Senator Richard Shelby is the senior United States Senator from the State of Alabama. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986 and is currently in his sixth term. Senator Shelby is the current vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, of which he previously served as chairman. He is a senior member on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, as well as the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, of which he is the longest-serving member in the history of the committee. He also serves on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Human life is a gift that should be cherished and protected. I believe that we, as a nation, should do everything in our power to preserve innocent human life. In 1973, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that a woman’s right to have an abortion is constitutionally protected. I strongly disagree with this ruling.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have and will continue to support pro-life values and ideals. I believe that it is our moral and ethical duty to protect the dignity of human life, particularly when it comes to the unborn.
In addition, I believe that it is wholly irresponsible for the federal government to use any taxpayer dollars for abortions, and I have routinely cosponsored legislation to create a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion.
Agriculture is the largest revenue-producing industry in the State of Alabama, generating more than $70 billion in economic impact per year. With over nine million acres of farmland and more than 40,000 farms, Alabama is a national leader in food production and a global competitor in poultry, catfish, timber, cotton, and livestock industries.
It is easy to forget that agriculture is at the heart of so many issues affecting Alabamians– from food and fiber production to the ever-expanding market for biodiesel and fuel. During my tenure in Congress, I have supported measures to assist farmers and the local economies that depend on them. I have also worked to ensure that Alabama farmers will continue to benefit from appropriate commodity supports and crop insurance, conservation and nutrition programs, and credit and rural development initiatives.
Rest assured that I will remain unwavering in my efforts to support our farmers, our state, and our rural communities.
With our nation's debt now over $30 trillion, it is clear that federal spending is on an unsustainable course. I believe that as long as the federal government continues to spend beyond its means, our nation's economy will continue to suffer and remain stagnant. There is no excuse for continuing to add to our nation's outstanding financial obligations that will only fall on the backs of future generations - our children and grandchildren.
I have long believed that one of the few shortfalls of our Constitution was the omission of a federal balanced budget requirement. For this reason, I am proud to have introduced legislation in every Congress since joining the Senate that seeks to amend the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced federal budget.
The adoption of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would require the federal government to do what every American already has to do – balance its checkbook. I believe that a Balanced Budget Amendment is the tool that the American people deserve to guarantee greater fiscal responsibility from Washington and to ensure that the government spends Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars responsibly. To me, this is a common sense policy that would reduce wasteful spending and restore sorely needed confidence in our nation’s economy.
In Alabama, we know firsthand how vital the United States military is to defending our freedoms and national security interests, both at home and abroad. Alabama provides for our strong defense with the Redstone Arsenal and the unmatched space, missile, cyber, and intelligence workforce in Huntsville, tank modernization in Anniston, one of the Defense Information Systems Agency’s core data centers as well as the Air University at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, the home of Army aviation at Fort Rucker, and world-class combat shipbuilding in Mobile. Additionally, over 400,000 veterans call Alabama home, which is more than one out of every ten people over the age of 18 in the state.
There is nothing more important than the security of our nation, and this requires the constant support of our men and women in uniform who place themselves in harm's way to defend our freedom. It is important to main a strong military because the peace and security of the world remains unstable and uncertain. In light of ongoing conflicts across the globe and the serious threats we face from terrorism and malign actors, our all-volunteer force is as important as ever.
In addition to maintaining and advancing the readiness, aptitude, and resilience of the United States military, we must similarly support the well-being of American service members and their families, whose welfare is an integral part of the successful defense of our nation. Congress must remain steadfast in ensuring adequate funding for important defense programs. Prosperity and security are not mutually exclusive, and if we intend to maintain our way of life, we will need a highly trained, well-equipped, and adequately funded military to protect us.
As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense, which is primarily responsible for funding the federal government's operations, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that we maintain the greatest military in the world while also protecting our men and women in uniform.
I believe that providing our nation’s children with access to a quality education is a direct investment in the future of our country. As we work to provide children in Alabama with the tools they need for a successful future, we must also prioritize and prepare them to compete in the global marketplace of today.
I strongly believe that education decisions are best made at a local level where the needs of students can be properly identified and met. Federal intervention into our nation’s education system leads to bureaucratic red-tape and ultimately reduces the autonomy of parents and teachers. Rather than top-down federal mandates, I support efforts to send money directly to the classroom so that state and local officials can address the needs of their communities. We must also explore new ideas, such as giving parents alternatives to underperforming public schools through the possible use of voucher programs and the promotion of new techniques, such as charter schools, which have proven successful in areas across the country.
