From The Front...

Welcome to my weekly newsletter

December 12, 2025

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, From the Front, where I provide a quick update on what I've been working on in Washington, D.C, and back home in Arkansas's Third Congressional District.

COMMENT FROM THE CAPITOL

In this week’s special edition of Comment from the Capitol, I sat down with Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers (AL-3) to discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Chairman Rogers outlines the NDAA process, why the NDAA is necessary, how this year’s NDAA will dramatically change the pace of purchasing by the Department of Defense, and more. Listen HERE or click below.

TOP OF MIND

As I discussed with Chairman Rogers, the NDAA guides defense policy and authorizes defense spending. It is legislation Congress passes annually, and it typically garners strong bipartisan support. Despite some hiccups, the House passed it Wednesday night by a vote of 312–112.

In addition to improving our defense acquisition process, as outlined by Chairman Rogers, the NDAA includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for all servicemembers, and reauthorizes and expands military bonuses and special pays.

Read more about what’s included in the bill HERE.

But there is a saying in Congress that goes, “an authorization without an appropriation is hallucination.” While the NDAA authorizes programs, appropriators like myself must provide the actual funding for our men and women in uniform. As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am continuing to work on the FY2026 defense appropriations bill, which will allocate the resources necessary to strengthen our national defense.

ON THE FLOOR

In addition to the NDAA, the House passed several other bills of note. They include:

INVEST Act, which is designed to expand opportunities for investors and reduce barriers that small businesses and entrepreneurs face when raising capital.

PERMIT Act, which is focused on streamlining the federal permitting process under the Clean Water Act for American energy producers, farmers, builders, and water utilities, all while protecting America’s water quality.

State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, which requires state regulatory authorities to consider reliable energy sources like natural gas, nuclear, and hydropower when developing utility implementation plans.

HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT

More Americans are moving to Arkansas, specifically to Arkansas’s Third Congressional District.

A recent study ranked Arkansas first in the nation for the highest percentage of inbound movers in 2025. Notably, 38 percent of these new residents moved to Bentonville.

Many come for work, but most stay because of all the elements that make our community great from quality education to thriving commerce and much more.

I’d also like to extend a big congratulations to the Shiloh Christian Saints for clinching the Class 6A State Championship last weekend!

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT

This week’s Constituent Spotlight goes to Bentley Morris of Pea Ridge.

Bentley is an eighth-grade student at Pea Ridge Middle School. He is the son of Jeremy and Peggy Morris and April Willis, and the grandson of Scott and Emily Angel; Mark and Sherri Flood; and Johnnie and Sherry Crawford.

Over the past two weeks, Bentley has competed in some of the nation’s most elite junior rodeos in Las Vegas, including the Vegas Tuffest Junior World Championship, the Junior National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and the Junior Patriot Semi-Finals.

Bentley started competing in rodeos five years ago, steadily growing his skills. He practices nearly every day at the family’s home arena and travels to competitions ten months out of the year. Out of hundreds of young competitors nationwide, he earned a coveted spot at these championship events.

But his journey to Las Vegas has not been without some heartbreak. All year, Bentley had been riding his trusted palomino mare, a six-year-old named Bell, who was a key partner in both the breakaway and the tie-down events. But Bell was hurt and taken out of commission for the rest of the season. While she is now back home and doing well after a long recovery, she was unable to make the trip to Las Vegas.

Bentley didn’t let this setback stop him from bringing his A game to Las Vegas. For the tie-down, Bentley rode his 16-year-old sorrel mare named Charlie. For the breakaway events, Bentley rode Slim, a three-year-old gray. For those who don’t know, competing with such a young and inexperienced horse at a major rodeo is an impressive feat in itself.

Bentley’s hard work paid off at the Junior NFR. After completing three runs all under 16 seconds, Bentley won the Junior NFR 12-and-under tie-down roping title. Along with the title, Bentley scored a saddle, a championship buckle, and a cash prize.

Looking ahead, Bentley is gearing up for the Junior Patriot Finals in Fort Worth in 2026.

I am proud to see Bentley represent the Third District with such skill and vigor, and I congratulate him on his outstanding achievements.

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Last week, I was extremely honored to receive the Major General Harold L. Gwatney Award from the Board of Directors of the Arkansas National Guard Foundation. The namesake of this award is a man who I admired greatly and who embodied what it means to be in the Arkansas National Guard. The 30 years, 5 months, and 19 days that I spent wearing the uniform of an Arkansas National Guard Officer were the proudest of my life. Every decision I made was purposed to create what President Lincoln described as a more perfect union. This is an honor I will cherish, and I am eternally thankful for the family I have with the National Guard.

I had the pleasure of meeting a group of Third District Arkansans who visited Washington, D.C., this week following their tour of the Capitol. Susan of Bella Vista and her granddaughter Campbell, a student at Bentonville West, were in the area to tour the Naval Academy. I spoke with Campbell about her interest in attending a service academy and the nomination process, which I am privileged to participate in. Brianna and Josie, both of Bella Vista, were in town on behalf of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. They are working to bring new pieces of art from the Smithsonian in D.C. to Bentonville.

I had the opportunity to meet Jon and Frances of Bella Vista, who moved from Oklahoma to the Third District three years ago. They shared how much they enjoy the recreational activities in Northwest Arkansas, and I discussed the remarkable development that has taken place since my time as mayor of Rogers.

WHAT DO YOU THINK

In light of the passage of the NDAA, I’d like to hear your perspective on future U.S. military spending.

Do you believe the U.S. should: