{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"AR\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=6233b924-df4e-445c-82fa-11d43eb1957a", "2015 in Review", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As we close the book on another year and celebrate the excitement and promise of a New Year, I want to highlight some of the Senates accomplishments in 2015.\r\nUnder new Republican leadership, the Senate set out to restore responsibility to the fiscal process. We passed the first bicameral budget since 2009. More importantly, the first balanced budget since 2001. And all twelve appropriations bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee for the first time in six years.\r\nWe took big strides in providing relief to hardworking Arkansans and their families. Most significantly, we passed the first Obamacare repeal bill that will make it to the Presidents desk.\r\nThe legislation we passed would begin to lift the burdens and higher costs the failed program has placed on every Arkansan. It begins to build a bridge from the presidents broken promises to a better health care system for hardworking families across the country.\r\nThe Obamacare repeal isnt the only relief we have sought to provide the people of Arkansas from the Obama Administrations regulatory excesses.\r\nThe Senate has passed measures to overturn the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) mandate and the carbon rules on new and existing power plants, two glaring examples of administration overreach. These EPA mandates strip Arkansans of their personal property rights, stifle job growth and will raise the cost-of-living for every Arkansan.\r\nWhile the President will likely veto these bills, Senate passage of them sends a clear message of disapproval of these policies on behalf of the American people.\r\nCertainly not all of our accomplishments have met a veto pen.\r\nPeople often ask me why Congress cant work together to get things done for the American people. I can honestly say that we are.\r\nWe started off the year with by passing the groundbreaking Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act to ensure our veterans receive mental health services. We also prevented a cut to Medicare providers that would have left many Arkansas seniors desperately searching for new doctors.\r\nThis year we came together to pass the first multi-year highway bill since 2005. It will allow Arkansas and other states for important infrastructure improvements, which are so vital to our economic well-being. Hundreds of projects in Arkansas were at risk of cancellation or further delays if a long-term bill was not passed. The Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law by President Obama on December 4, 2015.\r\nThe President also signed the first significant education reform bill since 2002.\r\nIm proud of what weve been able to accomplish this year, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Arkansas congressional delegation on your behalf in the coming year. I am confident we will continue to build off of 2015s successes to create policies that will help make 2016 and years to come better for the people of Arkansas. I wish you and your family all the best for the new year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/dr-boozman-s-check-up?ContentRecord_id=09292d05-ca48-400f-b57a-94d8508c501f", "Important Note Regarding Senate Server Outage and Incoming Communication on December 22nd", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate experienced a system-wide email outage Tuesday, December 22nd from approximately 6am - 10am (CST). If you made a request via my website during that time please re-send the information. This includes requests for tours and flags, help with government agencies, and the email option to share your opinion on federal issues. \r\nYour views and requests are very important to me. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call my office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=6dc43b99-7825-4371-b948-dfec3ec5a4b0", "The Season of Giving", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Like many Arkansas households, my home is filled with the sights, sounds and smells of the Christmas season. My wife Cathy enjoys decorating our home and baking cookies, andIalways look forward to spending more time with my family and friends. We have many family traditions and it is especially heartwarming to see my daughters now sharing these moments with my granddaughters. In addition to the activities close to home, our hearts turn to others during this season of giving.\r\nThe generosity of Arkansans, and their willingness to help people in need during the holiday season, is always on display. The Salvation Armys Red Kettle campaign is a well-recognized tradition that encourages contributing money to those in need. Not only do Arkansans open their wallets, they also volunteer to ring the familiar sound of the bells that we hear where we see those red kettles.\r\nThe Salvation Armys Angel Tree program relies on the support of Arkansans to help families who struggle to make ends meet provide Christmas gifts for their children. Youve likely seen Christmas trees at the mall filled with the angels that list the needs and wishes of local children. Each year Arkansans open their hearts to make the season brighter for children in need. The kindness of Arkansans helps thousands of children and families in our state experience the joys of giving and brings hope to those who need it most.\r\nIn this season of giving we thank those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our nation and gave their life to our country. Earlier this month, Arkansans joined people all across the country to pay tribute to our fallen service members and veterans by placing a Christmas wreath on the graves at state and national veteran cemeteries.\r\nIt is a humbling moment when you lay a wreath at the National Cemetery and reflect on the service of someone close to your heart. It is even more humbling to remember how many Americans have chosen to serve our nation and how many of them have paid with their lives. I hope you will take a moment to remember the sacrifices of those who have sacrificed for our freedom.\r\nWe remember those men and women in uniform who wont be able to celebrate Christmas with their families. We are extremely blessed and grateful for the members of our Armed Forces for their service, sacrifice and dedication. This is a difficult time of year to be away from loved ones. Let us offer prayers of thanks to them and their families for their commitment allowing us to celebrate Christmas in a free country.\r\nI am proud of the generosity of Arkansans and their willingness to help others not only during this season of giving, but all year long.\r\nAs my family puts the final touches on preparations to celebrate the holiday, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and thank you for your trust and opportunity to serve you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=283", "Cotton Responds to Apple CEO Tim Cook's Comments on 60 Minutes", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 21, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R- Arkansas) today issued the following statement in response to Apple CEO Tim Cook's comments on 60 Minutes last night:\n\"Apple is a distinctive company that has improved the lives of millions of Americans. But Tim Cook omitted critical facts about data encryption on 60 Minutes last night. He claimed that Apple does not comply with lawful subpoenas because it cannot. While it may be true that Apple doesn't have access to encrypted data, that's only because it designed its messaging service that way. As a society, we don't allow phone companies to design their systems to avoid lawful, court-ordered searches. If we apply a different legal standard to companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook, we can expect them to become the preferred messaging services of child pornographers, drug traffickers, and terrorists alike--which neither these companies nor law enforcement want. Our society needs to address this urgent challenge now before more lives are lost or shattered.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-votes-against-new-spending-in-omnibus", "Crawford Votes Against New Spending in Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Earlier today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) released the following statement after voting against the Consolidated Appropriations Act which passed the House by a vote of 316-113.\n\n\"This omnibus package breaks through our budget caps with $50 billion in new spending, new spending that adds to our national debt at a time when the federal reserve is raising interest rates on that debt. The bill did include several policies which would help move America forward, but those policies did not outweigh the cost of increasing our national debt, which is already more than $19 trillion. Next year this body must rededicate itself to prioritizing permanent spending controls and policies that truly reflect the will of a majority of the American people.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398453", "Crawford Votes Against New Spending in Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Rick Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Crawford Votes Against New Spending in Omnibus \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 18, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, D.C. - Earlier today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) released the following statement after voting against the Consolidated Appropriations Act which passed the House by a vote of 316-113. \"This omnibus package breaks through our budget caps with $50 billion in new spending, new spending that adds to our national debt at a time when the federal reserve is raising interest rates on that debt. The bill did include several policies which would help move America forward, but those policies did not outweigh the cost of increasing our national debt, which is already more than $19 trillion. Next year this body must rededicate itself to prioritizing permanent spending controls and policies that truly reflect the will of a majority of the American people.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-votes-pro-growth-omnibus-bill", "Hill Votes for Pro-Growth Omnibus Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act by a vote of 316-113. Following passage of the bill, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement:\nThroughout the course of this year, the House passed all twelve appropriations bills out of Committee and passed six of those bills out of the House. This is how the appropriations process should work, and if the Senate Democrats hadnt stymied regular order and dealt with individual appropriations bills in a timely way and the President hadnt insisted on holding military funding hostage to support more deficit spending for his domestic agenda, we would not have had to pass this after-midnight spending deal today.\nMy preference always has been to live under the budget caps, which have reigned in domestic discretionary spending. But we can never reverse our annual negative fiscal trends without tackling mandatory spending programs. The next President must join Congress in this essential mission.\nThe inaction of Senate Democrats led us to today, and while I dont like these year-end, all-encompassing spending bills, I voted for this one because the good significantly outweighs the bad. Part of being an effective legislator is understanding that any opportunity to move the needle in the right directionno matter how incremental the movementis a positive outcome. In passing todays bill, we continue the fight against the Presidents failed health care law while protecting important pro-life policies, supporting our military, improving our Nations economy, reigning in the IRS, and cutting funding to the EPA.\nBy delaying Obamacare taxes, preventing funds from being used to bailout the risk corridor program, and prohibiting new funding for Obamacare, we are providing important relief for businesses and hardworking taxpayers. Pro-life protections in this bill will also prevent taxpayer funding of abortions and prevent discrimination of health providers who refuse to provide, pay for, or refer abortions.\nThe House also plans to take up the budget reconciliation bill, which recently passed the Senate. This reconciliation bill has been supported by a number of pro-growth and pro-life organizations, including the National Right to Life Committee, and passage of this bill in the House will ensure that Congress puts on the Presidents desk a bill that repeals key provisions of his failed health care law and prohibits federal taxpayer dollars from funding Planned Parenthood.