Washington Update
Legislative Recap
I talked on local Third District radio this week about the House vote to avert the rail strike and other priority issues. You can find a link to listen to the full segment below.
This week, Congress acted to prevent a catastrophic disaster that would have inflicted severe pain on Americans, our supply chain, and the economy.
Railroads are critical pieces of our transportation infrastructure and commerce. Central to the movement of goods that drive our supply chain and economic activity, their operations, which move items of all sorts, are consequential. Look around your house, your fridge, or even around your office—you’d be hard-pressed not to find something that wasn’t at some point lugged on a train. With this understanding, America could never risk a shutdown of these systems. It’s why—with the failure of the Biden Administration to resolve the impending labor dispute, the House and Senate had to take action.
Let me be extremely direct: I deeply regret this situation was brought to a point where the legislative branch had to be involved. It’s yet another issue brought to the brink of catastrophe because the White House failed to address it. President Biden did not fix the rail strike as he conveniently bragged months ago. With political gain exploited and gone, he punted the crisis. Congress should not have been involved, but the House knew we couldn’t let this disaster inflict more financial suffering on families and consumers. With our already inflation-ridden economy and strained supply chain, the consequences of inaction could not be higher. In fact, it is estimated a strike would have idled shipments of essential products like food, fuel, water, agriculture products, and medicine—while simultaneously inflicting billions' worth of economic damage. It also would have affected commuter trains, as many tracks are owned by freight railroads. I would not allow this type of emergency to happen, especially as our nation is already coping with the consequences of this Administration’s disastrous spending and policies.
I voted to avert this crisis. Listen more about my thoughts on the issue and other priority issues, which I shared on the radio with Third District Arkansans this week, here.
On the subject of economic issues, I want to dig a little deeper into the newly released November jobs report. While Democrats are celebrating the topline numbers, the realities of the statistics are troubling. When you unpack all the findings, you are left with the fact that workers continue to feel pay cuts as real wages are still being lost to inflation, permanent job losses increased, and our labor workforce shrunk again. Those aren't rosy takeaways. We need to turn this economy around.
I also want to highlight my work during legislative business to help families by supporting resources for maternal and child care. I voted to reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. The bill increases funding for services that aid new parents and their children from before birth through kindergarten with in-home support that has been proven to improve maternal and child health, family safety and stability, child development, and school readiness.
Children are precious, and this bipartisan legislation will help babies and families thrive. It will make a difference in the lives of so many, supporting a better future for the most vulnerable among us. I’m proud to support this legislation named in honor of my late friend and colleague Rep. Jackie Walorski—whose service in Congress and life’s work was dedicated to the well-being of America’s youth. It passed and will now head to the Senate for consideration.
I will be back in D.C. next week and will keep you updated on the latest news from Washington. Wishing you a great weekend ahead! Be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages in the meantime.
I will end with a few picture highlights from D.C. and around the Third District from this week:
It was great to have some Tontitown spirit in Washington! I appreciated welcoming Arkansas State Representative Clint Penzo and his wife Allison for a Capitol tour during their visit. I am looking forward to welcoming more Third District constituents later this week!
A huge congratulations to Rogers Heritage High School Senior Carlee Casteel—who signed her West Point appointment papers this week! Her commitment to serving America and Arkansas has inspired this moment, and the Third District honors her dedication. She'll one day trade her basketball uniform for that of the greatest armed forces in the world!
Thanks to all the wonderful Third District Arkansans who stopped by my office for a tour. I appreciated taking you around the Capitol grounds and wish all the best with the rest of your visit in D.C. Safe travels back to the Natural State!
ICYMI: 42 teachers and staff from Northside High School in Arkansas went to OKC to reunite with their former students, Jaylin and Isaiah. Fort Smith strong! Awesome to see the AR-3 community come together and support these incredible Arkansans and players! That fellowship is what the Natural State is all about. Wishing Jaylin and Isaiah all the best. Your hometown will always be rooting for you. (Pic credit: OKC Thunder)
Whether in meetings with constituents, organizations, or reporters, I was sure to give overviews on recent legislative happenings and the work yet to be done on budget and appropriations.
The Arkansas Farm Bureau held a radio row at their state convention. It was great to see Arkansas broadcasters showcasing our farmers and the importance of agriculture to our state and nation! I recognized a familiar face—the Colonel, a.k.a. my father, was one of the folks streaming on the air. Shoutout to everyone who made the 88th Arkansas Farm Bureau state convention a success! (Pic credit: Arkansas Farm Bureau) |