Washington Update
Economic Downturn
The numbers don’t lie.
Inflation is surging, the cost of gas is high, wages are not keeping pace with rising prices, and people are pessimistic about the state of the nation.
This week, we got news that U.S. GDP declined again in Q2 of 2022, marking two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.
No amount of spin can change the facts. Two quarters of a shrinking economy echoes the pain Americans have been feeling each day. The reckless spending and excessive regulatory expansion unleashed by Democrats has pushed us into a recession. With massive tax hikes and trillions more in spending on tap next, they are doubling down on their failed agenda.
We also witnessed major interest rate increases, which have been necessitated by out-of-control Democrat spending. It’s a stark reality when there is no choice other than decisions that will add to our unsustainable debt and make life harder for families. A steep price is being paid by Americans under President Biden’s direction. Politicians must get serious about making the tough choices to change our nation’s worsening fiscal trajectory. Fiscal restraint, pro-growth policies, and unleashing American energy dominance is what we need to reverse course.
Yet, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would rather try and redefine the term recession than try and get our economy back on track.
They can deflect and deny all they want. Americans know the truth.
They see it on their receipt from the grocery store. They notice it when they pick up the pump at the gas station. They recognize it when their paycheck doesn’t go as far as it used to. They feel it as their wallet is lighter than usual. They regret it as they dip into their hard-earned savings to cover necessities.
I remain steadfast in my commitment to reversing the trajectory we are currently on. We must stop inflation by officially ending the disastrous "Build Back Better" agenda, eliminating wasteful spending, and instituting policies that unleash an economy driven by proven, pro-growth economic proposals, which deliver higher paychecks, lower costs, boost Main Street, and encourage innovation.
Hero of Main Street Award
The National Retail Federation recognized me as a “Hero of Main Street” for my continued support of the retail industry through legislative action and leadership.
The Hero of Main Street award is based on key votes, bill sponsorship, and advocacy to advance retailers’ priorities. Recipients have supported policies that recognize the contributions of the retail industry and have worked to encourage a vibrant, sustained, and healthy retail sector.
The entrepreneurial spirit of Arkansas is one of our greatest strengths. Small businesses are job creators and the engine of our economy, and I will always champion pro-growth policies that boost opportunity and Main Street retailers. It’s an honor to be recognized for these efforts.
Legislative Business
Democrat Gun Ban: Today, I opposed House Democrats’ latest attempt to shred our Bill of Rights with a gun ban. Neither the White House nor Congress has the authority to disregard the Constitution. This bill punishes law-abiding citizens and infringes on their inherent right to self-protection and defense. It goes as far as implementing avenues to turn many who enjoy recreational and sports shooting, including duck hunters, into felons. Focusing on legislation that wrongly vilifies those who cherish their fundamental liberties prevents us from implementing effective solutions to stop crime and senseless violence.
SECURE Notarization Act: I’m proud to announce my cosponsored SECURE Notarization Act of 2022 passed the House with my support. The bipartisan bill permits the immediate nationwide use of remote online notarization (RON) technology, a type of secure electronic notarization where the notary and signer are in different physical locations. Notarizations play a key role in transaction documents, from deeds to mortgages to lien releases and even home equity loans. Virtual notarizations not only afford consumers increased flexibility, but they are also especially important for certain populations, including active military, who may need to sign papers while overseas, as well as Americans with disabilities or medical conditions, who may not be able to easily leave their homes to sign papers in-person. One time or another, most have experienced the stress of needing to get something notarized last-minute. Remote online notarization will make it easier for Arkansans and Americans, especially those in the military or living in rural communities, to safely and securely complete needed documents. By leveraging transformative technology, we are streamlining transactions for consumers and bringing important processes into the 21st century. Read more about the bill here.
Big Cat Safety Act: The Big Cat Public Safety Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with my steadfast support. I’m an original cosponsor of the bill, which prohibits the private ownership of dangerous big cats like lions and tigers, works to prevent inhumane treatment, and curbs the exploitative industry of cub-petting. The bipartisan legislation is supported by the Third District’s Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and other animal sanctuaries. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues, rehabilitates, and cares for animals in the Third District each day. I have experienced their valuable work and dedication firsthand. With an emphasis on conservation and animal safety, this legislation will help further their mission to protect wildlife. I was proud to support this local priority by helping introduce and pass this bipartisan bill. Read more about the bill here.
Some pictures from the week:
It was an extra exciting time in Washington as I welcomed my grandson, Kaden, and nephews, Carson and Corbin, to D.C.
