Coffee with Congressman Robert Aderholt — March Update

From the Office of Congressman Robert Aderholt

Good morning. We have reached the first Saturday in April. We are just a day away from the greatest day on the Christian calendar, Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. But first, lets recap the past month in Washington and the Fourth District.

—Robert Aderholt (R-AL-4)

Artemis II Launch

If you're like me, you were in awe as we watched the launch Wednesday evening of Artemis II, which is now taking four astronauts on a trip to circle the moon. This is the first time that humans have been to the moon since December of 1972. This mission is just the first as we reassert our dominance in space exploration. We are going back to he moon and eventually on to Mars.

As usual, many Alabamians are playing a major role in this mission. And right here in the Fourth District, BK Aerospace in Arab is doing its part to help power Artemis II. This small-town company produces highly specialized hardware that supports the Space Launch System rocket, the backbone of NASA’s mission to carry astronauts beyond Earth’s orbit. Their work is a testament to the skill and precision found in North Alabama’s workforce, and it highlights how businesses in our communities are contributing directly to America’s renewed leadership in space exploration.

Hadrian Ribbon Cutting

On Friday, March 20, I joined local and national leaders for a landmark ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new $2.4 billion public-private defense industrial facility in Cherokee, Alabama.

Located in the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park, this project represents more than $2 billion in combined investment and is expected to bring up to 1,000 manufacturing jobs to Northwest Alabama. This 2.2 million square foot facility will anchor shipbuilding and maritime production in our region, proving that maritime strength is not just a coastal priority.

This achievement has been years in the making. It happened because people believed in this community and worked together to bring new opportunities to an area that had long been overlooked.

With the leadership of President Trump and Republican majorities in Congress, we passed the One Big Beautiful Bill to restore American strength—and I worked to ensure communities like ours were included in that vision. Alongside my colleagues in the Alabama delegation, we helped turn that vision into reality here at home.

By investing in workforce training and building strong partnerships, we positioned Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District to compete for jobs that strengthen both our economy and our national security.

This facility will bring new jobs and opportunity to Northwest Alabama, while helping restore America’s ability to build and maintain the tools necessary to defend our nation.

To watch my full remarks from the event, click HERE.

Operation Epic Fury

At the beginning of March, President Trump launched Operation Epic Fury to once and for all end the threat posed by Iran. The United States and Iran have been in conflict since the late 1970s. Over the past five decades, the Iranian regime has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of American service members. At the same time, Iran—whose leaders have proudly proclaimed “Death to America”—has been racing to develop nuclear weapons, which they would no doubt use.

There are those who have been content with the status quo—“whistling past the graveyard”—hoping that continued “diplomacy” would somehow neutralize the threat. In reality, diplomacy unlocked billions of dollars for Iran, which it used to fund terrorist organizations like Hamas, build a vast arsenal of ballistic missiles, and continue enriching weapons-grade uranium.

I support President Trump’s goals in this operation. It will not be easy, and it may bring hardships for the American people. Most importantly, we have lost some of our nation’s greatest treasure—our men and women in uniform. I also think about the service members who have been killed by Iranian-backed actions, and without decisive action, that loss would not have stopped—and could have grown far worse.

May God bless all of our men and women in uniform as we continue the fight against this dangerous regime.

Tax Season Wins for Families Through the Working Family Tax Cuts

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, more money is going back into the pockets of American workers, families, seniors, and small businesses. A key part of this effort is strengthening the Adoption Tax Credit to make it more affordable for families to welcome a child into their home and build a brighter future.

The IRS has updated its interpretation of the partially refundable Adoption Tax Credit, allowing up to $5,000 per qualifying child in refundable credits for tax year 2025, including carryforwards from prior years. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Adoption Caucus and Chairman of the House Values Action Team, I am proud to support this win for adoptive families. This change will provide meaningful financial relief, helping more families pursue adoption while also advancing a policy that is both morally right and fiscally responsible.

ARC Grant for Lauderdale County Workforce Training Center

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently awarded Lauderdale County a $1 million grant to support workforce training at the new Lauderdale County Workforce Training Center. As a member of Congress, I have supported funding for ARC, which uses federal investments to strengthen economic development and workforce opportunities across our region.

Once complete, the center will offer training in high-demand fields like welding, aviation maintenance, and advanced manufacturing, benefiting approximately 150 students. Combined with a $1 million local match, this investment will help ensure North Alabama’s workforce is prepared to meet growing demand and support continued economic growth.

ARC Grant for Foundry Farm in Cullman County

In addition, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded a $1 million grant to Foundry Ministries for the Foundry Farm Building Project in Cullman County. As a member of Congress, I have supported funding for ARC to expand workforce development and create new opportunities across our communities.

This investment, matched by $1 million in local funding, will support construction of a new 11,400 square foot facility to expand programs that combine job training, agriculture, and addiction recovery. The project will provide employment readiness training—including culinary skills—and is expected to serve at least 30 participants in its first year, helping individuals rebuild their lives while strengthening our local workforce.

Alabama Leaders Participate in Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Hearing 

Remote Office Hours in Fayette and Lamar counties

This month, our office hosted remote office hours in both Fayette and Lamar Counties as part of our ongoing effort to stay accessible and engaged with constituents across the Fourth District.

My Field Representative, Will Grice, was on hand at both locations to meet with residents and assist with issues related to federal agencies, including Social Security, veterans’ services, and other government programs. These outreach efforts are an important way we ensure that individuals and families, especially in our rural communities, have direct access to assistance and a voice in Washington.

We remain committed to serving every corner of the district and look forward to continuing these opportunities to connect and assist.

Happy Easter Sunday! The Tomb is Empty!

As we conclude, I want to wish everyone a very happy Easter. This is a special time of year as we reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—a powerful reminder of hope, sacrifice, and new life; and the promise of eternal life.

May this Easter season bring peace, renewal, and joy to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Aderholt