7 Things: Putin continues to humiliate the world, Tuberville slams Biden’s lack of sanctions and more …

7. Alabama House of Representatives passes constitutional carry

• After four years and a bleak outlook for passage, constitutional carry passed overwhelmingly in the State House. Opponents cited the loss of revenue and how law enforcement used the permits to take illegal guns off the street, while supporters of the bill note that a new database of people forbidden to carry firearms will offset the need for permits in traffic stops.

• The bill now goes to the Alabama State Senate where a similar bill has already passed out of committee and is expected to pass in some form. State Representative Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle), a former member of law enforcement and sponsor of the bill, noted that 21 other states have passed a similar bill and not one has repealed it.

6. Anti-riot bill passes the House

• The Alabama House of Representatives passed an anti-riot bill introduced by State Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). The bill would require mandatory jail time for rioting but has been criticized as being unconstitutional.

• Treadaway argued that the riots from 2020 make this legislation more necessary. He advised, “You’ve got groups that are coming in that are well-financed, well organized, and coming in hijacking what for the most part would be a peaceful protest…we seem to have folks come in hellbent on hijacking and hellbent on destruction.”

5. Wahl defends the decision to remove some candidates from the ballot

• Alabama Republican Party chair John Wahl explained the recent decision to remove three candidates from the Republican primary ballot, which included Anson Knowles running for House District 10, Teresa Rhea running for Senate District 10 and Tripp Powell running for Senate District 21.

• Wahl said that this was part of an effort to keep the Republican primary ballots “pure” and clarified that he does not vote in the decisions to remove candidates. Some actions that cause removal is involvement or donating to Democrat campaigns. Wahl has said that “we’re very much committed to following state laws and our internal bylaws. That’s where we’re at right now.” Strangely, Alabama GOP bylaws also have rules against taking money from the AEA, and those candidates remain on the ballot even though many believe that support is impeding “school choice” bills Republicans largely support.

4. The union will complain until it wins, the NLRB may help them in Amazon vote

• The Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (RWDSU) has alleged that Amazon is once again interfering in the election on whether to unionize at the fulfillment center in Bessemer. RWDSU has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

• Ballots have already been mailed to employees and aren’t due until March 28. RWDSU claims that Amazon is holding mandatory meetings to push an anti-labor message, they’re limiting employee time inside the facility before and after shifts, and they’ve removed labor literature from employee spaces.

3. Ivey wants answers on basketball forfeit 3 days too late

• After the Oakwood Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist school, was forced to forfeit a game against the Faith Christian school for the Class 1A Northeast Regional boys semifinal, Governor Kay Ivey is now seeking further answers on the decision by the Alabama High School Athletic Association to not move the game to accommodate Oakwood Academy.

• In her letter, Ivey said, “[F]ew things are more important to Alabamians than their faith.” She added, “With all this in mind, I hope you’ll understand why I was most disturb to read Oakwood’s alleged treatment at the AHSAA’s basketball tournament – and why this episode raises some very pressing questions, not only for me but for public officials and citizens across our great state.”

2. Tuberville says no United States troops should be sent to Ukraine

• U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has criticized the decision to delay sanctions on Russia, saying it should’ve happened ”six months ago to just kind of let them know, hey, this is what’s going to affect. This is how it’s going to feel.” Tuberville added, “If you put sanctions on after the fact, they’re not going to turn around and backtrack from where they came from. They’re going to stay where they’re at.”

• Tuberville did say that assistance should be given to Ukraine, but “we don’t need to spill one drop of blood.” He continued, “This is really not our fight. NATO needs the support and, of course, we’re a NATO country. But this is more of a European NATO fight than ours.”

1. White House: Russia has invaded Ukraine; Sanctions announced

• President Joe Biden and the White House have officially said that Russia has invaded Ukraine. This was an expected move after Russian President Vladimir Putin had recognized the independence of some regions in Ukraine. Shortly after it was declared an invasion, Biden announced sanctions on Russia.

• Despite Russia’s movements, Biden has maintained that there will be no United States troops sent into Ukraine to fight Russia. Biden indicated that he expects Putin to attempt to forcefully gain control of Ukraine. The president said that Putin’s actions are “a flagrant violation of international law and demands a firm response from the international community.” Biden said that the sanctions “cut off Russia’s government from Western financing.” He added, “It can no longer raise money from the West and cannot trade in its new debt on our markets or European markets either.”