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Last week the House of Representatives met for the opening session of the 117^th Congress. Our first orders of business were establishing a quorum, being sworn in, voting on a rules package, and electing a new speaker for the 117^th Congress. Although my Republican colleagues and I cast our votes for Republican Kevin McCarthy, Nany Pelosi retained the speakership with a slim majority.

The next order of business was the process of certifying the Electoral College vote on Wednesday. What typically would be a routine event got sidetracked as violent rioters stormed the Capitol and breached the House chambers. However, the brave men and women in law enforcement kept us safe. As soon as the Capitol was secure, we got back to work doing the job we were elected to do.

In the days preceding the Electoral College certification on January 6, I spent several days reading court documents, lawsuits, and affidavits regarding voter fraud and election irregularities in several key states around the country. The evidence I saw was overwhelming in many cases, so I voted to challenge the fraudulent electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania. Although there were other states where significant fraud occurred, Arizona and Pennsylvania were the only two states that were challenged in the House and Senate, thus coming to a vote.

Looking forward, I am optimistic that we will be able to pass some meaningful legislation in the 117^th Congress. With Democrats having such a slim majority, there will be opportunities to work across the aisle to pass legislation benefitting all Americans. Our economy needs rebuilding in the wake of the COVID crisis, we need to get folks safely back to work, and south Alabama needs a new bridge over the Mobile River.

An infrastructure package is in the works, and I intend to continue fighting to secure as much federal funding as possible for the I-10 Bridge and Bayway project so it can be completed without any tolls whatsoever. I’m also proud to co-sponsor and support at least 8 pro-life bills that will make impactful steps to curbing the abortion industry in our country.

I am honored to represent you in Congress and be a voice for our south Alabama values. If I or my office can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to contact us in Washington at 202-225-4391, in Mobile at 251-283-6280, or in Summerdale at 251-677-6630.

Congressman Jerry Carl (AL-01)

Jerry Carl represents Alabama’s First Congressional District.

He lives in Mobile with his wife Tina.