March 13, 2026

This week, I welcomed the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bryan Bedford to the Third District. During his trip, we visited and toured key locations pertinent to the FAA’s mission of maintaining a safe, efficient, and modern national airspace.

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I author the bill that funds the FAA. In my Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 THUD appropriations bill, I increased funding for the FAA by $1.22 billion over FY 2025 enacted levels, providing the agency with the resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers and replace an aging telecommunication infrastructure.

While the Administrator was in the Third District, we discussed broader aviation needs—but most importantly—we saw firsthand how our region is providing safer, more efficient air travel. Not only does the Third District boast of rapidly growing and modernized national, regional, and municipal airports, we have also become a hub for next-generation aviation innovation.

Read more about each stop on the Administrator’s visit and view additional photos HERE.

Earlier this week, I also welcomed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe to the Third District. While here, they visited Ebbing Air National Guard Base to receive a briefing on the progress of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and the strategic partnership between the United States and our FMS partners in building airpower, generating readiness, and training international pilots on the F-35 Lightning II.

Brig. Gen. Tomasz Jatczak, Inspector of the Air Force for Poland, was also present and spoke about how his country’s airmen stationed in Fort Smith are being welcomed by our community. The River Valley bleeds red, white, and blue, and that spirit is reflected in the pride our region takes in supporting this mission and the hospitality shown to our allies. I am proud to have this critical mission call in our district.

Gen. Wilsbach’s trip to the Third District also included a visit to Game Aerospace in Bentonville to see firsthand how the company manufactures the GB1 GameBird aircraft. I invited three exceptional Third District young men who received appointments to attend the United States Air Force Academy to meet with Gen. Wilsbach and discuss leadership development and career opportunities at the Academy. Nominating these outstanding students is an honor, and I look forward to seeing all they achieve.

Are you a Third District high schooler interested in military service?

Come to my 2026 Academy Day where students will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the U.S. Military Service Academies, alumni, and current cadets to learn more about the application, nomination, selection, and appointment processes. 

WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00PM-3:00PM CT
WHERE: Fayetteville High School

You can find additional information on the U.S. Military Service Academy nomination process HERE.

Last weekend was a big one for girls’ basketball in the Third District. The Pea Ridge Lady Blackhawks, Springdale Har-Ber Lady Wildcats, and Farmington Lady Cardinals all punched their tickets to the State Championships, which start today. Here’s the schedule:

• 4A Girls Pea Ridge vs Pulaski Academy: Friday, March 13 at 6:00PM
• 5A Girls Farmington vs Mountain Home: Saturday, March 14 at 12:00PM
• 6A Girls Springdale Har-Ber vs North Little Rock: Saturday, March 14 at 6:00PM

I wish all these young athletes a great game and know they will represent our district well!

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT

This week’s constituent spotlight goes to Sebastian County’s Karthik Dalai, a student at East Hills Middle School in Greenwood.

Over this past weekend, Karthik won the 2026 Arkansas State Spelling Bee after correctly spelling “paratactic”.

Eleven-year-old Karthik, the son of Venkata Dalai and Phani Kampella, competed against 55 county champions at the state spelling bee, which lasted more than 20 rounds.

More than 85,000 students from 430 schools across 58 counties in Arkansas participated in local and county competitions leading up to the state spelling bee. As the winner of the state contest, Karthik is headed to Washington, D.C. this May to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

It fills me with pride to see such academic excellence coming from the Third District, and I congratulate Karthik on this impressive accomplishment.

HOW I'M HELPING

When flights across the Middle East were grounded after President Trump initiated Operation Epic Fury, our office was alerted to several Third District Arkansans stranded in multiple countries. My team worked quickly to provide up‑to‑date resources and information to those who were trapped. If you are a Third District Arkansan stranded in the Middle East, contact my district offices by calling the phone numbers in the footer of this newsletter.

XNA’s new air traffic control tower will enable the airport to expand operational capacity, helping meet the needs of our growing region. But I want to hear from you.

Will having more flight options and safer operations at XNA benefit you?

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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.

From The Front...

Congressman Steve Womack
Arkansas Third District

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