In the News

WASHINGTON — Congressman Gary Palmer heard testimony Tuesday from investigative journalists, including former CBS journalist Sharyl Attkisson, on the importance of protecting the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in order to hold the federal government accountable.

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.

Farmers and agricultural groups across Alabama are expressing concern this week over how producers will be affected by new Clean Water Act regulations announced this week by the Environmental Protection Agency.

While legal experts are still reviewing the final rule, farm groups — like the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Cattlemen's Association — say EPA's past efforts to broaden its jurisdiction are cause for concern.