State of Alabama Archives: on Homeland Security
Arnold Mooney:
Create state crime of "theft of valor" for profit
HB2: Stolen Valor Act: This bill would prohibit a person from fraudulently holding himself or herself out to be a recipient of medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with intent to defraud. A violation would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Birmingham News analysis: Alabama has a new law making it a crime to use false claims of military honors or medals in exchange for money, food, lodging or other benefits. Just claiming to have been a decorated soldier is not enough to trigger
a prosecution, the person has to also seek or receive a benefit using the claim. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that a man who falsely claimed he'd won the Medal of Honor could not be found guilty of a crime under the 2005 Stolen Valor Act. The court
cited the 1st Amendment's guarantee of free speech.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-0-2, Roll #466 on 4/14; Passed House 100-0-5, Roll #422 on 4/16; State Rep. Arnold Mooney voted YES; Signed by Gov. Bentley on 4/16.
Source: Birmingham News on Alabama legislative voting record HB2
Apr 16, 2015
Arnold Mooney:
Sponsored tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans
HB83: Under existing law, certain small businesses may qualify for an income tax or financial institution excise tax credit for hiring recently deployed unemployed veterans who have been discharged within two years. This bill would rename the Heroes for
Hire Tax Credit Act of 2012 as the Veterans Employment Act and would allow certain small businesses to qualify for a tax credit for hiring an unemployed veteran regardless of when the veteran was discharged from active service.Analysis by
Alabama Today: Incentive to Hire Veterans Bill: raises the tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans from $1000 to $2000 as well as extends the credit to businesses that hire combat veterans, even if they are not unemployed at the
time of hiring.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 95-0-7, Roll #576 on Mar/1/2018; State Rep. Arnold Mooney sponsored and voted YES; Passed Senate 27-0-7, Roll #595 on Mar/6/2018; Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Mar/26/2018.
Source: Alabama Today on Alabama legislative voting record HB83
Mar 1, 2018
Barry Moore:
Create state crime of "theft of valor" for profit
HB2: Stolen Valor Act: This bill would prohibit a person from fraudulently holding himself or herself out to be a recipient of medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with intent to defraud. A violation would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Birmingham News analysis: Alabama has a new law making it a crime to use false claims of military honors or medals in exchange for money, food, lodging or other benefits. Just claiming to have been a decorated soldier is not enough to trigger
a prosecution, the person has to also seek or receive a benefit using the claim. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that a man who falsely claimed he'd won the Medal of Honor could not be found guilty of a crime under the 2005 Stolen Valor Act. The court
cited the 1st Amendment's guarantee of free speech.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-0-2, Roll #466 on 4/14; Passed House 100-0-5, Roll #422 on 4/16; State Rep. Barry Moore voted YES; Signed by Gov. Bentley on 4/16.
Source: Birmingham News on Alabama legislative voting record HB2
Apr 16, 2015
Barry Moore:
Sponsored tax credit for hiring unemployed veterans
HB83: Under existing law, certain small businesses may qualify for an income tax or financial institution excise tax credit for hiring recently deployed unemployed veterans who have been discharged within two years. This bill would rename the Heroes for
Hire Tax Credit Act of 2012 as the Veterans Employment Act and would allow certain small businesses to qualify for a tax credit for hiring an unemployed veteran regardless of when the veteran was discharged from active service.Analysis by
Alabama Today: Incentive to Hire Veterans Bill: raises the tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans from $1000 to $2000 as well as extends the credit to businesses that hire combat veterans, even if they are not unemployed at the
time of hiring.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 95-0-7, Roll #576 on Mar/1/2018; State Rep. Barry Moore sponsored and voted YES; Passed Senate 27-0-7, Roll #595 on Mar/6/2018; Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Mar/26/2018.
Source: Alabama Today on Alabama legislative voting record HB83
Mar 1, 2018
Gary Palmer:
Fully fund the Defense Department
Q: What spending levels would you recommend for different categories of government spending?A: In view of the chaotic situation in the Middle East and elsewhere,
I believe we need to make sure Defense is adequately funded. In regard to the other categories, I am evaluating all spending and basing it on priorities which will lead to spending cuts across the board.
Source: VoteSmart 2014 Alabama Congressional Political Courage Test
Aug 30, 2014
Jessica Taylor:
Alabama plays a critical role in the defense of our nation
Alabama plays a critical role in the defense of our nation. And our state supports tens of thousands of jobs. Washington often plays lip service with enacting conservative reforms that would see an end to bloated VA health programs and allow veterans
and their families to use the doctors and medical services they know and trust. The sacrifices our veterans make are vital to ensuring peace and freedom throughout the world and I will make sure Washington never leaves a soldier or veteran behind.