America’s energy independence is vital to the future success of our nation. I have long supported an all-of-the-above approach to energy development from energy sources that are both environmentally sound and economically feasible. This includes expanding our use of domestic oil, natural gas, solar, wind, and geothermal power capabilities, among others. All of these policies must be part of a comprehensive, market-based plan to make the United States energy secure.
Energy resources from around the globe are often subject to volatile conditions from foreign actors that do not always have the best interest of the United States in mind. Therefore, lessening our dependence on foreign oil and acquiring energy from our own resources plays an important role in our national security. I have always and will continue to support common sense policy to ensure that we are on track to produce the energy that our nation needs.
Our nation faces many serious foreign policy challenges – challenges that do not offer simple solutions, but will undoubtedly shape America’s role in an uncertain world. As we face potential threats to our national security from actors such as China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and ISIS, Americans must be able to count on strong, wise, and effective leadership in addressing these problems with the goal of preventing situations which will lead to serious conflict. We must also remain cognizant of the very real threats faced by our allies such as Israel, South Korea, and NATO member states, and continue to appropriately support our longtime allies and commitments.
While we cannot and should not police the globe, I believe that American leadership provides an opportunity to promote and protect our ideas and ideals that have advanced freedom and prosperity across the world. While I believe it is in our national interest to provide foreign assistance to deserving countries, there is no greater priority for me than the welfare and safety of American citizens both at home and abroad. Whether for humanitarian, diplomatic, or national security purposes, properly administered foreign aid programs, with appropriate oversight, can have a tremendous impact on communities across the globe. Strong American leadership on the international stage can positively affect issues like religious freedom, human trafficking, global health, and the spread of democracy worldwide.
As the Senate continually debates U.S. posture and policy in international affairs, I will remain steadfast in my belief that our overriding objective should be to wisely allocate U.S. taxpayer dollars and ensure the safety and security of American citizens.
I believe that gun control legislation violates both the letter and the spirit of the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment of the Constitution reads: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” As such, it is evident that our Founding Fathers counted the right to keep and bear arms as a fundamental right of all law-abiding Americans.
I do not believe that restrictive gun laws are the answer to curbing violent crime in America. Such measures only prevent law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves because criminals, by definition, refuse to follow the law. Alternatively, I believe that we need to enforce the laws already on the books, combat the culture of violence in society, and address the underlying mental health issues that may contribute to such heinous acts. We must also ensure that individuals who commit crimes with firearms are held accountable for their actions and receive swift and certain punishment commensurate with their crimes.
During my time in the Senate, I have had a long-standing record of support for the Second Amendment, as evidenced by my A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). As a U.S. Senator, I will continue to oppose efforts that attempt to infringe upon the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
Obamacare is the largest social and spending legislation enacted in recent American history. The health care law championed by President Obama and a Democratic super-majority in Congress provided health insurance to many people with complex health issues, but gave the bill to middle-class families with fewer and more expensive health insurance options. While serving in the United States Senate, I have voted several times to repeal Obamacare. I believe that this law is fundamentally flawed and has already caused many Americans to lose their preferred health insurance and doctors, have fewer health care choices, and hurt our nation's economy.
Rather, I support initiatives to give middle-class families relief from skyrocketing health insurance plans that do not fit their family needs. This includes making insurance more portable, expanding health savings, flexible spending, and health reimbursement accounts. I also support the Trump Administration's efforts to offer association health plans, reducing frivolous lawsuits and emphasizing preventive care efforts. Together, these initiatives can lower overall health care expenditures, improve access to care, and ultimately reduce the government's involvement in our nation's health care delivery system.
I have long believed that we must prioritize our nation's health needs by funding biomedical research and organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and others. Investments in modern medicine are essential to spur innovation for the next generation of treatments, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to provide our researchers with the necessary support to develop cutting-edge discoveries and potential cures.
I have long believed our nation needs strong laws and proper enforcement in order to control illegal immigrantion into the United States. For decades, the federal government has struggled in its basic law enforcement obligations at our borders and in the nation's interior. The negative consequences of this inaction can be seen on a state and federal level throughout the country, including breakdowns in national security, significant financial costs, and a decline in respect for the Rule of Law.
I am open to the consideration of smart, sensible immigration reform that allows the United States to continue to attract the brightest minds and the hardest workers the world has to offer. However, we must implement policies that encourage immigrants to come to the United States and obtain citizenship through the proper, legal channels.
Job creation and economic growth have always been a top priority for me while serving in the United States Senate. In order to create a healthy economy and for the private sector to flourish, I believe that it is imperative to cut wasteful government spending, simplify the tax code, and put an end to burdensome regulations. In addition, I strongly believe in limited government principles that allow for jobs and businesses to flourish so that every American has the opportunity to succeed. America has already seen a robust economic recovery under the Trump Administration in which Congress has enacted tax reform and reduced unnecessary regulations created by big government policies.
