September 4, 2026

In this week’s edition of Comment from the Capitol (CFTC), I recap the major actions on the House floor, including passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11, a resolution denouncing socialism, a proposed constitutional amendment to make permanent the current structure of the Supreme Court, and a vote to censure a House member. Listen HERE or click below.

Today, I had the honor of participating in the ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the XNA Access Road and Phase Two of the Springdale Northern Bypass.

Both of these projects are critical to supporting the unprecedented growth we’re experiencing in Northwest Arkansas.

Since opening in 1998, XNA has continued to expand, breaking passenger records year after year as more people travel through the airport. With a national airport and booming business sectors, Northwest Arkansas is attracting new residents every day. While this growth is great for our regional economy, it puts additional pressure on our roads and creates more congestion.

I understand these challenges well, which is why I worked to secure federal funding through the appropriations process for both the XNA Access Road and the Springdale Northern Bypass.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, I secured $7 million for construction of the XNA Access Road, and in FY 2026, I secured $59 million to support construction of the Springdale Northern Bypass.

The four-lane, four-mile XNA Access Road will help reduce congestion in downtown Cave Springs and on the roads surrounding the airport, providing a more direct route for travelers.

The Springdale Northern Bypass will eventually connect Highway 265 and Highway 412. With the completion of Phase Two, 12 of the planned 21 miles are now complete. This seven-mile stretch connects the XNA Access Road to the freeway, allowing travelers to reach their destinations quickly and efficiently.

The milestones we celebrated today mark a new chapter for Northwest Arkansas—one that will help pave the way for even greater things to come. I’m proud to have played a role in securing the resources needed to make these projects a reality and to help ensure they have a lasting impact on the lives of Arkansans.

In case you missed it, new funding is on its way to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for rural Arkansans.

I voted to establish the Rural Health Transformation Program, a historic $50 billion investment in rural healthcare, as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC) law last year. Arkansas was awarded $209 million in this first year of the five-year program. Now, some of that funding is starting to make its way across our state, including in the Third District.

Last week, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the first round of awardees who will receive a total of $149.3 million in grants. Some of the recipients serve Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley, and roughly 25 of the projects funded will benefit our corner of the state.

As this funding is put to use, I am excited to see how this investment translates into better health outcomes for all Arkansans, no matter their zip code.

Read more HERE.

As discussed in CFTC, I voted to prevent an end-of-fiscal-year shutdown by passing a Senate-approved continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 11, 2026. While Congress should always prioritize passing full-year appropriations before the fiscal year ends, another government shutdown would be far worse for the American people. It is my hope that we do not end up in a funding crisis of our own making come December.

Here’s a glance at what other legislation the House passed this week with my support:

The Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, which would delay the implementation of burdensome regulations on America’s fishing and lobstering industry.

A resolution condemning and denouncing socialism in all its forms, as well as opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States.

The Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025, which would accelerate American mining and mineral production by ensuring these projects are eligible for expedited permitting.

The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act of 2026, which would prohibit universities that receive federal funding from participating in commercial boycotts of Israel when those boycotts are not based on legitimate business reasons.

Finally, the House considered a proposed constitutional amendment to permanently keep the number of Supreme Court justices at nine, preventing future efforts to pack the Court. Unfortunately, it did not reach the necessary two-thirds majority needed to pass a constitutional amendment in the House.

This week, I was proud to join my colleague from Oklahoma, Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, in introducing the No Preference Act. The bill prohibits the federal government from giving preference to any contractor seeking federal work solely because they use union labor.

My position on this matter has been clear: When the federal government selects a contractor, we should be looking for the most qualified entity that can complete the work most efficiently for the American taxpayer. Our bill would ensure all businesses and workers have the same opportunities to compete for federal work, as it should be.

Read more HERE.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT

This week’s constituent spotlight goes to Ramey Jones and Danielle Robertson of Springdale.

Ramey and Danielle are currently sophomores at Don Tyson School of Innovation. Earlier this summer, they attended the America’s Youth AI Festival in Boston, Massachusetts, as student senators. Here, Ramey and Danielle joined students from all 50 states to participate in a mock legislative session to draft legislation that would shape Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in schools.

At the end of the festival, the students passed the STUDENTS FIRST Act. This policy provides hypothetical parameters on how students can use AI on assignments and directs teachers to outline clear AI policy for their courses. The STUDENTS FIRST Act passed by an impressive 82-16 vote.

Ramey, Danielle, and all the students at the America’s Youth AI Festival got a front row seat to the challenging—yet rewarding—legislative process. It is encouraging to see young people come together to tackle some of today’s hot button issues, and I’m grateful that Ramey and Danielle had a seat at the table to represent the state of Arkansas.

Read more from Springdale Schools HERE. 

As I discussed at the beginning of this newsletter, I helped celebrate the completion of the XNA Access Road and Phase Two of the Springdale Northern Bypass. I want to hear from you.

Will these roads benefit you?

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My interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show: Are we out of time on the budget deficit and national debt?

Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: House OKs funding bill to avoid shutdown

It’s Labor Day weekend!

I hope everyone in the Third District has a great last long weekend of the summer filled with friends, family, and—of course—Razorback Football. Woo Pig!

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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