Washington Update

This Week's Capitol Review

This week in Washington, we saw more of the same dysfunction and chaos. As I predicted, nothing changed since our last funding deadline. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her caucus have failed to govern and once again allowed the ticking of the clock down to another budget deadline and brink of a government shutdown.

Despite controlling the White House, House, and Senate, Democrats have failed to sign into law a single appropriations bill this entire year. None of the 12 appropriations bills, which are supposed to be completed before October 1st, the start of the new fiscal year, have even passed both chambers. They have failed to address our most basic duty—and the blame lands squarely at their feet.

We have had months since the beginning of the year, and weeks since the last continuing resolution (CR) was passed, to reconcile policy differences and fulfill our appropriations duties. So why didn’t Congress complete its work? From the start, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have refused to negotiate, debate, or even try to include Republicans in any semblance of talks. Instead of reaching a full-year deal on government funding or even a top-line agreement on funding levels, the majority have been fixated on advancing their radical agenda and swiping the taxpayer credit card every chance they could find. The result being the need for another stopgap that punts our constitutional funding responsibilities down the road.

It was truly rich to hear many of my Democrat colleagues on the floor try to blame the GOP for the situation. They control every chamber—but it’s the fault of the minority party? Give me a break. The mere suggestion Republicans refused to cooperate in full-year appropriations work is personally insulting. It’s also an outright lie. I’m a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the FSGG Subcommittee—not once have my colleagues on the other side of the aisle brought everyone together to hammer out comprehensive bills. Their caucus kept Congress captive—and used every procedural tactic in the book—to jam a far-left boondoggle through the House. Yet, they’ll continue to sidestep our obligation to deliver complete appropriations. If they were serious, they would replace their hollow calls for “unity” with actionable results. Let’s get every appropriator to the table and fully fund the government.

I opposed the continuing resolution because I think we should be doing just that— acting now to get our work done. Besides irresponsible governance, CRs negatively impact the nation. They risk national security and our military, as well as countless government agencies, which can’t plan long-term, make sound financial decisions, execute critical projects, or hire new staff. One illustration of the impact of short-term funding in national security is the U.S. falling further behind our adversaries in the areas of hypersonics, AI, advanced long-range fires, and many more.

Furthermore, emergency stopgap bills are also typically utilized as must pass legislation, which means many folks try to take advantage and tack on bad policy priorities or random, unnecessary spending. For example, I don't believe CR funding for agencies should be utilized for President Biden’s authoritarian federal vaccine mandates. The White House’s attempt to place a vaccine mandate on private business is a complete federal overreach and unconstitutional. I'm acting to stop it both by opposing this bill and with other actions I have taken, like helping introduce legislation that would nullify this order.

In this vein, I would also like to clear up misinformation that has been spread on another vote earlier this week. Congress voted on H.R. 550, which modernizes and increases security for already existing Immunization Information Systems (IIS), that most states, including Arkansas, have. We want our information systems—which are currently implemented in the Natural State—to be the most secure and properly updated to reflect today’s technology. The privacy of all users is protected in these population-based and confidential databases by privacy policies set by the states. Contrary to the fake news being spread, the bill does NOT include any reference to forcing a vaccine mandate, it does NOT give the federal government power to track the individual vaccination status of American citizens, and it does NOT establish any new databases. In fact, this bill protects against potential abuse from the Biden Administration by setting defined guardrails to ensure that already appropriated money is only going to modernize existing databases.

I want to make sure you have more details on what an IIS actually is—and why Arkansas has one. IIS combine all immunization information from different sources into one record, an official immunization card that is used for school, daycare, and other—usually child age—activities. At your doctor’s office, an IIS will be used to determine what vaccines you may need or to prevent over-vaccination. EX: You received a tetanus shot as an adolescent. After a few years, you go to a new doctor who checks your information and sees that you don’t need another booster for some time. Again, all H.R. 550 does is ensure Arkansas’s system has bolstered security defenses and that outdated systems can be updated. It’s unfortunate that the coronavirus has been politicized on so many different levels. You can always call my office if you need more information about the legislation.

With all this talk of government dysfunction and misleading information, I also want to note something else I have been thinking about. I’m sure you saw some headlines from earlier this week—and other examples—noting some unfortunate spats, dialogue, infighting, and other confrontations emanating from this institution. Right now, our nation is faced with crisis after crisis. The American people are begging for leadership and effective governance. These types of situations take away from the decorum expected of this chamber and serve no one. There will always be differences of opinion, vehement opposition to policy proposals, and spirited debate—but we can do so respectfully.

With that, I will be in Washington next week ready to do just that. We must unite behind the many challenges we face—border crisis, skyrocketing inflation, severe supply chain bottlenecks, workforce shortages, emboldened adversaries, abandoned American citizens in Afghanistan, our deficit and debt, and more.

Other notes and meetings:

Congressman Womack and Ambassador of Hungary Szabolcs Takács

Ambassador of Hungary: I visited with Ambassador of Hungary Szabolcs Takács. We discussed U.S.-Hungarian relations, defense cooperation, and Central and Eastern European security issues. We also spoke a lot about the current situation along the Ukrainian border, as Russia continues aggression and the migrant crisis being caused by the situation in Belarus. Ambassador Takács made clear of Hungary’s commitment to strengthening their nation and NATO’s defense.

Congressman Womack with HAMMRC members, Congressman Arrington, and Congressman Cole

Heartland Advanced Medical Manufacturing Regional Cluster (HAMMRC): HAMMRC is a regional coalition focused on economic development and the goal of attracting, developing, and retaining a professional healthcare manufacturing presence in the Northeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas regions. I was pleased to welcome the founding members of the organization, including representatives from the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Tahlequah Regional Development Authority, and the Cherokee Nation, to my office. Congressman Tom Cole of Oklahoma and Congressman Jodey Arrington of Texas also joined. I appreciated hearing about HAMMRC’s mission and dedication to creating critical jobs and facilitating regional collaboration in America’s heartland.

Congressman Womack with National Guard leadership

National Guard: “Always Ready, Always There!” I appreciated sitting down with National Guard leadership to discuss the State Partnership Programs (SPP), which was established by the Pentagon following the end of the Cold War as a way to create constructive partnerships between state National Guards and newly independent countries of the former Soviet Union. It quickly became a key security tool, helping facilitate engagement across all aspects of international civil-military affairs and enhancing diplomatic cooperation. It has been an effective tool, and I want to ensure this longstanding program remains successful—which is why I requested GAO perform an updated strategic assessment of the initiative to ensure its objectives are being advanced and that the current framework is continuing to support the U.S. National Defense Strategy. Thanks to Major General Randolph Staudenraus, Colonel Matthew Wenthe, and Captain Julian Plamann for their time and service!

Congressman Womack with USAF 1st LT Dontae Bell (second from left) and ROTC cadets

Howard University: I discussed leadership and service with USAF 1st LT Dontae Bell from the 3rd District. The "fireside chat" was moderated by Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick and covered overcoming challenges to making distinct choices to be a leader. I spoke about my belief that choosing to be a leader stems from asking yourself “If not me, then who?” The audience included Howard University Army and Air Force ROTC cadets along with the Howard University Men’s Basketball Team. For those of you unfamiliar with 1st LT Bell, he formerly worked for my office, was the President of the Howard University Student Council, a Truman Scholar, and is currently a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Please join me in saluting his service!

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