Washington Update
Policy News
Congressman Womack talking policy updates
Under the direction of President Biden and House Democrats, our nation has been confronted with crisis after crisis. If skyrocketing inflation hitting the wallets of every American wasn’t bad enough already, families are now struggling to find baby formula to feed their children. This is unthinkable. How is the greatest country in the world struggling to put necessary, life-sustaining products on our shelves?
Well, it stems from the Biden Administration’s failure to react to shortages they knew were coming. In fact, HHS Secretary Becerra stated he has been aware of this crisis beginning last year. Furthermore, the FDA knew of the issues since last fall. Yet, the agency failed to work quickly to reopen domestic production or facilitate safe imported alternatives to cover the temporary shortage.
American families need a plan to fix this crisis and get baby formula back on the shelves. Instead of focusing on doing that, House Democrats wasted time pushing H.R. 7790, legislation that sends millions more to the FDA—which, as I said before, was aware of disruptions and knew a baby formula shortage was imminent. It does nothing to immediately address the baby formula crisis and ensure product is available for parents and their children.
Injecting more money into the FDA—and the very bureaucrats who precipitated this emergency—isn’t going to solve the baby formula crisis. It won’t put stock on the shelves. But it is typical Washington: throw funds at a government agency and declare the problem solved. Our families in need will still be hurting.
This bill:
- Does not force the FDA to develop a plan to address the shortage.
- Does not take into account excess stocks of formula at federal agencies that could be redirected to American households immediately.
- Does not mandate funds be used to rush formulas to where they are needed the most.
- Does not re-direct unspent dollars that are no longer needed elsewhere toward providing a real solution to this crisis.
Also, the Administration currently has more than $1 billion in unused COVID supply chain disruption funds on hand.
On an issue so important, the American people deserve more than the appearance of a response. We can do better. It's why I am pushing new legislation, the Formula Act, to strengthen and stabilize supply and prevent future crises. This bill will quickly increase safe formula options for infants in Arkansas and across the nation. Congress should immediately vote on it. Learn more here.
We should never have had to make a choice between product availability and safety assurances. We wouldn’t have to if the FDA and Biden Administration were transparent and immediately worked to shore up supplies of safe formula. Instead, no one acted until parents were left struggling to feed their babies. The answer is surely not funneling more money to an agency, where half of the funds won’t even be spent until next year. Parents and babies can’t afford to wait—and I call on Congress to vote on legislation that will actually resolve this crisis.
President Biden's anti-U.S. energy policies are hurting Americans
Sadly, this wasn’t the only deceitful bill on the floor. House Democrats also put forth a bill on “price gouging,” which was basically a socialist price control ploy. Not only will it make inflation worse, but it also won’t solve the real cause of soaring gas prices. That could be found if President Biden and Speaker Pelosi took a look in the mirror.
Gas prices are at historic highs. They have surpassed $4 a gallon in every state for the first time ever and are predicted to hit $6 a gallon this summer. Democrats have tried every gimmick in the book to try and shift the blame for rising gas prices. If they truly want to reduce the pain Americans are feeling at the pump, they would roll back their assault on American energy.
They have singlehandedly limited the supply by shutting down oil production, canceling projects like the Keystone XL pipeline, not allowing any new leases, imposing moratoriums on fossil energy development on federal lands, doubling down on financial regulators to halt fossil fuel investment, and draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
We must flip the switch on American energy production to reverse the damage of Biden’s energy and inflation crises. Republicans are leading solutions to help lower prices, like the American Energy Independence from Russia Act, legislation I am a cosponsor of that would unleash U.S. energy. Democrats continue to block the bill. They would rather try to price fix or even turn to oil from dictatorships like Venezuela, than jumpstart production here at home.
Here are steps I have advocated—which would end the record-setting climb of gas and energy that every American family is currently facing:
- Streamline the permitting process for new energy projects
- Approve pipeline permits including those for Keystone XL
- Permit mining projects, especially for critical minerals
- Restart oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters
- Stop pressuring financial institutions to divest from fossil fuels
- Promote innovation and new technologies
- Permit the construction of LNG export facilities so allies aren’t reliant on adversaries for energy
- Support a diversity of energy sources in the U.S., including oil, natural gas, wind, solar, nuclear, hydropower, etc.
Surging gas prices are not because of price gouging. They are a result of President Biden’s war on American energy production and jobs. Reverse the far-left Green New Deal agenda—and we will lower prices and strengthen our national security.
