Bradley Byrne

Reform Alabama

On February 23, 2011, Byrne announced he was partnering with other prominent Alabamians to create a nonprofit organization that would push for reforms in state government.^[16] Named "Reform Alabama", the organization actively supported legislation in the 2011 Alabama Regular Legislative Session.^[17]

Possible Supreme Court run

A May 25, 2011 Mobile Press-Register article reported that Byrne was considering the possibility of running for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in the upcoming 2012 election. "I’ve been encouraged to look at it, and I’m doing that. But I’ve made no decision, and frankly I’m no where near a decision at this point," Byrne said.^[18] He ultimately did not enter the race.

Elections

Tenure

Byrne supported the Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2014 (H.R. 3973; 113th Congress), a bill that would direct the United States Department of Justice to report to the United States Congress whenever any federal agency refrains from enforcing laws or regulations for any reason.^[26] In the report, the government would have to explain why it had decided not to enforce that law.^[27] Byrne spoke out in favor of the bill saying, "the Obama Administration has been open and honest about one thing in particular: they have no problem making an end-run around Congress to achieve through administrative means what they cannot legislatively. Placing political convenience above the United States Constitution goes against everything the Founding Fathers intended, and it's time we put a stop to this practice."^[28]

Legislation

Byrne has sponsored two bills of his own:^[29]

• H.R. 4465, a bill to set catch limits for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery, introduced April 10, 2014
• H.R. 5510, a bill to require recognized accrediting agencies or associations that evaluate the quality of distance or correspondence education programs to require those programs to have a secure login and passcode for Internet coursework, introduced September 17, 2014

Committee assignments

• Armed Services Committee
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
  • Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces
• House Education and Workforce Committee
• House Rules Committee
• Republican Study Committee^[30]

Byrne is a member of the United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus.^[31]

National security

Byrne supported President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order to impose a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries. He stated that “I appreciate President Trump’s efforts to address these issues as he works to keep the American people safe. While there have been some issues with the order’s implementation, I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to make sure their efforts to protect the American people succeed in a timely and effective manner.”^[32]

Roy Moore endorsement

During the 2017 Alabama special election to replace Jeff Sessions, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to the position of Attorney General of the United States, Bradley Byrne endorsed the Republican nominee, Roy Moore.^[33] During the campaign at least nine women made allegations that Roy Moore had either sexually assaulted them or made inappropriate romantic or sexual advances towards them while he was an assistant DA and the girls were teenagers as young as 14 or he was a lawyer and the women were clients.^[34][35] Following the original allegations of sexual impropriety, additional allegations were made including attempted rape of a 16-year-old.^[36] Moore denied the allegations and his campaign and supporters began a process of questioning the victims' motives and veracity and claimed they would mount an "investigation" of the women's motives.^[37] Immediately following the allegations and instances of victim intimidation, numerous Republicans withdrew endorsements of Moore.^[38] Byrne's endorsement of Moore was not withdrawn and no condemnation was made by Byrne of the victim intimidation threats made by Moore and the Moore campaign.^[39] On November 15, 2017, Byrne stated that "I have no reason to doubt the stories that have been told [by the victims]" but did not rescind his endorsement or call on Judge Moore to drop out of the race.^[40] On November 16, Byrne was given the opportunity to withdraw his endorsement of Roy Moore but he neither withdrew his endorsement nor condemned Moore's attack on his victim noting that it was Byrne's belief that it was up to the citizens of Alabama to make a decision about whom they should vote for.^[41] In response to Byrne's continuing support of Judge Moore in the face of 9 accusers, on 28NOV17 the statewide newspaper group in Alabama (Al.com) began running editorial cartoons titled "I am Roy Moore" with a picture of Bradley Byrne and a statement saying "You condone it you own it." ^[42]

After Moore's loss to Democrat Doug Jones, Byrne hinted that he may run in the next regular election in 2020.^[43]

Tax reform

Byrne voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.^[44] During the bill's debate, Byrne stated that “It will lead to greater economic growth, higher wages, and more jobs, which is exactly what the American people sent President Trump and the Republican Congress to Washington to do."^[45] Byrne voted for the bill believing it will lower taxes for all Americans and that it will "pump up wage growth and that'll help wage growth." He said that individual incomes will increase as a result of the legislation.^[46]