND OFFER INCENTIVES TO THOSE EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU'RE A BUSINESS, YOU CAN OFFER AN INCENTIVE TO YOUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN GO TO THAT CHILDCARE FACILITY, EITHER GIVE IT TO THE EMPLOYEE IN THEIR CHECK, OR YOU CAN PAY DIRECTLY TO THE PROVIDER TO BE ABLE TO OFFER A SLOT FOR THAT EMPLOYEE.

FOR THE PROVIDERS THEMSELVES, IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS MODEL TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY CONTENT AND CURRICULUM TO OUR CHILDREN, WHICH, FOR ME, ON THE EDUCATION STANDPOINT, DOES EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.

YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SAVES YOU SEVEN DOLLARS IN CORRECTIONS, AND THIS ADDRESSES THAT ISSUE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME INCREASING THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> IT'S NOT A NEW GOVERNMENT PROGRAM, IT'S INCENTIVIZING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO OFFER MORE OPTIONS TO PARENTS.

AND YOU'RE SO RIGHT IN TERMS OF THE BARRIER BECAUSE I KNOW SO MANY MOMS THAT IT'S COST, IT'S FINDING IT, AND SOMETIMES IT'S THE CHOICE BETWEEN CARING FOR YOUR CHILD OR TAKING A JOB, RIGHT.

AND I GUESS THAT REALLY SHOULDN'T BE A CHOICE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND FOR US, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY HELPS THAT FAMILY MEMBER, HENCE THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

BECAUSE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT YOU'RE MAKING ON THE JOB SITE IS BASICALLY YOU'RE BREAKING EVEN TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I MEAN.

>> IT BECOMES A WASH. >> RIGHT.

>> BUT FAMILIES WANT TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN A CHILDCARE FACILITY THAT'S DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY CONTENT BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT THAT DOES FOR THAT CHILD WHEN THEY DO START GRADE SCHOOL SO WE KNOW WHAT THESE INVESTMENTS DO.

EVERY FAMILY MEMBER WANTS THAT OPTION FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THE ACCESS IS NOT THERE AND THE AFFORDABILITY.

AND IF THERE'S A HUGE DEMAND, THAT DRIVES UP THE COST OF THAT HEALTH CARE OPTION FOR THAT CHILDCARE FOR THAT CHILD WHICH THAT FAMILY HAS TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER I GO TO WORK OR STAY HOME, WHICH ONE IS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MY FAMILY.

>> BE EAGER TO SEE THAT.

THE SESSION WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

I THINK THAT WILL BE AN INTERESTING TOPIC TO FOLLOW.

WELL, LAST SESSION YOU HAD A VERY HIGH-PROFILE BILL, BASICALLY AN OVERTIME INCOME TAX CUT, RIGHT?

YOU WORK OVERTIME, YOU KNOW, TAKING AWAY STATE INCOME TAX FROM THAT.

I BELIEVE IT GOES INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY IN THE NEW YEAR.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD IN TERMS OF FEEDBACK FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND EMPLOYERS ABOUT THE IMPACT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE?

>> I TELL YOU THIS, FIRST OFF, MY HAT GOES OFF TO BARNETT.

HE'S BEEN A GREAT PARTNER OFFERING SESSIONS TO BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE.

HE'S DONE THIS SINCE WE LEFT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU CAN'T HAVE A BETTER PARTNER THAN THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IN THIS SESSION.

ALL OF THE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN OFFERING SESSIONS TO THEIR MEMBERS AND EDUCATING THEIR MEMBERS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION.

BUT WHAT I HEAR FROM A LOT OF THEIR MEMBERS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA, THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, I WAS JUST TALKING TO INDUSTRY DOWN IN THE MOBILE AREA WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT'S GOING OVER TO WORK AT ENGLE ACROSS IN MISSISSIPPI, AND THEY FEEL THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IT'S BASICALLY A 5% PAY RAISE ON OVERTIME.

