Gary J. Palmer

Palmer's CHARM Act Passes House

Position: The release supports passage of H.R. 9617, the CHARM Act, which directs the EPA to develop a coordinated federal strategy for recovering critical minerals from domestic sources such as electronic waste, legacy mine sites, and coal ash to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, including China.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 9617, the Coordinating and Harnessing America’s Recovery of Minerals (CHARM) Act. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Gary Palmer (R-AL-06) and Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), the Democratic Ranking Member on the Environment Subcommittee. Following the passage of the CHARM Act, Rep. Palmer released the following statement:  “America should not have to rely on China or other adversarial nations for the critical minerals that power our economy and strengthen our national security,” said Rep. Palmer. “The House passage of the CHARM Act is an important step toward making better use of the resources we already have here at home and strengthening our domestic supply chains. I’m grateful to Congressman Tonko for working with me on this bipartisan effort, and I look forward to seeing the Senate take up this legislation.” “Building out our domestic supply chain and ensuring we have the materials our nation needs to power our energy system leads to lasting benefits for our workers, national security, and economy," Congressman Tonko said. "Our CHARM Act does just that by establishing a coordinated federal strategy for recovering critical minerals from discarded materials. I’m grateful to Congressman Palmer for his partnership leading this legislation and am proud to see its passage through the House.” The CHARM Act aims to reduce America’s reliance on foreign countries for critical minerals by identifying new opportunities to recover these resources from sources already available in the United States, including electronic waste, legacy mine sites, and coal ash. The legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a coordinated federal strategy for recovering critical minerals from these and other overlooked domestic sources. Read the text of the bill here. Watch Rep. Palmer's floor remarks on the CHARM Act by clicking here.

Palmer Votes to Condemn Socialism

Position: Representative Palmer voted for H. Res. 1490, a resolution condemning socialism, and states that socialism and communism have no place in the United States. The statement contrasts these ideologies with individual liberty and free enterprise.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) voted in favor of H. Res. 1490, a resolution condemning and denouncing socialism in all its forms. Following the vote, Rep. Palmer released the following statement: “There was a time when our education system took the threats of socialism and communism seriously and intentionally educated students about the devastating consequences of these ideologies. The images from my old textbooks of Peter Fechter being killed by East German border guards while attempting to flee the socialist state of East Germany will never leave my mind,” said Rep. Palmer. “History has repeatedly shown that socialism and communism lead to the erosion of individual liberty, economic freedom, and human dignity. The United States was built on the principles of individual liberty and free enterprise, and communism and socialism have no place in our country. I was proud to vote for this resolution reaffirming our commitment to those principles that have made America a prosperous nation and rejecting the failed ideologies of socialism and communism.”

Palmer Legislation to Recover Critical Minerals Passes Committee

Position: Rep. Palmer supports H.R. 9617, the CHARM Act, which would direct the EPA to develop a coordinated federal strategy for recovering critical minerals from e-waste, legacy mine sites, coal ash, and other domestic sources, and states that reliance on China for these resources is a concern.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 9617, the Coordinating and Harnessing America’s Recovery of Minerals (CHARM) Act, during a full committee markup. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Gary Palmer (R-AL-06) and Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), the Democratic Ranking Member on the Environment Subcommittee. Following committee passage, Rep. Palmer released the following statement: "Critical minerals are essential to our economy and national security, yet America remains too dependent on China for these resources,” said Rep. Palmer. “The CHARM Act takes a commonsense approach by directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a coordinated federal strategy to identify new opportunities to recover critical minerals from electronic waste, legacy mine sites, coal ash, and other overlooked sources already here at home. I appreciate Congressman Tonko's partnership and thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing this legislation." Read the text of the bill here. Watch Rep. Palmer's comments on the CHARM Act by clicking here or watching the video below.

