Washington Update
If you know me, you know I am a man of principle. A man of reason. A man who will do whatever it takes to do what is right.
Those are things that will never change, no matter what pressure I feel close in around me.
As you know, this week Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio pushed hard to become Speaker of the House, and time and time again failed to get the support. This is because he does not have what it takes to lead the House Republican Conference and lead the House of Representatives.
I am one of the members who cast my vote each time for another option, someone who I believed can do the job, and do the job well. That was Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
I know both of these men. I knew what the right decision is based on years of experience working closely with both.
This vote was a matter of principle, as I shared on Tuesday with my statement:
“Mr. Scalise defeated Mr. Jordan in our conference vote and then was promptly kneecapped before he could win over his opponents. It was the most egregious act against a sitting member of our conference I have witnessed in my thirteen years of service. Scalise took a bullet for us. He’s waging a courageous battle with cancer. He has an organization in place and has a strong fundraising profile. He is everything we need in a speaker, yet his effort was crippled by our own members. I will always stand for character and integrity. Our country needs these qualities now more than ever. I’ve had a lot of ‘advice’ over the last two days. I represent over 750,000 Arkansans, and my decisions are always based on what’s best for them and our country. But on this vote, the one I was most accountable to was the man I saw in the mirror.”
A lot of information has swirled throughout the country, including in the Third District, and I want to set the record straight.
Please listen to my latest edition of Comment from the Capitol to hear directly from me here.
My unwavering support for Israel
Tensions continue to rise as our friends in Israel respond to the brutal attacks on their innocent people. Meanwhile, Washington continues to be stuck in neutral.
Today, the White House requested supplemental funding from Congress for national security priorities including Israel, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and the southern border. Without a Speaker of the House, we can’t even begin to consider important legislation like this.
This week I signed on to Arkansas’s-own Rep. French Hill’s resolution to demand Hamas immediately release and safely return the hostages and condemn their brutal attack into Israel. The fear of those people who are at the hands of terrorists, and for their families hoping to bring them safely home, is truly unimaginable. We must do everything in our power right now to denounce these evil acts on innocent lives.
Not only is it heartbreaking to see what’s happening across the world, but it is also heartbreaking to see what’s happening right here in the United States. We’ve seen massive pro-Palestinian protests and calls for Israel to cease fire on Hamas, some of which are coming from my own colleagues on the other side of the aisle.
This begs the question… if the same ruthless attack happened to the United States as it did in Israel, what would our response be? Eradicate every single person behind this heinous terror.
This is what Israel is doing. This is what Israel has every right to do. There should be no question that Israel has a right to stand up for their people.
I will continue to stand strong with our ally and friend Israel. It is just the right thing to do, not only morally, but in the best interest of America.
Investing in our future
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Everyone knows a family member, friend, or loved one who has been affected by a disease, illness, or chronic medical condition. Facing the challenge of a life-altering diagnosis is not simple, nor is it easy.
In Congress, although we can’t create cures or develop medical breakthroughs, we can implement policies here in Washington that support the ability of our experts to do just that, including through NIH-funded research.
I spoke at a United for Medical Research event to highlight these medical breakthroughs, many of which happen in rural states like our own.
These federal investments in medical research not only save lives, but they have an exponential impact by spurring economic activity, supporting quality jobs, and partnering with local institutions, like the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
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Speaking of UAMS, Dr. Pearl McElfish from the university joined us as a panelist for the discussion! She is the founding Director for UAMS’s Office of Community Health and Research in Springdale. Her research on prevention and management is helping improve the health of the Marshallese community and rural communities in Northwest Arkansas. Her work is an example of the outsized impact that investments in medical research can have.
We had the chance to meet in my office before the event. Her work never ceases to amaze me, and it was great to talk about our shared love for the great state of Arkansas!
Getting our fiscal house in order
I was back in the House Budget Committee room this week! If you remember, I was the Chairman of the committee from 2017 to 2019, and Ranking Member the following two years.
This time roles were reversed – I was the one testifying in front of the committee. This hearing covered the best way to structure a successful debt commission.
We all know one of the biggest challenges we face as a nation right now is our $33 trillion sovereign debt. It is one of the greatest threats to American prosperity, security, and the economic success of future generations.
In this hearing, we talked through ways we can address our fiscal crisis, by evaluating previous efforts, including my time leading the 2018 16-member, bipartisan, bicameral Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. Bipartisan ideas were found, and although we barely missed executing them, I hope those proposals will continue to be explored by future reformers.
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If you think you’re seeing double, you’re right. I’m honored that my portrait was recently hung in the hearing room!
To watch the hearing, click here.
Reminders!
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Congressional App Challenge
Deadline approaching! The Congressional App Challenge’s applications are due November 1. This is an annual competition hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives, encouraging students from each of our districts to submit original apps for a chance to win and have their app displayed in the Capitol for one year. The goal of this challenge is to inspire our young people to pursue careers in computer science.
Spread the word to Arkansas’ Third middle and high school students to enter the 2023 Congressional App Challenge! For more information and to apply, click here.
Service Academy
Another November 1 deadline…Service Academy nominations!
Nominating our next generation of Service Academy leaders is one of my greatest honors as your Congressman. I encourage those with a passion to serve the country to apply.
For more information on the process and to access the applications, please click here.
Applications can be hand delivered or mailed to my Fort Smith office as long as they are postmarked no later than November 1!
Looking ahead
My heart breaks for our country. The divide in the body politic has only deepened and it’s breaking our nation apart. This is on full display with our inability to coalesce around a strong, capable leader for the House of Representatives.
Right now, the plan is to have another House Republican speaker forum Monday night. We'll hear from the candidates who've decided to throw their hat in the ring, vote to select the nominee, then take the vote to the House floor on Tuesday—that is if all goes according to plan.
Despite these frustrations, my belief in America holds strong. We will get through this, as we’ve gotten through every other challenge that has come our way. This is why America is the best nation in the world. I will never turn my back on these pressing issues, and I will be sure to keep you updated as I tackle them head on, with the Third District priorities top-of-mind.
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