The race between U.S. Reps. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) for the U.S. House District 1 GOP nod had been relatively calm until Thursday when the two Republicans landed on different sides in the vote to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
As reported by 1819 News on Thursday, Carl voted to approve the NDAA, and Moore voted against it. The bill passed the House 310-118.
After the vote, Carl came out firing against his opponent, saying, "Barry Moore voted against giving our troops a pay raise, against securing our border, and against building the wall. However, Barry Moore voted to keep CRT training and DEI initiatives in our military.
"It's disappointing to see him vote against these conservative priorities, but what do we expect from a show horse who likes to talk the talk but not walk the walk?" he added.
Carl said after the vote, "The NDAA bans the teaching of CRT in our military and makes drastic cuts to the woke DEI workforce in the department."
"With China and Russia becoming more dangerous and Israel under attack, this is the time to step up, get to work, and support our military. A vote against this bill is a vote against our service members and in support of those who wish to hurt us."
He added, "Most importantly, I am proud to say this bill provides our men and women in uniform the largest pay raise in over 20 years."
He also mentioned the $41 Million for Fort Novosel (formerly Ft. Rucker), an additional $20 million for new Lakota helicopters for training at Fort Novosel and the authorization for two new naval ships to be built in his district at Austal in Mobile.
In a video statement posted to X/Twitter, Carl briefly explained the reasoning behind his support for the NDAA.
Moore was quick to hit back against Carl.
"Jerry Carl voted to pass a 3,000-page monstrosity that uses taxpayer dollars to fund abortion travel, sex reassignment surgeries, Biden's radical climate initiatives, and a Pentagon DEI office that will continue to push critical race theory initiatives," Moore said.
Moore was also upset with how NDAA continued funding for Ukraine, adding, "Carl voted to send $600 million to Ukraine after just stating he was going to stop sending them millions in taxpayer dollars while America's infrastructure is crumbling, and our southern border is being invaded. But this is what you expect from someone who has always voted for 'business as usual' since coming to Congress. Workhorses work for the American people; show horses provide gift horses to Ukraine."
Moore's biggest issues with the NDAA were the Senate Democrats removing the amendment that would have prevented the reimbursement of military members traveling to receive an abortion, continuing CRT initiatives and funding for Ukraine.
Following the vote, Moore released a statement on X explaining why he voted against the NDAA.
Unlike Carl and Moore, Alabama U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) both voted to support the NDAA, making Moore the only member of Alabama's U.S. Congressional delegation to vote against it.
Tuberville, discussing the bill, said, "I voted for this year's defense bill for two reasons: because it's good for Alabama and it's good for our national security."
He added, "We didn't get everything we wanted this time, but we got a lot."
Carl and Moore are in a rare head-to-head battle for re-election to Congress due to the Federal Courts redrawing Alabama's congressional districts.
These may be the first punches both sides throw, but many rounds remain before the March 5, 2024 election day.
The two have their first scheduled debate after the start of the new year in Baldwin County.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com.
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