Palmer Supports Legislation to Preserve the Integrity of the DAR

Position: Supports legislation amending the federal charter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to limit membership eligibility to biological women who meet genealogical requirements.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) cosponsored the Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act. This legislation, introduced by Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06), amends the federal charter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to preserve the organization’s historic mission by including an eligibility requirement that limits membership to biological women that meet the genealogical eligibility requirements. Upon cosponsoring this legislation, Rep. Palmer released the following statement: “It should be common sense that to be a part of the Daughters of the American Revolution, you have to be a daughter. Unfortunately, common sense has become a casualty of the left's radical agenda,” said Rep. Palmer. “This legislation protects the integrity of the DAR by preserving its historic purpose. Congress will not allow radical activists to erase womanhood from one of our nation's oldest patriotic organizations. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and I thank Rep. Cline for his leadership on this issue.” Read the press release issued by Rep. Cline’s office here. ###

Palmer Celebrates Anniversary of Dobbs Ruling

Position: The release celebrates the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which returned abortion policy to the states, and states that further policies protecting the unborn and supporting mothers and families should be advanced.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 24, 2026, marks the four-year anniversary of the United States Supreme Court ruling of Dobbs vs. Jackson that overturned the decision in Roe v. Wade ultimately returning the issue of abortion back to the states. To celebrate the anniversary of this landmark decision, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) released the following statement: “Four years ago, the Supreme Court rightly recognized that the Constitution does not contain the right to abortion. The Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson corrected a constitutional overreach and returned the issue of abortion to the American people and their elected representatives. While countless unborn lives have been saved since then, our work is not finished,” said Rep. Palmer. “Every child is a gift, and we must continue advancing policies that protect the unborn, support mothers and families, and uphold the dignity and value of human life.”

Palmer Bill to Prevent Improper Payments Passes House

Position: Supports passage of H.R. 8467, the ZOMBIE Act, which would require federal agencies to take proactive steps to identify and limit improper payments, waste, fraud, and abuse.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06)’s bill, H.R. 8467, the Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended (ZOMBIE) Act, passed the House of Representatives. The ZOMBIE Act aims to prevent government waste, fraud, and abuse by taking proactive steps to limit improper payments by government agencies. Following passage of the bill, Rep. Palmer released the following statement: “For too long, billions of taxpayer dollars have been lost to improper payments and fraud because federal agencies have failed to identify risks before money goes out the door. The House passage of the ZOMBIE Act is an important step toward addressing this problem by requiring agencies to take a proactive approach to preventing waste, fraud, and abuse. I appreciate my colleagues for supporting this commonsense reform and look forward to seeing the Senate follow suit,” said Rep. Palmer. View Rep. Palmer’s previous press release for more information on the ZOMBIE Act here. Watch Rep. Palmer’s floor speech on the ZOMBIE Act here or by clicking the video below.

Palmer Votes in Favor of Funding ICE, CBP

Position: Representative Palmer voted for S. 2, the Secure America Act, and states that the bill provides funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to secure the border and enforce immigration laws. He opposes Democratic efforts to reduce funding for law enforcement at the border.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Martin (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) voted in favor of S. 2, the Secure America Act. Following the passage of this legislation, Rep. Palmer released the following statement: "Securing our border and enforcing our immigration laws are fundamental responsibilities of the federal government. This legislation provides critical funding for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to help restore order at the border after years of crisis caused by the Biden administration,” said Rep. Palmer. “Democrats have pushed efforts to defund the police for years. Now, many of them are opposing funding for law enforcement at the border. For the wellbeing of our nation, CBP and ICE agents deserve the resources necessary to do their jobs safely and effectively.” “A nation without borders is not a nation at all. This bill strengthens our ability to stop illegal immigration, combat human trafficking and drug smuggling, and protect American communities. I look forward to seeing it being signed into law,” concluded Rep. Palmer.

Palmer Applauds House Passage of Lulu’s Law

Position: The release announces House passage of Lulu's Law, which allows state and local authorities to use wireless emergency alerts to notify the public of shark attacks or dangerous shoreline conditions, and the sponsors express support for the bill.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed S. 1003, Lulu’s Law. This legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) and in the House by Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06). In June 2024, Lulu Gribbin from Mountain Brook, Alabama, suffered serious injuries from a shark attack while at the beach. Only 90 minutes prior to Lulu being attacked, further up the beach another woman was attacked by a shark. Lulu’s Law allows state and local authorities to use wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to notify the public when a shark attack has occurred or when dangerous conditions are present along the shoreline. “Today, the House passed Lulu’s Law to help keep families and beachgoers safe. Lulu Gribbin’s courage, resilience, and determination have turned a tragic experience into a meaningful effort to protect others, and I am proud to have played a part in getting this legislation across the finish line. I am thankful for Senator Britt’s leadership and partnership in championing this bill in the Senate, and I am looking forward to seeing President Trump sign this commonsense legislation into law,” said Rep. Palmer. “I’m thrilled that Lulu’s Law has passed the House with overwhelming support after passing the Senate last July, and I’m especially thankful to Representative Gary Palmer who helped usher this important legislation through the House Energy and Commerce Committee and to the House floor for a full vote. After working to get this law passed for over a year, I’m proud we were able to deliver in honor of Lulu’s story, which is a tale of incredible courage and perseverance. Lulu’s Law will soon be signed into federal statute and as a result, families and beachgoers will be safer. This bipartisan legislation is an incredible example of Congress at its very best, and I couldn’t be prouder to have led this for Lulu and our nation. Throughout this journey, Lulu has been a fighter, personifying both grace and grit. Her strength and faith have truly inspired our nation and her determination to help other families and beachgoers is nothing short of remarkable. The passage of this legislation is just the beginning of how her story, spirit, and servant heart will leave a lasting impact on the lives of so many across America,” said Sen. Britt. Rep. Palmer and Sen. Britt were pleased to welcome Lulu to the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the passage of Lulu’s Law. Watch Rep. Palmer’s floor remarks in support of Lulu’s Law here or by clicking the video below.

