Rundown from Washington
Good news—crisis was averted.
If you remember, the short-term funding agreement we made back on September 30 continued funding through today, November 17, with the potential of a government shutdown if we didn’t come to an agreement by midnight tonight.
Speaker Mike Johnson put together another short-term continuing resolution, or a CR, that punts the issue of agreeing on full-year funding into the new year. It garnered the support of both the Senate and President Biden, and was a relatively “clean” CR, meaning it solely extends FY23 funding so it could pass on a bipartisan basis.
Does this situation sound familiar to you?
Speaker Johnson essentially navigated the CR agreement the same way former Speaker Kevin McCarthy did—except it didn’t cost him his job.
I dive into this in this week’s Comment from the Capitol. Give it a listen here.
I also want to make it clear that CRs aren’t necessarily something to celebrate. They are the unfortunate, haphazard result of our broken budget and appropriations process, which has become typical of Congress.
However, I voted for this CR because I refuse to ignore reality. Getting bipartisan agreement on a CR when we’re on a time crunch is the only way to avoid a government shutdown, which would be an even worse outcome for America.
I refuse to let missing paychecks for our troops, border patrol agents, life-saving medical researchers, and federal workers who serve the American people, be the only option. We must always do all we can to keep the government open and functioning.
We now have the breathing room to avoid getting jammed by a bloated package from Senate Democrats right on the brink of Christmas, while continuing our efforts to pass our remaining appropriations bills.
I am laser-focused on making real progress on responsible, full-year funding to rein in spending and finally right our country’s financial ship.
Supporting our Marshallese friends
Last week, the Natural Resources Committee passed the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) —national security agreements critical to safeguarding American interests in the Indo-Pacific region—renewal legislation, which was introduced by my friend and fellow Arkansan Chairman Bruce Westerman. I’m also a proud cosponsor of this bill, which will renew the Compacts and provide economic assistance to the Freely Associated States (FAS).
I’m glad to say two of my legislative efforts have made it into this package, which will directly benefit our Marshallese friends in Arkansas’ Third:
- The Compact Impact Fairness Act restores eligibility for COFA citizens to receive public benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Services Block Grants (SSBG), education assistance, FEMA Disaster Assistance grants, and other programs that they were restricted from accessing as part of the 1996 welfare reform law.
- The COFA Veterans Act authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide medical care to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces living in the FAS of the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Currently, the VA is not legally permitted to provide direct care to U.S. veterans located in the FAS.
As a refresher, under the COFA, citizens of the FAS are entitled to live, study, and work in the United States without a visa and access to certain public benefits.
This has allowed the largest population of Marshallese outside of the Marshall Islands to call Arkansas’ Third home, which has significantly contributed to our economy and to the cultural fabric of the region. Marshallese families support U.S. defense efforts, pay taxes, and are core elements of our communities.
It has long been a priority of mine to address the host of unintended barriers these lawful residents face under the law, as well as uphold our commitments to critical security partners.
I’m glad to see this important piece of legislation continue to make strides.
Picture highlights from the week:
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West Point prepares cadets who've chosen a path of service. As Chairman of West Point Board of Visitors, guiding cadets at the exemplary institution is part of my mission. From the classroom to tactical training, these future Army leaders learn to defend, fight, and win. I got to welcome first and second-class cadets to my office this week. It was great to catch up, swap stories, and remind them: Go Army, Beat Navy!
One of the cadets who visited hails from Arkansas’ Third—Tysen Barbour of Fayetteville! He is a New School graduate and is now slated to graduate from USMA in 2025. I’m incredibly proud of him! I know he is representing AR-3 well at West Point.
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Aaron Grieb, the Founder and CEO of Curlew Midstream LLC, came by my office to talk about greater investment in fuel storage capacity, which is critical for our national defense. Aaron brought his colleagues Stacy Duke and Ross Kennedy as well. Great to hear about these issues and catch up with a fellow Arkansan who calls Rogers home!
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The far left’s agenda can seep into many areas of our life, including what kind of news and advertisements we consume. I sat down with the CEO of Newsmax, Chris Ruddy, to talk about appropriations language that would ensure the Biden Administration isn’t using Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria to rate news outlets when selecting advertising mediums for federal advertising.
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Recently, RTX, in partnership with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, announced they will build a brand-new manufacturing facility in Camden, Arkansas. This will create 30 new jobs in the region and produce Iron Dome missiles for the American military and the Israel Defense Forces right in the Natural State. This facility builds on the missile component manufacturing work in Northwest Arkansas, which is critical for our own defense and for our ally Israel in their time of need.
Pictured with me here is Greg Hayes, the CEO of RTX.
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Pictured with me here is Pini Yungman, Executive Vice President and Head of Air and Missile Defense Systems, Rafael—Michael Lurie, CEO, Rafael USA—and Justin Rubin, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP.
It was great to catch up with both RTX and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to hear about the progress on the facility and discuss the importance of helping our friends in Israel.
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The internet drives almost everything we do nowadays. I met with Josh Parker, Manager of Field Operations for Cox Communications in Northwest Arkansas, to make sure my constituents are getting the internet access they need by supporting broadband expansion in Congress!
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Workforce gaps are seen across industries nationwide. I discussed this issue in Human Resources departments in Arkansas with Steve Jackson, the incoming President for the Ft. Smith Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) chapter, and Tim Orellano, the Arkansas SHRM Government Affairs Director. Places like Peak Innovation Center in Fort Smith can help prepare the next generation for the workforce through career and technical education.
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Look no further than AR-3 to find some of the best and brightest educators and students in the country! I was glad to welcome Mary McCutchen, Brandi Deffenbaugh, and Megan Beane of Van Buren schools to Washington. They came to town to receive the National Blue Ribbon School award, since Parkview Elementary School was one of 353 schools nationwide to receive this honor from the Department of Education. I showed them around the People’s House and made sure to congratulate them on this incredible, well-deserved recognition!
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I honored Arkansas Razorback Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country Head Coach Lance Harter's remarkable career and congratulated him on his retirement on the House floor this week. Lance is not only the most successful coach in Arkansas and SEC women’s cross country and track and field history, but I have the pleasure of knowing him personally. He’s a great man who dedicated his career to developing young athletes both on and off the track. I wish him the best as he settles into retirement after decades of incredible accomplishment! Watch my remarks here.
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America’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our country. They drive our economy and feed and fuel the nation. I had a great Wednesday morning with members of the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas with the rest of my friends in the delegation, to discuss issues important to Arkansas producers. Issues important to them are issues important to us.
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Nearly every week I’m in Washington, I call in to Bill and Karen Pharis’ radio show in Fort Smith. Keeping Third District Arkansans up to date on what’s happening while I’m representing them in our nation’s capital is very important to me. Plus, I always enjoy the conversation!
Looking ahead
We sure have our work cut out for us in Congress, with appropriations hurdles still standing in our way. Let’s not forget FAA reauthorization and the National Defense Authorization Act as well.
But for now, I’m pleased we avoided a damaging government shutdown, particularly on the eve of Thanksgiving. My colleagues and I will continue to find ways to answer the needs of America when Congress returns to Washington on November 28.
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I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving—the beginning of a beautiful time of year. Enjoy the delicious meals, special time with family, and the season of giving, while being mindful of our abundant blessings!
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Be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages!
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