September 18, 2026

My heart is heavy this week. My mother, Liz Rider, passed away at the age of 92 after a long and productive life on September 17, 2026. For 92 years, she lived independently, with her world centered around her family. She raised seven children and loved each of us deeply. I was fortunate to share a remarkable relationship with my mother throughout my nearly 70 years on this earth. I will miss her deeply, as will our entire family.

2026 has been a difficult year. On January 18, 2026, I lost my wife of 41 years, Terri (pictured above), and now my mother. Still, I count myself lucky that I had over a century of combined time spent with these two extraordinary women. While there is a hole in my heart, I am comforted to know that they are reunited in heaven with friends and family, and that one day, I will see them both again.

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I held a hearing to ask Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford about how his agency is using funds allocated to them by Congress to keep our skies safe.

Last year, Congress provided the FAA with $12.5 billion in the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC) law to modernize our air traffic control system, which is in serious need of updates. Then, in February of this year, Congress passed my Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 THUD appropriations bill, which increased the FAA’s allocation by $1.2 billion. Together, these dollars not only cover the FAA’s daily expenses but also provide a down payment for the agency to modernize an aging aviation system.

Under Administrator Bedford’s leadership, the FAA has made sizable progress to implement these funds. For example, FAA reported that 63 percent of targeted legacy copper connections have been replaced with fiber, 5G wireless, or low-earth-orbit connectivity as of late August. Last year, the FAA also met their hiring targets—exceeding 2,000 new air traffic controllers. Undoubtedly, the FAA is on the right track when it comes to delivering a modernized air traffic control system, but significant challenges still lie ahead.

During the hearing, I asked Administrator Bedford about supply chain difficulties that have slowed the replacement of radar systems across the country. I also inquired about how the FAA would balance running existing systems while continuing their modernization efforts absent a new tranche of funding provided by another budget reconciliation package. Listen to Administrator Bedford’s response HERE.

In my role as THUD Chair, providing accountability and oversight over federal spending is equally as important as actually funding it. I thank Administrator Bedford for his transparency with our Subcommittee and look forward to our continued partnership. Read more HERE. 

In case you missed it, Administrator Bedford visited the Third District earlier this year. Read more HERE.

Here’s a breakdown of the notable pieces of legislation that passed the House this week:

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which I am proud to cosponsor, would prevent AM radios from being phased out in newer models of vehicles and ensure drivers have access to AM radio transmissions. AM radio access is a vital public safety lifeline. In times of power and internet outages, motorists can rely on the AM radio in their cars to receive updates from the Emergency Alert System.

The PROOF Act, which would require state agencies administering federally funded programs to provide the Department of Justice (DOJ) with access to data to allow officials to pursue fraud cases and recover stolen taxpayer money.

The National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026, which would codify the DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, ensuring there is a permanent arm to combat fraud in federal programs.

Finally, the House passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. While I was unable to cast my vote on the bill due to my mother’s health, I would have voted in support because Russia’s war machine is only as strong as its weakest link: its economic overdependence on energy exports. This bill targets this vulnerability and others—hitting Moscow where it hurts. Combating Russian aggression and supporting Ukraine continues to be vital in protecting not only our national security but freedom around the globe.

Similarly, the legislation extends our longtime sanctions against foreign companies that fuel the Islamic regime in Iran, including their nuclear ambitions and state-sponsored terror. Together, these provisions tell the rest of the world that the United States will not tolerate those who enrich our adversaries and threaten global stability.

Read more HERE.

CONSTITUENT SPOTLIGHT

This week’s constituent spotlight goes to the members of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce who flew up to Washington, D.C. this week.

On Monday, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Springdale Chamber during their yearly fly-in to our nation’s capital. I enjoyed getting to update the group on what our work in Washington looked like this week and for the rest of the year, including an update on the annual appropriations process. Afterwards, they asked some questions about how Springdale can continue to partner with the federal government to support Northwest Arkansas’s growth.

I’m grateful that the Springdale Chamber is being proactive in thinking about the future of their city. People who are committed to improving their community by asking good questions inspire confidence in the local leadership we have in AR-3.

Attendees included: Murry Cline, Mason Cline, Tambria Cline, Erin Franks, Julie Shook, Lance Eads, Kim Eads, Mark Fougerousse, David Fulfer, Samuel Harlan, Michael Overton, Ben Peters, Mayor Doug Sprouse, Sharon Tromburg, Kelly Fougerousse, Peggy Overton, Judd Semingson, Paxton Roberts, Chad Smith, Derek Eckhelof, Brent Farmer, Chad Crouch, Scot Hundley, Zachary Hoyt, Joe Lloyd, Michelle Lloyd, Derek Gibson, Ashley Mauldin, Lester Cotner, Eric Pianalto, Kelli Gemmell, Sam Hollis, Jake Self, Jill Hollis, Clinton Bell, Lora Bell, Gloria Guzman, Jaime Guzman, Knight Weis, Phyllis Weis, Rhonda Hughes, Bill Rogers, Caroline Ceola, Julie Rogers, Ginger Lamar, Debbie Creek, Randy Hutchinson, Cynthia Hutchinson, Jared Cleveland, Kevin Ownbey, Heath Ward, Holly Ownbey, Amy Schlesing, Josh Blount, Chad Chance, Andy Davis, Eric Leemis, Meg Wright, and Mitchel Wright.

With temperatures reaching the upper 90s or higher across the Third District this week, I hope you and your family are finding ways to stay cool. Speaking of keeping cool, the animals at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge are beating the heat with pools and frozen treats.

In Bentonville, the Alice L. Walton Foundation and Mercy broke ground on the Alice Walton School of Medicine Whole Health Campus. Set to be opened in 2029, this 709,000-square-foot facility will expand access to advanced and specialized medical care in our region. Read more HERE.

In other news, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is investing in scientific research in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. Jeffrey Lewis, an associate professor of biological studies at the University of Arkansas, was awarded $2 million from the NIH to research the stress response of cells. Kyle Flack, an associate professor of pathology at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education College of Osteopathic Medicine, received $3.3 million from NIH to study diverse weight-loss outcomes. Congratulations to these researchers! 

As I mentioned above, the House passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which leverages expanded sanctions, trade measures, and financial restrictions to combat the economic backing of Russian aggression, in addition to extending the expiring Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) of 1996 through 2031. I want to hear from you.

Do you support the passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026?

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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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