Sen. Shelby talks NASA, Redstone in visit to Madison County

More than 1000 people woke up early for Sen. Richard Shelby’s Washington Update at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce breakfast March 7.

“That’s a tribute to the way we think of him and what he’s done for our area,” said Charlie Kettle, board chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Shelby said the current national issues were especially relevant to Madison County.

“There’s a certain connection between Huntsville and Washington,” Shelby said.

He praised Huntsville’s emphasis on technology and discussed issues relating to the area.

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep Huntsville relevant in a big way,” Shelby said. “I’m not sure where NASA is going, but we’re going to try to keep it going. A lot of good things come out of NASA.”

Shelby also talked about Madison County’s importance concerning defense.

“You’re in the driver’s seat here,” Shelby said. “We need a robust missile defense. We needed it yesterday.”

He said he wants missile defense to be a high priority and does not support decreasing it.

“To cut it back is like cutting off your leg,” Shelby said.

Shelby, a ranking member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, answered questions from the audience and commented on national issues such as the budget, oil prices and bank recovery.

Shelby supports decreasing the budget and called the current deficit “financial suicide.”

“We’ve got a long way to go and it’s not going to be easy,” he said.

The closure of 300 banks in the last year is one reason Shelby said they need more capital and more liquid assets.

“There were years of easy credit,” Shelby said. “A lot of banks are still sick.”

He believes the price of oil will continue to impact the economy and “will choke off the recovery we’re trying to do.”

Despite the tough national economic times, Shelby thinks the future looks bright for Madison County.

“Huntsville will do well, but not without a fight,” he said.