Source: 2021 Alabama Senate campaign website JessicaTaylorAL.com
Aug 31, 2021
John Rogers:
Create state crime of "theft of valor" for profit
HB2: Stolen Valor Act: This bill would prohibit a person from fraudulently holding himself or herself out to be a recipient of medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with intent to defraud. A violation would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Birmingham News analysis: Alabama has a new law making it a crime to use false claims of military honors or medals in exchange for money, food, lodging or other benefits. Just claiming to have been a decorated soldier is not enough to trigger
a prosecution, the person has to also seek or receive a benefit using the claim. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that a man who falsely claimed he'd won the Medal of Honor could not be found guilty of a crime under the 2005 Stolen Valor Act. The court
cited the 1st Amendment's guarantee of free speech.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-0-2, Roll #466 on 4/14; Passed House 100-0-5, Roll #422 on 4/16; State Rep. John Rogers voted YES; Signed by Gov. Bentley on 4/16.
Source: Birmingham News on Alabama legislative voting record HB2
Apr 16, 2015
John Rogers:
Tax credit for hiring veterans, even if not unemployed
HB83: Under existing law, certain small businesses may qualify for an income tax or financial institution excise tax credit for hiring recently deployed unemployed veterans who have been discharged within two years. This bill would rename the Heroes for
Hire Tax Credit Act of 2012 as the Veterans Employment Act and would allow certain small businesses to qualify for a tax credit for hiring an unemployed veteran regardless of when the veteran was discharged from active service.Analysis by
Alabama Today: Incentive to Hire Veterans Bill: raises the tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans from $1000 to $2000 as well as extends the credit to businesses that hire combat veterans, even if they are not unemployed at the
time of hiring.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 95-0-7, Roll #576 on Mar/1/2018; State Rep. John Rogers voted YES; Passed Senate 27-0-7, Roll #595 on Mar/6/2018; Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Mar/26/2018.
Source: Alabama Today on Alabama legislative voting record HB83
Mar 1, 2018
Kay Ivey:
1,000-foot perimeter at military funerals to enforce respect
Lt. Governor Ivey, early in her term as Lt. Governor, recognized the need for a comprehensive, coordinated plan to protect and expand Alabama's military missions. Honoring our veterans Armed with a new law restricting the protests of funerals
of fallen soldiers and other victims, we have sent a strong message to any hate groups that would show such disrespect: stay out of Alabama. which sets a perimeter of 1000 feet, or two blocks, for any disruption of a funeral in Alabama.
Source: 2014 Alabama Lt. Governor campaign website KayIvey.org
Oct 30, 2014
Kay Ivey:
Ensure the stability of Alabama's military resources
Alabama is proud to be home to several of the nation's most critical military assets. The state is host to four major military installations--Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell Air Force Base, Fort Rucker, and Anniston Army Depot. These bases, along with the
state's own National Guard and a significant defense contractor presence, generate an estimated $17 billion annual economic impact and jobs for more than 177,000 Alabamians. The military is one of the state's top industry clusters.
Lt. Governor Ivey serves as chair of the Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission, created by the Legislature in 2011 to proactively insure the stability of Alabama's military resources. The Commission works to make Alabama a place where
industry and the US Department of Defense seek to locate by promoting a favorable environment for military mission growth. The Commission is composed of state officials, retired military commanders, and local community leaders.
Source: Alabama Lt. Gov. official website, "Initiatives"
Apr 7, 2017
Kay Ivey:
Tax credit for hiring veterans, even if not unemployed
HB83: Under existing law, certain small businesses may qualify for an income tax or financial institution excise tax credit for hiring recently deployed unemployed veterans who have been discharged within two years. This bill would rename the Heroes for
Hire Tax Credit Act of 2012 as the Veterans Employment Act and would allow certain small businesses to qualify for a tax credit for hiring an unemployed veteran regardless of when the veteran was discharged from active service.Analysis by
Alabama Today: Incentive to Hire Veterans Bill: raises the tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans from $1000 to $2000 as well as extends the credit to businesses that hire combat veterans, even if they are not unemployed at the
time of hiring.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 95-0-7, Roll #576 on Mar/1/2018; Passed Senate 27-0-7, Roll #595 on Mar/6/2018; Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Mar/26/2018.
