President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory Tuesday could change some of the priorities and conversations among the state’s mostly GOP legislators in three months when they meet for the 2025 session.
On the federal level, Republican members of the U.S. Senate and Congress are organizing their priorities under a second Trump presidency.
And while they’re at it, that Space Command decision should be revisited.
State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said assuming Republicans keep control of the U.S. House and the Republican Senate keeps the current filibuster rule in place, some recent state-level discussions could revert to federal priorities.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, said Republicans retaking the White House and the Senate majority “puts Alabama and our entire nation on a path to our best days.”
With President Trump back in office, credible American deterrence will be restored—forcing countries like Mexico to respect U.S. interests abroad. I look forward to the Trump Administration – from a place of strength – engaging Mexico regarding the unlawful expropriation of Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials’ port and property in Quintana Roo.
“Under the Trump Administration, I also expect Space Command to come home to Alabama where it belongs,” Britt said.
President Joe Biden last year decided to make Colorado the permanent home of the U.S. Space Command headquarters, rather than the previously selected Huntsville.
“There is no doubt that Redstone Arsenal should be home to the permanent Space Command Headquarters. Huntsville finished first in the Air Force’s Evaluation Phase and Selection Phase and had the most advantages in the decision matrix,” Britt said. “President Trump will cast aside President Biden’s partisan political considerations and restore the Air Force’s merit-based decision to select Redstone Arsenal as the permanent basing location for Space Command HQ.”
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, met earlier this week with Gov. Kay Ivey to talk about 2025 priorities.
“Because of our state’s recent efforts in workforce and economic development, Alabama stands poised to capitalize on President Trump’s policies that will bring jobs to Alabama and bolster our already strong economy,” Reed told ADN on Wednesday. “Alabama will benefit greatly and enjoy an increased standing on the national stage because of this historic election, and I look forward to a continued partnership with the Trump Administration and our federal delegation so we can bring more industry and infrastructure home to Alabama. That should include bringing back the United States Force to Alabama.”
Ledbetter said key issues for Alabamians, including border security, inflation and economic growth, will now get more federal focus.
“At the state level, the Legislature will keep advancing the initiatives that have driven our economic success, while also taking steps to protect Alabama’s core values,” Ledbetter told ADN. “The bottom line is Alabama finally has a partner in the White House, and I have no doubt that’s going to lead to great things for our state.”
Britt agreed about economic policies.
“… We’ll work to revitalize our economy by slashing needless red tape and enacting pro-growth tax reform that prioritize the needs of Alabama families and small businesses. One of my top focuses for the 119th Congress is addressing the lack of affordability and availability when it comes to child care. I also look forward to working with the Trump Administration to unleash American energy dominance, which drives prices down for hardworking Alabamians and bolsters economic and national security across the United States.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s office on Wednesday said he will help Trump secure the border, strengthen the military, protect our farmers and veterans, and restore Title IX protections for women and girls.
“Sen. Tuberville has also spoken with President Trump several times about the importance of moving Space Command back to its rightful home in Huntsville,” the office said.
Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, chair of the House Education Policy Committee, agree that Trump’s second round will have significant impacts on rules and possibly funding for education in the state.
“I see a lot less social agenda meddling at the state level in K-12 and higher education from the feds, where they’re withholding funds or looking at things through a racial lens or gender or some special status lens, which was quite frequent in the Biden Administration,” Collins said. “Hopefully, the new administration will want to raise the bar for everyone, but they won’t be looking at it through a racial or a gay, straight or transgender lens that was quite common in the Biden Administration. We always have room for improving the educational experience in Alabama for all students at all levels.”
Collins said she expects Trump to continue to be a strong supporter of school choice options.
“I hope that he also continues to be a supporter of strong standards and as they look at funding and sending money back to the states, that we look at block grants where the state is in control of the quality measures, how it’s applied and where it’s used,” Collins said.