Alabama House Passes HB541, Fueling Party Unity Debate

0:00Welcome to Birmingham News Today, two minutes of news that matter to Birmingham. Alabama's House of Representatives just passed HB 541 by a vote of 63 to 35. The bill requires voters to register with the party before joining that party's primary elections. Right after, Alabama Republican Party executive Tom Fredrick's pulled his petition for a special meaning on House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter's party. Loyalty. The petition targeted concerns about nominee qualifications and sticking to Republican principles, especially around Ledbetter from Reignsville. Fredrick's called the bill's quick approval, solid proof of the speaker and caucus commitment to party goals. Fredrick's thanks supporters of close primaries in a statement and praised the effort. Ledbetter responded by stressing his top goal is re-electing every Republican House member to build the party's supermajority. Speaker Ledbetter also emailed an apology to the party executive committee that move helped ease tensions within the group.

1:01HB 541 now moves to the state senate where its fate could shape primary elections and party unity moving forward.