July 10, 2026

In case you missed the latest edition of Comment from the Capitol (CFTC), I recalled the lyrics of the famous Stephen Sondheim song, “Send in the Clowns,” while reflecting on the events in Congress before the Fourth of July district work period. I also discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling on birthright citizenship, which rejected President Trump’s executive order. Listen HERE or click below.

Recently, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the twelfth and final Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations bill. This tremendous progress is a credit to the hard work and diligence of our committee and the strong leadership of Chairman Tom Cole. Together, these bills fund our federal government’s departments, agencies, and programs, in addition to funding for 19 community projects across the Third District. You can read more about the projects HERE.

In these dense, jargon-heavy pieces of legislation, it can be hard to see what matters. So here are some meaningful victories—apart from the community project funding—that I championed and secured to benefit our district, the state, and the nation.

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act—which has been passed by the House—includes:

• Provisions to protect poultry farmers and producers from Obama-era rules around grower contracts, helping to ensure that growers are rewarded for great birds.
• Language allowing excess broiler eggs to be sold for use in other food products. Currently, farmers and producers are cheated out of extra income by having to throw away excess eggs due to an ill-founded Obama-era rule.

The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes:

• Funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Science Foundation, Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, and NASA Space Grant programs—which are all leveraged by the University of Arkansas.
• Funding to support state and local law enforcement in purchasing new equipment, upgrading operations centers, and implementing programs to combat human trafficking, substance abuse, and more.

The Defense Appropriations Act includes:

• Increased funding for research and development of state-of-the-art defense capabilities, such as research into contested logistics, advanced materials, and next-generation power electronics at the University of Arkansas.
• Increased funding for facilities at the United States Military Academy, where I serve as Chairman of the Board of Visitors.
• Funding for the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account (NGREA), which supports the Arkansas National Guard’s efforts as they protect and support our community in times of need.
• A military pay raise of 7 percent for all military personnel ranked E-5 and below, 6 percent for E-6 to O-3, and 5 percent for O-4 and above.
• Funding for the National Guard Counter-Drug Program.

The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes:

• Increased funding for Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) assets along inland waterways, improving the transport times of commodities and goods along the McClellan–Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
• Funding to kickstart a partnership between the USACE and the University of Arkansas’s Maritime Transportation Research and Education Center (MarTREC).

The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act includes:

• Language prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from moving forward with any changes to the Lower 900 MHz band. This band of spectrum affects a wide range of licensed and unlicensed devices across numerous industries including retail, logistics, utilities, and public safety, among many others. Any changes or reconfigurations to this band could jeopardize these operations and lead to higher consumer costs.
• Funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, which spurs economic development and job creation in disadvantaged communities by providing access to necessary capital.

The Homeland Security Appropriations Act includes:

• Funding for the TSA Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program, which supports airports, such as the Fort Smith Regional Airport, that use local law enforcement officers to conduct airport security operations.
• Increased funding for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund to increase response times, strengthen recovery efforts, and ensure local communities are taken care of following severe disasters and emergencies.

The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes:

• Language prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used to regulate emissions of manure management systems or livestock production.
• Provisions blocking unfair restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal lands.

The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes:

• Funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support biomedical research at institutions such as the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
• Increased funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps keep homes warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and the lights on for households with elderly members, people with disabilities, or young children.

The Legislative Branch Appropriations Act includes:

• Funding for the upkeep of our nation’s Capitol, improving experiences for visitors and allowing us to better serve constituents. 
• Funding for the Capitol Police force, which keeps the People’s House safe and secure.

• Language recognizing the need for continued infrastructure investment in Ebbing Air National Guard Base for the F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Training Mission.
• Funding to support the construction of State Extended Care Facilities, which are state-run and provide long-term care to the veteran community.

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act includes:

• Funding for Foreign Military Financing efforts to support our allies such as Taiwan, Egypt, Israel, and Jordan.
• Language prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used to benefit the People’s Republic of China, the Taliban, and other adversaries.

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act—which I author as THUD Subcommittee Chair—includes:

• Funding to build more truck parking along America’s interstates, supporting Northwest Arkansas’s prominent trucking industry.
• Language directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to work with the Air Force and the Arkansas Air National Guard to develop updated airspace guidance to support the F-35 FMS Mission at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.
• Funding for projects across the country to improve road safety, mitigate congestion at intercity and freight rail chokepoints, and enhance multimodal transport connections for companies like Walmart, JB Hunt, and Tyson.

