Weekly Update
Week Four of the Government Shutdown…
Tomorrow marks one month since the government shutdown began. And as I’ve said before, the longer a shutdown drags on, the more deeply its impacts are felt.
This week, I hosted two roundtables to hear from local agriculture and healthcare leaders amid disruptions caused by the ongoing government shutdown.
During my roundtable with agricultural stakeholders, I heard firsthand how the shutdown is disrupting farmers’ access to critical U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, with the processing of new loans completely frozen. One attendee shared the story of a farmer who initially believed the shutdown wouldn’t affect him until just this week, when he struggled to reach his local Farm Service Agency office to discuss his participation in a conservation program.
At the healthcare roundtable, leaders from regional medical centers, hospitals, and clinics emphasized how the shutdown is creating uncertainty for both providers and patients. Several stakeholders raised concerns that the lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding could worsen food insecurity, potentially leading to new health issues and increased emergency room visits. Others discussed the financial strain the shutdown is placing on healthcare systems due to delayed Medicare reimbursements.
Thank you to everyone who participated. It was invaluable to hear directly from my constituents and leaders in our region about how the shutdown is affecting them, as well as the broader issues impacting their industries.
Regarding SNAP Benefits
USDA announced that SNAP payments will not be made in November due to the lapse in appropriations. SNAP is funded through the appropriations process, and without a continuing resolution (CR) to extend funding levels, the program doesn’t have enough money in the bank to provide benefits.
If you’re following this story, you may have heard about contingency funds that USDA holds for SNAP. There’s been some misinformation circulating about this. To clarify, the contingency fund contains roughly $5 billion—$4 billion short of what is needed to fully fund November benefits. Even if these funds were approved, it would take weeks to distribute the prorated payments, meaning that SNAP recipients would still miss their November food assistance.
The simplest solution to these problems is for Senate Democrats to reopen the government and restore funding so we can provide full benefits to those who rely on them.
I know this inside baseball is not what matters most to families facing food insecurity. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, I want to share this resource to help find food banks near you. Find it HERE.
I’m deeply grateful for the efforts of our local food banks who are tirelessly working to support our friends and neighbors during this time of uncertainty. It is my hope that we’ll find a resolution to this shutdown soon. It’s incredibly frustrating to witness this level of dysfunction in Congress, and to see some of my colleagues on the Left use this pain as leverage for their agenda.
ICYMI: My Interview on NewsNation
I kicked off the week with an appearance on NewsNation to discuss the government shutdown, including the rapidly approaching funding deadline set by the continuing resolution that Senate Democrats continue to block. As I mentioned in the interview, we’ll soon need to find a new solution.
Watch the full interview HERE or click below.
I also provided an update on the shutdown to 5NEWS this week. You can watch that interview HERE.
More Photo Highlights…
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While in D.C. this week, I had the chance to meet with Arkansans from the American Heart Association, including Greenwood-native Miss Arkansas 2025 Kennedy Holland. The group visited my office to discuss the importance of AED and CPR training in schools. I appreciated them sharing their personal connections to heart and cardiovascular disease, in addition to what motivates them to advocate.
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I attended the grand opening of APAC’s new aggregate plant at Sharps Quarry. Infrastructure investment like this is vital to support Northwest Arkansas’s continued growth, and I was glad to meet their hardworking team whose efforts do not go unnoticed.
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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. |