Alabama’s 6th Congressional District is represented by Congressman Gary Palmer, a Republican who has been in office since 2015. This comprehensive profile aims to help voters understand his background, legislative activities, policy positions, and the demographics of his district.
Career Path to Congress
Early Life and Education:
- Born on May 14, 1954, in Hackleburg, Alabama.
- Graduated from Hackleburg High School.
- Earned a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from the University of Alabama.
- Was a walk-on member of the University of Alabama football team under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Professional Career:
- Co-founded the Alabama Family Alliance in 1989, which later became the Alabama Policy Institute (API), a conservative think tank.
- Served as President and CEO of API for 24 years, focusing on promoting limited government, free markets, and strong families.
Political Career:
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, succeeding retiring Representative Spencer Bachus.
- Served as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee from 2019 to 2025.
- Re-elected multiple times and is currently serving his sixth term.
Sponsored Legislation
As of the 119th Congress (2025-2026), Congressman Palmer has sponsored 99 pieces of legislation. Notable sponsored bills include:
- H.R. 4316 – Citizen Ballot Protection Act (Introduced June 23, 2023):
- Aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states to submit reports on voter list maintenance activities to the Election Assistance Commission.
- H.J.Res. 18 (Introduced January 6, 2025):
- Proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
- H.R. 22 (Introduced January 3, 2025):
- Seeks to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
For a comprehensive list of sponsored bills, please refer to his profile on Congress.gov.
Votes and Stances on Major Social Issues
- Abortion: Consistently supports pro-life legislation and voted in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Opposes same-sex marriage and has supported legislation allowing businesses to refuse services based on religious beliefs.
- Gun Control: Advocates for Second Amendment rights and opposes restrictive gun control measures, emphasizing individual gun ownership for self-defense.
Votes and Stances on Major Economic Issues
- Taxation: Supports tax cuts to stimulate economic growth and backed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced corporate and individual tax rates.
- Government Spending: Advocates for reducing federal spending to address the national debt and has opposed several large-scale spending bills, citing concerns over fiscal responsibility.
- Healthcare: Supports repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and advocates for market-based healthcare solutions to increase competition and reduce costs.
Demographics of the 6th Congressional District
Alabama’s 6th Congressional District includes the central part of the state near Greater Birmingham, covering the northeastern parts of Birmingham and Jefferson County, as well as surrounding suburbs, including Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, and Shelby counties. Key demographic data include:
- Population: Approximately 718,000 residents.
- Racial Composition:
- White: 79%
- Black or African American: 14%
- Hispanic or Latino: 4%
- Asian: 2%
- Other: 1%
- Median Household Income: Approximately $70,000.
- Education:
- High school graduate or higher: 90%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 40%
These statistics highlight a predominantly white, suburban constituency with relatively high income and education levels.
Controversial Statements
Term Limits Pledge: In 2014, Palmer signed the U.S. Term Limits Pledge and campaigned on a promise to serve no more than five terms in Congress. However, in 2024, he announced his intention to seek a sixth term, citing reasons such as high turnover in Alabama’s congressional delegation and his leadership roles in the House. This decision drew criticism for breaking his earlier commitment, which Palmer acknowledged, stating he would “own that” regarding breaking that campaign promise.
This profile aims to provide voters with a thorough overview of Congressman Gary Palmer’s background, legislative activities, policy positions, and the demographic context of his constituency. For more detailed information, constituents are encouraged to visit his official House website.