\nOur National Defense Authorization Act requires the President to put forth a strategy and tactical plan to defeat ISIS. In the meantime, Congress is fully funding the mightiest military force in the world and supporting Little Rock Air Force Base and Camp Robinson. We are also implementing important reforms that will strengthen the Visa Waiver Program by restricting travel to the United States by individuals from countries that have travelled to Iraq or Syria since March 2011, or those who have dual nationality with Syria, Iraq, or Sudan.\nThe bill also contains many provisions that are aimed at growing the economy in Arkansas and the rest of the country. One of those provisions is the lifting of the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil from the United States. In the past four decades since we first enacted this self-imposed ban, oil and gas exploration technologies have greatly expanded the ability for the United States to increase our oil extraction and energy production. This will also provide increased energy options for our NATO and Asian allies abroad that are currently forced to rely on oil from conflict driven and terror-centric states in the Persian Gulf. This will also help to break the grip that OPEC has had on our worlds energy resources.\nThis bill, along with the important tax extenders legislation, will help grow our economy from the ground up, providing businesses with the certainty needed to invest new capital, grow, expand, and create jobs in Arkansas and throughout the country.\nI will continue to work for good conservative policies that will offer a clear and complete alternative to the agenda of the President and his colleagues in order to show how we plan to grow our economy, support our national security, and effectively manage and solve the problems facing our great Nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1101", "Hill Votes for Pro-Growth Omnibus Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act by a vote of 316-113. Following passage of the bill, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement...\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n        Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act by a vote of 316-113. Following passage of the bill, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement:\r\rThroughout the course of this year, the House passed all twelve appropriations bills out of Committee and passed six of those bills out of the House. This is how the appropriations process should work, and if the Senate Democrats hadn't stymied regular order and dealt with individual appropriations bills in a timely way and the President hadn't insisted on holding military funding hostage to support more deficit spending for his domestic agenda, we would not have had to pass this after-midnight spending deal today.\r\rMy preference always has been to live under the budget caps, which have reigned in domestic discretionary spending. But we can never reverse our annual negative fiscal trends without tackling mandatory spending programs. The next President must join Congress in this essential mission.\r\rThe inaction of Senate Democrats led us to today, and while I don't like these year-end, all-encompassing spending bills, I voted for this one because the good significantly outweighs the bad. Part of being an effective legislator is understanding that any opportunity to move the needle in the right directionno matter how incremental the movementis a positive outcome. In passing today's bill, we continue the fight against the President's failed health care law while protecting important pro-life policies, supporting our military, improving our Nation's economy, reigning in the IRS, and cutting funding to the EPA.\r\rBy delaying Obamacare taxes, preventing funds from being used to bailout the risk corridor program, and prohibiting new funding for Obamacare, we are providing important relief for businesses and hardworking taxpayers. Pro-life protections in this bill will also prevent taxpayer funding of abortions and prevent discrimination of health providers who refuse to provide, pay for, or refer abortions.\r\rThe House also plans to take up the budget reconciliation bill, which recently passed the Senate. This reconciliation bill has been supported by a number of pro-growth and pro-life organizations, including the National Right to Life Committee, and passage of this bill in the House will ensure that Congress puts on the President's desk a bill that repeals key provisions of his failed health care law and prohibits federal taxpayer dollars from funding Planned Parenthood.\r\rOur National Defense Authorization Act requires the President to put forth a strategy and tactical plan to defeat ISIS. In the meantime, Congress is fully funding the mightiest military force in the world and supporting Little Rock Air Force Base and Camp Robinson. We are also implementing important reforms that will strengthen the Visa Waiver Program by restricting travel to the United States by individuals from countries that have travelled to Iraq or Syria since March 2011, or those who have dual nationality with Syria, Iraq, or Sudan.\r\rThe bill also contains many provisions that are aimed at growing the economy in Arkansas and the rest of the country. One of those provisions is the lifting of the 40-year-old ban on exporting crude oil from the United States. In the past four decades since we first enacted this self-imposed ban, oil and gas exploration technologies have greatly expanded the ability for the United States to increase our oil extraction and energy production. This will also provide increased energy options for our NATO and Asian allies abroad that are currently forced to rely on oil from conflict driven and terror-centric states in the Persian Gulf. This will also help to break the grip that OPEC has had on our world's energy resources.\r\rThis bill, along with the important tax extenders legislation, will help grow our economy from the ground up, providing businesses with the certainty needed to invest new capital, grow, expand, and create jobs in Arkansas and throughout the country.\r\rI will continue to work for good conservative policies that will offer a clear and complete alternative to the agenda of the President and his colleagues in order to show how we plan to grow our economy, support our national security, and effectively manage and solve the problems facing our great Nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/westerman-votes-against-convoluted-omnibus", "Westerman Votes Against Convoluted Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) voted Friday (Dec. 18) against the Omnibus spending package. He released the following statement after Fridays vote:\nThe Omnibus  above all else  increases deficit spending. As an individual committed to fiscal responsibility, I could not vote for this bill that would increase deficit spending by billions of dollars, Westerman said. The Omnibus was also a convoluted bill that addressed hundreds of different issues, mixing policy riders with appropriations. This bill did not follow regular order in the House, allowing items into the bill without open debate or committee review. If regular order had been followed in the House, we could have debated issues such as further funding of Planned Parenthood, money for settlement of Syrian refugees to the United States, and many other fiscal and policy issues that are important to Americans. Instead, this bill, which includes issues that I both support and oppose, adds to the deficit continuing to make our debt grow which outweighs benefits the bill provides in the long run.\nThe following items were among many included in the Omnibus spending package:\n An increase of more than $250 million to the Internal Revenue Service after the IRS has been found to be targeting individuals based on political beliefs;\n\tFunding for Planned Parenthood; and\n\tA short-term increase in the U.S. Forest Services firefighting budget which undercuts Westermans Resilient Federal Forests Act, a bill that passed the House in July. Under Westermans bill, the Stafford Act would be amended to cover wildfires as a disaster under FEMA and would direct the Forest Service to conduct active forest management practices, including thinning and controlled burns. The language included in the Omnibus is far from a long-term fix and instead continues the practice of so-called fire borrowing to cover firefighting costs in Americas national forests and merely throws more money at the symptoms of bad policy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398639", "Womack Statement on Consolidated Appropriations Act", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after House passage of the Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2029 with House Amendment #1  Consolidated Appropriations Act:\r\nIn any negotiation there is give and take, and I certainly would have liked to see more in this Omnibus agreement, including language to block some of President Obamas most harmful policies such as Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and his plan to allow Syrian refugees into America. However, failing to provide for our men and women in uniform is simply not an option, and this bill does so while strengthening our nations security by tightening requirements under our visa waiver program and increasing funding for our troops as they prepare to face more radical and more complex enemies. I am hopeful that in the new year with the funding of government behind us, the House will quickly act to directly challenge the Presidents most egregious policies.  \r\n\r\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/dr-boozman-s-check-up?ContentRecord_id=41ccaad5-bdb6-4a3e-b8c6-b859b0951f8a", "ICYMI: KFFB Open Mic", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I recently joined KFFBs Bob Connell to talk about some of the headlines in the news and the work Congress did to wrap up the year which including passing a long-term highway bill. You can listen to our discussion that aired over three days. KFFB Open Mic Day One, KFFB Open Mic Day Two, KFFB Open Mic Day Three", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4801dfa5-62ce-4283-b58f-523a24535b32", "Boozman Joins Minnesota Senators to Introduce National Child Protection Training Act", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN) today introduced the National Child Protection Training Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve child abuse training programs and enhance child protection nationwide. The bill would build on the success of the National Child Protection Training Centers (NCPTC) facilities at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, and at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, Arkansas. These centers have developed cutting-edge curricula, certification and degree programs, and classes for law students, medical students, and professionals to help improve child abuse training.\r\nOur children deserve the best opportunities we can provide to keep them safe and help them overcome issues resulting from abuse.This bill expands on the success of theSouthern Regional Training Center at the Northwest Arkansas Community Collegeand provides our child advocates with the tools and resources they need to support victims of child abuse, Boozman said.\r\nAs a former prosecutor and major advocate on this issue, Ive seen firsthand what a difference the right resources can make to children and families trying to escape the horrors of child abuse, Klobuchar said. I have visited Winona State many times, and have seen the good work their National Child Protection Training program is doing to put a stop to child abuse and give victims the support they deserve. This bill will help build on the success of the Winona State program at centers across the country and help make sure our childcare advocates have the tools and training they need to identify and prevent child abuse.\r\n\"Making sure that people who work closely with children have the appropriate training to detect signs of child abuse is one of the best ways to protect our children,\" Franken said. \"Our bipartisan bill would take a successful Minnesota-based program and expand it nationwide by giving professionals who work with kids the tools they need to help detect and prevent abuse.\"\r\nThe bill would also direct the Attorney General to coordinate with the NCPTC to operate at least four regional training centers nationwide.It would require these centers to develop undergraduate and graduate curricula on child maltreatment, distribute the curricula to institutions of higher education, and to develop laboratory training facilities for students and professionals. The centers would also be required to help communities develop child abuse prevention programs and forensic interview training programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=60c10aaf-5f75-4adb-aec9-fa016bfdfa21", "Boozman Opposes Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman released the following statement after voting against the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.