Press Releases

AL Democrats Blast Griffith for Putting Huntsville Jobs at Stake

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Democratic Party blasted newly-minted Republican Representative Parker Griffith this afternoon for his lack of leadership in defending critical jobs in Alabama's fifth Congressional district. More than a month after his unexpected departure from the Blue Dog Caucus, Representative Griffith remains the only sitting Congressman without a standing committee assignment. In the wake of today's shocking news about the cancellation of the Constellation and Ares space programs, Party Chairman Joe Turnham suggested Griffith's "irresponsible actions" affected funding and the critical needs of the people of the fifth district.

"Today it is not the Republican or Democratic party hurting, it is the people of Alabama's fifth district," Turnham added. "It would be easy today to say that Parker Griffith is the 435th least effective member of Congress, and Democrats look forward in the next few weeks to some major announcements regarding outstanding candidates that will work to right this wrong."

Before the switch, Congressman Griffith held seats on three committees including seats on the powerful Science and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, both of which are key in determining the distribution of defense and aerospace contracts. According to the Huntsville Times, the Fifth Congressional District is seventh in the nation in federal contract dollars.

Soon after Griffith announced the switch, his office suggested he would have new committee assignments by mid-January at the latest. Now, weeks later, with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars potentially at stake for Huntsville, Griffith remains without any assignments. When Blue Dog Democrat Bud Cramer was in office he would fight Democrats and Republicans alike to defend the Tennessee Valley's interests. Apparently Congressman Griffith's actions have compromised his ability to do the same.

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