Source: Alabama Today on Alabama legislative voting record HB83
Mar 26, 2018
Lynda Blanchard:
Ending transgender ban will turn military into MTV show
In addition, Biden repealed President Trump's order that banned "transgenders" from military service, which will soon transform our armed forces into a leftist social experiment that more closely resembles an episode of
MTV's "The Real World" rather than the most powerful fighting force the world has ever known.
Source: Yellow Hammer News on 2022 Alabama Senate race
Apr 1, 2021
Marcus Bowman:
We need to spend money for best-equipped military
Q: Do you support or oppose the policy, "Expand the military"
A: We need a military that can meet 21st century challenges. We need to spend money on our veterans. We need to spend money ensuring the best trained and equipped military. I support keeping our military prepared in the most efficient manner possible.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 21, 2016
Mike Durant:
Strong national defense force important to Alabama economy
He added that having a commitment to a strong national defense force was incredibly important to
Alabama's economy because it was heavily dependent on Department of Defense related work all the way from Mobile to Huntsville.
Source: FOX News on 2022 Alabama Senate race
Mar 30, 2022
Richard Shelby:
Stalwart protector of Redstone Arsenal & Marshall Center
Shelby routinely votes against budget bills as fiscally irresponsible, but only after tweaking them to direct some of the federal largesse to his home state.
As Shelby knows but rarely acknowledges, the degree of Alabamians' hatred of the federal government is matched only by their dependence upon it, especially in north Alabama.
Even as he proclaims America is about to crumble under the burden of its budget deficit, Shelby is a stalwart protector of Redstone Arsenal, Marshall Space Flight Center and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
During his five terms as a senator, he has funneled massive amounts of federal money to the University of Alabama, greatly benefiting the state.
Source: Decatur Daily on 2016 Alabama Senate race
Feb 26, 2016
Robert Bentley:
Veteran educational benefits after 1 month instead of 1 year
Rep. Bentley authored bill HB400: Alabama Legislature SYNOPSIS: Currently, to be eligible for veterans' educational benefits, the veteran must have been a permanent resident of Alabama for at least one year prior to entrance into service.
This bill would allow a veteran who has been a resident for 30 days prior to application for benefits to be eligible to receive the benefits.
Source: Alabama state legislature voting records: Bill HB400
Jan 21, 2010
Robert Bentley:
Veteran-owned business stickers in small business windows
With over 420,000 Veterans in Alabama we want to make sure we give them every opportunity to succeed. Our Veterans have given so much, yet they ask for so little. Working with the Alabama Small Business Commission and the Alabama Veterans Network,
we have developed a way for customers to identify a Veteran-owned business. Simple stickers displayed in Veteran-owned businesses statewide are aimed at helping us know that small business is owned by someone who sacrificed for our country.
Source: 2016 State of the State address to Alabama Legislature
Feb 2, 2016
Robert Bentley:
Create state crime of "theft of valor" for profit
HB2: Stolen Valor Act: This bill would prohibit a person from fraudulently holding himself or herself out to be a recipient of medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with intent to defraud. A violation would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Birmingham News analysis: Alabama has a new law making it a crime to use false claims of military honors or medals in exchange for money, food, lodging or other benefits. Just claiming to have been a decorated soldier is not enough to trigger
a prosecution, the person has to also seek or receive a benefit using the claim. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that a man who falsely claimed he'd won the Medal of Honor could not be found guilty of a crime under the 2005 Stolen Valor Act. The court
cited the 1st Amendment's guarantee of free speech.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 100-0-5, Roll #422 on Apr/16/2015; Passed Senate 33-0-2, Roll #466 on Apr/14/2015; Signed by Governor Robert Bentley on Apr/16/2015.
Source: Birmingham News on Alabama legislative voting record HB2
Apr 16, 2015
Ron Crumpton:
Require all military contracts to use American companies
An old idea that needs new traction is legislation requiring that all military and intelligence contracts (building planes, tanks, etc.) be awarded to American companies whenever possible. Most of the time a contract for a tank or airplane will go to a
U.S. company, but then the company contracted to build the tank will subcontract the building of individual components to foreign companies. Legislation addressing this issue must include these subcontractors.
Source: 2016 Senate campaign website CrumptonForAlabama.com
Jul 23, 2015
Ron Crumpton:
Oppose expanding the military
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Expand the military"?
