For the 63^rd straight year, Congress has successfully passed the National Defense Authorization Act, or the NDAA, which authorizes resources to equip our troops, support military families, enhance defense capabilities, strengthen military readiness, and modernize the force—all of which have been top priorities of mine throughout my service in Congress.

This year’s NDAA once again greatly benefits Arkansas’ Third and our nation. It focuses the Department of Defense on its mission – national defense.

Here are some of the many provisions that I strongly support:

• A well-deserved 5.2% pay raise for our servicemembers—the largest in two decades!
• Authorization of funding for Fort Smith’s Foreign Military Sales construction projects for the RSAF F-16 squadron and F-35s training squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
• Increased National Guard support for securing the southern border and halting illicit drug trafficking.
• Vital provisions to deter our pacing adversary, China.
• Requires the Department of Defense to provide a path to reinstate servicemembers wrongfully discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and treats the discharge period as a career intermission.

Although an important step forward, let us not forget we must pass full-year defense appropriations before our constitutional duty to provide for our common defense is complete. The NDAA only authorizes the funding. The Appropriations Committee actually puts the funding into action.

I’m glad we made significant progress in taking care of our men and women serving in America’s uniform. It is one of Congress’ most important duties.

Investigating President Joe Biden

House Republicans took the next step in our investigation into President Biden and his family’s business dealings by formally authorizing specific impeachment procedures. This gives the chamber to have the best possible legal standing to move forward in asserting our Article I responsibilities.

Let me be clear: Impeachment, which requires proof of high crimes and misdemeanors, is Congress’ most powerful tool. It’s something I take very seriously.

What we passed this week solely prompts the designated House committees to continue sifting through the fog of evidence surrounding President Biden. It empowers the next step in our fact-finding process to determine if there’s impeachable conduct, which I believe is essential to providing transparency and accountability to the American people.

Antisemitism in schools

We have seen a steady rise of antisemitism in colleges and universities in our country. The October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the continuous conflict has only increased tensions here in the United States.

I’m completely alarmed by what we’re seeing on college campuses, especially after the recent testimony of the Harvard, MIT, and Penn Presidents at the House Education and Workforce Committee hearing.

Truly astonishing. Utterly unacceptable.

You can read their comments in a letter I sent to the schools’ governing boards demanding that the presidents be removed to hold these universities accountable, here. This week, I voted to condemn this hateful behavior and the presidents’ failure to defend and stand up for their Jewish students.

Promoting Healthy Kids and Protecting Choice in Schools

Whole and 2% milk are staples for Arkansas’ children. Yet only fat-free and low-fat milks are permitted in school meals in fear that full-fat milk is unhealthy. The Biden Administration has proposed to continue limiting milk options to fat-free and low-fat types, turning children toward unhealthy drink options and depriving them of key nutrients. The USDA’s own findings say that not enough schoolchildren are consuming the recommended levels of dairy.

These nutritious and delicious beverages should be offered to develop our bright young minds into our next generation of leaders. I was glad to support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to bring back all milk choices to schools nationwide to fuel stronger and healthier kids, while also supporting our hardworking dairy producers.

Arkansans at Army-Navy

It was quite the experience to be on the sideline at the Army-Navy game last weekend, particularly to see Army pull out the win! But the best part of all was seeing some fellow Arkansans while I was there!

My guest for the game was my good friend and 2nd winningest high school football coach in Arkansas high school history – Coach Tommy Tice! I caught up with Gentry’s Brandon Atwood as well. Although he roots for Navy, I let it slide, since he was recently selected Sprint Football CSFL’s 2023 Most Valuable Player! So proud of him! I had the great honor of nominating Carlee Casteel not too long ago. She’s now a US Military Academy cadet—class of 2027! She hails from Rogers. I got to see Findley Golden—he is a midshipman and is from Russellville, a former Cyclone just like me! He’s a fantastic Spirit Leader for USNA! National Guard Support It was great to be among fellow Guardsmen for the National Guard Association of the United States’ (NGAUS) Industry Day. I gave them an update on what’s been happening in Washington and how it relates to our national defense, then answered some questions. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and retired Arkansas Guard Colonel, Guard priorities are priorities of mine in Congress. During the event, my Legislative Director, Nick, was presented with the NGAUS Patrick Henry Award for his important work on behalf of the Guard in my office. Nick works hard on defense priorities for Arkansas’ Third and our nation. I’m lucky to have him on my team and was glad to honor him with this well-deserved award! Wreaths Across America In honor of Wreaths Across America day tomorrow, I joined J.B. Hunt today at their wreath arrival ceremony. This is the 10th year J.B. Hunt has supported the transportation of wreaths for Wreaths Across America. These beautiful wreaths will head to Fayetteville National Cemetery in the morning to be laid on the graves of those who served our country.  Today’s load was the 53rd load delivered this year, and 70 J.B. Hunt drivers participated—all veterans who were nominated by their peers and managers. I was proud to see J.B. Hunt win the Wreaths Across America James Prout Spirit of Giving Award this year in recognition of their longstanding tradition of honoring our nation’s fallen heroes. Honoring and thanking our veterans is paramount. I got to catch up with my friend Shelley Simpson, who is the President of J.B. Hunt Transportation Services, and thank her for her work on this impactful event. Back in the day, she was a star basketball player at Russellville High School and was coached by my sister! Craig Harper, the Chief Sustainability Officer for J.B. Hunt who is retiring at the end of this year after 31 years of great work, spoke to us about honoring our veterans and our Gold Star families. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Throughout the event, we also remembered Detective Paul Newell of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, who tragically passed away as he was escorting wreaths through Bentonville on December 17 of last year. He was one of our finest law enforcement officers. A man driven by a call to serve—he embodied the integrity and character the shield demands. We remembered him with profound sorrow and endless appreciation. I’m glad to be free from the dysfunction of Washington and back at home in Arkansas until the new year! I hope to see you around! Have a great weekend ahead, and be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages in the meantime.