U.S. Rep Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama
CULLMAN – Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer may have been the featured guest speaker at Saturday’s Cullman County Republican meeting, but it was U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R- Alabama who stole the show. All eyes were fixed on Aderholt as he gave the group an update on what’s happening in Washington.
“We’re very optimistic; for the first time, we can see that we can pass bills and get the president to sign them,” stated Aderholt to thunderous applause. Aderholt noted that the first item the House Republicans want to accomplish is, “a bill to repeal Obamacare.”
A fissure within the House Republicans, according to Aderholt, arises when discussing how to craft a bill to keep the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act, such as guaranteed coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, in place.
“You should see a bill out in the next 10 days or so,” said Aderholt, which, he says, has been kept top secret. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky and Democrats alike, he says, have been on a theatrical search on Capitol Hill for the elusive bill that Paul has dubbed “Obamacare Lite.” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R- has called Paul’s objections a, “publicity stunt.”
Speaking with the Tribune privately, Aderholt said about Paul, “We all need to sit tight to let the Republican leadership work with the Trump Administration. The greatest mistake that Republicans can make would be for them to fight over (the bill).”
After what has been described as “the Tea Party of the Left” storming town hall meetings across the nation, media reports have speculated that some Republicans are too fearful to vote in favor of repealing the Affordable Care Act. Aderholt strongly disagrees, stating, “At the end of the day, there may be a handful, but Republicans will stand strong.”
When asked if he would hold a town hall of his own in the near future, Aderholt made no commitment. He did, however, extend an open invitation to all constituents to have a meeting in his office. He said that the town hall concept has become more of a platform for protestors, “What I’d like to do is sit down and have legitimate conversations about it in my office.”
Lastly, we asked Aderholt if he is in favor of cutting domestic spending by $54 billion to boost the military by the same amount. The White House signaled that it would begin with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and social safety-net programs. Aderholt confirmed his support, and said, “Regulations have been way overblown.”
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