America’s economic engine works best when we give workers the opportunity to find new and better jobs, boost wages, and put more money in their pockets. I believe it is essential that we continue to build on these successes and put forth conservative policies that will reduce the size and scope of the federal government, allowing every individual an opportunity to succeed.
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote that "governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." Yet, today in America, it often seems that public policy is determined not by the consent of the governed, but by the whims of a few activist federal judges. These individuals are not merely interpreting the law, they are making it. This is not the way our Founding Fathers intended our Republic to function.
The answer to the perplexing problem of activist judges is to ensure that any judge appointed to the federal bench can be trusted to wield their power within the rightful constraints of the Constitution. Fortunately, President Trump has secured two appointments to the Supreme Court and confirmed a record number of federal judges. I was proud to support the confirmation of both Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Both of whom possess a dynamic intellect, deep respect for the rule of law, and unwavering commitment to our nation’s founding principles. I am confident that they will interpret the Constitution as written and continue the legacy of Justices such as Antonin Scalia and William Rehnquist.
Furthermore, I believe that the review of judicial nominations is critical to our nation’s future and one of the most important responsibilities of the U.S. Senate. Federal judges are invested with extensive power and given lifetime tenure. Therefore, I pay particularly close attention to the records, backgrounds, and philosophical views of all judicial nominees prior to voting. Under the Senate’s conservative majority, a record number of circuit and district court judges have been confirmed during President Trump’s tenure. This progress has been achieved despite unprecedented obstruction by progressives in Congress, and I look forward to continue helping this positive transformation of the federal judiciary.
I believe that marriage was created as a sacred union between one man and one woman, and we must do all within our power to protect it. Therefore, in light of a number of recent Supreme Court decisions, I support a Constitutional Amendment that would strictly define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision in the case of United States v. Windsor, to strike down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA, Public Law No. 104-199). DOMA, which I supported in 1996 along with 84 of my colleagues in the Senate and 342 members of the House of Representatives, was signed into law by President Clinton on September 21, 1996.
DOMA defined marriage as the union between a man and a woman in the eyes of the federal government. Although DOMA defined marriage for federal purposes, it also allowed each of the fifty states to determine their own respective definitions of marriage. In Windsor, the Supreme Court held Section 3 was unconstitutional and that the federal government may not define marriage for its own purposes. In doing so, the Court suggests that Congress does not have the power or authority to define the meaning of words in laws that Congress itself enacts.
Although the Supreme Court did not create a constitutional right to same-sex marriage by striking down Section 3 of DOMA in Windsor, that changed with the Obergefell v. Hodges on April 28, 2015. In this case, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding whether or not the Constitution protects marriage between same-sex couples.
On June 26, 2015, exactly two years after Windsor was decided, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot prohibit same-sex couples from marrying. The Court held that the Constitution’s Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses guarantee the “fundamental right” to marriage. While I respect the rule of law, I disagree with the Supreme Court’s reasoning and believe that this decision should remain within the purview of each state.
In light of the Supreme Court’s decisions on same-sex marriage, I believe it is Congress’ duty to safeguard our Frist Amendment rights and protect individuals and organizations from being discriminated against based on religious or moral convictions that marriage should be between one man and one woman. As your United States Senator, I will always support legislation that strengthens the American family and support positive values for all of our citizens.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has pushed the boundaries of human knowledge through space exploration and scientific discovery for more than 50 years. I believe that our nation must continue to make these important investments in the space industry. Throughout my career, I have consistently supported funding for NASA during each year's budget deliberations, particularly those projects that directly impact northern Alabama and its economy.
Although the cutting-edge missions and projects typically undertaken by NASA are technologically challenging and inherently risky, I believe that we must continue to support funding this critical research. We cannot afford for other nations, such as Russia and China, to surpass us in scientific research or our understanding of space.
The ability of NASA to achieve successful missions in the space domain has historically been and will continue to be greatly enhanced by the unique contributions of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. Marshall's integral role in developing a heavy-lift and lunar lander capability will further solidify Alabama’s leadership role in NASA's human exploration efforts and directly support the Administration’s Artemis lunar exploration program. Alabama played a critical role in sending American astronauts to the moon for the first time, and I believe the world-class research and engineering capabilities of the men and women at Marshall will again prove the importance of our state to the space program.
I will continue to work diligently with my Senate colleagues to support efforts to preserve American leadership and superiority in space exploration.
