Washington Update

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce

Congressman Womack speaks to Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce members

The Arkansas spirit was extra strong in D.C. this week! It was a pleasure to welcome members of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce into town. Our chambers across Arkansas contribute so much to the economic vitality and strong business environments we boast. From community development projects and supporting job creation to encouraging entrepreneurs, the members have fostered growth and contributed so much to the Natural State’s future.

Alongside other members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation, including Rep. French Hill, Rep. Bruce Westerman, Rep. Rick Crawford, and Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, we had productive discussions on what is going on in Washington, policy priorities, workforce and inflation challenges, and more. We have a shared focus on continually driving efforts that propel Arkansas’s innovation, entrepreneurial, and workforce ecosystems. 

One of my top priorities will always be implementing a pro-growth agenda that builds stronger communities and creates more opportunity in our district. Arkansas is ripe for economic and business development, and we must continue to implement policies that help companies and entrepreneurs succeed.

Thanks again to the Arkansas State Chamber for visiting!

Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese

Congressman Womack introduces Melisa Laelan during virtual Natural Resources hearing

The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the U.S. nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands, and I had the distinct privilege to introduce one of their witnesses—the Third District’s very own Melisa Laelan.  

Melisa lives in Springdale and is the Founder and Executive Director of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese, which advocates on behalf of the more than 15,000 Marshallese who live in Arkansas and the surrounding areas. She is a Marshall Islands native and a veteran of the United States Army.

As I noted, Melisa has also been at the forefront of efforts to ensure federal policies reflect the agreed-to Compacts of Free Association. I have worked alongside her, Rep. Case, and other members with populations affected by a technical mistake with the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act to restore benefits to Freely Associated States citizens living in the United States. I’m proud that our joint efforts have helped secure important policy changes, and we will continue working together to secure other needed reforms.

She epitomizes the values of hard work and service to others that are the hallmark of Northwest Arkansas. Across the nation, COFA citizens support U.S. defense efforts, pay taxes, and are core elements of our economy and communities. I know her testimony brought great insight to the hearing.

Supply Chain Crisis

Congressman Womack records videos on various topics and issues

The supply chain breakdown and crisis at our ports are hurting American families and businesses. Right now, we're seeing increasingly empty shelves and higher costs of goods. I urge President Biden to address these bottlenecks and inflation instead of pushing policies that will exacerbate these issues.

Arkansas and Americans are paying more today than they were a year ago for basic items, like gas, milk, eggs, and bread. In fact, the national average price for a gallon of gas recently reached $3.37, which is more than a dollar higher than it was a year ago. This is the highest average price since October of 2014. When asked about this yesterday, President Biden said, "I don’t have a near-term answer. It’s going to be hard." Well, it’s certainly going to be difficult if he continues his assault on American energy and focus on a socialist wish list. With inflation on pace to reach its highest level in nearly forty years, the last thing President Biden and Congressional Democrats need to be doing is continuing their efforts to ram through a multi-trillion tax and spending proposal.

Our priority right now should be strengthening our nation’s economy and increasing our global competitiveness. The policies of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are exacerbating or simply ignoring the underlying supply chain crisis. Their measures are prolonging unemployment and worker shortages across the economy:

• Overly-extended unemployment benefits are fueling worker shortages.
• Their multi-trillion-dollar spending spree is driving up inflation.
• Plans to mandate vaccines are hurting businesses already struggling to hire while discriminating against workers regardless of their circumstances.
• Over-regulating and over-taxing American businesses and families is making us less competitive.
• Ignoring real infrastructure needs is making matters worse and further imperiling the upcoming holiday season.
• Prohibitions on energy production are driving heating and gas bills through the roof.

I joined other lawmakers in calling on President Biden to immediately reconsider radical partisan proposals, which are making supply chain issues worse. The Administration should be prioritizing real infrastructure solutions, moving goods and people safely and efficiently throughout the U.S. and globe, and reversing skyrocketing inflation.

Read the letter here.

Opposing Federal Vaccine Mandate on Schools

Congressman Womack stands with some of the other members of the Arkansas delegation

This week, I joined Congressman Bruce Westerman, Congressman Rick Crawford, and Congressman French Hill in sending a letter to Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona opposing a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate on public schools.

