Alabama House Democrats filibuster pro-Trump resolution

Feb. 15--The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday passed a resolution urging Congress to enact Donald Trump's agenda, but not before a three-hour filibuster from Democrats in the chamber.

Sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, the resolution urges Congress to adopt what it calls the president's "ambitious government reform agenda," including stricter immigration laws, the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and confirmation of Trump's picks for his cabinet and the federal courts.

Those ambitions have sparked fury from many Democrats around the country. House Democrats Tuesday greeted Moore's resolution with criticism and, sometimes, incredulity.

"Has Congress ever done anything we asked them in a resolution to do?" asked Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia.

In a state where Trump easily won the Republican presidential primary and, in November, the state's nine electoral votes, the 72 to 31 margin of passage was no surprise. Moore, the only Republican to speak during the lengthy filibuster, said he believed the president's agenda would help the state's economy.

"I think the president understands what it takes in that market environment to create jobs," he said.

Democrats who took the floor launched a broad attack on Trump, with many speakers referring to the resignation of Michael Flynn, the president's first national security adviser, amid questions about his contacts with a Russian ambassador. Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, called Trump a danger to the security of the country, saying "your own top security person can be blackmailed by the KGB."

Others suggested the resolution was a waste of time or criticized Trump for what they characterized as attacks on American society.

"Mr. Trump wants to take away life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," said Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville.

Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, echoed Black's criticisms, noting that many legislators planned to oppose Gov. Robert Bentley's $800 million prison construction proposal.

"How would you feel if Congress asked you to support everything a Republican governor did in Alabama?" he asked.

The resolution was part of the Alabama House Republican Caucus' priority agenda for the 2017 session.

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