AND, SO, WHAT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL DO IS IT WILL PUT MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ALABAMIANS OR MOBILIANS THAT ARE WORKING OVER IN ENGLE AND THEY'RE HOPEFUL THAT THEY WILL COME BACK TO WORK IN THE MOBILE AREA AT THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE WITH THEM IN THE MOBILE AREA, AND A LOT OF THOSE INDUSTRIES OFFER OVERTIME OPTIONS.

SO TO BE ABLE TO GET A 5% PAY RAISE ROUTE THE ACTUAL EMPLOYER HAVING TO GIVE IT TO YOU IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR THE COMMUNITY, EMPLOYER AND AGREE.

>> SO IT MAKES ALABAMA MORE COMPETITIVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND COMMERCE, THIS WILL BE A BENEFIT FOR THEM TO USE WHEN TALKING TO COMPANIES.

WE'RE THE ONLY FIRST STATE TO EVER IMPLEMENT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

I HEAR WISCONSIN HAS INTRODUCED THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THERE'S ANOTHER STATE THAT INTRODUCED THE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

I RECEIVED CALLS INQUIRING ABOUT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT I KNOW THAT, FOR US, IN ALABAMA, WE HOPE THAT THIS WILL FURTHER INCREASE THE PARTICIPATION RATE BUT, ALSO, GET PEOPLE THAT'S NOT WORKING TO WANT TO COME BACK TO WORK, BUT THOSE THAT ARE WORKING, IT GIVES THEM A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> LORD KNOWS THAT'S NEEDED THESE DAYS, MORE MONEY IN THIS ECONOMY.

SWITCHING GEARS TO HEALTH CARE.

THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF STORIES RECENTLY KIND OF CONCERNING, ABOUT MATERNITY CARE WARDS CLOSING.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE HOSPITAL CLOSER SITUATION, NURSING SHORTAGES.

ONE REPORT SAID ALABAMA HAD THE SECOND WORST HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.

IN ALL THESE STORIES THE QUESTION OF MEDICAID EXPANSION KEEPS COMING UP.

I REALIZE MOST REPUBLICANS ARE AGAINST THAT AND THEY'RE IN CONTROL, BUT ARE THERE OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SEE ALABAMA TRYING TO FILL THAT COVERAGE GAP AND IMPROVE OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM?

>> HERE'S WHERE I AM -- WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO DO IT.

WHEN YOU SAY THE HOSPITAL, THE MATERNAL CARE UNIT IN THE HOSPITAL IN MONROE COUNTY, THAT SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO EVERYONE IN THAT PARTICULAR REGION.

WHEN YOU SEE THAT PART OF THE HOSPITAL, MATERNAL CARE, CLOSING AND OTHER AREAS, YOU HAVE TO BE CONCERNED.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME.

THIS IS WHY MEDICAID EXPANSION IS IMPORTANT.

I THINK ONE OF THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION IS WHO IT HELPS.

IT HELPS THOSE PERSONS THAT ARE IN THE GAP.

MAYBE A PERSON WORKING TWO PART-TIME JOBS FOR A SMALL BUSINESS, THAT SMALL BUSINESS DOESN'T OFFER HEALTHCARE TO THEM, IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HEALTHCARE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE FRONT END AND THE PREVENTATIVE SIDE OF IT.

FOR PLACES LIKE MONROE COUNTY, WHERE ARE THOSE FAMILIES AND MOTHERS AND FAMILIES GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THE MATERNAL CARE THAT THEY NEED?

SO THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL TO MOBILE, MONTGOMERY AND OTHER PLACES THAT ARE LARGER MARKETS.

SO THEN SOME OF THOSE HOSPITALS, THE HOSPITALS IN THESE LARGER MARKETS ARE SUFFERING AS WELL.

AND, SO, MEDICAID EXPANSION IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO DO.

WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE HEALTHCARE GAP IN ALABAMA, AND WE HAVE TO GIVE FAMILIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO GET PREVENTATIVE CARE AS WELL AS CARE -- POST-PARTUM CARE AS WELL.

