HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Democratic 5th District congressional candidate Charlie Holley today took aim at incumbent U.S. Rep. Mo. Brooks, R-Huntsville, record in Washington, saying Brooks' legislative performance is not helping North Alabama.

Holley, a computer administrator at Huntsville Hospital, said Brooks has tried to blame others for his failure to sponsor and move legislation that helps the district and protects and creates jobs.

"Brooks has repeatedly passed the blame down the line," Holley said during an appearance at the Madison County Democratic Party headquarters in Huntsville. "The blame rests squarely on his shoulders. He has failed to protect the 5th District and instead aligned himself with extreme factions in Washington. He has been ineffective in sustaining North Alabama because he has taken on a do-little plan versus one that moves forward.

"If Brooks had been doing his job, the City of Huntsville wouldn't have hired his former opponent, (former Democratic congressional candidate) Steve Raby, to do the job of protecting the area's interest."

Brooks, who was elected in 2010, said he's sponsored three bills, co-sponsored 237 bills and has had several amendments to bills passed.

Brooks said he is concentrating on addressing the nation's deficit problems, illegal immigration and pending sequestration -- the massive, across-the-board cuts in federal spending, primarily from defense that will be automatically triggered in January, barring a deal.

"Charlie Holley is just grasping at straws. Why would there be a complaint about it? He's just trying to create an issue," Brook said. "We've got major issues that face our country and he's trying to itemize the number of bills someone has sponsored."

Holley pointed out that of the three bills Brooks has sponsored, none have gotten out of committee.

"We need legislation that will help us get grant money for small business so they can grow and expand," Holley said.

Holley, who is also an associate minister at Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, said he is committed to reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans and crafting legislation that will spur economic growth.

"You have to make friends," Holley said. "I can form a strong consensus with Republicans who want their districts to grow as well, not everybody's interested in party politics."

Holley said shortly after Brooks came to Washington he made a speech on the House floor, "basically blaming every bad thing on every Democrat.

"He had to back off and he managed to turn every Democrat in the House against him," Holley said. "It doesn't make sense to insult every one in the other party."

On April 15, 2011, during a speech on the House floor Brooks complained about spending decisions by "certain socialist members of this body."

Democrats immediately called for a point of order and asked that Brooks' comment be "taken down," a rare disciplinary action when the chair reviews the record and decides if the words are inappropriate

The objection was lodged by Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn.

Brooks was then asked by the Republican in the chair if he had a request for unanimous consent, and Brooks then asked for unanimous consent that his use of the word "socialist" be stricken from the record.

Brooks said he remains committed to fighting for deficit reduction and opposing the Obama-led Affordable Care Act. Brooks said if those positions disturb people in Washington who Holley has aligned with, "I am going to disturb them as much as I can."

Holley said he knows he faces an uphill fight, but stressed that as voters become more aware of Brooks' ineffectiveness in protecting the district from job cuts, they will be less interested in party affiliations and more interested in a congressman whose work will "help them keep bread on the table, pay the mortgage and help send their children to college."

Times Washington Bureau reporter Mary Orndorff Troyan contributed to this story.

Updated at 3:15 p.m. to change punctuation on Brooks quote.

