Update from Washington
Comment from the Capitol
In this week’s audio report, I give a lay of the land on some of what's been happening in Washington:
- Ongoing investigations into the tragic plane collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
- What the House did: Pass the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Protecting American Energy Production Act.
- What the House did NOT do: Make any progress on advancing fiscal year 2025 appropriations bills or a budget resolution to unlock the reconciliation process.
- President Trump's remarks on the Gaza strip.
Tune in HERE!
House-passed Legislation
Here's more on the two bills that passed through the House, both with my strong support:
- Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act: I’m a cosponsor of this bill, which permanently extends President Trump’s 2018 Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances to give law enforcement the tools they need to keep Americans safe from dangerous illicit drugs. Far too many Americans have fallen victim to the horrific illicit drug epidemic. We can save lives and prevent families from experiencing this heartbreak by securing the border and making the HALT Fentanyl Act law.
- Protecting American Energy Production Act: This legislation prevents a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to protect domestic energy production and asserts states’ primacy over energy production on state and private land. Using all tools at our disposal, including fracking, results in lower energy prices for families and workers, boosts economic growth, and improves quality of life for Americans. We must protect domestic energy production from Democrats’ reckless and misguided climate policies.
Protecting Veterans' Access to Telemedicine Services
Easing access to critical care for America’s heroes is vital, and that’s why I reintroduced the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act this week!
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This bill would permanently extend a pandemic-related exemption that currently allows healthcare professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe medically necessary controlled substances to veterans via telemedicine under certain conditions regardless of whether that healthcare professional has conducted an in-person medical examination.
By permanently extending successful telehealth services, veterans—including the millions of rural veterans without convenient access to VA clinics—will continue to receive quality care right in their homes. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this important, commonsense legislation across the finish line.
Picture highlights from the week:
It was a busy week, but I was excited to meet with so many Arkansans visiting our nation’s capital!
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Arkansas Children's Hospital cares for some of the most vulnerable in our state, our children. I’m grateful that Marcy Doderer, the CEO, and her team came by to share their workforce needs as Northwest Arkansas continues to grow. Making sure our youth receive the care they need is important to me.
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I welcomed Special Olympic athletes, teachers, coaches, and partners from Arkansas to my office. Hearing their stories about the ways that the Special Olympics have changed their lives for the better was incredibly moving. I’m thankful for the tireless work that they do to encourage and empower athletes and promote teamwork and healthy lifestyles.
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Community health centers are vital to the wellbeing of each and every Arkansan. I understand how the work they do to keep folks healthy is primarily focused on preventative care, and how my colleagues in the Arkansas delegation can help in their efforts. I appreciated seeing so many talented and dedicated healthcare professionals from across the state who work every day to make Arkansans stronger and healthier!
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It was great to sit down with Jared Wiley, the new Arkansas Department of Transportation Director, for the first time since he assumed the role! We talked about the critical partnership the department has with my work as Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee to improve the state’s roads and bridges. I look forward to closely working together to deliver for the Natural State!
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For the first time this year, I brought together all the members on my subcommittee—both Democrats and Republicans—to discuss priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. It was a great opportunity to hear from my colleagues and consider opportunities to collaborate to improve our nation’s transportation and housing systems.
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I joined my friends and fellow Arkansans in the delegation to welcome folks from the Natural State to Washington for the National Prayer Breakfast. We caught up on all things happening in Washington and back at home before praying over our great nation.
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For the past couple of years, I’ve had the honor of hosting the Spiritual Heritage Tour, which is a tour of the Capitol the night before the National Prayer Breakfast with attendees of the breakfast as well as West Point cadets! It’s a privilege to join others in celebrating and learning more about the revered significance and spiritual history of our great nation.
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Water is the lifeblood of communities, and no one understands this more than the members of the Arkansas Rural Water Association. It was a pleasure to meet with them in DC this week to discuss the need for funding that provides training and technical assistance to the managers and operators of small water systems.
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Thank you to the Arkansans in the Textile Rental Services Association of America—David Varner, Doug Waldman, and Laura Waldman—for taking the time to visit with my team and me. They came to discuss how valuable their work is in providing textiles for hospitals and the food service industry.
Join me for a Telephone Town Hall on Tuesday!
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There is a lot going on in Washington, D.C. I'm hosting a Telephone Town Hall to hear from you and to answer your questions about what we're working on. Receiving feedback from people like yourself is always a pleasure and allows me to effectively represent the Third District!
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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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