Last week, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought was before the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.

While it has been rebranded over the years, OMB was created by Congress in 1921. Since then, the office has become the largest within the Executive Office of the President and is responsible for overseeing and implementing the President’s agenda across all agencies.

Director Vought was present to testify on how OMB and the Trump Administration have used the funds allocated by appropriators like myself. Recently, OMB sent Congress a supplemental appropriations funding request. Most of the $87.6 billion in proposed funding is for the Department of War, but the request also includes line items for other agencies.

As THUD Chairman, I was particularly interested in language affecting the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Brand-New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) efforts.

If the request were granted, it would allow the FAA Administrator to reallocate the remaining funds from the $12.5 billion Congress provided last year for the BNATCS initiative in the Working Families Tax Cuts law.

During the hearing, I asked Director Vought how the request would impact my ability as THUD Chair to provide proper oversight of the FAA’s air traffic control modernization efforts and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

Watch HERE.

Despite the challenges I outlined in CFTC, the House did manage to pass the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act aimed at protecting our children and teens from online threats.

Some of the provisions in the KIDS Act include:

• Prohibiting online platforms from facilitating the advertisement of illegal products to minors.
• Requiring accessible parental controls, such as parental oversight of in-platform purchases, to best empower parents and guardians.
• Prohibiting targeted advertising and market research on children, which in turn protects children’s privacy.
• Introducing new restrictions on disappearing messages for kids.

As our world’s technology continues to evolve, so do the threats facing our youth. Parents should have adequate tools to protect their children, and this legislation is a positive step forward.

I hope you had a blessed Fourth of July weekend full of family, friends, good food, and fireworks.

I had a great time kicking off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday in Fayetteville at the Gulley Park Summer Concert Series—a beloved Fayetteville tradition that continues to bring our community together.

But the celebrations are not over. Tomorrow, the Springdale Municipal Airport will be hosting Helos, Wings and Wheels. This event will showcase helicopters, emergency response vehicles, classic cars, and more.

While in the district this week, I had the chance to grab lunch with Razorbacks Football Head Coach Ryan Silverfield. Football season is coming up fast, and I wish the Razorbacks good luck on the upcoming season. Go Hogs!

In other news, the skies over the River Valley will be filled with the sound of freedom in May of 2027 when the “Lightning Over the Fort Air Show,” returns to Fort Smith after more than a decade hiatus. Next year’s air show will feature the F-35 jets critical to the FMS Mission, as well as F-16s, UH-60 helicopter skydiving teams, and other aircraft.

Finally, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs is welcoming a new white tiger named Zuri. At Turpentine Creek, Zuri will receive specialized care for her impaired vison and atrophied muscles. Welcome home, Zuri!

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT

This week’s constituent spotlight goes to Collin Whittington of Bentonville.

Each month, Governor Sanders highlights one Arkansan that helps our state function to be named the “Face of Arkansas”. Collin was chosen as July’s Face of Arkansas for his work as the founder of Roasties in Bentonville.

Collin’s idea for Roasties came to him while working as a roaster at a coffee business in Fort Smith. He noticed that the unused part of coffee beans (known as coffee chaff or husks) routinely went to waste. Instead of continuing the cycle of dumping more chaff in landfills, Collin began looking for a more sustainable use.

Because this material is notoriously flammable, Collin had the idea to use a mixture of chaff and beeswax to create small fire-starters that are quick to light and slow to burn. Through trial-and-error in his home kitchen, Roasties was born. Today, the product is in over 100 stores.

I’m always inspired by innovation that begins and flourishes in AR-3. Congratulations to Collin on your statewide recognition for an idea that sparked something much greater.

As I discussed above, the House passed the KIDS Act last week. But I want to hear from you.

Do you support protecting children's online safety through the safeguards in the KIDS Act?

YES NO Other (please specify)

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The Madison County Record: Huntsville hosts America 250 celebration

Siloam Springs Herald Leader: Benton County 4-H Youth celebrate America’s 250th with Civic Engagement Tour

The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Ed McClure remembered for leadership, compassion, unwavering dedication to Rogers community

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 7 PM CT, I’ll be hosting a Telephone Town Hall to hear from Third District residents and answer your questions about my work in Washington. I look forward to hearing from you!

Join online HERE. 

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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