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April 3, 2026 |
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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. |
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In case you missed it, I released a second part to last week’s edition of Comment from the Capitol (CFTC), which details how the House responded to the Senate’s efforts to fund the entire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Listen HERE or click below.
To provide an update, House and Senate leadership announced this week that they had reached an agreement to fund DHS without ICE and CBP through appropriations. Leadership now wants to fund ICE and CBP for the remainder of the Trump administration through budget reconciliation. I have concerns with this approach as Congress should not normalize replacing the annual appropriations process with budget reconciliation.
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| HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT |
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I was back in the Third District this week after House Leadership sent Congress home for the Easter district work period. While I am frustrated that the House and Senate have struggled to come to an agreement on how to end the partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, it was refreshing to meet with Third District Arkansans back home about the issues that matter to them.
Scroll down to photo highlights to see who I met with this week.
In other news, Gentry High School’s girls powerlifting team won the 4A state title, led by senior Neela McGowan and multiple record-breaking performances at the Arkansas High School State Powerlifting Championships. The Pioneer boys also turned in a strong showing, finishing sixth, as the program added another championship to a résumé that now includes six state titles.
Additionally, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and the University of Arkansas plan to launch an accelerated six-year BS-MD program in fall 2027, creating a faster and more affordable path from high school to a medical degree. The program, one of only a few of its kind in the nation, will begin with 20 students and give preference to Arkansas residents. |
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CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT
This week’s constituent spotlight goes to Laura Terry of West Fork.
Laura, associate professor of architecture at the University of Arkansas, was named the 2026 recipient of the Artist Award from the Arkansas Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (ACNMWA).
The $4,000 award recognizes Laura’s unique approach to creating art and will support her work on a project tentatively named, "Atlas Arkansas." For this project, Laura will use historical photographs and maps—as well as her own drawings, paintings, and photographs—to produce layered art or what she calls, “paper quilts." The end result will blend past and present Arkansas landscapes.
A faculty member at the Fay Jones School since 1998, Laura teaches upper-level design studios and maintains an active studio.
Congratulations to Laura on this honor. I’m excited to see the new pieces this award will help her create.
Read more from the University of Arkansas HERE.
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I joined the Bentonville Chamber of Commerce to celebrate 100 years of economic development and community. It’s been a privilege to have a front row seat to Northwest Arkansas’s growth over the past few decades, and that’s a credit to the hard work and talents of this chamber's leadership. Our region is no longer a secret, and I look forward to seeing how Third District Arkansans continue to impact our community, and ultimately, our country.
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I was honored to speak at the Northwest Arkansas Health Summit, which brings together health care leaders from across the state. This impressive group of individuals share a vision to improve the health of all Arkansans, and I am grateful for their dedication to not only better medical treatments but also to approaching patient care with compassion, empathy, and patience. In Congress, I have been proud to support funding for biomedical research and efforts to transform rural healthcare. Delivering healthier outcomes for Northwest Arkansas is a top priority, and I look forward to building on the work we have done.
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I was glad to be in Rogers for the grand opening of Generations Bank’s newest office. In 2019, Generations relocated its charter from Hampton to Rogers—making it the only bank in Arkansas chartered in Rogers. Generations has an over 100-year history in our state, and Jon Harrell, the CEO and Chair of the Board, is the fifth generation of the Harrell family members to lead the bank.
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It was a pleasure meeting with President David Patty and Executive Director of Technical Training Bryan Evans, both of the Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) in Springdale. Together, we discussed how NWTI is providing critical maintenance training—translating into better-paying job opportunities for Northwest Arkansans.
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I had a productive discussion to learn more about the planned expansion of the Grady E. Harvell Civil Engineering Research and Education Center (CEREC) at the University of Arkansas. Grady Harvell—the center’s namesake and CEO and President of W&W/AFCO Steel, Inc.—and Murray Cline, APAC’s manager leading the project, briefed me on how the expansion will advance cutting‑edge engineering research and help develop a highly skilled and educated workforce.
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On Wednesday, NASA’s Artemis II mission launched and sent four astronauts to orbit the moon for the first time in 50 years. The 10-day journey will lay the groundwork for future crewed Artemis missions that will put humans back on the surface of the moon. I want to hear from you.
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KNWA: Northwest Arkansas chef, restaurant named James Beard Award nominees
5NEWS: Governor Sanders announces nearly $5 million awarded to support Arkansas recreation facilities
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Northwest Arkansas Health Summit sees challenges made to take opportunities for positive change |
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The submissions are IN for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, and I’m once again blown away by the talent in AR-3. It’s time to cast your vote for this year’s People’s Choice Award!
VOTE HERE
TOMORROW, on Saturday, April 4, 2026, I’m hosting my annual U.S. Military Service Academy Day at Fayetteville High School. Current high school students can stop by to speak with representatives from our Service Academies and learn more about ROTC programs. If you’re a high school student in AR-3 interested in learning more about these military service opportunities, you won’t want to miss this. I hope to see you there.
Finally, I pray that you have a blessed Easter Sunday celebrating the resurrected Christ alongside your loved ones. He is Risen, indeed!
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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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