| Clif Knight

Fifth District U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, discussed his views  on the federal debt and immigration and answered several questions from the audience during a town hall meeting in Hartselle at noon Friday.

The informal luncheon meeting, which was held at Oh! Bryan’s Restaurant, was attended by about 30 citizens, most of whom were Republicans.

Brooks was introduced by Tom McCutcheon, vice chairman of the Morgan County Republican Party Executive Committee.

“Out of control deficit and debt will lead our nation to bankruptcy,” Books said. “While the House of Representatives was able to reduce the national debt by $500 million a year, it remains unsustainable, and our ability to get it under control is limited.

“The federal government is currently funding 83 entitlement programs, not including Social Security, at an annual cost of $750 billion,” Brooks added. “That’s something the House doesn’t get to vote on. The answer is reform, and the only way that’s going to happen is for the House, Senate and White House to come together and resolve the issue.”

On the matter of illegal immigration at the U.S./Mexico border, Brooks said he is against legislation that would create a path to U.S. citizenship for illegals without first securing the border.

“Democrats don’t want border security,” he pointed out, “because it would deny them the opportunity for a massive voter registration drive. But I’m fearful that President Obama will resort to an executive order that could lead to amnesty for three to six million illegal immigrants.”

Brooks gave credit to Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions for maintaining a strong stance on immigration law.

“No one has stood taller than he when it comes to insisting that the border is protected and the nation’s immigration laws are enforced,” Brooks said.

In answer to questions from the audience, Books said a GOP controlled Senate would allow House-passed bills to be voted on and put pressure on the White House to sign them into law; a contest to defeat House Majority Speaker Baynor for reelection would be a close race;  Baylor’s lawsuit against the President could be held up in the courts for up to four years before it is resolved; the House is limited in what it can do to prevent the escalation of EPA regulations; and no money raised by the Republican Party National Committee is being used to promote the defeat of Tea Party candidates.