\r\nThis is a setback to efforts to control federal spending. This $1.1 trillion bill grows the federal government and busts the budget caps with $50 billion in new spending. This bill does little to provide regulatory relief for Arkansas farmers, small businesses and community banks, while continuing to fund the worst of the Obama administrations overreach.\r\nThere are a number of provisions in the bill that I support because they will help Arkansans, including the repeal of Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL), funding for the Delta Regional Authority and delaying the implementation of Obamacares taxes. The bill also permanently extendsSection 179 of the tax code, extends bonus depreciation for five years and includes the Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement (TREE) Act. These provisions will provide certainty and incentivize small businesses to make investments and expand.\r\nUnfortunately, theirresponsiblespending outweighs the good in the bill. The Senate Committee on Appropriations passed all 12 appropriations bills for the first time since 2009. Senate-passage of these bills and the return to regular order and open and transparent debate is the path to fiscal responsibility that we must follow to show taxpayers we are serious about reining in federal spending.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=282", "Cotton Statement on the Omnibus Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 18, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the omnibus spending bill:\n\"A rotten process yields a rotten result, and this 2,000-page, trillion-dollar bill is rotten to its core, resulting from secret, backroom negotiations and getting dumped in the dead of the night on Americans with barely two days before the vote.  Corporate lobbyists had a field day, but working Americans lost out.  Take just one sordid example: this bill will quadruple the number of foreign guest-worker visas at a time when millions of Americans are still looking for full-time work and working-class wages remain stagnant. \"It's especially disappointing that the new House leadership, in fewer than two months on the job, broke its promise not to bring major immigration legislation to the floor this year.  One must wonder how many other promises in the Capitol have an expiration date.  But one need not wonder why our voters are in open rebellion and our presidential candidates are successfully running against Congress.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-votes-promote-pro-growth-tax-changes", "Hill Votes to Promote Pro-Growth Tax Changes", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the House passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act by a bipartisan vote of 318-109. The PATH Act would extend numerous temporary tax provisions and make over 20 tax relief provisions permanent, including the Research and Development Tax Credit, Section 179 small business expensing, and several extenders that enhance charitable giving, such as the IRA charitable rollover provision. Following its passage, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement:\nWe need a tax code that promotes economic growth and gives our businesses the certainty needed to grow, expand, and create jobs in Arkansas and throughout the country. Consistent with the goal of comprehensive tax reform, the House passed the PATH Act, which would prevent a significant tax increase on millions of Americans and provide certainty to the tax code. I was proud to support this bipartisan, pro-growth bill that is an important first step toward meaningful tax reform.I have always been an advocate for lower taxes for all Arkansans and Americans, and I will continue working toward a simpler and fairer tax code.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1247", "Hill Votes to Promote Pro-Growth Tax Changes", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hill Votes to Promote Pro-Growth Tax Changes \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      For more information, contact: Mike Siegel, (202) 225-2506 \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 17, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       Today, the House passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act by a bipartisan vote of 318-109. The PATH Act would extend numerous temporary tax provisions and make over 20 tax relief provisions permanent, including the Research and Development Tax Credit, Section 179 small business expensing, and several extenders that enhance charitable giving, such as the IRA charitable rollover provision. Following its passage, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement:\r\rWe need a tax code that promotes economic growth and gives our businesses the certainty needed to grow, expand, and create jobs in Arkansas and throughout the country. Consistent with the goal of comprehensive tax reform, the House passed the PATH Act, which would prevent a significant tax increase on millions of Americans and provide certainty to the tax code. I was proud to support this bipartisan, pro-growth bill that is an important first step toward meaningful tax reform.I have always been an advocate for lower taxes for all Arkansans and Americans, and I will continue working toward a simpler and fairer tax code.\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-tax-cuts", "Westerman Votes for Tax Cuts", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Bruce Westerman voted Thursday (Dec. 17) for a series of tax cuts estimated to save American families and workers more the $560 billion over the next decade. He issued the following state after Thursday's vote:\n\n\"These tax cuts are a benefit to American families and workers who labor too long and too hard to give the federal government anymore of their tax dollars,\" Westerman said. \"These tax cuts will put more money in the hands of everyday Americans, money that can be invested in small businesses, invested for children's educations, saved for retirement, used for a down payment on a home, and more. Constituents in Arkansas deserve this tax cut and I am proud to have voted in favor of workers and families across the Fourth District of Arkansas.\"\n\nHighlights of the tax cuts \u2013 known as the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act \u2013 include the following:\n\nA permanent extension and modification of deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers indexed to inflation in future years;\n\nExtension of deduction of State and local general sales taxes;\n\nExtension and modification of special rule for contributions for capital gain real property made for conservation purposes;\n\nExtension and modification of research credit;\n\nImproves to section 529 Education Savings Plans; and\n\nAnd permits rollovers from other retirement plans into SIMPLE IRA accounts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=281", "Cotton Statement on President Obama's Remarks on National Security and Defeating ISIS", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 17, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on President Obama's remarks on national security and defeating ISIS:\n\"President Obama was correct about one thing today: our intelligence and security officials are the best of the best. We are fortunate to have these dedicated professionals working on our behalf. That's why it's disappointing that President Obama, our commander in chief, has made it harder for these men and women to do their jobs and keep us safe. His failure to confront ISIS and our enemies around the world means we face more threats both at home and abroad. And because of his policies, they now have access to fewer tools to identify and neutralize these threats. If President Obama truly wants to thank our intelligence community for their outstanding work, he should present a real strategy to defeat the Islamic state and he should restore and strengthen vital intelligence programs.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-announces-cuba-working-group", "Crawford Announces Cuba Working Group", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 16, 2015\n\nWashington, D.C. - Earlier today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) and nine other members of the House of Representatives announced the formation of a bi-partisan Cuba Working Group that will seek for greater U.S. engagement with Cuba.\n\nIn a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announcing the group's formation, the steering committee members said:\n\n\"Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The bi-partisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba.\"\n\nThe letter concludes, \"Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S.-Cuban relations.\"\n\nAfter the announcement, Representative Crawford said:\n\n\"The best approach to change between Cuba and U.S. relations is to make cautious and incremental changes to current Cuba policies in ways that benefit the United States and introduce the Cuban people to American products. Not only is it estimated that Cuba imports around 80 percent of its food supply, but the US also enjoys an inherent advantage due to our close geographic proximity and state of the art production and food distribution infrastructure. Agriculture trading partnerships with Cuba will help build a foundation of goodwill and cooperation that will open the door to long-sought reforms in the same the way that American influence has brought reform to other communist states.\"\n\nThe group seeks to advance policy proposals to promote the rapidly changing status in the US-Cuba relationship. Joining Crawford are: Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Rosa Delauro (D-CT).\n\nBackground:\n\nOver the past year, both the United States and Cuban governments have made significant progress towards normalizing relations, including opening embassies in each country and deepening cooperation in the realms of civil aviation, law enforcement cooperation, direct mail and environmental conservancy.\n\nMembers of the Cuba Working Group are supporters of one or more key pieces of legislation introduced in 2015, with Republicans as the lead sponsors.\n\nThe Cuba Trade Act of 2015 would allow U.S. businesses in the private sector to trade with Cuba without restrictions;\n\nThe Cuba Digital and Telecommunications Advancement Act (Cuba DATA Act) would allow U.S. telecommunications and internet companies to provide services to the island;\n\nThe Cuba Agriculture Exports Act (Crawford Legislation) would allow for U.S. investment in privately owned Cuban agriculture businesses;\n\nThe Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 would allow all U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba.\n\nSenate committees have passed significant legislation to lift the travel ban on Cuba and widen trade with bi-partisan support. The House of Representatives has been more reticent to move U.S. policy forward, making this Cuba working group even more important.\n\nIncreasing trade, travel and investment in Cuba will not only open new markets and create jobs in both countries, but also promote human rights and better hemispheric relations. Public opinion polls over the past year have shown an increasing support to end the Cuban trade embargo and change course on U.S.-Cuba relations. The most recent Pew poll showed 73% of the American people, including 59% of Republicans favor ending the trade embargo. The bi-partisan Congressional Working Group will now take leadership to match the growing public support for a new U.S. policy towards Cuba.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398452", "Crawford Announces Cuba Working Group", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Rick Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Crawford Announces Cuba Working Group \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 16, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        \nWashington, D.C. - Earlier today, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) and nine other members of the House of Representatives announced the formation of a bi-partisan Cuba Working Group that will seek for greater U.S. engagement with Cuba.  \n  \nIn a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announcing the groups formation, the steering committee members said:  \n  \n\"Increasingly, the American people are indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The bi-partisan Cuba Working Group will promote a U.S.-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba.  \n  \nThe letter concludes, Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S.-Cuban relations.  \n  \nAfter the announcement, Representative Crawford said:  \n  \nThe best approach to change between Cuba and U.S. relations is to make cautious and incremental changes to current Cuba policies in ways that benefit the United States and introduce the Cuban people to American products. Not only is it estimated that Cuba imports around 80 percent of its food supply, but the US also enjoys an inherent advantage due to our close geographic proximity and state of the art production and food distribution infrastructure. Agriculture trading partnerships with Cuba will help build a foundation of goodwill and cooperation that will open the door to long-sought reforms in the same the way that American influence has brought reform to other communist states.  \n  \nThe group seeks to advance policy proposals to promote the rapidly changing status in the US-Cuba relationship. Joining Crawford are: Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Rosa Delauro (D-CT).   \n  \nBackground:Over the past year, both the United States and Cuban governments have made significant progress towards normalizing relations, including opening embassies in each country and deepening cooperation in the realms of civil aviation, law enforcement cooperation, direct mail and environmental conservancy.   \n  \nMembers of the Cuba Working Group are supporters of one or more key pieces of legislation introduced in 2015, with Republicans as the lead sponsors.  \n  \nThe Cuba Trade Act of 2015 would allow U.S. businesses in the private sector to trade with Cuba without restrictions;  \nThe Cuba Digital and Telecommunications Advancement Act (Cuba DATA Act) would allow U.S. telecommunications and internet companies to provide services to the island;  \nThe Cuba Agriculture Exports Act (Crawford Legislation) would allow for U.S. investment in privately owned Cuban agriculture businesses;  \nThe Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 would allow all U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba.  \n  \nSenate committees have passed significant legislation to lift the travel ban on Cuba and widen trade with bi-partisan support. The House of Representatives has been more reticent to move U.S. policy forward, making this Cuba working group even more important.  \n  \nIncreasing trade, travel and investment in Cuba will not only open new markets and create jobs in both countries, but also promote human rights and better hemispheric relations. Public opinion polls over the past year have shown an increasing support to end the Cuban trade embargo and change course on U.S.-Cuba relations. The most recent Pew poll showed 73% of the American people, including 59% of Republicans favor ending the trade embargo. The bi-partisan Congressional Working Group will now take leadership to match the growing public support for a new U.S. policy towards Cuba.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-statement-feds-decision-raise-interest-rates", "Hill Statement on Fed's Decision to Raise Interest Rates", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement:\nWhile the markets have been making these adjustments for months, today the Federal Reserve has begun to raise the federal funds rate after holding it near zero for seven years.While Im glad to see the Fed take this step, in my view, it needs to develop a more rules-based approach to monetary policy, such as that contained in the House-passed FORM Act, to preventambiguity in the future.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1296", "Hill Statement on Fed's Decision to Raise Interest Rates", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hill Statement on Fed's Decision to Raise Interest Rates \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      For more information, contact: Mike Siegel, (202) 225-2506 \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 16, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the below statement:\r\rWhile the markets have been making these adjustments for months, today the Federal Reserve has begun to raise the federal funds rate after holding it near zero for seven years.While I'm glad to see the Fed take this step, in my view, it needs to develop a more rules-based approach to monetary policy, such as that contained in the House-passed FORM Act, to preventambiguity in the future.\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/dr-boozman-s-check-up?ContentRecord_id=8537aa7e-5744-42b7-9b8e-47a518944ee3", "SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: S.1982", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: S.1982\r\nTop Line Points\r\n \r\nThere is a nearly two-year old Internet post that continues to circulate online that misrepresents why several senators voted against a particular piece of veterans-related legislation. The record needs to be set straight.\r\nAlthough the bill, S.1982, may have been well intentioned, it would have placed unnecessary strains on an already overwhelmed VA system, leaving the VA shorthanded and unable to fully meet the needs of our veterans.\r\nIn addition, then-Majority Leader Reid also blocked efforts to improve the bill by denying senators the opportunity to offer amendments to strengthen the bill, including Senator Boozmans amendment to secure advance appropriations for all VA mandatory and discretionary accounts.\r\nThe vote cast on S.1982 did not kill the bill as this Internet post contends. Rather, it sent the bill back to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs where it could be reconsidered and improved.\r\nCongress opted instead to consider a better bill to enhance services for our veterans, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (the CHOICE Act). This bill ultimately passed the Senate, with Senator Boozmans support, and was signed into law [P.L. 113-146] by President Obama.\r\n \r\nA Note from Senator Boozman\r\nAs a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I take very seriously my responsibility to advocate for those who have served our country in uniform. When it comes to providing for our servicemembers with the benefits and services they have earned, I believe we ought to make good on our nation's promise. Their commitment to country is without question. Our country's commitment to them should be the same.\r\nI believe every one of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, shares that commitment. This is why the Veterans Affairs Committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have traditionally been the most bipartisan committees in Congress. It is the same reason that I seek out a Democrat cosponsor to join me on each piece of veterans-related legislation I introduce.\r\nHowever, that does not give us license to address veterans issues in an irresponsible manner. In fact, because we are seeking to help those who have sacrificed so greatly for our nation, there must be a greater obligation imparted on lawmakers to solve these issues in a timely, responsible manner.\r\nWhich bring us to a nearly two-year old Internet meme that continues to circulate online. This meme misrepresents why several of my colleagues and I voted against a particular piece of veterans-related legislation. The record needs to be set straight.\r\nThe post in question lists the names of senators who voted against moving forward S.1982, the Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014 authored by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).\r\nAnd as Internet memes so often do, this one leaves out vital information.\r\nAlthough this legislation may have been well intentioned, it would have placed an unnecessary strain on an already overwhelmed VA system, leaving it shorthanded and unable to fully meet the needs of our veterans.\r\nIn addition, then-Majority Leader Reid had also shut down efforts for senators to offer amendments to strengthen the bill, including my amendment to secure advance appropriations for all VA mandatory and discretionary accounts.\r\nThe vote we cast on S.1982 did not kill the bill as this Internet post contends. Rather, it sent the bill back to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs where it could be reconsidered and improved.\r\nCongress opted instead to consider a better bill to enhance services for our veterans, the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (the CHOICE Act). This bill ultimately passed the Senate, with my support, and was signed into law [P.L. 113-146] by President Obama.\r\nWhy S.1982 Failed: It was the Wrong Approach\r\nWhile well-meaning, S.1982 was unfortunately an irresponsible approach to addressing these serious problems. That is the part of the story that a disingenuous Internet post on social media often fails to tell.\r\nInstead of fixing the existing challenges our veterans face by fully implementing initiatives already in place, increasing accountability and improving efficiency, S.1982 would have added to the list problems by expanding programs and increasing the responsibility of VA beyond sustainability.\r\nMy greatest concern with this approach is that we would be expanding the role and responsibility of a department, that to-date, continues to struggle to manage its resources and provide the essential services our veterans have been promised.\r\nAs the sheer number of veterans and the complicated nature of their needs increases, we must not pile on additional responsibilities that overwhelm the agency when it cannot meet its existing demands. I believe VA is fully committed to meeting all of the demands that our veterans, and Congress, expect. However, this must be done in a responsible manner for the Department to be able to accomplish these goals.\r\nAlthough S.1982 included worthwhile programs that I have supported and championed, we cannot expect a massive mandate imposed on VA to change the outcomes for the better. We need a thoughtful, measured approach to changes and institute them incrementally, with proper oversight, to make sure our veterans are receiving the attention they deserve in a timely manner.\r\nMy colleagues and I were not in opposition of the goals of S.1982. I dont think anyone in the Senate opposes what S.1982 sought to achieve. The bill failed because it was the wrong approach to achieving those end goals. To suggest otherwise is disingenuous.\r\nThe Solution: The CHOICE Act\r\nWe all agree that we need to restore faith in the VA health system. Where we differ is the approach.\r\nAfter the Senate rejected S.1982, we set out to find the right solution to address the needs of our veterans. \r\nThis effort resulted in the Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (the CHOICE Act), a bipartisan bill that provides veterans with a greater choice of care and also puts into place a system of accountability within the agency in response to the ongoing investigations into misconduct by VA employees.\r\nIt passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law on August 7, 2014.\r\nThe CHOICE Act brings accountability to VA operations and creates disciplinary procedures for bad actors. It ensures that employees who abuse their power and put our veterans in danger are held accountable. As a result of this law, the VA Secretary now has the authority to fire or demote senior VA employees for poor performance.\r\nI am committed to ensuring that VA uses every available option it has to deliver on its mission for all veterans who have earned this care. However, if VA cannot meet veterans needs, this law gives them the ability to seek that care elsewhere.\r\nThe CHOICE Act allows veterans who have been unable to obtain care from the VA to seek it from private providers. The option also would be provided to those who live more than 40 miles from a VA facility, including a community-based outpatient clinic. The government would be obligated to reimburse the non-VA health provider for the services provided to the veteran.\r\nSince the laws passage, Ive received a great deal of feedback from Arkansas veterans about the Veterans Choice Program it created. We have taken that feedback and worked to enhance the program. For instance, we were able to get VA to expand the eligibility criteria for the program by reflecting a more accurate measurement of distance between where a veteran lives and the nearest VA facility. This update allows additional veterans to meet the qualifications and participate in the program. I am pleased to see these much-needed improvements and will continue to work to make this program successful for veterans in Arkansas.\r\nConclusion\r\nThe CHOICE Act ushered in much needed reforms, but this is not to say that it solves every problem plaguing the VA. Much work remains in this important task of ensuring our veterans receive the benefits they have earned.\r\nThis work begins with rigorous Congressional oversight. My colleagues and I on the Senate VA Committee are committed to upholding this responsibility. We have held over a dozen oversight hearings last year alone.\r\nIt also requires us to work together to come up with effective legislative solutions to the problems our veterans encounter. I continue to work with my colleagues to introduce legislation that will increase and enhance the services provided to our veterans including the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, the GI Bill Fairness Act and the Frontline Mental Health Provider Training Act. \r\nBottom line: When we work together to achieve a shared goal, rather than promoting one partisan agenda over another, our nations veterans will receive the quality services and benefits they have earned.