Welcome to my weekly newsletter
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May 29, 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 detailed what led to the Senate's delay in voting for a budget reconciliation package to fund ICE and CPB in last week’s episode of Comment from the Capitol (CFTC). This delay means that Congress is all but sure to miss the White House’s prescribed June 1 deadline. Listen HERE or click below.
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In last week’s newsletter, I highlighted the extraordinary young men and women from Arkansas’s Third Congressional District who are representing the Class of 2026 at our nation’s service academies. I was able to celebrate some of these graduates in person at the U.S. Military Academy’s (USMA) graduation ceremony.
As Chairman of the West Point Board of Visitors (BOV), I have the honor of being a distinguished guest at this momentous occasion. During the ceremony, we heard from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who delivered the commencement address. After which, the nearly 1,000 graduating cadets received their hard-earned diplomas—including five who I had the privilege of nominating: Ellery Doyna, Luke Monk, Sydney Rhuda, Joey Sta Romana, and Luke Welcher.
It is always inspiring to see the next generation of Army leaders swear an oath as commissioned officers, pledging to support and defend the Constitution and to lead with character. There were far easier paths these cadets could have taken to earn undergraduate degrees, but these cadets chose to pursue service and a purpose greater than themselves.
I am not only proud of their commitment and perseverance, but I am also hopeful for the future of this country, as it will undoubtedly be shaped and strengthened by the Class of 2026.
Read more HERE. |
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Last week, the full House Appropriations Committee advanced another two Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 funding bills: the FY 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and the FY 2027 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.
The Energy and Water Development funding bill strengthens America’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, invests in baseload energy sources to promote affordability, and supports our thriving inland marine transportation system maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers. The FY 2027 Legislative Branch funding bill increases resources for our brave Capitol Police force and invests in the upkeep of the Capitol grounds to better serve constituents.
In the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee…
As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I led a hearing on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) FY 2027 budget request with Secretary Sean Duffy serving as witness.
During my opening remarks, I highlighted how Congress and the Executive Branch have worked together in the past year to ensure that DOT has the necessary resources to meet our shared goals of safety, infrastructure improvements, and modernization of our transportation systems. The investments made to update our air traffic control system nationwide are evidence of this work. Watch more HERE.
I also asked Secretary Duffy about DOT’s grantmaking progress for projects that address our nation’s shortage of safe, accessible truck parking. In my FY 2026 THUD bill, I allocated $200 million for truck parking grants. Watch more HERE.
Read more HERE.
In addition, our subcommittee marked up and advanced the FY 2027 THUD appropriations bill. I am proud that my bill prioritizes core infrastructure needs, maintains an essential safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, and implements fiscal discipline and regulatory relief. I discussed some of these highlights during my opening remarks HERE.
The next stop for my FY 2027 THUD bill is full committee markup, which is set for next week.
Read more HERE.
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Before Congress left Washington, the House passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Among its many provisions, the bipartisan bill modernizes several Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs I allocate funding to as THUD Chair.
For example, the bill allows Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to be used directly for the construction of new affordable housing—a proposal I have long championed. The legislation also updates outdated language guiding HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments for the purpose of creating affordable housing.
Additionally, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act improves federal programs administered by the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs to promote housing accessibility for rural communities and veterans. Finally, the package adjusts banking regulations to expand local lending opportunities.
Here’s what else the House passed with my support:
The Fostering the Future Act, which seeks to improve outcomes for youth aging out of foster care by modernizing the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood.
The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, which would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs from providing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) with sensitive information about veterans with fiduciaries.
The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefit Expansion Act, which would increase disabled veterans’ monthly compensation to $10,000 per year and increase compensation for family members of deceased veterans by 1.5 percent over the next two years.
The Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, which would bar federal funding from being used to promote gender ideology teachings in classrooms, as well as prohibiting federally funded elementary or middle schools from socially transitioning a child—such as by changing their name, pronouns, or bathroom access—without parental consent. |
| HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT |
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Last weekend marked the state finals for Arkansas spring sports, and six Third District teams clinched a state championship:
3A Girls Soccer: Life Way
5A Softball: Farmington
5A Boys Soccer: Siloam Springs
6A Softball: Bentonville
6A Boys Soccer: Bentonville
6A Baseball: Springdale Har-Ber
Congratulations to these athletes on a great game!
In collegiate sports, the Razorback softball team made their first-ever appearance in the Women’s College World Series on Thursday evening. The Razorbacks put up a good fight, and I’ll be cheering them on against UCLA this weekend in Game 6.
Finally, kudos to Sergeant Day of the Pea Ridge Police Department, who crawled into a storm drain on Memorial Day to rescue a dog named Dip. As Chief Hahn noted, this happened on the very same day officers were also searching for an armed suspect. Thank you to our law enforcement officers for looking out for every member of our community, including our furry friends. Check out some photos of Dip’s rescue HERE. |
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CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT
This week’s constituent spotlight goes to Logan Wolf of Gravette.
Earlier this month, Logan celebrated an exciting milestone in any teenager’s life: graduating high school. But the Gravette High School graduation stage is only one of three stages he’ll be crossing this year, as Logan has also earned two associate degrees and a bachelor’s degree.
At just 13 years old, Logan enrolled in his first college course. He balanced school, athletics, and working without ever taking a semester off.
With a college degree already in his back pocket, Logan plans to join the Arkansas Air National Guard and is interested in becoming an officer. He also hopes to continue his education and eventually earn a master’s degree.
Congratulations to Logan on this incredible accomplishment. Enjoy a well-earned summer break!
PEOPLE just wrote a great piece on Logan—read it HERE.
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HOW I'M HELPING
One of the most important things I do as a U.S. Representative is help people resolve an issue with a federal agency. Although I cannot override the decisions made by a federal agency, I can often intervene on a person's behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or just cut through the red tape. Learn more HERE, and take a look at how I've assisted constituents so far this year.
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It’s always a highlight of my year to take part in the National Memorial Day Concert. But this year, on our 250th anniversary, the program paid especially meaningful tribute to our fallen service members throughout our history who gave their lives for our freedom. The gentleman in the garrison cap is Earl J. "Chuck" Kohler, a World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor. Click HERE to watch more of his story.
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I sat down with Brad Fortner, Clarence Guinn, and Brandon Kivell—all from Rogers—who were in town on behalf of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies to discuss legislation before Congress addressing predatory litigation funding, natural disaster preparedness, automotive safety measures, and federal insurance regulations.
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Karen and Kim Eskew of Harps Food Stores and other members of the Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants Association shared with me the challenges facing grocers today and how they are working to ensure that customers have access to quality, affordable groceries to stock their fridges and set their tables.
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I met with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, including Curtis Moore from Lincoln, to explain how they are helping families prepare for the future. We also discussed how critical it is for people to plan for retirement, including long term care.
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As I mentioned above, the House passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to address housing affordability concerns. I want to hear from you.
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Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: U.S. House bill funding housing, transportation slates millions for Arkansas projects
Talk Business: Mercy collaboration to bring cardiology care to rural area
Arkansas Business: Jeff Schomburger to Succeed Donnie King as Tyson Foods CEO |
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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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