Education policies are best handled at the local level – not by Washington bureaucrats. We don’t need the federal government inserting itself where it does not belong. Our school leaders and families are more than capable to work together and make choices that are best for students. Arkansas will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our children.

Read the letter here.

Fighting Biden’s Open Border Agenda

Congressman Womack discusses foreign policy challenges on the radio

I, alongside some of my House and Senate colleagues, submitted a public comment to President Biden’s proposed rule that would illegally upend the process by which the U.S. government hears asylum claims. The rule, if finalized, would lead to the dispersion of potentially hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens into the interior each year in violation of federal law, limit the ability of immigration courts to hear asylum claims, serve as a massive pull factor for future illegal immigration, and fulfill a Biden campaign promise of open borders. The proposed rule further encourages the unprecedented surge in illegal crossings at our southern border and the Biden Administration’s failure to address the crisis it created after dismantling the Trump Administration’s successful border security policies. In a year where we have witnessed millions of apprehensions at the southern border, the last thing we need is any proposal that would only incentivize more illegal immigration. I strongly oppose the Biden Administration’s reckless attempt to unconstitutionally rewrite the asylum laws in America. Read the comment here.

Brew Across America

Congressman Womack and Congressman Kildee are awarded the People's Choice Award

After legislative business, I competed in the 2021 Brew Democracy Cup at the fourth Anheuser-Busch Brew Across America Congressional Brewing Competition. The challenge brought together bipartisan pairs of members to brew a signature beer inspired by local flavors and ingredients. It’s all about highlighting unique products from across the U.S. and also strengthening the ties between legislators across the aisle. Congress certainly needs that right now. Additionally, all members get to learn more about the financial impact of the beer industry, from facilities and jobs to distributors and investments, across the U.S. 

I couldn’t turn down a chance to put a spotlight on Arkansas agriculture. I teamed up with Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan—who brought hops from his state—and we got working on brewing an American lager. We named it the “Yeas and Nays” because at the end of a heated debate, when you’re ready to vote, what do both sides always ask for? The yeas and the nays.

Well, I am happy to let you know, without objection, it is so ordered the Natural State has secured the title of People's Choice Award Winner! Arkansas's premium rice, melded with Michigan hops, brought to life a superior brew exemplifying the vibrancy of signature state products. I’m proud to bring this honor home to those who inspired its creation—the great people of Arkansas and Michigan. Special thanks to my bipartisan counterpart and friend Rep. Dan Kildee, all those who voted for us, Anheuser-Busch, and the St. Louis Brewery. 

Read more about the competition here and here.

Some other notes and news:

Renewing Calls Against Biden’s IRS Surveillance Proposal: I joined my colleagues in renewing our demands for the Biden Administration to abandon their Internal Revenue Service (IRS) surveillance policy. As we stated, over the last several months, our offices have been inundated with messages from constituents concerned about the privacy implications associated with this proposal. The Administration’s half-hearted attempt to appease critics by suggesting they will simply increase the reporting threshold is dismissive and will still affect millions of Americans who do not want more of their personal data sent to the IRS as a means to pay for reconciliation. I strongly oppose this government overreach. Read the letter here.

Fox News Radio: I joined Jason Chaffetz on Fox News Radio to talk about Afghanistan, the defense budget, and other foreign policy issues. Listen to the segment here.

Congressional App Challenge: The November 1^st deadline to enter the 2021 Congressional App Challenge is quickly approaching. I can’t wait to see our best and brightest minds get creative and leverage their STEM skills again this year. I encourage all local middle and high school students to participate! Click here to learn more about the competition and how to sign up.

Drug Take Back Day: Tomorrow—October 23^rd—is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. There will be collection sites throughout Arkansas, where you can safely dispose of no longer needed or expired prescription medication. It’s a small step that can help save lives and prevent unused medication from falling into the wrong hands. Find a collection site near you here. The opioid epidemic has ravaged our country, and we need to work together to fight it. It must be a multi-pronged effort that includes substance abuse treatment, education, and law enforcement efforts. Earlier this year, I introduced the Preventing Mental Health and Substance Use Crises During Emergencies Act to help address the worsening mental health and substance abuse emergencies, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. The bipartisan legislation will establish a joint task force charged with providing recommendations to better serve those in need and support the creation of a coordinated national strategy for the future.

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!