A: Oppose.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues
Nov 26, 2015
Roy Moore:
No gays in the military
Homosexuality should be against military policy,
as was the law prior to Bill Clinton.
Source: 2017-2018 Alabama Senate campaign website RoyMoore.org
Aug 31, 2017
Roy Moore:
More money for modern weapons
I believe in a strong military defense, and I will be a vocal advocate for the men and women who now serve in the Armed Forces.
More funding should be available to develop a missile defense system and to provide our Navy, Air Force, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard with the most modern technology including weapon systems.
Source: 2017-2018 Alabama Senate campaign website RoyMoore.org
Aug 31, 2017
Roy Moore:
Open to hearings looking into what really happened on 9/11
Moore appeared twice in 2011 on the "Aroostook Watchmen" radio show. CNN's KFile obtained audio from Moore's two appearances on the show. In the June 2011 episode, Moore invoked Adolf Hitler in a discussion about
Obama's birth certificate. In a May 2011 episode, Moore told the two radio hosts, who have repeatedly rejected the official explanation for the 9/11 attacks, that he would be open to hearings looking into "what really happened" on that day.
Source: CNN on 2017 Alabama Senate race
Dec 11, 2017
Stacy Lee George:
Will focus on caring for veterans
Returning veterans should never have to worry about finding a job, receiving quality healthcare, or where they are going to sleep. I will listen to veterans, visit VA healthcare facilities, visit VA retirement homes, and
speak directly to homeless veterans in an effort to find solutions toward workforce development, quality VA healthcare, and finding homeless veterans opportunities to get back on their feet.
Source: 2018 Alabama Governor website StacyLeeGeorge.com
Aug 17, 2017
Tommy Battle:
Flying the flag both honors it and salutes the veterans
This is about honor and respect for the men and women who have served in our nation's military. Our flag stands for freedom, equality, a great country, and those who serve it. Our veterans have earned our respect, and our flag deserves to be honored.
Show your support for those who served and for our country and fly your flag through Veterans Day to honor all of them. As important as I believe as it is to salute the flag, flying the flag is the perfect way to salute the veterans.
Source: 2018 Alabama Senate campaign website TommyBattle.com
Mar 3, 2018
Tommy Tuberville:
China's got a better military than we have
Tuberville said China has a "better military" than the United States. "We've got China that's got a better military, and things, than we have." [Opponent Jeff] Sessions responded: "Mr. Tuberville should immediately apologize,"
Sessions said. "His views further prove
Source: Alabama Political Reporter on 2020 Alabama Senate race
Feb 9, 2020
Vivian Davis Figures:
Create state crime of "theft of valor" for profit
HB2: Stolen Valor Act: This bill would prohibit a person from fraudulently holding himself or herself out to be a recipient of medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with intent to defraud. A violation would be a Class A misdemeanor.
Birmingham News analysis: Alabama has a new law making it a crime to use false claims of military honors or medals in exchange for money, food, lodging or other benefits. Just claiming to have been a decorated soldier is not enough to trigger
a prosecution, the person has to also seek or receive a benefit using the claim. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that a man who falsely claimed he'd won the Medal of Honor could not be found guilty of a crime under the 2005 Stolen Valor Act. The court
cited the 1st Amendment's guarantee of free speech.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-0-2, Roll #466 on 4/14; State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures voted YES; Passed House 100-0-5, Roll #422 on 4/16; Signed by Gov. Bentley on 4/16.
Source: Birmingham News on Alabama legislative voting record HB2
Apr 14, 2015
Vivian Davis Figures:
Tax credit for hiring veterans, even if not unemployed
HB83: Under existing law, certain small businesses may qualify for an income tax or financial institution excise tax credit for hiring recently deployed unemployed veterans who have been discharged within two years. This bill would rename the Heroes for
Hire Tax Credit Act of 2012 as the Veterans Employment Act and would allow certain small businesses to qualify for a tax credit for hiring an unemployed veteran regardless of when the veteran was discharged from active service.Analysis by
Alabama Today: Incentive to Hire Veterans Bill: raises the tax credit for businesses that hire unemployed veterans from $1000 to $2000 as well as extends the credit to businesses that hire combat veterans, even if they are not unemployed at the
time of hiring.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 95-0-7, Roll #576 on Mar/1/2018; Passed Senate 27-0-7, Roll #595 on Mar/6/2018; State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures voted YES; Signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Mar/26/2018.
Source: Alabama Today on Alabama legislative voting record HB83
Mar 6, 2018
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023