HUNTSVILLE — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall called the ongoing government shutdown a politically motivated move by Democrats, saying it is harming families and veterans who rely on federal services.
“The Schumer shutdown, which the Democrats are clearly using for overtly political purposes,” Marshall said in an interview with 256 Today. “Chuck Schumer doesn’t have to run against AOC and doesn’t want the left to be able to attack him in his next election. And now he’s holding not only veterans and mothers who need formula for their kids hostage, but also those that need government services.”
The federal government shutdown entered its 10th day today, with lawmakers in Washington still deadlocked over a budget dispute that has left about 40% of the federal workforce, roughly 750,000 employees, on unpaid leave.
Marshall said he expects a resolution will come only when Democrats “recognize that they have the ability to negotiate about items of interest to them in the normal order.”
“Let’s open government, let’s get a budget, and let’s allow the Congress itself to work,” he said.
National Guard and law enforcement challenges
Asked about the potential deployment of National Guard troops to Alabama, Marshall said he would welcome federal resources but added that long-term safety depends on rebuilding local law enforcement.
“If President Trump wants to provide resources in whatever form, we should accept that in the state,” Marshall said. “But we have to acknowledge the National Guard being present here is not the solution to a problem.”
He pointed to shortages of police officers in Montgomery and Birmingham as an example of the deeper issue.
“What we find in many of our cities is a complete lack of law enforcement officers compared to the number that they need to safely patrol their streets,” Marshall said. “We’ve got to find the vehicle to leadership in those communities to convince law enforcement to come in and work at those police departments and then to enable and empower law enforcement to be able to do their jobs.”
Priorities in the Senate race
Marshall, now serving his second term as attorney general, is considered the leading contender to succeed Sen. Tommy Tuberville after entering the race in May. Marshall said his priorities in Washington would reflect the same approach he’s taken as attorney general: “taking on the tough issues” and “delivering results” for Alabamians.
He emphasized support for agriculture, national defense, and fiscal responsibility as central to his platform.
“I’m excited about receiving the endorsement from farmers across Alabama,” Marshall said. “We need to make sure we’re standing for our ag economy in this state, and particularly for our family farmers.”
Marshall also highlighted the state’s defense industry and commitment to military families as key areas of focus.
“Obviously, the defense industry and what we’re doing with the military is critically important to Alabama,” he said. “We want to make sure that we’re an advocate for our veterans and our soldiers and make sure they have the greatest tools available to them.”
He said his campaign would also center on tackling what he described as “economic and fiscal insanity” in Washington.
“We need to get the federal government out of the pocketbooks of Alabamians,” Marshall said, “and make sure we’re driving down a debt we don’t need to give to our great-grandchildren to solve.”
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