Legislative Business

This week, Speaker Pelosi called the House back to vote on raising the debt limit again.

Democrats are working to increase our nation’s credit limit—so they can pass a radical agenda that imposes big government on nearly every aspect of the American people—and they are using a sham process to do it.

This bill increases the debt ceiling by $480,000,000,000.

Wouldn’t you think anything dealing with the magnitude of 480 billion dollars warrants a standalone, up-or-down vote? Yet, Speaker Pelosi hid the debt limit increase in a procedural maneuver to bypass debate and a tough choice for her moderate representatives. She didn’t want her members to be accountable to be tallied as a "Yea or Nay," or have to answer the tough questions that would accompany an honest assessment of the price tag and consequences of the bill.

I will not be complicit in facilitating the Democrats' out-of-control spending and another fiscal crisis deadline in mere weeks. I opposed this proposal again. I will talk more about this shortly, but I also want to clear some things up. The debt limit is fundamentally supposed to be a tool to restrain spending, not one to finance trillions of dollars more in debt for a socialist wish list. Increases to the debt limit have often been paired with spending controls, including cuts to programs if Congress violates those restraints.

Congress won’t fix its spending problem by spending more, further increasing already unsustainable debts and deficits, and stimulating inflation. We need to make difficult choices that will put our nation on a more sustainable path today.

As I said right after the vote, kicking the fiscal realities facing this country down the road changes nothing. It prolongs the issue, slightly extending the clock to our next budget crisis deadline. This type of doomsday governance only gives Speaker Pelosi more time to execute her tax and spend agenda without having to confront the unprecedented financial burden being left to future generations. This chamber needs to be in session working on implementing real reforms to our current spending situation.

The policy choices currently being made have both short-term and long-term consequences. Right now, we are seeing inflation skyrocket.

Costs for essential items we all purchase regularly—ranging from gas, meat, eggs, clothes, cars, and even electricity—are skyrocketing.

Inflation is taxation. American families are paying more, seeing diminishing returns on their paychecks, and have less money in their wallets and savings. This is a direct result of the more government, more spending, more regulation, and more tax priorities of President Biden and the Democrat-led House and Senate. During September, inflation clocked in at another 13-year high, with consumer prices soaring at the fastest rate since 2008. 

First, the Biden Administration said inflation was a "short-term" issue.

Now, just this week, White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain said it is a "high class" problem.

Products Arkansans need to put food on the table, fuel their homes and cars, get to work, and clothe their children are NOT "high-class" supplies. They impact family budgets daily.

Furthermore, with winter coming, families are bracing for even higher costs as heating bills are expected to be up by a staggering 54%. I am extremely concerned about these energy costs—exacerbated by the Biden Administration’s failed energy policies—as the cold weather season approaches.

I joined many of my fellow House Republicans in urging President Biden to reverse his assault on U.S. energy. Our policies should NOT drive up costs on American families and cede control of energy development to foreign nations like Russia, China, and Iran. Learn more here.

It is clear to me—just as I know it’s clear to you—that President Biden and Democrats in control of Congress are failing the American people. Instead of continuing to cave to the socialist wing of their party, they must reach across the aisle and work with Republicans to build strong policies. It’s time to reverse their agenda—which has created a supply chain disaster, border crisis, inflation emergency, and disappointing jobs reports—and work to implement effective legislation that makes us safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

We need pro-growth policies that unleash American greatness and support economic growth, rising wages, low unemployment, and opportunity.

Some other notes and news:

University of Arkansas Next-Gen Night Vision Technology: University of Arkansas researchers received a $4.4 million award from the U.S. Office of Naval Research to create the next generation of infrared sensors used in night vision technology. I’m extremely proud of the collaboration between the University of Arkansas and the Navy to develop next-generation night vision sensor technology. This world-class research will produce a prototype that will surpass current technology and increase military capabilities. It will also drive new, high-tech economic opportunities for our region and state. Ingenuity is opening doors to the future, and I will continue to support these efforts in Congress. Learn more here.

Congressional App Challenge: Last year, Haas Hall Academy student Veera Unnam won the Congressional App Challenge. His application tracked soil moisture for crops and house plants to help agriculture producers and people easily identify a watering schedule. We are currently looking for the Third District’s 2021 winner! I encourage all local middle and high school students to participate! Click here to learn more about how to sign up before the November 1 deadline.

Stopping Biden’s IRS Surveillance Proposal: Last Friday, I told you about some of my efforts to stop the Biden Administration’s attempt to institute unwarranted Internal Revenue Service (IRS) surveillance on Americans’ bank accounts. It's pretty simple—the IRS should not have broad, unlimited powers to surveil your bank account. This week, I cosponsored the Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act, which would also ban the IRS from implementing any new reporting requirements for banks or other financial institutions. I’ve heard from many Arkansans on this issue and will continue fighting to stop it.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead! You can keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from my office. 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!