Washington Update
Comment from the Capitol
The Kentucky Derby may be settled, but we’ve got our own high-stakes race unfolding in Congress: the ‘Reconciliation Derby.’ In this week’s Comment from the Capitol, I break down the latest developments in the race toward a budget reconciliation package and all the action happening between the starting gates and the finish line. I also discuss how the looming debt ceiling debate could further complicate these proceedings.
Listen HERE.
In the Hearing Room…
This week, I took part in multiple oversight hearings as part of my role on the House Appropriations Committee.
Fiscal Oversight
During the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, I had the chance to ask about the projected timeline for 'X Day'—the projected date that the government will reach the authorized debt ceiling.
I also inquired how the Treasury Department intends to continue delivering essential services to Americans with a 19 percent proposed budget cut, emphasizing the need to ensure taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively.
Fiscal responsibility matters and so does fulfilling our credit obligations to protect global economic stability. I appreciate the President’s commitment to balancing both.
Watch HERE.
Air Force Operations
At a House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin commended Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base and the Fort Smith community for their outstanding efforts in standing up the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) F-35 Pilot Training Center.
This facility is dedicated to preparing foreign pilots to fly the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Providing critical defense training to our allies bolsters national and global security. I’m incredibly proud of the work being done and applaud the community-wide commitment to this important mission.
Watch HERE.
This was also extremely timely as today I attended a ceremony at Ebbing Air National Guard Base to celebrate the continued progress of the 85th Fighter Group and graduation of the first F-35 pilots from Poland.
Army Readiness
Finally, at a House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing with the Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, I discussed the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI). This initiative aims to transform the Army for the evolving battlefields of the future, and I asked General George to assess its impact on the Army’s core mission: to fight and win our nation's wars.
Additionally, I inquired about the future of the Army National Guard under ATI, as I firmly believe that the Army National Guard and Army Reserves provide the best return on investment for the total Army. I would argue that these components deploy just as frequently as their active-duty counterparts and provide excellent value to our Army.
Watch HERE.
On the House Floor…
The Republican conference in the House this week successfully passed several notable pieces of legislation.
First, the House, with my support, passed the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act to end the Chinese Communist Party infiltration and influence on our American college campuses. This bill ensures that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not provide funds to higher education institutions that host Confucius Institutes, which are cultural and educational influence centers funded by the Chinese government.
The Chinese Communist Party would like nothing more than to undermine American higher education institutions, extracting valuable research, intellectual property, and data. This bill is a critical step in protecting our campuses and students.
Additionally, our Republican majority, with my vote, passed legislation codifying President Trump’s Executive Order to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
Photo Highlights
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I had a great meeting with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, where we discussed the importance of ensuring the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) does not duplicate the work of state insurance regulators. We also covered the growing concerns around third-party litigation and foreign actors, as well as the challenges posed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's 2024 change in selling practices, which now require full replacement cost insurance coverage for any property with a federally backed mortgage.
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I met with the Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, to discuss the Navy’s priorities ahead of this year’s appropriations process. We exchanged insights on lessons learned and observations the Secretary has made since his confirmation and global tour visiting various Navy installations. We also discussed the Navy’s future plans for shipbuilding under the Trump Administration and various areas within the Navy’s acquisition portfolio.
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I enjoyed sitting down with Arkansas Hospital Association members for an insightful discussion on the challenges and opportunities they’re navigating. We explored ways to support providers and patients across our state, and I deeply valued hearing directly from these healthcare professionals.
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As I mentioned, I had the honor of attending the F-35 Foreign Military Sales Initial Operational Capability (IOC) Ceremony to celebrate the continued progress of the 85th Fighter Group at Ebbing Air National Guard Base and mark a major milestone in Poland’s F-35 integration. Poland is the first of seven FMS partner nations to conduct pilot training with the 85 FG, and I look forward to welcoming pilots from Germany, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland, Greece, and the Czech Republic soon.
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Have a great weekend ahead, and I hope to see you around! Be sure to check out my website, X, and Instagram pages in the meantime. |