7 Things: Gas up 69% in Alabama, Tuberville says vaccine threatens national security, Garland gets crushed over DOJ memo about parents and more …

7. Fourth coronavirus shot already being discussed

The possibility of some people getting another coronavirus vaccine shot is now being discussed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but only for individuals who are immunocompromised and have certain health conditions.
For select individuals, this would mean getting a fourth coronavirus vaccination. Immunocompromised individuals and those with some underlying medical issues are at a higher risk for contracting a severe case of the coronavirus.

6. Carl wants coronavirus relief money spent on infrastructure

The State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act introduced by U.S. Representative Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) would seek to use unspent coronavirus relief dollars on infrastructure.
Carl specifically focused on the Mobile area and explained how it would benefit more from infrastructure improvements. A similar bill has been passed by the U.S. Senate, but not in the U.S. House yet. Carl stated, “Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi is holding the American people hostage by blocking this bill from being considered on the House floor.”

5. AOC could join Manchin and Sinema, but for different reasons

U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has threatened to join the few Democrats that have decided to oppose the massive infrastructure spending package, but while U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) have argued that the spending is too high, Ocasio-Cortez will vote “no” because there aren’t enough details released on how funds will be spent.
Ocasio-Cortez has said she can’t “vote to increase U.S. climate emissions,” and they’ve “had a framework for six months. We need text.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has said, though, that they’re “close to agreement on the priorities and the topline of the legislation,” but they “are facing a crucial deadline for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework to pass.”

4. AG Garland had a rough day

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was grilled over a memo that the Department of Justice put out at the behest of the National School Board Association. The NSBA referred to parents as potential “domestic terrorists,” and the DOJ suggested concerned parents should be surveilled for being active at school boards.
Garland demured and failed to answer direct questions on the matter when pressed by multiple U.S. Senators. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said the memo “treats parents speaking freely to be worthy of the department’s heavy investigative and prosecutorial hand.” Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) argued Garland was “siccing the feds on parents at school boards across America.” He also declared, “[Garland] should resign in disgrace.”

3. Bryan Harsin shouldn’t have to disclose his vaccine status

Auburn University head football coach Bryan Harsin hasn’t disclosed if he’s been vaccinated for the coronavirus, which has spurred criticism from some recently. This comes in the wake of the announcement that all Auburn employees would be fired if they aren’t vaccinated. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has defended Harsin’s decision to keep this information private.
Tuberville said, “You should have the right to make your own decision. It’s a free country. These mandates to me are unconstitutional.” He went on to say, “I think at the end of the day we’ve just got to leave it up to him. I’d hate to see anything happen to any coach.”

2. Tuberville: Vaccine mandate is a threat to national security

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is urging President Joe Biden to withdraw the vaccine mandate for government contractors, specifically defense contractors, as this creates a threat to national security.
Tuberville explained in a letter to Biden that the “American warfighter” is negatively impacted with so many leaving this industry over the mandate. He added, “Losing any sizable share of a small firms’ workforce means a direct reduction in the ‘economy and efficiency’ that your order purports to seek to advance. When these firms are unable to perform, our country is at risk.”

1. Alabamians are spending way more on gas

AAA Gas Prices show that in Alabama, people are spending about 69% more on gas than they were this time in 2020. The average gallon of gas costs $3.20 currently, compared to only $1.89 in 2020.
This has been a growing concern for consumers since President Joe Biden took office and immediately undid some of former President Donald Trump’s energy policies that were keeping costs down. U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) advised, “President Biden’s energy policies have triggered 7-year high gas prices that are hammering American families and small business owners.”