Tommy Tuberville fills role in US Senate
As the end of 2023 was approaching, the U.S. Senate had ignored the custom to adjourn around Thanksgiving for a monthlong Christmas break. Instead, they were working right up to Christmas.
Tommy Tuberville, Alabama's senior senator, was quietly and effectively maneuvering to get things accomplished with an adroitness exhibited by U.S. Senate veterans.
Tuberville has become an adept political operator during his three-and-a-half years in the upper chamber of Congress. Political observers did not know what to expect when a man, who prefers the title “coach” to “senator” came to Washington, and he has surprised many with his ability to get his priorities accomplished.
A good example of the coach's savvy occurred in the days leading up to Christmas, as the Senate worked to craft an end-of-year nominations package. These packages often come together at the close of the year and approve multiple presidential nominees for senior executive branch positions in the final days of the congressional session. Leadership and the Senate's most senior members control which nominations make it into the package.
Tuberville collaborated with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure his friend and fellow Alabamian, Spencer Bachus, a former 11-term congressman, was included in the package in the final hours of the 2023 session.
The Senate operates on the rule of unanimous consent, meaning that a single senator can throw a wrench into its operations and bring the entire body to a standstill. Tuberville has established credibility in the Senate, and his colleagues have come to learn that when he threatens to hold up a legislative package,
they had better take him at his word. This credibility has given him the ability to get things done.
As a result of Tuberville’s efforts, Bachus was included in the year-end package and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate for a second term on the Board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Originally appointed by then-President Trump, Bachus’ senior leadership role at America’s leading development finance bank has allowed him to provide financing to strategically important United States companies and industries to ensure the United States remains competitive with adversaries like China.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed supply chain vulnerabilities in the United States, and the Export-Import
Bank has played a key role in helping to fortify domestic supply lines for industries vital to national security. Thanks to Tuberville’s efforts, Alabama will continue to have Bachus’ voice at this powerful federal agency.
This year-end coup by Tuberville to get Bachus reappointed was expedited with the assistance of Tuberville’s brilliant young assistant Emory Cox. Folks should not underestimate Tuberville. He is used to working in the trenches.
Alabamians should also not underestimate how close Tuberville and Trump are. If Trump is reelected, Tuberville will be Trump’s closest ally and friend in the U.S. Senate. Alabama will be in the catbird seat in a Trump administration because of Tuberville.
Bachus had a successful 22-year run as the 6th District’s congressman. However, his successor, Gary Palmer is doing a yeoman’s job in this seat. The 6th Congressional District is an affluent district, which includes the upscale suburbs of Jefferson County, as well as burgeoning upscale Shelby County.
Palmer is beginning his 11th year in the U.S. Congress. He disposed of two opponents in the just-ended March GOP primary and should have clear sailing for as long as he wants to stay in this 6th Congressional District seat.
Palmer has become a player among the Republican congressional ranks. Before going to Congress, he founded and ran the Alabama Policy Institute, a very conservative “think tank.” Therefore, he is viewed as an expert on policy issues.
He is a leader in the GOP steering committee that sets policy and the agenda for the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also serves on the very important House Energy and Transportation Committee.
Steve Flowers’ weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature. Flowers can be reached at www.steveflowers.us.