Congressman Bachus won’t run for Re-election

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2013/09/bachus-75.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:301;s:4:"file";s:21:"2013/09/bachus-75.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-336x169.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:169;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:19:"bachus-75-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-470x236.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:236;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"bachus-75-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:287678;s:14:"optimized_size";i:124888;s:7:"percent";d:56.590000000000003;}s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:49:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:164382;s:14:"optimized_size";i:39139;s:7:"percent";d:76.189999999999998;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:7760;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5789;s:7:"percent";d:25.399999999999999;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-336x169.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:19635;s:14:"optimized_size";i:14734;s:7:"percent";d:24.960000000000001;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-600x301.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:44311;s:14:"optimized_size";i:30564;s:7:"percent";d:31.02;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:20599;s:14:"optimized_size";i:13384;s:7:"percent";d:35.030000000000001;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2013/09/bachus-75-470x236.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:30991;s:14:"optimized_size";i:21278;s:7:"percent";d:31.34;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1654413872 
1380499200

Spencer Bachus started his day at Birmingham TV station WBRC. He was there to talk about the looming federal government shutdown, but first offered a message to his constituents.

“It has been my greatest privilege to serve as their congressman for really the last 20-and-a-half years. And Linda and I and our family…we’ve made the decision that I won’t seek re-election,” Bachus said.

In a statement, Bachus talked about his wife, Linda’s, support, and added that it’s an appropriate time to announce his decision and let others have the opportunity to serve.

While the announcement caught many by surprise, some see it as a part of a shifting political landscape in Alabama.

Bachus is in his eleventh term representing much of suburban Birmingham. He’s chair of the House Financial Services Committee and the senior member of Alabama’s Congressional delegation. Many Republicans praised Bachus for his leadership and dedication.

“Congressman Bachus has done an extremely good job. He’s very approachable. He represents that district well,” said Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.

While Bachus has served as chair of the Alabama Republican Party, he’s considered a moderate. Former University of Alabama political scientist William Stewart says Bachus is conservative, but not a firebrand.

“He has never, at least in my memory, engaged in the rhetoric of the real right wing, in terms of we don’t want gun control, certainly we don’t want gay marriage, we certainly don’t want abortion and various other hot button issues,” said Stewart.

Moderates like Bachus face increasing pressure from those further right. Last year, he defeated a primary challenge from Tea Party-backed candidates but spent $1.6 million dollars to do it. There were rumblings he would be targeted again. Stewart says the prospect of another fight probably influenced Bachus’ decision.

“I don’t know that he would particularly enjoy a very competitive primary against perhaps multiple challengers,” said Stewart.

Republicans may be reacting most to Bachus’ decision, but Governor Robert Bentley says the move could have wider implications for Alabama as it relates to Washington.

“I think that does hurt us some as seniority is concerned especially in the House where we have the majority,” Bentley said.

Political scientist William Stewart says Bachus’ announcement comes after Mobile Congressman Jo Bonner resigned from Congress this summer. So Alabama will now depend more on its two senators for influence as opposed to its relatively young Congressional delegation.

Bachus says he’ll serve the remainder of his term but that hasn’t stopped people from floating names of potential candidates for the seat. Next year’s Republican primary in Alabama’s sixth congressional district was expected to be a hot contest. But now it won’t include the name Spencer Bachus.

~ Andrew Yeager, Sept. 30, 2013

 

Trump issues new travel ban covering a dozen countries

The White House said the action was needed to protect the United States from terrorist attacks and other national security threats, and said the countries lacked screening and vetting capabilities.

In hearings, McMahon faces questions about the shrinking federal role in schools and colleges

In separate hearings on Capitol Hill this week, the Education Secretary answered questions about a range of issues, from student loans to mental health programs.

Judge blocks deportation of Boulder attacker’s family

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the government to immediately halt deportation proceedings against the wife and five children of a man charged in the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, responding to what the judge called an urgent situation to ensure the protection of the family's constitutional rights.

The Trump administration is working on a plan for time limits on rental aid

A housing agency rule would also allow work requirements. Supporters say a time limit would help spread limited funds to more people, but critics warn it would leave some homeless.

A new satellite TV channel allows Alexei Navalny’s videos to reach Russian audiences

The Russia's Future channel, launched by Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya and Reporters Without Borders, began broadcasting Wednesday, on what would have been the late Russian activist's 49th birthday.

Darfur: bearing the brunt of over two years of civil war in Sudan

An attack on what would have been the first aid delivery to the beseiged city of El Fasher in over a year has dealt a major blow in the Darfur region. The assault comes as humanitarian groups warn that collapsing healthcare, unrelenting violence, and a paralyzed aid effort are pushing civilians to breaking point.

More Government Coverage