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Disregarding a veto threat from President Barack Obama, the U.S. House of Representatives reauthorized the four-decade-old Magnuson-Stevens Act, the nation's primary fishing law, on Monday, which sets the policy for fisheries all across the United States.

Ignoring a veto threat from the Obama administration, the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that, among other things, changes the way the government regulates red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

The largely party-line 225-152 vote reauthorizes the so-called Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act, which governs fisheries management off the U.S. coast. The bill, which provides a little less than $2 billion through 2019, now goes to the Senate.

More than 100 Alabama Farmers Federation members traveled to the nation's capital for the Washington Legislative Conference May 19-22.

During the four-day conference, Alabama farmers spoke with federal officials and congressmen about agricultural issues, such as Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), the farm bill and feral swine management.

Representative Gary Palmer of Alabama, another conservative Republican freshman, said he liked the idea of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But, he added, "If the president won't abide by the Constitution, what gives you any confidence he'll abide by T.P.P.?"

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Fire departments in Oneonta and Graysville have received grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help purchase new equipment, according to U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer's office.

Oneonta Fire and Rescue Service was awarded a grant worth $174,286 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, according to a news release from Clifford Smith, a spokesman for Palmer.