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HUNTSVILLE, AL -
Congressman Parker Griffith, who represents Alabama's Fifth District, has switched his party affiliation. Griffith is now a Republican.
Rep. Griffith held a news conference Tuesday afternoon at his home to discuss his decision. Here is part of what he said:
"It's been an immense pleasure to serve the Fifth Congressional District of Alabama this last year. As most of you know, I was elected by the people of north Alabama as an independent conservative congressman. I am pro-business, pro-life and pro-second amendment, and have worked hard to support our space and defense programs and represent our Alabama values.
"However, as the 111th Congress has progressed, I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama, or our nation. And more importantly, they do not represent my values and my convictions. While I voted against health care, I voted against cap and trade, and two huge spending stimulus bills, I now believe I have to go even further and stand with a party that is more in tune with my beliefs and convictions. For that reason, I am announcing today that I am joining the Republican conference immediately.
"This was not an easy decision for me. I only arrived at this step after much discussion, much prayer and I take this step because I believe our nation is at a crossroads, and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt. Unfortunately, there are those in the Democratic leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive spending, tax increases, bailouts, and a health care bill that is bad for our health care system, bad for our patients, and bad for our physicians.
"I have always considered myself to be an independent voice and I have tried to be that voice in Congress, but after watching this agenda firsthand, I now believe that the differences in the two parties could not be more clear, and that for me to be true to my core beliefs and values, I must align myself with the Republican party and speak out clearly on these issues.
"I have also been very concerned about support in Congress for our defense and NASA programs. These programs are not only to our community, they're important to our national defense and the future of our country and our international allies. Since election to Congress, I have fought hard to educate other members on a strong national missile defense program, and that we must give our NASA programs more support if we are to maintain our lead in manned space flight. And while there are some great Democratic supporters of these programs, I increasingly find that my allies, in fighting for these initiatives, come from within the Republican party. As we move forward and continue to fight for these programs, I believe that working as a Republican, and joining with Richard Shelby, Jeff Sessions, Robert Aderholt, Joe Bonner, Mike Rogers, Spencer Bachus, and the rest of our delegation will allow me to be an even more effective voice on these issues.
"I also want to take a moment to discuss health care legislation currently before Congress. As you know, I am a physician and understand our health care system. I spoke out early and often in my opposition to the health care bill, and I voted against it in the House. It appears today that this health care bill will pass the Senate, and one of our first votes of the new year will be on this health care package. I want to make it perfectly clear that this bill is bad for our doctors, bad for our patients, and it's bad for the young men and women considering going into the health care fields. As a doctor, and as a Republican, I plan once again to oppose this measure. I hope we can defeat this bill that is a major threat to our economy, a threat to our nation, and a threat to our health care system.
"I know there will be those who do not support my decision. I want you to know that it's not an easy decision to make, but I always remember that I was not sent to Congress to represent a party. I was sent to Congress to represent the people of the Fifth District. After watching as Congress continues to pursue policies that burden our children with debt and threaten our economy, as someone who is deeply concerned about the future of this country, I believe that joining with the Republican party and standing up against these liberal policies is what is best for our country, it's best for Alabama, it's best for our children's future, it's best for the kitchen tables of the Fifth Congressional district. "
WHNT NEWS 19 is also working to get reaction from Griffith's opponents in next year's election, Mo Brooks and Les Phillip. All three men are now in the Republican primary. There is no Democrat currently in the race.
Rep. Griffith held a news conference Tuesday afternoon at his home to discuss his decision. Here is part of what he said:
"It's been an immense pleasure to serve the Fifth Congressional District of Alabama this last year. As most of you know, I was elected by the people of north Alabama as an independent conservative congressman. I am pro-business, pro-life and pro-second amendment, and have worked hard to support our space and defense programs and represent our Alabama values.
"However, as the 111th Congress has progressed, I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama, or our nation. And more importantly, they do not represent my values and my convictions. While I voted against health care, I voted against cap and trade, and two huge spending stimulus bills, I now believe I have to go even further and stand with a party that is more in tune with my beliefs and convictions. For that reason, I am announcing today that I am joining the Republican conference immediately.
"This was not an easy decision for me. I only arrived at this step after much discussion, much prayer and I take this step because I believe our nation is at a crossroads, and I can no longer align myself with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy, and drives us further and further into debt. Unfortunately, there are those in the Democratic leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive spending, tax increases, bailouts, and a health care bill that is bad for our health care system, bad for our patients, and bad for our physicians.
"I have always considered myself to be an independent voice and I have tried to be that voice in Congress, but after watching this agenda firsthand, I now believe that the differences in the two parties could not be more clear, and that for me to be true to my core beliefs and values, I must align myself with the Republican party and speak out clearly on these issues.
"I have also been very concerned about support in Congress for our defense and NASA programs. These programs are not only to our community, they're important to our national defense and the future of our country and our international allies. Since election to Congress, I have fought hard to educate other members on a strong national missile defense program, and that we must give our NASA programs more support if we are to maintain our lead in manned space flight. And while there are some great Democratic supporters of these programs, I increasingly find that my allies, in fighting for these initiatives, come from within the Republican party. As we move forward and continue to fight for these programs, I believe that working as a Republican, and joining with Richard Shelby, Jeff Sessions, Robert Aderholt, Joe Bonner, Mike Rogers, Spencer Bachus, and the rest of our delegation will allow me to be an even more effective voice on these issues.
"I also want to take a moment to discuss health care legislation currently before Congress. As you know, I am a physician and understand our health care system. I spoke out early and often in my opposition to the health care bill, and I voted against it in the House. It appears today that this health care bill will pass the Senate, and one of our first votes of the new year will be on this health care package. I want to make it perfectly clear that this bill is bad for our doctors, bad for our patients, and it's bad for the young men and women considering going into the health care fields. As a doctor, and as a Republican, I plan once again to oppose this measure. I hope we can defeat this bill that is a major threat to our economy, a threat to our nation, and a threat to our health care system.
"I know there will be those who do not support my decision. I want you to know that it's not an easy decision to make, but I always remember that I was not sent to Congress to represent a party. I was sent to Congress to represent the people of the Fifth District. After watching as Congress continues to pursue policies that burden our children with debt and threaten our economy, as someone who is deeply concerned about the future of this country, I believe that joining with the Republican party and standing up against these liberal policies is what is best for our country, it's best for Alabama, it's best for our children's future, it's best for the kitchen tables of the Fifth Congressional district. "
WHNT NEWS 19 is also working to get reaction from Griffith's opponents in next year's election, Mo Brooks and Les Phillip. All three men are now in the Republican primary. There is no Democrat currently in the race.
