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As I discuss in CFTC, President Trump was large and in-charge during his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress and the American people this week. Beyond the political theatre, I’d like to break down the measured progress we have seen this past year—measured progress that is good for our nation.
PROVIDING HISTORIC TAX RELIEF
Through the passage of last year’s budget reconciliation package—known as the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC)—Congress and President Trump worked together to leave more money in your pocket. Specifically, we…
- Prevented the largest tax increase in American history, saving the average AR‑3 taxpayer from a 24 percent tax hike;
- Increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200;
- Made the 199A small‑business deduction permanent;
- Prevented 6,672 family-owned farms in AR-3 from paying an increased Death Tax; and
- Provided enhanced tax relief by adding an additional $6,000 deduction for those 65 years and older.
These policies mean bigger tax refunds for you, with average refunds projected to increase by $1,000 or more.
BOLSTERING THE ECONOMY
Fixing the economy is no easy task, but several key indicators suggest we’re moving in a positive direction. Across the nation, we are seeing some of the highest workforce participation rates in recent years. Arkansas had a 59 percent workforce participation rate, up almost a full percent from this time last year. Wages for private‑sector workers outpaced inflation by roughly $1,400 during President Trump’s first year in office. Overall inflation has eased to 2.4 percent, bringing it closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Apartment rents have fallen for six consecutive months, reaching a five‑year low in February. Mortgage rates have also dropped to their lowest levels since 2022. Egg prices are down 34 percent from January 2025 and gasoline prices have fallen 7 percent compared to last year. I acknowledge that trade dynamics have contributed to higher or more volatile prices in some areas, but I remain encouraged by the broader trends.
STRENGTHENING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
Through President Trump’s strong leadership, our national security has greatly benefitted in the past year. NATO allies agreed to more than double their defense spending target from 2 percent of GDP to 5 percent by 2035. Many countries have already begun increasing their military spending—bolstering defense capabilities among our allies. In June 2025, the U.S. executed Operation Midnight Hammer to strike Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity amid a rapidly escalating Israel-Iran conflict. The operation not only proved American projection of power capabilities, but it also set back Iran's nuclear program. President Trump also brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, as well as the release of all living Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity.
EXPANDING ENERGY PRODUCTION
In the WFTC, we brought sanity back to domestic energy production and reopened federal offshore oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of America. Held on December 10, 2025, Big Beautiful Gulf 1 (BBG1) Oil and Gas Lease Sale was the first federal offshore lease sale since 2023, and the first of 30 lease sales in the Gulf of America as required by WFTC. Reopening the Gulf for production will bring back American petroleum and gas dominance after President Biden unnecessarily delayed lease sales in the Gulf for two years.
Additionally, to usher in America’s nuclear energy renaissance and reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers, the Department of Energy awarded $2.7 billion across several companies to expand domestic capacity for low-enriched uranium and advance innovation for high-assay low-enriched uranium.
REDUCING THE FLOW OF LETHAL DRUGS
Over the past year, fentanyl trafficking at the border has fallen 56 percent, saving countless American lives in the process. We have reversed years of inaction by the Mexican government, leveraging pressure from President Trump to compel meaningful action against the cartels including the disruption and removal of multiple cartel leaders. Through Operation Absolute Resolve, the U.S. also removed narco-terrorist dictator Nicolas Maduro, restoring democracy to a nation of 32 million people and ending state-sanctioned drug trafficking.
SECURING OUR BORDER
In December 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encounters at our border decreased 75 percent compared to December 2024 and 91 percent compared to December 2023. We also maintained zero illegal alien releases into our country for nine straight months, ending dangerous catch-and-release policies that endangered American families. Additionally, the WFTC provided resources for the construction of over 700 miles of primary border wall and 900 miles of river barriers to further protect our nation.
IN CONCLUSION
There is still work to be done to address years of weak leadership and misguided policy, but if the past year is any indication, we can expect continued transformational efforts aimed at improving the lives of all Americans now and in the years ahead. |