Since its creation in 1935, Social Security has provided essential and guaranteed income to America's seniors. Many older Americans depend on Social Security benefits to meet the costs of the necessities of life, and the system simply cannot be allowed to become insolvent. As such, we must find a way to make the program sustainable for future generations without undermining our obligation to current seniors who have paid into the system throughout their lives.
I have long thought that we should consider long-term reforms to the Social Security program in order to maintain our commitment to current and future retirees. When Social Security was created, there were about forty workers paying Social Security taxes for every person receiving benefits. Today, there are less than three workers for every beneficiary. Furthermore, Social Security was created at a time when the average life expectancy was 61.7 years. The average life expectancy today is approaching 80 years. These changing demographics and conditions have created a situation where the Social Security benefits distributed currently exceeds the Social Security payroll taxes collected.
While I recognize the need to reform Social Security, doing so is a complex issue. Therefore, I believe that Congress must proceed in a cautious and gradual way. Rest assured that I will continue to support the protection of this important program, and I will work to ensure that its long-term solvency remains a national priority.
I have been a long-time supporter of reforming our cumbersome tax code. In December of 2017, President Trump signed H.R. 1, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” into law. I was proud to fulfill my commitment to the American people by supporting legislation that delivers pro-growth, middle-class tax relief. H.R. 1 not only lowered individual and corporate tax rates, lightening the tax burden of many families and small businesses, but it has helped facilitate the revitalization of our economy – impacting current and future generations to come. This legislation will continue to create jobs, increase paychecks, and make the tax code simpler and fairer.
Since Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the economy has already seen significant benefits:
I look forward to working to build off the successes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and find more ways to stimulate our nation’s economy that allow families more opportunities to succeed.
The United States government must actively pursue measures to ensure an equal and fair trade relationship with all of our trading partners. Competitive international trade should be included as part of a broader, long-term strategy to grow our nation’s economy.
Given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field, U.S. industries can achieve substantial economic success in international markets. This success can result in jobs and opportunities for millions of American citizens.
It is imperative that free trade also be fair trade. In analyzing any new trade deal, I believe that the President, the Administration, and Congress should work together to negotiate a trade deal that will be in the best interest of Alabamians and all Americans.
I will continue to monitor the effects of trade measures closely as President Trump implements his Trade Policy Agenda, and I will support policies that protect American jobs and industries from unfair foreign competition.
I have been a strong advocate for our nation’s veterans while serving in the United States Senate. Our veterans have put themselves in harm’s way to defend us, and I think it is only right that we do everything in our power to defend them and their interests when they return home. While I believe that a great deal has been accomplished to help veterans over the years, there are still a number of improvements to be made.
Department of Veterans Affairs
I continue to have very serious concerns about the allegations against the Department of Veterans Affairs and the issues that have persisted since. Our veterans deserve timely access to care and mismanagement and cover-ups, like what has too often occurred at the VA, are inexcusable. Our veterans have earned their benefits through dedicated service and sacrifice to our nation, and I believe the VA must work to correct these problems.
Reports regarding the treatment of veterans in Alabama have been particularly disturbing. It is my understanding that the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) had one of the longest average wait times in the nation for veterans to receive care. As your United States Senator, I will continue to work with the VA to address the systemic challenges it faces both at CAVHCS and across our nation. I remain committed to keeping our nation’s promise to our veterans and will do all that I can to ensure they are provided with timely and effective health care services.
Our nation’s veterans have risked their lives for the freedoms we all enjoy and should receive the care they most assuredly deserve. Defending veterans’ access to timely medical care today is the very least we can do because they defended us first.
TRICARE
I believe the federal government has an obligation to honor its commitments to TRICARE recipients. While previous Administrations have called for increases to TRICARE fees for retired military families, I believe that we should not impose a significant burden to our veterans, particularly low-income and older veterans.
It is important to note that Congress ultimately holds the power of the purse and retains the authority regarding TRICARE changes that will affect retired military families. Although there is certainly room for fiscal responsibility throughout the federal government, we must be cautious when attempting to trim the budget from programs or personnel that keep our country safe. As the Senate continues to address the needs of our servicemembers and veterans, I will continue to fight for the support that they have rightfully earned.
Service-connected Disability Payments
I have long believed that retired military personnel with service-connected disabilities are entitled to receive their benefits in full. When a servicemember retires from the military, they are provided a pension. When a servicemember is disabled while serving our country, we support that individual with disability compensation. These are two distinct payments for two entirely separate situations and circumstances. For those who made a career in the military and suffered an injury as a result of their service, they should collect both payments in full. Concurrent receipt is simply an equity issue. Additionally, there should not be a deduction from the combined amount of their disability compensation and military retirement pay. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to see that our veterans receive the benefits they have rightfully earned.