Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham, says he’s never tried to record a House GOP Caucus meeting, calling the claim “simply false.”
Alabama Daily News reported earlier this week that Mooney, who is running for his fourth term in the Legislature, was removed from a Wednesday caucus meeting and kicked out of the caucus, after being caught attempting to record the closed-door meeting.
Majority Leader Paul Lee, R-Dothan, confirmed to ADN Mooney was removed from the caucus.
In a statement to ADN Friday morning, Mooney said he has served with honesty, transparency and “a strong commitment to doing what is right for the people I represent.”
“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not, nor have I ever, recorded or attempted to record a Republican caucus meeting,” he said. “That claim is simply false. I believe in respecting the integrity of the legislative process and the trust placed in those who serve, and I have always conducted myself accordingly.
“Unfortunately, in today’s political environment, distractions and misinformation can sometimes take attention away from the real work that needs to be done. My focus has not changed. I remain committed to representing District 43 with diligence and integrity, and to making decisions that reflect the values and priorities of the people I serve.”
The meeting was held Wednesday afternoon to discuss how to move forward on House Bill 475, the Public Service Commission overhaul bill that had been significantly changed in the Senate. The issue has been a thorny one this session ever since a three-bill package of energy bills got introduced in late February. According to those in the room, Republicans were divided over how to proceed. Some wanted to support original bill sponsor Rep. Mack Butler in his desire to non-concur with the Senate and go to a conference committee in order to press for mandated rate hearings in the bill. But the majority of members had been persuaded by State Sen. Clyde Chambliss that the way the bill handles rate hearings is sufficient and leadership was eager to move on from the issue.
After the caucus meeting, the House voted to table Butler’s request to go to conference and eventually concurred with the Senate’s changes, sending the bill to the governor. Mooney was one of 25 Republicans voting against the bill’s final passage.
Being removed from the caucus likely cuts Mooney off from campaign finance and polling resources. He will also no longer chair the Shelby County legislative delegation.
Mooney does not have a primary opponent in the May 19 election and has more than $400,000 in his campaign account, records show.
“As we continue through the 2026 legislative session, my priority is to stay focused on delivering results — supporting policies that strengthen our communities, protect taxpayers, and keep our state moving in the right direction,” Mooney said. “The people of District 43 deserve a representative who is focused on solutions, not distractions, and that is exactly what I intend to continue doing.”
It isn’t the first time this session that recordings have been an issue for House Republicans. Inside Alabama Politics chronicled the drama inside an earlier caucus meeting from which an audio recording was leaked in an attempt to damage House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, politically. No member has been punished for that breach of caucus trust.