7 Things: ALGOP wants to know more about the accusation Britt helped Doug Jones, Democrats’ January 6 obsession wearing people out while advisers suggest it hurts them and more …

7. Masks had been recommended for travel due to monkeypox, now they aren’t 

• As cases of monkeypox rise internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had recommended that people start wearing masks when they travel. Currently, the CDC has placed the situation at Alert Level 2, which is “Practice Enhanced Precautions.” But as of yesterday, masks are no longer needed — a bang-up job by the CDC as usual.

• In the release, the CDC said, “Cases of monkeypox have been reported in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.” There are only 31 cases of monkeypox in 13 different states in the United States. 

6. Tuberville critical of possible changes to Title IX 

• Title IX currently bans discrimination in educational programs based on sex, but President Joe Biden and his administration are likely to try and change the rule, so it includes a broader definition to include “sexual orientation” and “sexual identity.” The change would potentially threaten youth sports for girls, as it could allow transgender females to compete with their preferred gender.

• U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) criticized the potential changing of the rule, saying, “We should be asking ourselves how we can preserve Title IX so female athletes 50 years from now can experience the same euphoric feeling of hard work and hard-earned-victory. But unfortunately, with the Biden administration’s proposal [over] the next few weeks, we will lose Title IX protections for female athletes as we know it.”

5. Alright, alright, alright

• Actor Matthew McConaughey was given a private meeting with President Joe Biden recently, and after the meeting, he delivered a speech at the White House during a press briefing where he advocated for responsible gun ownership and raising the age to buy a firearm.

• During his speech, McConaughey discussed the Robb Elementary School shooting and argued that “people in power failed to act.” He added, “We need background checks. We need to raise the minimum age to purchase an AR-15 rifle to 21. We need a waiting period for those rifles. We need red flag laws and consequences for those who abuse them.”

4. You don’t respect teachers if you want to arm them, apparently

• After the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, the argument that teachers should be armed has resurfaced, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona recently spoke against the idea at a Senate Appropriations Committee. His response was about as ridiculous as you would expect.

• Cardona said at the hearing, “Our educators over the last two years have bent over backward for our students. To think that arming our teachers and now having them be responsible for discharging a firearm in our schools, it’s just ludicrous to think about.” He added, “I think it’s a further reflection of the lack of respect that this profession has, and I would stand against that.” This ignores the fact that all that is being suggested is that teachers have the option. No one believes that they should be forced to carry.

3. Inflation is at an ‘unacceptable’ level

• The inflation crisis has been publicly recognized by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who said during a Senate Finance Committee hearing, “We currently face macroeconomic challenges, including unacceptable levels of inflation.”

• However, Yellen explained that inflation stems from supply chain issues and blamed Russia invading Ukraine for the “effects of supply-side disturbances to oil and food markets.” Yellen didn’t blame President Joe Biden’s policies for inflation but added, “We’re seeing high inflation in almost all developed countries around the world and they have very different fiscal policies, so it can’t be the case that the bulk of the inflation that we’re experiencing reflects the impact of the [American Rescue Plan].”

2. Like the Russia stuff and the two impeachments, Americans are getting sick of this

• While the media and their Democrats gear up for their made-for-TV primetime hearings, followed by whining about how Fox News won’t carry them, new polling suggests that their intended target isn’t being blamed by most Americans.

• While Trump should not celebrate the fact that 45% of Americans blame him “solely” for what happened that day, he should be happy that the number has dropped from 52% last year. Democrats should be concerned about a backslide in public opinion on this because with a flailing economy, $5 a gallon gas and a very unpopular president/vice president duo, this may be their only chance to turn things around for the November midterms.

1. ALGOP committee seeking clarification on Doug Jones claims

• The Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee is reportedly looking into claims that U.S. Senate candidate Katie Britt helped former U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook) get elected. ALGOP chairman John Wahl was approved to contact Britt about the claim.

• The claim originated from a statement made by now-former Alabama Democrat Party executive director of the  Wade Perry, who said that Britt was “super helpful to us in the Doug Jones thing in 2017.” There has been no evidence of Britt supporting Jones brought forward, Wahl said after speaking with Britt about the issue. He advised that “she immediately answered, which resolved the committee’s request.” Britt campaign spokesman Sean Ross stated, “This was clearly a stunt by the Alabama Democratic Party and a deceitful, last-minute attempt to sabotage her campaign, as they know she will be the strongest possible Republican nominee in November.”