\r\nAdditional Resources\r\n \r\nSenator Boozmans speech during consideration of S.1982 (Senate floor, February 26, 2014) \r\nAMVETS Statement on S.1982: Supersized Veterans Bill Promises Much  Mostly Broken Promises\r\nParalyzed Veterans of America (PVA) letter to Senator Boozman in support of his proposed amendment to S.1982 to secure advance appropriations for all VA mandatory and discretionary accounts\r\nThe Senate's failed, irrelevant plan to throw $20 billion at Veterans Affairs problems, op-ed by Byron York, Washington Examiner, June 1, 2014 \r\nSenator Boozmans weekly column, June 24, 2014: Reforms Needed to Restore Faith in VA Health System\r\nSenator Boozmans speech during consideration of the CHOICE Act (Senate floor, June 11, 2014)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile-office-hours?ContentRecord_id=b4219a57-c9fa-41fb-a29b-acea45914e76", "Vilonia Mobile Office", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Members of my staff host Mobile Office events across the state year-around. These events allow my staff to be available at the walk-in events to help Arkansans who are having problems involving the federal government or who want to share their thoughts about legislative issues.\nBelow is a complete listing of upcoming (denoted by red push pin) and past (denoted by blue push pin) mobile offices:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c2a98d06-d87f-4c5e-a89e-32698f52ee05", "General Aviation Bill Passes Senate with Boozman Language to Help Small Aircraft Pilots Keep Flying", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONLanguage authored by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) that requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reform general aviation medical standards was included in the Pilots Bill of Rights II and unanimously passed by the Senate Tuesday night.\r\nThe languagea modified version of the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act introduced by Boozman in Februaryseeks reforms to maintain safety while supporting capable pilots and jobs in the industry and at our small, local airports.\r\nThese reforms are necessary because the FAA has stalled on its pledge to eliminate bureaucratic barriers that ground capable aviators. Over the last decade, 60,000 pilots left the industry, many due to the costly and time consuming process of obtaining paperwork that FAA has acknowledged needs to be changed. By incorporating my bill in the Pilots Bill of Rights II, we can provide safety and eliminate these burdens which have proven unnecessary, Boozman, a co-chair of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, said.\r\nBoozmans language allows pilots to fly many types of small, light aircraft without a third class medical certificate. The light-sport aircraft program has demonstrated that these changes can occur without compromising safety. \r\nPilots will be required to undergo a flight review by a certified flight instructor every two years. During these flight reviews, instructors will continue to evaluate each pilots physical and cognitive condition, as well as his or her ability to safely operate an aircraft. Small aircraft pilots would be required to maintain a valid drivers license. Limited medical examinations by a personal physician will be required once every four years, but the requirements will be much less burdensome.\r\nBoozmans efforts have garnered the support of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/manufacturing-support-for-waters-of-us-ruled-illegal", "Manufacturing Support for Waters of US Ruled Illegal", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 14, 2015\n\nWashington, D.C. - Earlier today, the Government Accountability office ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency's social media campaign to increase support for it's Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) broke the law by engaging in \u2018covert propaganda.'\n\nIn August, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) joined the rest of the Arkansas delegation in sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency's Inspector General. The letter requested that the EPA open a formal investigation into its unprecedented grassroots lobbying effort. The request was referred from the EPA's Inspector General to the Government Accountability Office, which found that the EPA engaged in propaganda and used federal resources to conduct grass-roots lobbying, both illegal activities for a government agency.\n\nAfter the news broke earlier today, Representative Crawford released the following statement:\n\n\"The rulemaking process follows democratic principles for a reason, the affected public needs to be able to either support or oppose rules like WOTUS that affect their everyday lives. Unelected agency officials, in a brazen attempt to skew levels of support for the rule, perverted that process and got caught. When your own agency has to illegally manufacture support for its own out-of-touch agenda, its time to go back to the drawing board. Its time to scrap the rule and start over, this time listening to public feedback and incorporating their genuine concerns.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nAccording to a May 19, 2015 New York Times report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) engaged in a grassroots solicitation for public comments intended to generate public comments in support of its Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule-making The EPA apparently used an assortment of social media campaigns to solicit comments, and partnered with environmental and grassroots organizations \u2013 like the Sierra Club and Organizing for America \u2013 to promote the rule. The most essential and democratic component of the rule-making process, the public notice and comment process, was abused and corrupted in a way that drowned out opposition to help justify the Agency's actions.\n\nThe EPA consistently made claims that it had received over one million comments on the rule, and about 90 percent of them were supportive. However, according the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, only 20,567 of those comments were considered \"unique,\" and of those, only 10 percent were considered substantive. The vast majority of comments \u2013 more than 98 percent \u2013 appeared to be mass mailings generated by the EPA's lobbying efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398450", "Manufacturing Support for Waters of US Ruled Illegal", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Rick Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Earlier today, the Government Accountability office ruled that the Environmental Protection Agencys social media campaign to increase support for its Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) broke the law by engaging in covert propaganda.In August, Representative Rick Crawford (AR-1) joined the rest of the Arkansas delegation in sending a letter  to the Environmental Protection Agencys Inspector General. The letter requested that the EPA open a formal investigation into its unprecedented grassroots lobbying effort. The request was referred from the EPAs Inspector General to the Government Accountability Office, which found that the EPA engaged in propaganda and used federal resources to conduct grass-roots lobbying, both illegal activities for a government agency.  After the news broke earlier today, Representative Crawford released the following statement: \"The rulemaking process follows democratic principles for a reason, the affected public needs to be able to either support or oppose rules like WOTUS that affect their everyday lives. Unelected agency officials, in a brazen attempt to skew levels of support for the rule, perverted that process and got caught. When your own agency has to illegally manufacture support for its own out-of-touch agenda, its time to go back to the drawing board. Its time to scrap the rule and start over, this time listening to public feedback and incorporating their genuine concerns.\" Background:  According to a May 19, 2015 New York Times report, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) engaged in a grassroots solicitation for public comments intended to generate public comments in support of its Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule-making The EPA apparently used an assortment of social media campaigns to solicit comments, and partnered with environmental and grassroots organizations  like the Sierra Club and Organizing for America  to promote the rule. The most essential and democratic component of the rule-making process, the public notice and comment process, was abused and corrupted in a way that drowned out opposition to help justify the Agencys actions. The EPA consistently made claims that it had received over one million comments on the rule, and about 90 percent of them were supportive. However, according the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, only 20,567 of those comments were considered unique, and of those, only 10 percent were considered substantive. The vast majority of comments  more than 98 percent  appeared to be mass mailings generated by the EPAs lobbying efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=38d11d16-3d54-4f86-ad47-a96c0aade65f", "Boozman Statement on EPA's Violation of Federal Law", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) violated federal law when promoting its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:\r\nThe EPAs illegal campaign shows the desperate measures the agency was willing to take to hide the overwhelming opposition to WOTUS. The GAO ruling proves that this was a manufactured public relations campaign unknowingly funded by taxpayers who oppose this EPA power-grab. Its proof that the Obama Administration is willing to breakthe law to get its way.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=279", "Cotton Statement on President Obama's Remarks at the Pentagon on ISIS", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 14, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on President Obama's remarks at the Pentagon on ISIS: \"President Obama's remarks at the Pentagon were just more of the same tired rhetoric. Why is he just now hitting ISIS 'harder than ever?' President Obama once again provided a laundry list of percentages and statistics that may sound impressive, but actually say little about our commitment to the fight against ISIS. It's troubling that in the wake of Paris and San Bernadino the President seems more concerned about sounding tough than he does about preventing more of these types of attacks.  To win the war against ISIS, President Obama must present a victory strategy and demonstrate a commitment to that strategy. Today we heard neither. If the President wants to show resolve and commitment, he would listen to his military commanders' best advice, and he would ask the Congress to protect the data we already have on terrorists.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=280", "Cotton Statement on GAO's Ruling Against the EPA's use of Social Media to Generate Support for WOTUS", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 14, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statements on the Government Accountability Office's ruling that the EPA's use of social media to generate support for the Waters of the United States rule was in violation of federal law:\n\"It's little surprise that the EPA broke federal law while promoting the disastrous Waters of the United States rule. Over the last six years they've repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to promoting President Obama's radical environmental agenda over the interests of the American people and our natural resources. And they take orders from a President whose also been known to skirt the laws of the land if they interfere with his ideas.\n\"The GAO's ruling is another important step toward overturning the misguided Waters of the United States rule completely. Rest assured, I will work to continue the fight against this rule and against EPA overreach.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=278", "Cotton Statement on the Death of Brigadier General Herbert Jack Lloyd", "2015-12-12", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202)224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement mourning the death of Brigadier General Herbert Jack Lloyd: \"Today I join the Hope community and all Arkansans in mourning the death of Brigadier General Herbert Jack Lloyd. Brig. Gen. Lloyd's lifelong commitment of service to Arkansas and our nation cannot be overstated. As a member of both the Arkansas Military Veterans and the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame, his life and legacy will long be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-host-press-conference-historic-saline-river-bridge", "Hill to Host Press Conference at Historic Saline River Bridge", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  At 10:30 AM CT, on Monday, December 14, 2015, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) will host a press conference at the Historic Saline River Bridge. Last week, Saline County was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Arkansas State Department of Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), a federal-aid program that assists in constructing non-motorized forms of transportation.