MY WIFE AND I, WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN AT HOME.

I WAS WITH MY WIFE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY AND UNDERSTOOD THE DIFFICULTIES AND THE CHALLENGES THAT SHE HAD.

YOU KNOW, FORTUNATELY, WE HAD AN OB/GYN IN THE HUNTSVILLE AREA THAT COULD SEE MY WIFE, BUT THERE ARE MANY FAMILIES IN MANY COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE OPTIONS.

SO WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON MAKING CERTAIN THAT FAMILIES HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CARE.

BUT MEDICAID EXPANSION IS AN ECONOMIC BOOSTER AS WELL.

IT EXPANDS THE NUMBER OF JOBS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, INCREASES OUR TAX BASE.

THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS AND POSITIVES ABOUT IT, WE HAVE TO PUT THE POLITICS ASIDE AND ADDRESS THESE ISSUES HEAD ON.

>> SO YOU'VE MENTIONED MOBILE, YOU'VE MENTIONED MONROE COUNTY.

IT STRIKES ME THOSE ARE TWO PLACES IN THE NEWLY CONSTITUTED SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I MEAN, I'M JOKING, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN MENTIONED AS A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE IN THE SECOND DISTRICT.

IT'S CHANGED A LOT, OBVIOUSLY.

BUT YOU ARE A NATIVE OF THE SECOND DISTRICT, BULLOCK COUNTY, IN PARTICULAR.

SO HOW REALISTIC ARE THESE RUMORS?

ARE YOU CONSIDERING THE RACE AND THAT'S YOUR DECISION-MAKING KNOWING THAT NOVEMBER 10TH, I GUESS, IS THE DEADLINE?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM ENTERTAINING IT.

I'VE HAD PEOPLE FROM BULLOCK AND OTHER SURROUNDING COUNTIES SAY IT.

YOU MAY REPRESENT A DISTRICT IN YOUR PERSONAL CAPACITY BUT AS A LEADER YOU'RE REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE STATE, WHETHER HELPING MEMBERS WITH PROJECTS WITHIN THEIR DISTRICT, I HAVE BEEN THERE.

SO I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

AT THE END TO HAVE THE DAY, YOU HAVE TO LOCK AT HOW EFFECTIVE CAN YOU BE IN THAT ROLE.

WHEN ALABAMA IS LOOKING AT SENDING SOMEONE TO CONGRESS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE DYNAMICS.

HOW EFFECTIVE CAN THIS PERSON BE, HOW EFFECTIVE HAVE THEY BEEN IN THE ROLE THEY'RE CURRENTLY IN AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S NOT JUST FILLING A SEAT, IT'S FILLING A VOID.

IT'S LOOKING AT WHETHER REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS ARE IN CHARGE IN WASHINGTON, YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO GET THINGS DONE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING TO ME.

YOU'VE GOTTEN THINGS DONE IN A REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY AND GOT IT DONE WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE PRINCIPALS OF BEING A DEMOCRAT.

I'VE SAID IT'S ABOUT ALABAMA, OUR DISTRICT, STATE AND GROWTH OPPORTUNITY.

SO I AM ENTERTAINING IT, STRONGLY CONSIDERING IT.

THERE ARE OTHER CANDIDATES OUT THERE THAT I THINK WILL BE GREAT CANDIDATES.

FROM A LEGISLATIVE STANDPOINT, LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE DOES HELP PREPARE YOU FOR ANOTHER LAYER OF LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE.

SO DAY ONE, YOU'RE NOT LOOKING -- YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE JOB.

AND, SO, I THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE THAT HAVE GREAT CREDENTIALS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

SO I THINK IT WILL LIKELY BE A CROWDED FIELD.

IF I DECIDE TO GET IN, I'LL GET IN AND WORK EXTREMELY HARD, BUT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE IS A PLUS FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> WELL, THIS IS REALLY GOING TO BE FASCINATING TO SEE THIS RACE DEVELOP.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

MR. LEADER, THANKS AGAIN FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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