Week in Review
It was a jam-packed week in Washington. Read the recap below!
State of the Union
This year’s State of the Union was much of the same, with President Biden spinning as best as he can about what’s really happening to our nation. Except this time, it sounded more like a campaign speech than a speech to a Joint Session of Congress. Unfortunately, I wasn’t surprised that his view of America was inconsistent with the realities facing everyday Americans.
The border crisis is taking innocent lives. Bidenomics is leaving people with higher prices and empty wallets. Weakness on the world stage has invited dangerous aggression at home and abroad. He ignored America’s debt crisis.
He touted accomplishments with fiery remarks, but that didn’t take away from the fact that we are worse off as a country under his leadership. The painful results of his failed policies spoke much louder than his words.
My House Republican colleagues and I will continue to fight against his harmful agenda, and for what’s best for America—a secure border, strong national security, abundant energy resources, and a roaring economy.
|
The highlight of the night was having my guest join me—U.S. Air Force Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh! She’s a proud Fort Smith native and the first active duty servicemember to ever be crowned Miss America. She embodies the very best of our community through her commitment to serving our nation and finding a cure for pancreatic cancer, which her mother tragically passed away from. Her remarkable strength and story are an inspiration for all! I had the honor of nominating her to the Air Force Academy back when she was a senior at Southside High School, and I had the honor now to bring her as Miss America to this year’s State of the Union Address!
Fulfilling our fiscal duty—finally
This week, the House officially, and finally, passed full-year appropriations for 6 of the 12 fiscal year 2024 bills.
Here’s the breakdown:
- In this appropriations package we included 6 bills in one legislative vehicle, which we passed. The bills were Agriculture; Commerce, Justice, Science; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Energy and Water; Interior; and the Military Construction and Veteran Affairs appropriations.
What’s in it for the district:
- District-specific funding: I’m pleased to say all seven of my Community Project Funding requests are included in the package! This district-specific funding will improve our infrastructure and grow our local economy. You can read about each of the projects here.
- Ebbing Air National Guard Base: The package includes $83 million for construction, planning, and design forthe Foreign Military Sales mission that will bring F-35 fighter planes and a Republic of Singapore F-16 squadron to the installation. This project is huge for the River Valley and our state! Read more here.
- Compact of Free Association (COFA): The package includes renewal of the COFA, agreements that I’ve consistently advocated for because of their importance to our national security and citizens of the Freely Associated States who reside in Arkansas’ Third District. My recent letter to Speaker Johnson was successful—the Compacts were included in the next possible legislative vehicle! Additionally, the package includes two bills I helped lead: The Compact Impact Fairness Act and the Care for COFA Veterans Act.
What’s in it for Republicans:
- With the Democrats in control of the White House and the Senate, on top of Republicans having only a slim majority in the House, we have a steep hill to climb to get our priorities in these appropriations bills. Therefore, the package isn’t perfect but, we negotiated well, and came out with solid, conservative policy wins, such as:
- Fully funding veterans’ medical care.
- Targeted cuts to Democrat initiatives across the board, including within the EPA and ATF.
- Increased funds to combat fentanyl.
- Preventing the sale of oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China.
- Preserving critical funding for America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
We must vote on the next six appropriations bills by March 22, or we will face another partial government shutdown. Although I’m disappointed it took us five months past our due date to finally pass some full-year appropriations, I am glad to see we’ve made progress.
West Point Board of Visitors Meeting
|
.jpg "GIFqE1fWQAA3EoN_(1).jpg")
As Chairman of the West Point Board of Visitors, I held a meeting where us board members received briefings on West Point’s academic, physical, and military priorities. We heard from faculty and cadets on a range of topics, including developing leaders of character, building diverse and effective teams, modernizing readiness capabilities, strengthening partnerships, and the importance of investments in military readiness. We do this to help West Point execute their mission of educating and training Army officers committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country. My favorite part, though, is catching up with the cadets!
|
.jpg "GIFqm0fXYAA8c77_(1).jpg")
During the meeting, I was also elected to serve as Chairman for my 7th term—what an honor! Each year, my commitment to the preeminent institution and the cadets only grows stronger. It’s always particularly special for me when kids in our district join the Long Gray Line. Developing officers of character, dedicated to Army leadership and producing an effective, ready force continue to be among my highest priorities.
Laken Riley Act
You may have heard of the recent and tragic passing of a young woman named Laken Riley. Laken was a nursing student at the University of Georgia who was killed by an illegal immigrant while she was on a run around campus. My heart breaks for her family.
Her alleged killer, Jose Ibarra, had been paroled and released into the United States after crossing the border illegally in September 2022— one example of how the Biden Administration’s abuse of parole authority allows the release of illegals into our country with tragic consequences Ibarra was later arrested in New York for “acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17,” and in October 2023, Ibarra and his brother were arrested for shoplifting—both times he was released.
Laken’s death is the tragic reality of the catastrophic border crisis. The House passed a bill—the Laken Riley Act—to require ICE to arrest and detain illegal immigrants who commit a theft offense, just as Laken Riley's alleged killer did. Sadly, Laken’s death isn’t an isolated event. No more American lives should be lost due to the Administration's failure to secure the border.
Picture highlights from the week: Arkansans in Washington!
|
Our appropriations work flows directly to important programs that people rely on, including for food assistance. The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance came by to discuss how to fight food insecurity and modernize programs. It’s important we get our appropriations work done on time, especially for organizations like this.
|
President Biden’s hyper-regulatory agenda impacts people of all ages across the country, including bright young minds in our district. Folks from the Arkansas School Nutrition Association shared with me how his policies are causing students to lose food choices in the cafeteria. Fighting back against the Biden Administration’s overreaches has always been a priority of mine.
|
Northwest Arkansas is a hub for research and innovation, especially in the medical field at the University of Arkansas. Through NIH funding, Julio Molina Pineda of U of A shared with me how the projects they’re working on can hopefully find cures for cancer. Investing in our research programs makes financial sense in the long run, and most importantly, it saves lives.
|
The Smile Shoppe has multiple locations spanning across Northwest Arkansas. Skilled dentists to care for our kids are in high demand. I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Jeff Rhodes, the President (and Chief Smile Officer!), to talk through funding for pediatric dentistry and filling the workforce gap needs in our region.
|
__Tom_McGee__and_Lacy_Beasley.JPG "Don_Moseley_(Rogers__AR)__Tom_McGee__and_Lacy_Beasley.JPG")
Crime is on the rise, including organized retail crime nationwide. The International Council of Shopping Centers came by to discuss this, and their positions on issues facing their industry. I’m a cosponsor of two bills that address this very issue—the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and the Main Street Tax Certainty Act.
|
_and_Samantha_(mother)_Dill.JPG "SAW_and_Eliza_(daughter)_and_Samantha_(mother)_Dill.JPG")
Eliza Dill of Fayetteville shared her story with me about how she tackles the challenges of Tourette Syndrome. She’s a youth ambassador for the Tourette Association of America, and she’s only in 10th grade! I’m proud of this young Third District Arkansan who’s using her voice to advocate for education and research funding.
Have a great weekend ahead, and I hope to see you around! Be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages in the meantime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|