\nFunds from TAP will be used for the rehabilitation of the historic Saline River Bridge and its conversion to a bicycle and pedestrian bridge. The project will provide a needed Saline River crossing for the planned Southwest Trail bicycle trail from Little Rock to Hot Springs.\nThe following event is open to the press:\nWho: Congressman French Hill, Saline County Judge Jeff Arey, and AHTD Director Scott Bennett\nWhat: Press Conference\nWhen: 10:30 AM CT, Monday, December 14, 2015\nWhere: Saline River Bridge\n###\nDirections from Little Rock:\nTake I-30 W to Benton\nTake exit116towardSevier St/South St\nRemain on the access road (I-30 Frontage Rd)\nTurnrightontoW South St, which will loop you onto a bridge over the interstate\nSlightrighttowardI-30 Frontage Rd\nSlightleftontoI-30 Frontage Rd\nTurnleftontoAirlane Dr by Holland Baptist Church of Benton.\nStay right on Airlane Dr at the intersection of Mary Kay and Airlane.\nContinue onto a dirt road until you reach the bridge site on the right.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1109", "Hill to Host Press Conference at Historic Saline River Bridge", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At 10:30 AM CT, on Monday, December 14, 2015, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) will host a press conference at the Historic Saline River Bridge. Last week, Saline County was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Arkansas State Department of Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), a federal-aid program that assists in constructing non-motorized forms of transportation.\r\rFunds from TAP will be used for the rehabilitation of the historic Saline River Bridge and its conversion to a bicycle and pedestrian bridge. The project will provide a needed Saline River crossing for the planned Southwest Trail bicycle trail from Little Rock to Hot Springs.\r\rThe following event is open to the press:\r\rWho: Congressman French Hill, Saline County Judge Jeff Arey, and AHTD Director Scott Bennett\r\rWhat: Press Conference\r\rWhen: 10:30 AM CT, Monday, December 14, 2015\r\rWhere: Saline River Bridge\r\r###\r\rDirections from Little Rock:\r\rTake I-30 W to Benton\r\rTake exit116towardSevier St/South St\r\rRemain on the access road (I-30 Frontage Rd)\r\rTurnrightontoW South St, which will loop you onto a bridge over the interstate\r\rSlightrighttowardI-30 Frontage Rd\r\rSlightleftontoI-30 Frontage Rd\r\rTurnleftontoAirlane Dr by Holland Baptist Church of Benton.\r\rStay right on Airlane Dr at the intersection of Mary Kay and Airlane.\r\rContinue onto a dirt road until you reach the bridge site on the right.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=20ddeccc-d29e-4b7c-90d4-f6a8d37eb25a", "The Obamacare Repeal Bill That Will Make it to the President's Desk", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With Obamacare, Americans were sold a false bill of goods that came with a price tag in the trillions. It has driven up health care costs, busted our budget, stifled job growth and raised taxes on hardworking Arkansans.\r\nObamacare has created more problems than it solves.\r\nThe skyrocketing premiums, rising out-of-pocket health care costs and shrinking paychecks all contribute to the underlying anxiety that is hanging over the heads of the American people.\r\nAdd to that a massive new bureaucracy and stark reduction in choices, and you get a law that is simply unsalvageable.\r\nObamacare has let the American people down. To see it any other way takes more than rose-colored glasses. It takes blinders.\r\nPremiums are going up, deductibles are rising and the tax burden for hardworking Americansand the small business owners that create many of their jobshas significantly increased.\r\nTo that last point specifically, Obamacare hits American households with more than $1 trillion in new taxes over the next ten years. It will cost taxpayers more than $116 billion a year according to the Congressional Budget Office. On average, every American household can expect more than $20,000 in new taxes over the next ten years.\r\nThe Senate took a crucial step forward in beginning to lift the burdens and higher costs this law has placed on all Americans. The legislation we passed eliminates more than $1 trillion in tax increases placed on the American people, while saving more than $500 billion in spending. Most importantly, this bill begins to build a bridge from the presidents broken promises to a better health care system for hardworking families across the country.\r\nThat better system is rooted in flexibility, choice, portability and fairness. We must remove bureaucracy from the equation, put patients in control and force insurance companies to compete for their business.\r\nThat is the way to create a sustainable health care system. Sustainable being the the key word as the wheels are already falling off of Obamacare.\r\nBloomberg Business reports that UnitedHealth may quit selling coverage in Obamacares individual markets in 2017. Losses from the plans this year and next will total more than half a billion dollars.\r\nThis is significant. UnitedHealth is the largest U.S. insurer when you measure by enrollment numbers. The company is experienced in the insurance industry and its technical unit stepped in to help save the program after the disastrous launch of Healthcare.gov. Competitors Anthem and Aetna, among others, have also suffered losses in the marketplaces.\r\nThe Wall Street Journal said insurers cite Obamacares foundation as the root problem. The rules that require insurers to sell to everybody, regardless of their medical history, and at equal prices has lead to plans carrying more sick people and fewer healthy people. Obamacares survival depends on enrollment trends that are the exact opposite of this.\r\nSo what happens when Obamacare implodes because it is not doing as well as the Administration pretends it is?\r\nWe cant wait for that to happen.\r\nRepeal is the first step. This bill will make the Presidents desk and it accomplishes that goal. He will likely veto it, but it sends a clear message that the American people want to replace this program with market-based solutions that will bring the changes that Obamacare, and all its broken promises, simply cannot deliver.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=441e3e02-8eb9-43d5-91eb-d64195a0e106", "Putting Education Decision Back in the Hands of Those Who Know Students Best", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As an English and journalism teacher at Stuttgart High School, Meghan Ables added reading and writing opportunities at the school by reestablishing its monthly magazine and helping launch its studio - Ricebird Television. Ables is making a difference in the lives of students. Her dedication to education earned her the title of 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.\r\nThe Arkansas Department of Educations announcement of Ables award noted that her contribution to learning helped increase student test scores in the school district.\r\nAbles is the perfect example of how teachers are one of the best assets we have in our efforts to prepare young Arkansans for the future. As a teacher, she is able to identify areas her students need to improve and implement strategies to help them grow academically and achieve higher scores.\r\nTeachers deserve flexibility to help students succeed in the classroom, and that begins by providing state and local leaders the opportunity to make education decisions based on the needs of their population.\r\nAs a former school board member, I understand that the one-size-fits-all policy forced on our schools from Washington is ineffective. Thats why I supported the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), legislation that strengthens state and local control to improve student achievement.\r\nEarlier this month, the Senate overwhelmingly passed this legislation, and the next day the President signed it into law, making it the first significant education reform since 2002.\r\nThis law puts governors, school boards, parents and teachers back in charge of education standards.\r\nESSA ends the policies ofNo Child Left Behind (NCLB) including the testing burden the law placed on schools, teachers and students. Instead, this new law grants states the power to determine and define the measurement of success, and eliminates Washingtons ability to mandate or coerce states to adopt the top-down education standards of Common Core.\r\nInnovation in education has been stifled by government bureaucracy. ESSA allows states and communities flexibility in crafting the best education policies that meet the specific needs of each community. It also strengthens the charter school program, which has had great success in Arkansas and across the country.\r\nThe law also incorporates an amendment I offered to integrate rigorous academic coursework in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and real-world skills based on industry needs.\r\nThis is an effort to capture the best practices around the country so we can increase graduation rates and prepare career ready students by partnering with industry. CTE programs offered in high schools across Arkansas provide students with trade skills. The partnerships between schools and businesses is an economic asset.\r\nThis reform is important to our children, parents, educators and the future of our country. It puts control back in the hands of school boards and teachers like Meghan Ables who can see first-hand the needs of students and determine the best course of action for the unique challenges they face.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-ssa-help-willing-and-able-get-back-work", "Hill to SSA: Help Willing and Able Get Back to Work", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2), alongside eleven other Members of Congress, sent a letter to Carolyn Colvin, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), requesting that SSA work with Congress to develop innovative demonstration projects to help individuals with disabilities return to work.\nThe members stated:\nThe recently passed and signed into law Bipartisan Budget Act provides the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the authority to develop and implement additional demonstration projects to help disability applicants and beneficiaries return to work. As SSA begins to develop these new programs, we encourage you to work with Congress, congressional committees of jurisdiction, and experts and scholars that have offered recommendations to develop effective and innovative projects that will get people off of the disability rolls and back to work.\nClick here to read the full letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1326", "Hill to SSA: Help Willing and Able Get Back to Work", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hill to SSA: Help Willing and Able Get Back to Work \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      For more information, contact: Mike Siegel, (202) 225-2506 \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 10, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2), alongside eleven other Members of Congress, sent a letter to Carolyn Colvin, Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), requesting that SSA work with Congress to develop innovative demonstration projects to help individuals with disabilities return to work.\r\rThe members stated:\r\rThe recently passed and signed into law Bipartisan Budget Act provides the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the authority to develop and implement additional demonstration projects to help disability applicants and beneficiaries return to work. As SSA begins to develop these new programs, we encourage you to work with Congress, congressional committees of jurisdiction, and experts and scholars that have offered recommendations to develop effective and innovative projects that will get people off of the disability rolls and back to work.\r\rClick here to read the full letter.\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/arkansas-delegation-meets-doe-secretary-answers-transmission-line", "Arkansas Delegation Meets with DOE Secretary for Answers on Transmission Line Project", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman released the following statement after meeting today with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz to get thorough answers to questions they asked in September about the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project:\n\n\"We appreciate Secretary Moniz listening to our concerns about the the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project and the use of section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to implement this project. We continue to have serious concerns that this project erodes the rights of local communities and the State of Arkansas to have a seat at the table in the decision making process.