Katie Britt, Dale Strong champion Alabama interests to Commerce Sec. Lutnick

U.S. Senator Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Dale Strong advocated for Alabama’s interests in recent hearings on Capitol Hill with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.

The pair of lawmakers spoke with the Trump Administration official on a range of topics important to the Yellowhammer State and its residents, including Birmingham’s role in developing biotechnology, Alabama’s auto manufacturing industry, and the needs of farmers across the country.

“I want to highlight the good work that’s done by Southern Research and their Birmingham Biotech Hub,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said.

“The Birmingham-based experts and scientists are national leaders in ecology, precision medicine, population health, and infectious disease, and are well-positioned to make sure that any groundbreaking advancements that are made can be done there.”

The Senator thanked Lutnick for his prompt attention to the issue. “I really appreciate your commitment to making sure the process is fair and thoughtful moving forward.”

Britt then also spoke to Alabama’s automotive manufacturing industry, stressing its importance to the state’s well-being.

“Auto manufacturing has truly transformed our economy, and it has literally driven us into the 21st century,” she said. “In a little over 25 years, Alabama has become the premier host for the automotive industry. We are also the number one auto-exporting state in the country. The work that we’re doing, I think, is exactly what President Trump wants to see more of: onshoring jobs and providing life-changing opportunities for the citizens that I serve.”

Britt posed a question to Lutnick regarding the success of the industry in Alabama.

“How are you going to work to replicate the great work that’s being done in places like Alabama and other states?” she said.

Lutnick responded, saying that the administration’s objective is to ‘reshore’, especially in the auto manufacturing industry.

“I think we have $250 billion of committed reshoring in auto alone. I think … your state is going to be a great beneficiary. … Auto is coming back to America and the President is on it, and he’s driving it, and we feel it every day.”

In a separate hearing with Lutnick a day later, Congressman Strong (R-Huntsville) also spoke up for Alabamians across the state and praised two key auto manufacturing companies for their continued presence in the state’s 5th Congressional District.

“I commend you for your efforts to prioritize President Trump’s America First trade agenda.” Strong began. “During your Senate budget hearing yesterday, you highlighted Alabama’s role in the automotive industry and noted your department’s $250 billion commitment to reshore that sector. In my district in Alabama, we’re honored to be home to Mazda Toyota and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, where 66% of all combustible engines for Toyota North America are made in our district, 4,000 every 24 hours.”

Strong addressed the hardship many farmers are facing currently, not just in Alabama but across the country.

“The American farmer is suffering. Commodity prices are low,” he said. “Many countries have taken advantage of the American farmers. It appears that we’re buying beef from other countries rather than buying from the American cattle farmer.

The Congressman asked Lutnick for a possible answer to the situation.

“We, in trade deals, can open the market,” the Secretary explained. “We’ve got to open these markets. Beef, poultry, and pork.”

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten