News from Representative Steve Womack

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July 30, 2021

Washington Update

Appropriations General Debate

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Congressman Womack speaks during Committee on Rules meeting (video)

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee—where I serve as the Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee and also sit on the Defense and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittees—I rose multiple times this week to voice my deep concerns with the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bills considered on the House floor.

The legislation being debated is packed with unjustifiable spending and ignores our unsustainable fiscal trajectory. In light of unprecedented pandemic spending, it was my hope that this fiscal year we would prioritize making the tough choices necessary to chart a responsible path forward.

Instead, the Financial Services division of the package proposes a 20% increase in discretionary spending over Fiscal Year 2021, and numerous agencies funded receive a double-digit percentage increase over last year. Those numbers are unconscionable when you consider the fact that this country is well over 28 trillion dollars in debt.

I noted, with interest, the comments of the overall Chairwoman, when she talked about the moral test of government. To me, the moral test of government is for us to do our work, to take care of the urgent needs of our country – but not burden future generations in the course of doing so.

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Congressman Womack talks about how unrivaled inflation is a result of the federal government’s spending spree (video)

Furthermore, my colleagues on the other side continue to call for trillions in new government spending, while a new GAO review reports more than $1 trillion of the spending we have commissioned through the coronavirus phenomenon remains unspent. And not just that. This spending has created an inflationary spiral that is affecting every taxpayer budget in our district.

Several controversial policy changes—including provisions allowing D.C. tax dollars to fund abortions, removing the prohibition on federal employee health benefits funding for abortions, increasing dependence on China for critical minerals, weakening immigration laws, jeopardizing our national security, and more—were also inserted into the text. These policy changes are no-go’s and make this bill and minibus as a whole dead in the water.

Members of Congress from all across our country joined me in voicing these objections. These are people that represent real American lives, and they're in touch with their constituents on a daily basis in Augusta, Georgia; in Tulsa, Oklahoma – Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina – in Silt, Colorado; in Lincoln, Nebraska – Columbus, Indiana – and in my hometown of Rogers, Arkansas.

And they all understand when the federal government is on a spending spree because they feel it in their own pockets. We are feeling it today with unrivaled inflation that is the result of trillions of dollars of taxpayer money flowing into this economy.

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FSGG Ranking Member Womack’s Appropriations remarks during general debate (video)

So much money that the funds going to cities and counties have to be done in two tranches. Some of it's gone out this year, but there's so much that we have to wait until next year to send out the remaining $185 billion or so. Money that these counties and cities didn't ask for and, in many cases, don’t even need. In fact, they're taking suggestions on how best to spend it. And yet, here we are today, talking about a bloated discretionary bill that’s going to further burden future generations by adding to deficits and debt.

The interest on our debt this year is going to approach 350 billion dollars. Let me say that again: 350 billion dollars net interest on the debt, which would pay for more than half of the titles we were debating that day, of around 600 billion dollars.

This is not the way to do business if we want to enact full-year appropriations bills this year. I urge—in the strongest of terms—my counterparts in the House and in the Senate to work across the aisle. We must come up with bills of compromise that will actually work for America and be signed into law.

National Guard and Capitol Police Funding

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Congressman Womack advocates for America’s citizen soldiers and Capitol Police (video)

This week, I was also laser-focused on securing funding for our National Guard and Capitol Police. I proposed a Motion to Recommit (MTR) on the issue. I offered this MTR for one simple reason: so our protectors — the National Guard and the Capitol Police — can have the funding they need to continue protecting Americans, day in and day out.

As I said, if we didn't act, these forces would face training cancellations—which is bad for readiness—and would also take an expected check out of their monthly budgets. Unlike Congress, these families have to operate within their means. There is no option for them to raise their debt ceiling.

Following my advocacy and repeated calls to secure funding for our defenders, I’m proud to report Congress passed the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations bill.

The legislation provides emergency funding to reimburse the National Guard and Capitol Police for their missions of securing the U.S. Capitol grounds and also supports a program to help our Afghan allies who have stood side-by-side our troops and helped keep them safe. Without these warranted funds, both organizations would have been forced to cancel critical trainings and face dire impacts to their readiness and operations.

There is no excuse for why it took Congress until the eleventh hour to do its job. I am relieved for our National Guard and Capitol Police. Our men and women in uniform should never be left wondering if they’ll be able to continue essential operations. I wouldn’t have stopped calling for action until a bill was on the President’s desk.

Veterans in Parks Act

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Congressman Womack's cosponsored Veterans in Parks Act passed the House 

The Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act, legislation I cosponsored, unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill will give active-duty service members, veterans, and Gold Star Families free lifetime access to America’s most iconic natural treasures through the America the Beautiful Pass.

America’s heroes deserve to enjoy the very land and nation they helped protect. The VIP Act gives our men and women in uniform and their families free and unlimited access to beautiful parks and recreation areas. From the Buffalo National River to the Grand Canyon and beyond, they deserve to experience the many natural wonders of the U.S. I’m proud to support this small token of appreciation and help pass this bipartisan effort.

The America the Beautiful Pass provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including our national parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges. This includes some of the country’s most iconic treasures, parks, and monuments from “sea to shining sea.”

Honoring the Fulbright Program

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Congressman Womack introduced a resolution honoring the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program 

Today, I was joined by Congressmen French Hill (AR-2), Bruce Westerman (AR-4), and Rick Crawford (AR-1) in introducing a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, America’s flagship educational exchange program established by former Arkansas Senator J. William Fulbright. The milestone will officially be marked this Sunday, August 1st.

The Fulbright Program has been a tool of diplomacy and force for good. It has advanced global cooperation and connected people and ideas, driving change and a brighter future. As we mark 75 years of this prestigious program, we are proud to honor the scholars and legacy of service demonstrated. What was once a concept developed in Arkansas has become a pillar of international education.

The late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas introduced the program in the House in 1945 to promote peace and understanding in the aftermath of World War II. His goal was “to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs.” Since President Truman signed the Program into law on August 1, 1946, over 400,000 participants from the United States and 160 countries have studied, taught, and conducted research while immersed in a foreign culture.

My resolution has 15 cosponsors and also has a companion bill in the Senate, which is supported by fellow Arkansans and U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton.

Read more here.

Other meetings and notes:

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Congressman Womack meets with Sarah Henderson of Bentonville

  • Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations: I spoke with Rheumatologists, including Michael Saitta of Fayetteville, about the challenges facing health care professionals with regards to pharmaceutical drug costs and Medicare policy. We also discussed my cosponsorship of the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act, budget process, and importance of safeguarding taxpayer dollars.
  • American Psychological Association: I talked with representatives from the University of Arkansas, University of Central Arkansas, and UAMS about mental health support in schools following the pandemic. They shared that remote learning was very hard on everyone, and they are experiencing greater requests for mental health support from students and staff.
  • Third District Student: I sat down with Sarah Henderson of Bentonville, who is currently interning in D.C. for the House Committee for Science, Space and Technology. It was great hearing about her interests, future goals and endeavors, and experience in the House this summer. It’s always a pleasure to meet the future leaders of the Third District.
  • Supporting Arkansas Storm Recovery: The Arkansas congressional delegation voiced our support of the request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 18 counties impacted by flooding, high winds, hail, tornadoes, and other storm damage. Learn more here.

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Speaking to Sarah Henderson about her internship and future goals 

Wishing you a great weekend! Remember to keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the Third District and Washington. Also, if you are having issues with a federal agency or have a casework question, don’t forget to check out my office’s upcoming mobile office hours here! Find Arkansas vaccine locations here.

From the front...


Congressman Steve Womack
Arkansas Third District

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