\"\n\nIn September, members asked the Secretary to address their detailed concerns about the federal government's possible unprecedented partnership with a third party to construct an electrical transmission project through Arkansas. The insufficient responses to their questions led members to request a meeting with Secretary Moniz in early November.\n\nRead the letters members sent to Secretary Moniz here.\n\nCiting insufficient responses to their questions, Boozman and Cotton placed a hold on the confirmation vote of a DOE nominee earlier this month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398638", "Arkansas Delegation Meets with DOE Secretary for Answers on Transmission Line Project", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack, and Bruce Westerman, released the following statement after meeting today with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz to get thorough answers to questions they asked in September about the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project:\nWe appreciate Secretary Moniz listening to our concerns about the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project and the use of section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to implement this project. We continue to have serious concerns that this project erodes the rights of local communities and the State of Arkansas to have a seat at the table in the decision making process.\nIn September, members asked the Secretary to address their detailed concerns about the federal governments possible unprecedented partnership with a third party to construct an electrical transmission project through Arkansas. The insufficient responses to their questions led members to request a meeting with Secretary Moniz in early November.\nRead the letters members sent to Secretary Moniz here.\nCiting insufficient responses to their questions, Boozman and Cotton placed a hold on the confirmation vote of a DOE nominee earlier this month.\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/dr-boozman-s-check-up?ContentRecord_id=88cdd906-3d83-4511-9d31-43297c5da5a2", "ICYMI: My Visit with KASU, 12/10/15", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I called into KASU's morning show to visit with Mark Smith to discussthe challenges of battling ISIS, the highway bill, the COOL mandate and the last-minute legislative items the Senate is trying to work through before the holidays. If you missed it, you can listen to the entire interview here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6bb81257-7599-4500-bc33-492837c08969", "Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Approves Boozman Bills to Improve Veteran Services & Benefits", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday advanced key legislative priorities aimed at improving veterans benefits as part of legislation introduced by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) to combat veteran homelessness.\r\nThe Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) Clarification and Reauthorization Act, introduced by Boozman and Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), would reauthorize current veteran homelessness programs and clarify qualifications for existing housing assistance benefits.\r\nCommittee approval of this legislation is a great step toward ending the cycle of homelessness. I am encouraged by the support of the committee and will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure it becomes law. Enacting long-term programs that provide the resources, tools and training our veterans earned will help eliminate veteran homelessness, Boozman said.\r\nThe Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) Clarification and Reauthorization Act would:\r\n \r\nExtend veteran reintegration programs for five years\r\nExtend the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program for five years.\r\nClarify that veterans participating in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agencys Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program are also eligible for HVRP.\r\nClarify that American Indians participating in Native American housing assistance program are also eligible to participate in HVRP.\r\n \r\nThe committee amended the legislation to add a number of measures to help veterans including the GI Bill Fairness Act introduced by Boozman and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). This bill would ensure that members of the Guard or Reserve who are wounded in combat are eligible for the same GI Bill benefits as active duty members of the military.\r\nDenying wounded Guard and Reserve members the benefits they earned is unjust. This measure will provide equal treatment and ensure they receive the benefits they earned for their service and sacrifice to our country, Boozman said.\r\nThe bill also includes additional provisions related to veteran homelessness, benefits, education, opioid safety, caregiver services and health care including:\r\n \r\nBuilding on existing homeless veteran programs to increase the availability of housing for homeless veterans and helping with transition to permanent housing. This provision was included in the Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2015, legislation introduced by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Joe Manchin (D-WV).\r\n \r\n \r\nExpanding caregiver support services and eligibility for programs. This language is incorporated from the Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015 introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).\r\nAllowing VA Medical Centers to implement flexible physician and physician assistant work schedules to match private sector practices. This language was introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in The Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act.\r\nEliminating the need for survivors or spouses of deceased or totally and permanently disabled veterans to file a formal claim before the VA settles and pays claims for survivor benefits.Senator Hirono authored this language in The Veterans Survivors Claims Processing Automation Act.\r\nExpanding eligibility for the VAs Yellow Ribbon Program to help students with out-of-pocket education expenses higher than the Post 9/11 GI Bill allowance. This language was introduced by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in the Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act of 2015. \r\nProviding safer and more effective pain management services to veterans. This language incorporates provisions in the Jason Simcakoski Memorial Opioid Safety Act introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Shelley Moore Capito (D-WV).\r\nReducing workforce issues that impact veterans access to care. This language was introduced by Senator Tester in the Delivering Opportunities for Care and Services for Veterans Act.\r\nMaking permanent the temporary increase in number of judges presiding over veterans claims cases. This legislation was introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).\r\nImproving accountability at VA to ensure whistleblowers are protected. This language was adopted from the Department of Veterans Affairs Equitable Employee Accountability Act of 2015 introduced by Senator Blumenthal.\r\nModernizing existing VA housing programs for homeless and at-risk veterans. This language was introduced by Senators Blumenthal, Brown, Hirono and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the Veteran Housing Stability Act of 2015.\r\nEnsuring Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits are used at accredited institutions and programs. This provision was adopted from the Career-Ready Student Veterans Act of 2015, legislation introduced by Senators Blumenthal and Tillis.\r\nImproving veterans access to long term care by allowing VA to enter into provider agreements with qualified health care and extended care facilities. This language was introduced by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Manchin in the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act. \r\nIncreasing the special monthly pension for living Medal of Honor recipients. This language was introduced by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC).\r\nIncreasing the number of health professionals at VA by providing veterans who served as medics in the Armed Forces the opportunity to received additional training to become a Physician Assistant. Senator Tester introduced this language in the Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015.\r\nRestoring Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to student veterans affected by the permanent closure of certain educational institutions. This legislation was introduced by Senators Blumenthal and Tillis in the Department of Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act of 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=709f2942-3f87-487d-af90-a9431ecfe885", "Arkansas Delegation Meets with DOE Secretary for Answers on Transmission Line Project", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman released the following statement after meeting today with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz to get thorough answers to questions they asked in September about the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project:\r\nWe appreciate Secretary Moniz listening to our concerns about the the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project and the use of section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to implement this project. We continue to have serious concerns that this project erodes the rights of local communities and the State of Arkansas to have a seat at the table in the decision making process.\r\nIn September, members asked the Secretary to address their detailed concerns about the federal governments possible unprecedented partnership with a third party to construct an electrical transmission project through Arkansas. The insufficient responses to their questions led members to request a meeting with Secretary Moniz in early November.\r\nRead the letters members sent to Secretary Moniz here.\r\nCiting insufficient responses to their questions, Boozman and Cotton placed a hold on the confirmation vote of a DOE nominee earlier this month.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=277", "Arkansas Delegation Meets with DOE Secretary for Answers on Transmission Line Project", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman released the following statement after meeting today with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz to get thorough answers to questions they asked in September about the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project: \"We appreciate Secretary Moniz listening to our concerns about the the Plains and Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project and the use of section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to implement this project. We continue to have serious concerns that this project erodes the rights of local communities and the State of Arkansas to have a seat at the table in the decision making process.\" In September, members asked the Secretary to address their detailed concerns about the federal government's possible unprecedented partnership with a third party to construct an electrical transmission project through Arkansas. The insufficient responses to their questions led members to request a meeting with Secretary Moniz in early November.   Read the letters members sent to Secretary Moniz here. Citing insufficient responses to their questions, Boozman and Cotton placed a hold on the confirmation vote of a DOE nominee earlier this month.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-welcomes-little-rock-civil-rights-leader-washington", "Hill Welcomes Little Rock Civil Rights Leader to Washington", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) attended the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment with his invited guest, Ms. Annie Abrams of Little Rock. Following the ceremony, Congressman Hill released the below statement:\nThere are very few people who have as deep an appreciation for American Historyparticularly as it relates to African-Americansas my friend of nearly two decades, Ms. Annie Abrams. As a local educator and civic and community leader, Ms. Abrams has enriched the lives of countless Arkansans and Americans. To be able to spend today with her in celebration of the constitutional amendment that first allowed America to begin to uphold the value that all men are created equal was an inspiration.