On Saturday, all three candidates vying for the Republican nomination in Alabama's 6th Congressional District spoke at the Alabama Republican Congressional Assembly, seeking support and support from influential conservative groups.

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) is being challenged in the primary by auto businessman Garrick Wilkins and insurance agent Ken McPheeters.

Garrick Wilkins said he is running for Congress because “I really don't think Congress has done a very good job.”

“I wrote a book on congressional term limits,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins said he is very concerned about the southern U.S. border with Mexico.

“It's brutal to see,” Wilkins said of the situation at the border.

“Our debt has increased from $18 trillion to $34 trillion over the past decade,” Wilkins said. “I think we can do a better job. Our Founding Fathers intended to have citizen legislators, not career politicians.”

Related: Jerick Wilkins: Revitalizing America's Economy from a Business Leader's Perspective

Wilkins expressed concern about the coronavirus pandemic and “the amount of money we've put into” pandemic relief. Meanwhile, a member of Congress said, “Trading in pharmaceutical stocks. There are problems with that.”

“I think we can do better for our kids,” Wilkins said.

Mr Wilkins was asked whether, given the deteriorating world situation, he would be prepared to serve in parliament during a period that was likely to lead to World War III.

“We obviously face a lot of threats today,” Wilkins said. “Declaring war and sending brave young men overseas to fight would have to be taken very seriously. My biggest concern is what's happening on our southern border. .”

Mr Palmer said he had seen a confidential briefing on the threat assessment and expressed concern about the evolving geopolitical situation.

“That's what keeps me up at night,” Palmer said. “We are in one of the most dangerous places in the history of this country.”

Palmer said millions of people have been captured at the border and “there are 1.5 million who have escaped.”

Mr Palmer warned that not only were there 26,000 Chinese nationals in the country, but there was also a terrorist threat. He also defended his 2018 vote against the border security bill.

“We didn't fund the border wall we think we need, we didn't end chain migration, we didn't require electronic verification,” Palmer said. “More than half of House Republicans also voted against it, including Mo Brooks, Mike Johnson, Jim Jordan, and Trey Gowdy.”

Palmer criticized Biden's decisions to block construction of the Keystone pipeline, halt liquefied natural gas production and oil and gas exploration.

“He violated national security with his energy policy,” Palmer said of Biden. “This country has important minerals, but he won't allow us to build mining or processing facilities. They're all in Asia, and China poses an existential threat.”

Related: WSJ: Gary Palmer will influence incoming Trump administration's energy policy plans

“I have a number of bills introduced,” Palmer said of his work in Congress. “I show up for everything.”

Regarding the upcoming general election, Palmer said, “I pray to God that Trump wins.''

Palmer said he has discussed the current budget impasse with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

“I told him I was heading to the omnibus,” Palmer said. “I cannot support an omnibus.”

Palmer said he supports a continuing resolution on spending that would keep the government funded through May 1. At that point, the law would begin cutting spending by 1% across the board.

Palmer said the House has already passed a good border security bill.

“HR2 does exactly what we're supposed to do, but it's sitting on (Senate Majority Leader) Chuck Schumer's desk,” Palmer said. “A virus that this country hasn't seen in 60 years is coming across our borders.”

Palmer said he is in favor of abolishing the Green New Deal Bank and using its $21 billion to finance the $17 billion in aid Israel needs.

RELATED: Rep. Palmer defends record against conservative challenger in parliamentary debate

McPheeters said he supports abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. He expressed concern about coronavirus vaccines and warned that deficit spending is empowering governments to continue endless social programs and endless wars.

“War does one thing, it creates debt,” McPheeters said. “We've been fighting wars most of our lives.”

“They are literally printing their own money and lending it to us,” McPheeters said of the Federal Reserve. “They've been printing money for themselves. A very small number of people control the economy of the United States and much of the world.”

The primary election is March 5th.

The Republican Congress considers itself the “conscience of the Republican Party.” They are trying to elect conservatives in the Republican primaries and general elections. An estimated 80 Republican members of Congress and their supporters attended Saturday's event in Pelham.

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