Hearings
Congressman Womack speaking on defense issues during House Appropriations Committee
I participated in a series of House Appropriations hearings throughout the week. On the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Subcommittee side, I had several hearings overseeing the budget requests of the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Management and Budget, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Given OMB’s role in developing the President’s Budget—and as the former Budget Committee Chairman and current FSGG Subcommittee Ranking Member—I focused my remarks on the effects of the administration’s tax and spend agenda.
As I noted, “Our nation’s debt currently exceeds $30 trillion, and the President’s Budget estimates it will grow to $44 trillion over the next 10 years. This debt, along with increasing interest rates, will hurt future generations’ economic opportunities and hinder the federal government’s ability to fund the future security needs of the country. I was hoping that as the pandemic has waned and the economy has grown that we could reduce non-defense spending. Yet, the president’s request proposes even more.”
Congressman Womack during FSGG hearing
During the IRS hearing, I also pointed out a major issue related to their ability to address their core mission of processing tax returns and serving the American public. I said, “At the start of this year’s tax filing season, you still had millions of unprocessed paper returns, amended returns, and returns under review. This delay in completing your core mission has burdened millions of taxpayers.” Oversight over the IRS is in my purview, and they must immediately address the backlog and improve staff efficiencies.
On the Defense Subcommittee, I questioned U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James McConville and Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth on defense issues. The Army’s mission is to "deploy, fight and win." I asked about end-strength capacity, recruitment, Indo-Pacific threats and strategy, and our readiness posture abroad, including in Eastern Europe. I followed up with an inquiry regarding the National Guard. The Guard is the most cost-effective component of our forces, and their operations are imperative to missions in the U.S. and across the globe. We must ensure their force structure continues to serve our future needs.
I also took part in classified hearings with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, as well as Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence; William J. Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; and Ronald S. Moultrie, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security.
Other meetings and notes:
Congressman Womack with the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery team
Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery: Oversight is a core duty of Congress. Federal COVID-19 funds have regrettably been subject to fraud, and we must identify and prosecute wrongdoing to the highest extent. I met with Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery Brian Miller to discuss updates on investigations and efforts to strengthen anti-fraud controls. We need to take every step possible to guarantee fraudsters aren’t allowed to siphon money away from hard-hit American workers and businesses who needed the help most.
Congressman Womack with Rick Ezell, Aaron Littlefield, and Steve Ferren
Arkansas Oil Marketers: American energy production is a critical part of our communities. I appreciated talking to Arkansans from Fort Smith, Bentonville, and Pine Bluff who are involved in our local oil industry. We spoke about the price at the pump, domestic shortages, and energy policies. We also had discussions about workforce shortages, including the need for more truckers to move supply around. Thanks to Rich Ezell, Aaron Littlefield, and Steve Ferren for their time. We know a strong and all-of-the-above energy approach is critical to meeting the needs of America. We need an energy policy agenda that incentivizes innovation, lowers energy prices on hardworking Americans, creates job opportunities, and reverses us from being dependent on foreign sources of energy.
Congressman Womack greets Alzheimer’s Association members from the Arkansas chapter
Alzheimer’s Association: The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is life-changing news. It brings a new and uncertain reality to patients and their families. We must care for those suffering from this disease. I thank the Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for stopping by my office to say hello as they continue to work to support policies for Arkansans affected by Alzheimer’s and help find a cure. I thank them for their work and advocacy.
Congressman Womack on a virtual call with some of America's future defenders
West Point: I had the opportunity to virtually speak with some of our nation’s future defenders. It was great talking leadership and military with West Point Cadets Garrett Chrisman (Rogers, AR), Thomas Ward (Jasper, AL), Martayn Van de Wall (Ellicott City, MD), Jack May (Burlington, NC), Michael Rooney (Hinsdale, IL), and Danial Vrablic (Avon, OH). Go Army!
Congressman Womack at West Point preparing to celebrate the Class of 2022
As Chairman of the West Point Board of Visitors, it is my great honor to be at West Point today as we get ready to celebrate the Class of 2022. Tomorrow, they will graduate and be commissioned into the United States Army! I am looking forward to celebrating our graduates from the Third District and across the nation. God bless all those who wear the uniform! Learn more about every Third District Arkansan graduating from a military service academy this month here.
I hope to see you around Arkansas next week! 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. |