As Project 2025 moves beyond its namesake year and into 2026, its real impact may be felt most sharply not in Washington, but in states like Alabama. Federal restructuring plans often land hardest on states that depend heavily on public programs, rural infrastructure, and federally supported services—and Alabama fits that profile.
One of the most immediate concerns is healthcare. Alabama already faces hospital closures in rural counties, shortages of healthcare professionals, and limited access to specialty care. If federal oversight is reduced and healthcare responsibilities are shifted further to the states, Alabama may struggle to fill the gap. Medicaid policy changes or funding cuts could place additional strain on seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families who already face barriers to care.
Education is another area of vulnerability. Federal education funds support special education, school nutrition programs, teacher training, and rural school systems across Alabama. A rollback of federal involvement could lead to fewer protections for students with disabilities, reduced oversight of civil rights compliance, and increased financial pressure on local school boards—many of which are already operating with limited resources.
For working families, changes to labor protections and workplace regulations could be significant. Alabama has one of the lowest union participation rates in the country and limited state-level worker protections. Federal rollbacks could leave workers with fewer safeguards related to wages, workplace safety, and discrimination—particularly affecting Black workers and those in manufacturing, service, and agricultural jobs.
Voting rights remain a critical concern. Alabama’s history makes it especially sensitive to changes in federal voting protections. Any weakening of enforcement related to voter access, districting, or election oversight could disproportionately affect Black voters, seniors, and rural residents—groups that already face logistical and systemic barriers to participation.
There is also the issue of infrastructure and disaster preparedness. Alabama relies heavily on federal partnerships for road repairs, flood mitigation, broadband expansion, and storm recovery. Shifting these responsibilities to the state without adequate funding could slow progress and leave vulnerable communities exposed during severe weather events.
Yet, Alabama also has a strong tradition of community resilience. Churches, local journalists, civic organizations, and grassroots leaders have long stepped in when systems fall short. As Project 2025 extends into 2026, that tradition will be tested once again.
The coming year will require Alabamians to stay informed, ask hard questions of elected officials, and protect the programs and rights that sustain everyday life. National agendas do not operate in isolation. Their consequences are felt in local clinics, classrooms, polling places, and paychecks.
In 2026, Alabama will not be on the sidelines. It will be on the front lines.