Legislative Update
Curbing Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl
We have a serious drug problem in our country. We can’t sit back and watch as these deadly drugs, fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances, infiltrate communities nationwide. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances are pouring over the southern border through criminal cartels and landing in the hands of young Americans, often unknowingly.
With the fentanyl epidemic worsening due to the crisis at the southern border, illicit fentanyl poisonings are now the number one cause of death among adults 18 to 49—more than COVID-19, cancer, heart disease, and car accidents. When we see something so pervasive, it’s the government’s responsibility to act. A failure to do so costs lives.
The House this week took a step in stopping this dangerous flow of illicit drugs. We passed H.R. 467, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act, legislation I was proud to cosponsor. This bill would permanently place all fentanyl-related substances (FRS) on schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Right now, the temporary scheduling is set to expire in December 2024. It also grants researchers the ability to conduct certain research on FRS by streamlining the registration process for such research, allowing us to better understand their overall effects on health.
With bipartisan support, hopefully this bill will be signed into law. We must halt the manufacturing and distribution of this lethal substance to fulfill our duty of protecting the American people. This is something we can all agree on.
Protecting the American Taxpayer
Back in August, the Biden Administration announced a plan to cancel student loan debt and extend the pause on federal student loan repayment. This would apply to those making under $125,000 and would cancel up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for non-Pell Grant recipients. It sounds great in theory, but he failed to mention the reality: Canceling debt doesn’t magically make debt go away. Someone always has to pay. In this case, it’s the American taxpayer. His plan shifts the cost from student loan borrowers and transfers it on to the average American, many of whom worked hard to pay off their own debts or chose not to attend college and take on student loans. $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt belongs to 13% of the population. Why should 87% of Americans who hold no federal student loan debt pick up the slack for the 13% who do?
I’m glad my fellow Republicans and I set the record straight this week. We utilized Congressional disapproval procedures under the Congressional Review Act, which rescinds the rule issued by the Biden Administration's Department of Education and ends the student loan repayment pause that has been in effect since March 2020. Let’s be clear. There’s no such thing as “canceling” debt.
Enhancing Travel Safety and Efficiency
You may remember the chaotic crash of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) computer system that halted all U.S. flights for a short period earlier this year. A systemwide crash is not merely a "glitch." This failure stressed an urgent need to overhaul a technology imperative to America’s critical transportation infrastructure.
To ensure this does not happen again, I cosponsored H.R. 346, the NOTAM Improvement Act, which passed the House with a Senate Amendment this week. The legislation establishes a time-critical task force to determine what improvements should be made to the NOTAM system, the vital tool pilots use to determine potential hazards along a route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight. This includes updates to ensure the stability, resiliency, and cybersecurity of the NOTAM computer system. People and businesses rely on these systems, and keeping passengers and goods moving safely in our skies is a requirement.
Stepping Up for American Truckers and Consumers
The Biden Administration placed yet another misguided, burdensome regulation on America’s supply chain, who feed, fuel, and drive the nation. The recent Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks are unworkable, impractical, and comes with a price tag of $55 billion.
Supply chains are broken. Inflation is soaring. Why would the Administration put forward a proposal that would make our truckers jobs harder and life more expensive for the average American? The House passed legislation and I recently signed a letter expressing strong disapproval of this out-of-touch rule.
Debt Limit Delays
I wish I could provide a more positive update on where the nation’s debt crisis stands. As of now, the plan is for Members to leave Washington for the weekend and come back next week with a negotiated deal on the House floor for a vote.
President Biden’s months of inaction on the debt limit has pushed negotiations dangerously close to default. Although my Republican colleagues and I put forth our own proposal, negotiations with the other side of the aisle stalled. Finally, we’re making progress.
We must get our work done to responsibly lift the debt ceiling and address our national debt crisis. America deserves it. America needs it. I hope to see that come to fruition next week.
Pictures from the week
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I met some friends from Florida this week! It all started from a spontaneous conversation in the cafeteria with some curious young men, which led to a surprise visit to my office and touring the Capitol with Speaker McCarthy. As we looked up at the Capitol dome, I didn’t miss the chance to show our young minds what this nation stands for. America is the best nation in the world because of those who have sacrificed for our freedom. It was a special, spontaneous day.
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Enjoyed taste-testing some jellies from House of Webster in Rogers with my staff this week! Thanks to my Defense Fellow, Bonny, for making the homemade biscuits. House of Webster jellies are delicious. The crowd favorites were strawberry and apple butter.
I am unable to make it to Arkansas Boys State next week, but I passed along my excitement! Almost half a century ago I was in their shoes as an eager participant. These young bright minds are our next generation of leaders.
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I got to celebrate my friend Ambassador Mirpuri’s legacy last night with some of my staff. He’s advanced our countries’ relationship throughout his 11 years here and is personally responsible for the budding relationship between Arkansas and Singapore. It’s been a privilege to work with him and we will miss him dearly.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and it is essential that Congress ensure they aren’t saddled with unnecessary regulations. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association took time this week to discuss legislation that would provide relief to small businesses and lenders across Arkansas and the nation.
It was an absolute honor to give members of the Texas Rangers a Capitol tour this week. We even made a quick pit stop to talk with Speaker McCarthy. They are in the area this weekend to play the Baltimore Orioles, but they made sure to take time out of their trip for a quick visit to our nation’s capital.
America – Because of the Brave
This is Memorial Day weekend; a time set aside by our nation to honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion, their very lives, for something greater than themselves. It’s my favorite of the patriotic holidays because there’s no other life event that better demonstrates one’s love of country than giving one’s life for it.
To me, there’s no better way to show my gratitude for the fallen heroes than attending the National Memorial Day Concert and hosting the post reception, which I will be doing Sunday night. Veterans and Gold Star families will all be in attendance, amongst many notable celebrities. Be sure to tune in to Arkansas PBS Sunday night at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. local time!
I will also attend West Point graduation this weekend! It has been an honor to watch the young cadets’ journeys as Chairman of the BOV, and I know the principles of Duty, Honor, Country will always guide them. I look forward to celebrating this incredible achievement.
These are two events I proudly play a role in each year. Paying my respects to those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice and celebrating the next generation of our nation’s warfighters are both incredibly meaningful and special to me.
I wish you all a great Memorial Day weekend. God Bless our fallen, their families, and all those who are called to defend America.
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.
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