March 22, 2024

Weekly Rundown

Finishing FY24 Appropriations

Once again, Congress has waited until the very last minute to address our most fundamental duty of funding the government. This morning, the House passed the remaining Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bills: Defense; Homeland Security; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Legislative Branch; State-Foreign Operations; and my bill, the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill.

I supported this package because I refuse to turn my back on strengthening national security, improving border security, and additional funding for Fort Smith’s critical pilot training program—all while avoiding a painful government shutdown.

Fort Smith will be the premier location for F-35 Foreign Military Sales training and Singapore's F-16 mission, and it’s critically important that the investments for Ebbing Air National Guard Base are approved. The funding included in the bill promotes Arkansas’ role in bolstering national security and will boost the region’s economy. The bill ensures the installation receives the necessary funding to build infrastructure and keeps the mission beddown on schedule.

Although the package is far from perfect, I’m proud of the GOP’s work to secure conservative wins. The package:

Enables the Pentagon to focus on its core mission while expanding support for our troops—a 5.2% pay raise to our men and women in uniform.
Increases the number of Border Patrol agents—the highest ever—and expands detention capacity to address the border crisis.
Provides defense assistance and halts all funding for UNRWA for its proven collusion with Hamas.
Rescinds funding for Biden’s army of IRS agents, pulls back billions of unused COVID-era slush funds, and holds Biden’s hyper-regulatory agenda in check—all within my FSGG bill.

I could go on. But the reality is, in a two-to-one divided government, we must take the wins where we can. If it were up to me, there are many items in the measure I would have struck. But that would come at the expense of all the positive provisions I stated above, which make up the vast majority of the legislation (national security alone accounts for 71% of the total!).

In this business, you sometimes have to take some bad with the good.

Financial Servies and General Government Hearing: Biden’s Bloated Budget

As Chairman of the House Appropriations FSGG Subcommittee, I led our first hearing of the year on President Biden’s FY25 budget request. We heard from his top financial officials, including Treasury Secretary Yellen, OMB Director Young, and CEA Chair Bernstein.

In my view, our country has plummeted into economic turmoil due to the Administration’s reckless spending and sweeping regulatory expansion. As a result, Americans are paying more for almost everything, and our national debt is soaring. Small businesses, banks, and taxpayers are suffocating under the burdensome regulations.

I made it clear in the hearing that the Administration's FY25 budget proposal will only further accelerate our unsustainable fiscal trajectory. We're looking hard at President Biden's budget request and will go line-by-line to find responsible solutions to cut bureaucratic red tape and reduce spending.

Picture highlights from the week:

In Arkansas, TRIO does great things for first-generation college students. TRIO programs help younger people realize their full potential—that they can achieve anything and don’t have to remain in the same cycle as previous generations. It was touching to hear the stories from some of the students. I’m incredibly grateful for Arkansas TRIO directors’ and staff’s dedication to our youth.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, talked with me about Navy needs ahead of the FY25 appropriations season. She mentioned additional ships and boosting the Defense Industrial Base. As a senior Defense appropriator, these issues are in my purview, and I appreciated her bringing them to my attention.

Leah Drummonds of Rogers stopped by my office this week, along with her parents, to discuss her interest in applying to our nation's service academies. It brings me great pride to hear from young students from Arkansas’ Third who have a desire to serve. Having the opportunity to nominate our next generation of military leaders is one of the highest honors in my role!

I was honored that President Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia visited me to thank me for my efforts to get the Compact of Free Association across the finish line. The Compacts, as well as two bills I led, were recently signed into law! These are incredible wins for the Marshallese in our community and fulfill our commitments to our important security partners in the Pacific region.

Northwest Arkansas attracts travelers from across the globe, particularly to enjoy the incredible recreation activities we have to offer. I heard from Kalene Griffith of Visit Bentonville about policies that may impact travel. Supporting travel to our region will remain a priority of mine, as it boosts our economy and showcases the beauty of our home state.

Issues to the National Guard are important to me. Since I served in the Arkansas Army National Guard for 30 years, I personally understand the unique needs of the Guard. Lieutenant General Jensen, the director of the Army National Guard, came by to discuss how we can partner to deliver the Guard’s mission.

AR3 in DC: Capitol Tours!

With Spring Break in full swing, we had many Third District Arkansans come visit me in our nation’s capital. It’s always the highlight of my time here when I get to show them around my office and the People’s House! If you are ever in DC and would like a tour of the Capitol, please let us know HERE!