Palmer Bill Targeting Improper Payments Passes Through Committee

Position: Supports the ZOMBIE Act, which would replace annual improper payment estimates with ongoing fraud risk assessments and require agencies to adopt fraud prevention practices such as GAO's 2015 Fraud Risk Framework.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended (ZOMBIE) Act introduced by Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform this afternoon. Rep. Palmer released the following statement: “The federal government has made an estimated $2.8 trillion in improper payments since 2003. Washington has a serious problem, and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill. The ZOMBIE Act takes a sensible and proactive approach by requiring agencies to identify fraud risks before money goes out the door instead of waiting until after it has already been lost. By strengthening oversight, improving coordination, and holding agencies accountable for real financial losses, this bill helps ensure taxpayer dollars are protected and spent the way Congress intended,” said Rep. Palmer. The ZOMBIE Act reforms federal law to prevent improper payments by replacing the costly practice of completing annual improper payment estimates with ongoing risk assessments. The ZOMBIE Act also requires agencies to implement fraud prevention best practices, such as the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) 2015 Fraud Risk Framework. Read the bill text here.

Palmer, Mfume Introduce Bill to Increase Transparency in Federal Agency Settlement Agreements

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) and Representative Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) introduced H.R. 7934, the Settlement Agreement Information Database (SAID) Act of 2026. The legislation would provide overdue transparency and accountability standards for federal settlement agreements. Following the introduction of the bill, Rep. Palmer released the following statement: “Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining the American people’s trust in their government,” said Rep. Palmer. “Too often, federal agencies negotiate settlement agreements and consent decrees behind closed doors and only release hand-picked information about these deals to the public through press releases. The SAID Act will bring much-needed transparency to these agreements by ensuring they are publicly available in a centralized database. By shining a light on these deals, Congress and the public will be able to better understand how federal agencies are exercising their authority and hold them accountable when those actions impose burdens outside the normal legislative or regulatory process. I am honored to introduce this bipartisan transparency bill along with Representative Mfume.” "Americans of all walks of life deserve to know how their tax dollars are spent. When a federal agency enters into a binding settlement, taxpayers have a right to know the terms of that agreement," said Rep. Mfume. "Without that fundamental transparency, we cannot truly claim to have the informed consent of the people. This bill will establish true accountability by creating a publicly accessible database, where Americans can track the terms of these settlement agreements and consent decrees. If an agency wants to keep those terms confidential, they will have to give a public explanation of why, rather than simply declaring it classified without explanation. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation along with Representative Palmer, and I urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in strengthening Congressional oversight over every federal dollar spent." A similar version of this bipartisan legislation passed the House in the 118th Congress on January 24, 2023, as H.R. 300. Read the bill text here. BACKGROUND The SAID Act will promote greater transparency in the federal government by bringing long-needed visibility to federal settlement agreements and consent decrees. The legislation would require federal agencies to submit information about these agreements to a publicly accessible electronic database. Specifically, the bill would: Improve transparency by requiring federal agencies to report information on settlement agreements and consent decrees to a centralized, searchable public database. Strengthen oversight by having the database administered under the guidance of the Office of Management and Budget and ensuring the information disclosed includes key details such as agreement dates, payment amounts, attorney fee awards, and the state and local governments affected. Enhance accountability by requiring the agency head to notify Congress if they determine that certain information must remain confidential and publicly explain why it cannot be disclosed.