Rep. Mo Brooks criticizes Sen. Richard Shelby, blames him for nation’s $30 trillion debt

US Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) has been ‘praised’ for “bringing home the bacon” to his home state of Alabama.

Shelby announced earlier last year that he will retire after 2022. US Representative Mo Brooks (R-AL) is running to fill his former seat and is up against Shelby’s former chief of staff.

According to Al.com, Brooks targeted Shelby with criticism and insults on the campaign trail. “Richard Shelby is probably more responsible for (America’s) $30 trillion debt than any other person in the United States of America. His length of service is power on the Appropriations Committee. Now, if you like the gravy train, he’s great at giving you the gravy train,” Brooks said.

Shelby will be known for the financial influence and support he brought to Alabama during his time in the Senate. Brooks made these comments on March 19th near the end of a town hall in Cullman.

He continued to say, “I can understand people who love that gravy train, who love all that pork barrel stuff and like what Richard Shelby does. And that’s fine – this is a republic and you have a choice. But I’m concerned about us going into bankruptcy. And so we have a difference of opinion here. But he apparently thinks Katie Britt is exactly like him. And you can decide if that’s what you want.”

Shelby’s spokeswoman Blair Taylor made a statement in response to Brooks comments. “Again, MO Brooks is out of touch,” she said.

“If he takes issue with Senator Shelby’s long-standing work to generate economic development and good-paying jobs in the state of Alabama, that’s his prerogative. I urge him to explain that to the millions of people in Alabama who benefit from these investments and the resulting growth throughout the state – particularly in his (Congressional) district. The reality is that if these federal funds don’t come to Alabama, they’re going elsewhere.”