BCA Presents Chairman’s Award to U.S. Rep. Aderholt

Business Council of Alabama Chairman Jeff Coleman on Wednesday presented the 2017 Chairman’s Award to Alabama’s senior member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville.

“He has been a tireless advocate not only for Alabama’s 4th Congressional District but an advocate for the entire state of Alabama,” said Coleman, president and CEO of Coleman Worldwide Moving in Dothan.

Coleman said that Rep. Aderholt has shown courage and an unwavering commitment to economic development, job creation, and national security.

“He has a keen understanding of the state’s ability to expand our workforce by fostering a business climate that provides good jobs,” Coleman said. “He works every day to make Alabama a state that future generations will also be proud to call home.”

The Chairman’s Award to Rep. Aderholt was presented at the BCA’s Chairman’s Dinner held at the Sheraton Hotel ballroom in Birmingham. The award recipient is chosen by the BCA chairman and is announced at the annual BCA event.


MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

The State of Alabama has an important election on Tuesday, Sept. 26, for the U.S. Senate.

Your vote will matter. In August’s primary election, only 17 percent of Alabamians voted. Low voter turnout means that a single vote will makes a big difference, and this election is going to be a close one.

Alabama’s future is too important to sit out this election. With jobs, economic growth, and a more prosperous future for Alabama families and communities, your active participation in this election is critical.

Polls are open starting at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Click here to check your voter registration status and click here to learn where to vote.

Commit to be an Alabama voter on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and participate in the U.S. Senate special primary runoff election. Your vote can make the difference on Election Day.

Business Council of Alabama Endorses U.S. Sen. Luther Strange.


CHART COMPARES GRAHAM-CASSIDY INSURANCE PLAN WITH HOUSE-PASSED PLAN

While U.S. House members were away from the Capitol and in their districts this week, the Senate began preparing for next week’s attempt to repeal the 2010 health insurance mandate by considering a proposal by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., who hope they can muster at least 51 votes in the 100-member Senate.

Roll Call has prepared a chart comparing the Graham-Cassidy plan that would repeal the House passed version sent to the Senate on May 4, with the current Obamacare law.

Senate leaders will begin work Monday on an alternative to Obamacare passed in 2010 without a single Republican supporting it.

The push to vote on the plan would occur just days ahead of a crucial Sept. 30 deadline when Republicans would lose their chance to repeal parts of the law under the fiscal 2017 budget reconciliation rules that could allow a 50-50 vote conceivably to become 51-50 with a vote by Vice President Mike Pence, the presiding officer in the Senate who can vote in case of a tie.

Their bill would dramatically restructure the individual health insurance market by giving states block grants to fund health insurance coverage, replacing current federal funding that covers tax credits to help people purchase insurance, and cost-sharing reduction payments, Roll Call reported.

Republicans, who are now in charge of both the legislative and executive branches of government, for seven years vowed to repeal Obamacare. But with the issue in the forefront, some Republicans got cold feet and couldn’t stand up to a concentrated effort by Democrats and Republican opponents to demonize them for considering a repeal.

The Senate Finance Committee is set to hold a hearing Monday on the proposal and the Congressional Budget Office could release an analysis sometime during the week. this year to the House-passed bill and the Senate GOP alternatives. Groups representing patients, hospitals, doctors and health insurance plans have criticized the proposal and left-leaning groups are intensifying efforts to pressure Republicans to oppose the plan, Roll Call said.