Alabama has long marched to the beat of its own drum, for better or worse. Our state's choices reverberate through the nation. From George Wallace standing in the schoolhouse door to John Lewis marching on Selma, Alabama has been the crucible of America's conscience.
Now, Alabama stands at a crossroads once again. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have brought transformative change to Alabama in their first years in office. But will Alabama unite behind them to continue the progress?
Biden-Harris Administration's Impact on Alabama
As a candidate, Joe Biden promised to rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure. Now as President he's keeping that pledge, including right here in Alabama. Just over three years into his administration, Alabama has already received over $3 billion in federal infrastructure funds. That money is reconstructing the very foundation of our state.
Roads and Bridges
Drive through Alabama and you'll feel the impact. Over $2.5 billion in federal dollars are rebuilding our highways, bridges, ports and waterways.
Clay County will see Highway 257 resurfaced, easing commerce to the busy poultry processing plants. Aging bridges in Chilton County will be restored, like the historic span over the Coosa River on Highway 22. Baldwin County commuters will benefit from expansions along Route 181 and Route 104.
President Biden is investing in infrastructure across urban and rural Alabama. Smooth new pavement is being poured from Mobile to Muscle Shoals. Outdated bridges are being strengthened in counties like Coffee and Covington.
Clean Water
Infrastructure doesn't just mean concrete and asphalt. It means clean drinking water flowing freely to homes across Alabama. Biden is delivering on that too.
Nearly $348 million in federal grants are upgrading water systems statewide. In Lowndes County, many families still lack basic sanitation, with raw sewage pooling in their yards. Biden's infrastructure plan is helping connect hundreds of homes to municipal sewer lines. Rural communities no longer need to fear contaminated wells or broken pipes. Biden is bringing 21st century water infrastructure to every corner of Alabama.
High-Speed Internet
The President's investments reach into the digital realm as well. He has allocated over $6 million to expand high-speed internet access across Alabama.
In the Black Belt, families still drive to library parking lots just to get online. Biden's grants will help bring broadband to their homes. In all, over 342,000 more Alabamians will gain affordable internet thanks to the President.
This digital infrastructure is critical for education, telemedicine, e-commerce and more in our modern economy. By bridging the digital divide, President Biden ensures no community gets left behind.
Why Re-electing Biden for the Future of Alabama
While rebuilding Alabama's physical infrastructure, Biden and Harris have shored up our rights and liberties too. When Alabama tried banning virtually all abortions last year, the President and Vice President became our state's strongest advocates for reproductive freedom.
Condemning Alabama's Ban
Alabama's legislature passed the most extreme abortion restrictions in the nation in 2022. The law made performing an abortion a felony punishable by 10 years in prison, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Biden and Harris forcefully condemned our state's attack on women's constitutional rights. "My administration will continue to fight to protect women's reproductive rights in Alabama," promised President Biden.
Vice President Harris affirmed, "I stand with the women of Alabama who will be stripped of their agency and face greater barriers to health care."
Taking Action
The President and Vice President didn't stop at words alone. Their Justice Department swiftly sued to block Alabama's radical law from taking effect.
"The United States has the authority and responsibility to ensure that Alabama laws respect the constitutional rights of its residents,” declared Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Thanks to Biden and Harris' direct intervention, Alabama's extreme anti-abortion law remains held up in the courts and has not been implemented. They prevented a disaster for our state's women, families and medical providers.
Unlike Trump, Joe Biden respects the constitutional liberties of all Americans. Alabamians can rely on them to defend our rights when the state legislature will not.
A Plea for Unity
Alabama Democrats share a proud history of defending Civil Rights. Our leaders took principled stands.
But lately, infighting has plagued our party. Passions run high on issues from abortion rights to LGBTQ+ equality. Personal ambitions and turf wars divide us. Such squabbles distract from our core values:
Empowering workers and the poor
Defending civil liberties
Improving healthcare and education
President Biden preaches political unity, not rancorous division. He reminds us that real progress happens through consensus-building and seeking the common good.
Right now in Alabama, that means rallying together behind the Biden-Harris agenda. Their infrastructure investments and staunch support for reproductive rights already improve life in our state. But they need a unified Democratic Party to win more resources for Alabama.
We cannot hold the Biden/Harris administration back through our own disunity. That will only obstruct the progress Alabama so desperately needs. We must put aside our internal conflicts and come together to support the President and Vice President.
The Chance to Move Forward
In three short years, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have made a real impact in Alabama, without the help of republicans. But this is just the start of the journey.
By helping Joe Biden get re-elected in 2024, Alabama can continue building on the foundation they've laid. We can lock in historic gains rebuilding our infrastructure. We can secure reproductive rights for generations to come.
A new day dawns in Alabama and across America. The sun is rising on a state revitalized by President Biden's investments. The long night of attacks on women's liberties is ending under Vice President Harris' principled stand.
Alabama Democrats now face a choice. Do we come together and help Joe Biden and Kamala Harris finish the job? Or do we divide and obstruct the promise of progress? The eyes of history are watching.
Let's move forward united behind the President and Vice President. By coming home to the Democratic Party once more, we can finally fulfill Alabama's destiny as the guiding light our country so sorely needs. A new day beckons for Alabama and for all America. The time to answer its call is now.
By: Josh Coleman
Josh Coleman is a member of the Democratic National Committee and a member of the Alabama State Democratic Party's Executive Board.
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