Weekly Update
As Congress continues the August District Work Period, I want to take this opportunity to go further in depth on an issue important to Third District Arkansans. Read below!
Policy Update: Supporting Peace Through Strength Mission
As President Trump met with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and other heads of state from Europe this week, I am reminded of the Roman proverb, “Si vis pacem, para bellum” or “If you want peace, prepare for war.”
The One Big Beautifull Bill Act (OBBBA) does exactly this to assist the Trump Administration with achieving Peace Through Strength. While the traditional Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations bill totaling $831.5 billion passed the House of Representatives in July, OBBBA adds an additional $156.2 billion in mandatory defense spending making significant investments in our national security and military.
Some of OBBBA’s most significant portions of funding with ties to Arkansas are:
- $21 billion for munitions to restock inventories for the U.S. and our allies, including increased production of 155mm artillery projectiles and propellant, anti-tank munitions, and increased domestic production of rare earth and critical minerals across the state.
- $9 billion to increase military base pay, allowances, and special pay to assist servicemembers and their families stationed at or near bases such as Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Chaffee, and Camp Robinson.
- $12 billion to enhance military depots, infrastructure, shipyards, and critical supply chains to build next generation systems and components.
- $14 billion to expedite innovation from non-traditional sources and small businesses to keep up with game-changing technology to ensure success on future battlefields.
- $5 billion to assist the Department of Homeland Security with counter-drug operations and enforcement across the nation in which the National Guard plays a large role.
I believe we must go further to bolster our national defense apparatus. Since the 1980s, defense spending as a share of our GDP has shrunk to a mere 2.9 percent. When accounting for inflation, we are spending less on defense than before World War II and below the threshold we ask our NATO allies to meet. If Congress fails to pass a comprehensive defense appropriations bill for the current fiscal year and instead resorts to a continuing resolution or, worse, a government shutdown, our military readiness will suffer.
While I recognize there are some in Washington who believe we can get by with less defense spending, I don’t agree. The difference between them and me is that I cannot afford to be wrong. We never know when the next conflict will occur, in what country we’ll fight in, or who the enemy will be. The People’s Republic of China, North Korea, Iran, Russia, and other adversarial nations are looking for an opportunity to expand their influence through direct and indirect means, including military action.
It’s Congress’ duty to ensure our service men and women deployed around the world have the training, equipment, and resources to achieve an overwhelming advantage over any enemy, emerge victorious, and return home to their loved ones.
Talk Business: Cutting Through the Noise and Funding What Matters
In case you missed it, I recently published a new op-ed in Talk Business highlighting more than $108 million in Community Project Funding that I secured to support 15 projects across Arkansas’s Third District. These funds were included in this fiscal year’s appropriations bills.
Many of these projects respond to the unprecedented growth in Northwest Arkansas, which brings tremendous economic potential. But to fully realize that potential, we must prioritize critical infrastructure improvements.
Although the House Appropriations Committee has approved the bills containing this funding, they must still pass the full House and Senate and be signed by the President. The fiscal year ends September 30, making it an immediate and uphill challenge once we return to Washington.
I’m hopeful that the hundreds of other members of Congress who secured similar funding requests will be equally motivated to pass this legislation not only to fund the government, but to deliver meaningful results for the communities we represent.
Read the full op-ed HERE.
Around the District: Photo Highlights
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In Gentry, I stopped by Dr. Marion Harris' veterinary clinic. Dr. Harris has been in the veterinary business for 45 years, and his family was recently named the 2025 Benton County Farm Family of the Year. Congratulations to the Harris family again on this honor!
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Dr. John Leeman grew up in Decatur and returned after college to launch his company, Leeman Geophysical, which designs and manufactures tools to measure things like ground tilt, helping scientists monitor earthquake activity and more. It’s always great to see intelligent self-starters come back home to NWA and invest in our region.
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At XNA, I toured King Aerospace’s facility and saw firsthand how their company is helping support the airport’s continued growth and development. The aerospace industry is a major contributor to Arkansas’s economy, and King Aerospace is a great example of this with a team of highly skilled, decorated, and dedicated employees working every day to ensure safer skies.
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Boston Mountain Rural Health Center has opened a new urgent care in Huntsville, helping fill a critical gap in access to care for the region. The healthcare professionals there are doing an outstanding job serving patients, and I am grateful to the team for showing me around.
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In Huntsville, I stopped by Hometown Farm and Feed—a locally owned one-stop shop for farm, garden, and animal needs. I enjoyed meeting the owners, Sam and Maggie Davidson, and hearing about their experience running a small business in a growing community, all while maintaining their farm and raising their family.
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Over 40 years ago, Lew Thompson bought his first truck and started hauling turkeys. Today, Lew Thompson & Son Trucking, Inc. operates more than 700 trucks, and their fleet continues to grow. I had the chance to tour their headquarters, meet the hardworking team behind it, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the trucking industry.
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I met with Dyer Mayor Lynn Hubbard and Fire Chief Joe Saunders to discuss the infrastructure needs of this growing community. This is a challenge faced by many cities across my district, and it's extremely important to me that I understand these needs and advocate for them at the federal level.
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I visited River Valley Primary Care’s newly relocated and expanded Mountainburg clinic, which is now providing affordable healthcare to families throughout the region. With an on-site pharmacy, residents no longer have to drive up to 45 minutes to pick-up their medications. I'm grateful to the team for their work and the insights they shared about how we can work together to address the challenges in providing quality healthcare to those living in rural areas.
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School is back in session, and I had the chance to visit Mountainburg High School, meeting with high school and middle school students and touring the new activities center for all Mountainburg schools which has a gymnasium and band room. Have a great school year, Dragons!
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At the Mid-America Aerospace & Defense Summit, I spoke to industry leaders about the importance of robust military funding to ensure the U.S. can deter emerging threats and win future conflicts. That’s exactly what the House Appropriations Committee prioritized in the FY26 Defense Bill, and I’m hopeful we can get it signed into law when we return to Washington.
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I toured the ongoing construction of the new Bella Vista City Hall, along with the latest additions to the fire department. It’s great to see these upgrades moving forward to better serve city residents.
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I got a sneak peek of Assembled Products’ new headquarters in Rogers, where the leadership team is set to usher in a new era of growth. The company is expanding its capabilities to assemble more products right here in the U.S.A. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is in September, so stay tuned for more on how this exciting development will bring jobs and drive economic growth in our community.
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In Fort Smith, I toured National Safety Apparel Arkansas’s 36,000-square-foot facility where postal uniforms for letter carriers and motor vehicle operators are produced. I was very impressed to meet Angel and Elizabeth on their team who teach new hires the basics of sewing, so they are set up for success.
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I toured Silgan Plastic Food Containers' facility in Fort Smith, which produces containers for Mars Petcare’s nearby plant. It’s another example of how the River Valley is helping power American manufacturing and all the great things that come with it like good-paying jobs.
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It was an honor to help kick off the first phase of construction to connect Interstate 49—a project that’s been close to my heart throughout my time in Congress. This event was not just about pouring concrete; it’s about building a stronger, more connected River Valley Region. In FY22, I secured $18 million for this project, and I’m working to secure another $3 million in this year’s funding bills to keep it moving forward. Come next month, it’s game on to get these bills signed into law. Thank you to the team at ARDOT for their hard work and commitment to this transformational project.
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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. |