I loved having my grandson and nephews visit!
The boys learned the history of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.
They checked out the National Museum of Natural History.
They visited the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
It wouldn't be a true D.C. trip without a picture with the Washington Monument!
My good friend and colleague Congressman Jodey Arrington of Texas quizzed them on U.S. history.
Kaden also wanted to recreate his iconic photo from the House floor a few years ago!
Our nation’s capital is filled with history and amazing monuments! If you are planning a visit to Washington, please contact my office to learn more about attractions in and around D.C. We can help you request tickets for popular regional sites, including the U.S. Capitol, White House, museums, and more.
If you have any questions about tours or other sights to explore, please don’t hesitate to contact my Washington office or visit my website here. If you would like to request a tour of the Capitol, White House, or other sights around D.C., please fill out this linked form. Tickets are free and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our best to accommodate all requests, but I will underscore that tour tickets for the White House and Capitol are extremely limited right now. We hope to welcome you soon!
ICYMI: Diagnosing the real problem in Congress
Read my latest op-ed, which provides insight on the current budget appropriations process, below or by visiting the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette here.
It's no secret that dysfunction consumes Congress. Nowhere is this problem more evident than the inability of the federal government to responsibly fulfill our budget and appropriations duties. That is what the House is failing to do right now.
We have had nearly 10 months since the beginning of this fiscal year to reconcile policy differences and deliver on our Article I responsibilities. Yet, the only realistic prospect ahead of us is a continuing resolution, a short-term stopgap. This comes after last week's vote on a minibus package, which contained six federal spending bills. You might now be wondering: If some appropriations are seemingly being advanced, why are predictions for a continuing resolution all but guaranteed?
It's a point that was sorely missed in a July 24th Democrat-Gazette article. The article also discussed how the Arkansas delegation voted against the proposal even though it included projects we advocated for our districts. The mere suggestion my opposition to the minibus was a vote against the funding I helped secure for the Third District displays a fundamental misunderstanding of procedure and policy.
Process matters, especially when it comes to budget and appropriations. I'm experienced in the matter. As a senior appropriator and also the former chairman of the Budget Committee and co-chair of the Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform, I have been steadfast and outspoken in my commitment to restoring the power of the purse and putting Arkansas taxpayers first.
It's why I know the Democrat majority is sticking with the failed status quo.
The appropriations process should be done through regular order, which is when Congress passes a budget resolution and then debates and passes all 12 of the appropriations bills–individually–before Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.
Well, House Democrats have failed to produce a budget for the past four years. With no real fiscal blueprint, they then pulled topline funding levels out of thin air. As a result, we are left with fiscally irresponsible bills that will never be signed into law in current form. Both sides know this reality.
With debt approaching record levels and inflation at a 40-year high, responsible policymaking is required now more than ever. We can meet the needs of our nation while prioritizing fiscal restraint. It's high time everyone in Congress gets serious about finding bipartisan consensus. Another episode of appropriations bills purposed as messaging documents leaves us no closer to finishing our work.
It's why House Republican appropriators, including myself, worked to debate, amend and rewrite proposed legislation before it is advanced to the floor. While these markups didn't receive local coverage, I offered and supported amendments to fight inflation, lower gas prices, cut red tape, prevent wasteful spending, support Arkansas truckers, secure the border, and address the infant formula crisis. Unfortunately, a majority of these common-sense changes were rejected on a party-line vote by my Democrat colleagues.
Too often our political debates are characterized by severe partisanship, rather than achieving meaningful outcomes for the American people. This appropriations cycle is another egregious example of that. Worse yet, it's following the same playbook as last year, where Democrats again patched together unworkable bills, which also prioritized partisan riders over historically bipartisan language. The result was multiple risks of government shutdowns–followed by continuing resolutions–until my friends on the other side of the aisle finally worked in good faith to reach consensus. We don't need to have another round of appropriations six months late.
Principled compromise is a core part of legislating. It's exactly why I opposed the package in its current form. My duty is to uphold our constitutional responsibility and actually deliver the Third District wins I helped secure. The only way to do that is to revise the bills. My focus remains making needed adjustments alongside my Democrat colleagues. When a reasonable agreement is achieved, I look forward to casting my vote supporting comprehensive appropriations and the community investments I have worked to obtain for the Natural State.
Sound budgeting and appropriations may not be glamorous or flashy, but consensus is the real sweat equity that will move our priorities forward.
Wishing you a great weekend ahead, and I look forward to seeing you around Arkansas next week. 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. |