Week in Review
Strengthening National Security and Supporting Allies Abroad
On a rare Saturday in Congress, members of the House were in Washington, DC, to advance legislation to provide much-needed assistance to our friends abroad. We took four votes on separate pieces of legislation to provide funding to Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and a combination of other security priorities, called the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act.
I voted in favor of each of the four bills, and here’s why:
“The security of America is a constitutional imperative. America is safer when our allies and partners are safe. Providing these nations with necessary and timely resources to defend against aggression is essential to American security. This is not the time to demonstrate weakness. The packages we approved will not only help America, but a significant amount of these resources will be spent right here in Arkansas, where a number of the munitions and weapons are made. I am grateful to Speaker Mike Johnson for his courage and leadership in bringing these measures to a vote.”
I’m glad we got this legislation across the finish line with House passage, followed by the Senate and the President's approval. Our world became much safer because of it.
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Before the vote, I spoke on the House floor urging my colleagues to vote YES on the foreign aid legislation. Click HERE to watch my remarks.
After the vote, I recorded the Comment from the Capitol, which outlines the foreign aid bills that passed the House, all while under pressure of a potential Motion to Vacate for the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. Click HERE to hear directly from me on how it all went down, and why it’s critically important to ensure the safety and security of our nation.
Around the District
It’s always a pleasure to visit with the great people of our community and see what’s happening firsthand in Arkansas’ Third District!
Devil's Den Proving Ground Unveiling
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It was wonderful to celebrate the Devil’s Den Proving Ground unveiling on Monday at the University of Arkansas. The partnership between Xtremis and the U of A will position Arkansas’ Third as a leader in important technology to bolster our defense capabilities. In an increasingly dangerous world, I’m proud that the Natural State continues advancing technologies to protect our service members and counter threats at home and abroad!
Read more from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette HERE.
Tour of Hiland Dairy
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Hiland Dairy’s Fayetteville facility employs 120 people in our community and produces 1.4 million gallons of milk and 4 million units of juice per month! It was great to see firsthand how they produce and distribute regular milk, chocolate milk, orange juice, and apple juice. Their products are delicious, locally made, and help fuel our local economy!
Visiting Thurman G. Smith Elementary
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Arkansas is home to quality education to support the bright young minds of our community. I spent my Monday afternoon at TG Smith Elementary to tour the school and visit with the students and teachers who make this place special! I spoke to a group of fourth graders about how important it is to make good decisions, take care of their health, take their education seriously, and promote the spirit of charity throughout life.
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Thank you to the teachers, like Mrs. Mackey, who dedicate themselves to developing our next generation of leaders!
Meeting with Startup Junkie’s FUEL Accelerator Participants
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The entrepreneurial spirit of America is on full display in Arkansas’ Third! I was honored to visit with members and alumni of the Fuel Accelerator Program, a Startup Junkie initiative designed to attract entrepreneurs to Northwest Arkansas. As part of Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations process, I secured $1 million in funding for this program. It was very special to see firsthand the positive impact it’s making on our region.
Meeting with Owner of Lumber One
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I spent a day in the River Valley, where I met Steve Gann, the owner of Lumber One. He showed me some projects he’s completed throughout Alma, as well as his vision for future development of the downtown area. As a former mayor, I always enjoy hearing from local leaders on their ideas for future growth and development for our region.
Visit to Bekaert Steel
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I stopped by Bekaert in Van Buren to hear about the incredible work they’re doing to create products to provide broadband to rural areas in Arkansas. Their site employs 450 people and produces agriculture wire, industrial steel wire, and specific application wire. It’s no surprise to me that the Van Buren location is one of the top 5 producing facilities among all of Bekaert’s global facilities!
Celebrating AR-3’s Congressional Award Recipient
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We congratulated Chandra Suda of Bentonville High School for earning the Congressional Award Silver Medal! Beyond his impressive grades and resume (he’s projected to graduate with the highest GPA ever at Bentonville HS!), he uses his skills to better our community. His app that he created to detect Tuberculosis is just one example of how he uses his innovative mind to create something to serve and help others. Bright young people like Chandra are our country's next leaders. Thank you to Bentonville Schools for preparing him for success!
Announcing the 2024 Congressional Art Competition Winner
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Congratulations to the 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner, Dylan Gray of Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville! In his piece titled “Jessica,” after a family member he admires, I was impressed by his technical skills and how well the mixed media application was accomplished. His piece soon will hang in the halls of the People's House to be admired by members and thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital!
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Leah Drummonds of Rogers High School received the Patriot Award, which honors a piece that celebrates and artfully represents American ideals. Anna Hagan of Har-Ber High School received the People's Choice Award, which was decided by the people of our community via online voting.
This is the 14th year I've hosted the Congressional Art Competition. As always, I’m proud of the impressive participation from the Third District, which showcases the talent and creativity of the young people of our special community!
Read more from the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette HERE.
Visiting with Members of the Retirement Community
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Listening to what’s on the minds of those I proudly represent in Congress is what I do when I’m back home in Arkansas. I visited Morada Retirement Center to provide an update on what’s been happening in Congress and answer questions. We discussed the national security legislation, the fiscal state of the nation, and the chaos at our southern border. Their priorities are my priorities, and I make sure their voices are heard when I get back to the nation’s capital.
I will be back in Washington, DC, next week for legislative business. We will be ramping up the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process. 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.
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