Washington Update
Getting our fiscal house in order
This week, I held my first House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government hearing as Chairman. My colleagues and I questioned President Biden’s top financial officials, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, on the President’s budget request and the economic outlook of our nation.
This hearing hadn’t occurred in over a decade, and it could not have been timelier. As my fellow Arkansans know, we are in the midst of a historic economic crisis. From filling up your car to buying groceries, daily life is the most expensive it’s been in 40 years. Inflation has been anything but transitory. In my opinion, the reckless spending and out-of-control regulatory expansion unleashed by President Biden and Democrats has pushed us to this point. The national debt is also top-of-mind, as Biden’s budget proposes trillions of dollars in new spending, which will add to the already record-high national debt. This spending spree will burden future generations with massive interest payments, a depressed economy, and less financial freedom to respond to emergencies.
These are only some of the pressing topics we discussed in yesterday’s hearing. Secretary Yellen and Director Young defended President Biden’s proposal, but we must see it for what it truly is. The President’s bloated budget doubles down on this unsustainable trajectory, and hardworking American taxpayers are paying the price. My colleagues and I will continue to take a hard look at the President’s proposal and find reasonable and responsible solutions to put our fiscal house in order.
On this topic: In light of the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, I sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration to ensure the agency is prioritizing a comprehensive risk evaluation within the banking sector. We must gather as much information as possible to prevent future failures and ensure our local small businesses have faith they are being watched out for.
Supporting Strong U.S. Defense and our Brave Troops
As always, I take my constitutional duty in ensuring our warfighters are equipped and ready to defend the homeland very seriously. My colleagues on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee took a step in fulfilling that critical responsibility yesterday during our hearing. We heard from General Mark Milley and Secretary Lloyd Austin about President Biden’s budget request for the Department of Defense.
The events of the past couple years, including the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, increased aggression from China, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, prove why it’s essential Congress provides the resources necessary to ensure we are prepared to counter our enemies. Weakness invites aggression, and this administration’s weakness has emboldened authoritarians across the globe. It’s no surprise that the President’s defense request doesn’t match up to the true means necessary to protect our nation. It’s crucial our troops have the tools they need to effectively pursue their mission in meeting and defeating our adversaries.
On this topic: You may remember I introduced the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) Fairness Act last fall. This week, I brought the bill back to the forefront and reintroduced this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Dan Kildee from Michigan. BNA should be treated tax-wise like other military benefits outside of earned income, which is exactly what this bill prescribes. My legislation ensures service members keep the full benefits they have earned as they serve our nation.
Some picture highlights from the week:
I arrived back from my trip to the Pacific region! Some of my colleagues on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and I spent the prior week in Japan, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea to discuss how the U.S. can continue to support our allies. The stability of the Indo-Pacific region impacts the entire world, and I will certainly keep what I learned top-of-mind throughout the appropriations process in the weeks ahead.
It was Spring Break in AR-3! It was great to welcome so many Arkansan families to Washington. It’s always an honor to show folks from my district around the People’s House. Thank you for visiting!
I had the chance to speak to kids about what it’s like to serve in the U.S. government with my colleague from across the aisle, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. It’s critical our nation’s youth learn about the importance of public service and working productively with others despite our differences.
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Last but certainly not least, I wrapped up my week by celebrating Coach Bruce Rollinson of Mater Dei’s remarkable career. I spent Friday honoring him on the House floor with my colleagues and showing his family and friends around the Nation’s Capital. He holds many accolades, including 5 National championships and sending a parade of players to the NCAA and the NFL. Most importantly, I’m confident his legacy of building young men of character and faith will live on.
I will be back in Washington for legislative business 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. |