U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) will not attend tonight’s Republican Senate runoff debate, citing the House vote on the $70 billion budget reconciliation package funding ICE and Border Patrol through the remainder of President Trump’s term.
Moore announced the decision on X, saying his obligation to represent Alabama’s 1st Congressional District in Washington takes priority over the Senate runoff debate with opponent Jared Hudson.
I wish I could be in Alabama for the debate this evening, but the House will be debating and voting on budget reconciliation legislation that includes funding to secure our southern border and advance key priorities in President Trump’s agenda. With such a narrow majority, every…
— Barry Moore for U.S. Senate (@BMooreSenate) June 8, 2026
“With such a narrow majority, every vote matters,” Moore wrote. “My first obligation is to the people of Alabama’s First Congressional District, whom I currently serve in Congress.”
Moore said attendees will still hear from him through a pre-recorded video laying out his record and asking for their vote.
The Republican Senate runoff is June 16.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
