Weekly Update
So Long, August!
It’s been a truly great August being back home, traveling across the district and meeting with so many remarkable individuals including students, teachers, superintendents, small business owners, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, manufacturing workers, doctors, nurses, emergency responders, law enforcement officers, veterans, mayors, public officials, and many more.
While these individuals come from all walks of life and bring unique perspectives, we all share a common goal: building a stronger, more prosperous Northwest Arkansas and River Valley. I can’t overstate how valuable it’s been to spend the month connecting in person with constituents, listening to your hopes, concerns, frustrations, and successes. I’ve learned a lot from you, and I’ll carry those lessons with me back to Washington.
As I shared with many of you, September could be a particularly turbulent month. The deadline to fund the government is approaching, and I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a shutdown if Congress fails to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills. With a united Republican government in Washington, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to come together, set aside our differences, and deliver updated funding levels that reflect the priorities of the American people.
The great people of the Third District deserve nothing less. I want you to know that my actions and votes in Congress reflect my commitment to ensuring you get the best end of the deal.
Policy Update: Securing the Border and Addressing our Illegal Immigration Crisis
As Congress closes out 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!
It’s no secret that in recent years, our southern border has been in a state of crisis, due to failed policies and neglect from the previous administration. Illegal crossings hit historic highs. Fentanyl poured through our porous border, infiltrated our communities, and claimed countless American lives.
Let’s look at the stats. From 2021-2024, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) encounters of illegal aliens totaled over 11 million nationwide, 9 million of which were at our southern border. Additionally, there were around 2.2 million known gotaways. These are individuals that were caught crossing the border illegally by technology or by CBP agents but were not apprehended. During the same period, more than 9,500 pounds of fentanyl were seized by CBP between ports of entry.
It’s clear that the American people had enough of a weak southern border, and President Trump’s plan to stop the chaos played a major role in his path to the White House. On his first day in office and over the past several months, he’s honored his promise to address the border crisis, combat unlawful immigration, and restore peace of mind for American communities across the nation.
The numbers speak for themselves. In June, there were fewer than 6,100 Border Patrol apprehensions between ports of entry at the Southwest border—a 93 percent drop compared to the same month in 2024. On June 28, Border Patrol apprehended just 136 illegal migrants, the lowest single-day total in its history. Fentanyl seizures also declined sharply that month, down 48 percent from the previous year.
In support of the Trump Administration’s efforts, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), delivering the largest border security investment in U.S. history, totaling $175 billion. Of that, $46 billion was allocated to build the border barrier, including the construction of 701 miles of primary walls. OBBBA also provides robust funding for CBP personnel, with $4.1 billion to hire and train Border Patrol agents, and an additional $2 billion for retention and signing bonuses. Another $6 billion was invested in technology to counter emerging threats, including the interception of deadly fentanyl.
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I helped allocate additional funding to restore border security and enforce our immigration laws. In June, the committee approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which includes $18.98 billion in additional funding for CBP. The bill maintains support for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, allocates $346 million for border security technology, and provides $300 million for non-intrusive inspection systems. It also designates $11 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including $1 billion for transportation and removal operations to deport illegal aliens residing in the United States.
As is the case with many of our funding bills right now, this legislation must still be considered by the full House and Senate, and signed by the President before it becomes law. That said, it remains a top priority for me, and I’m working to get it passed once we return in September.
Our nation is built on both a proud history of immigration and a firm foundation of law and order. Those who wish to come to the United States and remain here must abide by the law and the requirements of their visa. While media headlines often aim to sow confusion and stir panic around border security and immigration enforcement, the reality is clear: incentivizing illegal immigration harms vulnerable individuals, citizens and non-citizens alike.
For example, a recent report revealed that during the previous administration, more than 11,000 unaccompanied migrant children were placed with unvetted sponsors who were neither their parents nor legal guardians. One need only look at the past four years to see the consequences of refusing to enforce immigration laws. Resolving a crisis is never easy or comfortable, but it is the duty of those in office to protect America’s homeland and her people.
Combatting Desecration of the American Flag
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This week, President Trump signed an Executive Order to protect the flag of the United States and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating our flag.
I wholeheartedly applaud this action. For years, I have championed a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution granting Congress the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American Flag.
To further strengthen President Trump’s Executive Order, Congress should advance my legislation to reinstate the American people’s power to protect our most important national symbol. This would pave the way for Congress to codify policies that empower prosecutors and law enforcement to hold accountable those who desecrate our most sacred symbol, regardless of who occupies the White House.
Read more HERE.
Around the District: Photo Highlights
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I welcomed chamber of commerce executives, municipal economic development managers, and other leaders driving growth across the state to the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives Annual Conference. The Third District is a hub for economic leadership, so it’s only fitting that our district hosts this noteworthy conference.
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It was great to meet with Dr. Brooke Bisbee, owner of Family Foot Health Center in Rogers and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association, along with her team. The Third District continues to be home to some of the best and brightest in healthcare and beyond.
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I stopped by Walmart’s corporate campus in Bentonville to get a sneak peak of their new Global Security and Operations Center before it opened where staff track potentially hazardous conditions, like natural disasters, across the U.S. and world. While I was there, I also stopped by Sam Walton Hall (pictured), a 200,000-square-foot facility featuring an auditorium, conference rooms, and learning and development spaces, in addition to its on-campus food hall 8th & Plate (also pictured).
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Thanks to Superintendent Jeremy Mangrum and Principal Angie Kichline for inviting me to Elkins High School where I saw their brand new and very impressive athletic facility. But the real highlight was talking with students taking a U.S. history class where we discussed the three branches of government and how congressional districts are made.
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I enjoyed meeting the owners of Six Arrows Farm and Gift and hearing about their experience running a small business. They just opened the shop in November 2024 and recently added a coffee bar. If you’re in the Elkins area, stop by and sip local!
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I sat down this week with Yuna Lee of 40/29 News to discuss the work we've been doing across the incredible Third District, and what lies ahead as Congress returns to Washington. Tune in on Sunday to watch the full interview.
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Happy Labor Day Weekend!
On Monday, we celebrate the American worker whose grit and determination make our country great. Whether you're on the job or taking a well-earned break, I wish you and your family a safe and happy Labor Day.
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. |