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1321", "Hill Welcomes Little Rock Civil Rights Leader to Washington", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hill Welcomes Little Rock Civil Rights Leader to Washington \r\n   \r\n    \r\n      For more information, contact: Mike Siegel, (202) 225-2506 \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 9, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) attended the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment with his invited guest, Ms. Annie Abrams of Little Rock. Following the ceremony, Congressman Hill released the below statement:\r\rThere are very few people who have as deep an appreciation for American Historyparticularly as it relates to African-Americansas my friend of nearly two decades, Ms. Annie Abrams. As a local educator and civic and community leader, Ms. Abrams has enriched the lives of countless Arkansans and Americans. To be able to spend today with her in celebration of the constitutional amendment that first allowed America to begin to uphold the value that all men are created equal' was an inspiration.\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile-office-hours?ContentRecord_id=1f42169e-22ef-4982-bb0d-6d7ec0a1cab9", "Jonesboro Mobile Office", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Members of my staff host Mobile Office events across the state year-around. These events allow my staff to be available at the walk-in events to help Arkansans who are having problems involving the federal government or who want to share their thoughts about legislative issues.\nBelow is a complete listing of upcoming (denoted by red push pin) and past (denoted by blue push pin) mobile offices:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile-office-hours?ContentRecord_id=7bce82a8-15b0-490c-a3c8-5936df445463", "Forrest City Mobile Office", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Members of my staff host Mobile Office events across the state year-around. These events allow my staff to be available at the walk-in events to help Arkansans who are having problems involving the federal government or who want to share their thoughts about legislative issues.\nBelow is a complete listing of upcoming (denoted by red push pin) and past (denoted by blue push pin) mobile offices:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/mobile-office-hours?ContentRecord_id=e7ce216c-c7f9-43ca-9a89-c7e573ea1bf1", "Heber Springs Mobile Office", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Members of my staff host Mobile Office events across the state year-around. These events allow my staff to be available at the walk-in events to help Arkansans who are having problems involving the federal government or who want to share their thoughts about legislative issues.\nBelow is a complete listing of upcoming (denoted by red push pin) and past (denoted by blue push pin) mobile offices:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=677c1dd2-d58e-4e35-afa6-66bd401cbf96", "Education Reform Bill with Boozman's Amendment Headed to President's Desk", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan, comprehensive reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) today that included an amendment authored by Senator John Boozman (R-AR) that focuses on career and technical education.\r\nThe conference report for the reauthorization bill, the Every Child Achieves Act, passed the Senate by a vote of 85-12 and will be sent to the President to be signed into law. As a former school board member, I understand that education decisions should be handled at the state and local level. A one-size-fits-all policy forced on our schools from Washington is not effective. This bill is a good step toward expanding state and local control over education, Boozman said.\r\nWhen the Senate first considered this legislation, Boozman offered an amendment that aims to improve career and technical education programs and it remained in the conference report.\r\nThe lack of real-world learning opportunities in our high schools is one reason students drop out. We need to be preparing young Americans for opportunities in the workforce and that will keep more of them in school, Boozman said.\r\nBoozmans amendment integrates rigorous academic coursework with career and technical education (CTE) and real-world skills based on industry needs and contexts.\r\nSeveral states are already successfully implementing CTE curriculum that is grounded in problem-based learning developed with business and industry. This is an effort to capture the best practices some states have in place so we can increase graduation rates and prepare career ready students by partnering with industry, Boozman said, pointing to effective programs in place in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida and California.\r\nBoozmans amendment focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education without authorizing new funds or programs.\r\nDeveloping coursework to provide the appropriate training for todays jobs allows students to find employment that matches their skills and provides businesses the workforce they need to operate. Arkansas economic officials say education is the key to future prosperity in our state. Programs that promote STEM help create a pipeline for the future and should be an integral component of our education policy, Boozman said.\r\nIn keeping with the bills focus on state and local control, Boozmans amendment does not force states to partner with industries to have CTE programs.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=275", "Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 9, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the Every Student Succeeds Act:\n\"As the son of a public school teacher and principal and a graduate of Arkansas public schools, I know firsthand the benefits of a public school education. But over the last several years our schools have been stifled by government bureaucracy, and, as a result, too many children haven't received the quality education they deserve. Today, the Senate passed legislation that will bring much needed reform to our education system by enabling states and local communities to decide what's best for their students.  This bill both ends Common Core mandates for states and significantly empowers states to determine their own measures of student success. Rest assured, I will continue to be an advocate for reforms to our public school system and will support policies that reduce the role of Washington politicians in the education of students in Arkansas and across the country.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=276", "Cotton Statement Calling on Congress to Grant Counterterror Officials Access to San Bernardino Terrorist's Telecom Data", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 9, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on reports that one of the terrorists accused in the San Bernadino attack may have been planning attacks dating back to 2012: \"Syed Farook's terrorist attack was possibly encouraged and supported by others who share his motivation to destroy the United States. And while Farook and his wife are dead, any co-conspirators and supporters they may have had remain at large and a threat to our national security. Unfortunately, our efforts to identify and find such individuals have been handicapped by the USA FREEDOM Act's limits on the NSA bulk metadata program that went into effect last week. The three years of call data investigators would need to examine Farook's activities in 2012 lie beyond the two years of metadata the authorities said they were able to obtain through the USA FREEDOM Act's new and experimental architecture. And under the new system, it's unclear whether we even still have those data.\n\"The holes in our intelligence gathering system left by the USA FREEDOM Act have left us with less information about this attack and about other potential terrorists. They have put our national security at risk and made us less safe.  Congress should immediately take up and pass the Liberty Through Strength Act II and give our law enforcement and intelligence community officials the tools they need to stop future attacks, including access to the legacy metadata lawfully collected prior to the implementation of the USA FREEDOM Act.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-votes-strengthen-national-security-through-visa-waiver-program", "Hill Votes to Strengthen National Security Through Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015, by a bipartisan vote of 407-19. H.R. 158, introduced by Rep. Candice Miller (MI-10), would put in place new provisions to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by restricting travel to the United States by non-U.S. citizens who have traveled to certain nations, including Syria and Iraq. Following passage of H.R. 158, Congressman French Hill (AR-2), a cosponsor of the bill, released the below statement:\nThe attacks on Paris and San Bernardino show the effect ISIS and their message of evil are having throughout the world. As the threat of attacks from ISIS and other terrorist groups increase, Congress needs to strengthen our bordersboth actual and virtualby passing meaningful, bipartisan legislation that addresses any holes in our national security. Todays vote to block entry into the United States for those who may have ties to terror groups is, like the Syrian refugee bill passed in the House last month, a significant but not final step in providing the American people peace of mind that their government is working to stop terrorists from reaching our great Nation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-visa-waiver-program-improvement-act", "Westerman Votes for Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON  Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) voted Tuesday (Dec. 8) for H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement & Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. Westerman issued the following statement after the vote:\nThis week, I voted with my House colleagues for the Visa Waiver Program Improvement & Terrorist Travel Prevention Act, Westerman said. This bill will close gaps in the visa waiver program, which allows individuals from more than 30 countries to visit the U.S. with only a passport. It adds additional layers of protection to stop Islamic radicals that often fight with ISIS from entering America from friendly nations. This is just the latest effort the House has taken to keep Americans safe at home. Living in a free and open society carries certain risks. I am committed to limiting those risks to our security while protecting the personal liberties upon which our nation was founded.\nItems included in H.R. 158:\n Denying VWP status to individuals who have connections to terrorist hotspots;\n\tDemanding strong intelligence and law enforcement information sharing;\n\tEnhancing screening of all travelers in VWP countries;\n\tPreventing extremists from using fraudulent documents to evade detection;\n\tIncreasing threat monitoring of VWP countries; and\n\tTaking steps to ensure VWP travelers do not falsify their background information.\n FOR MORE INFORMATION  \n\t.pdf: Background: Visa Waiver Program and Existing Security Gaps  \n\t.ppt: Visa Waiver Program Powerpoint\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398636", "Press Release: Womack Supports Passage of Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Press Release: Womack Supports Passage of Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 8, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act:\r\nI applaud the passage of this important bill to strengthen our national security, which takes the first of many steps to combat the threats posed by foreign fighters and anyone that tries to terrorize the American people. The tragic San Bernardino terrorist attack has reminded us that our visa system isnt immune to abuse by those who wish to harm our nation. We must scrutinize all aspects of our immigration system  including our visa waiver system  to ensure the safety and security of all Americans and to thwart attempts by Islamic extremists to gain entry into our nation.  \r\n\r\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=273", "Cotton Delivers Floor Speech on the Terrorist Watch List and Background Checks", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 8, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nI'd like to respond to what I heard earlier this morning from the Democratic Leader, from the Assistant Democratic leader, what we heard from the President on Sunday night. The Democrats would have you believe that any person on a terrorist watch list can go into a federally licensed firearm dealer and buy a firearm, without any notice whatsoever. That is simply false. The background check system that federally licensed firearm dealers use includes a terror watch list, and the FBI counterterrorist division is notified when that occurs.\nNow of course, the list is notoriously inaccurate. The Department of Justice IG report just a few years ago said that up to half the names on the list are incorrect. The New York Times, which continues its proselytizing for gun control, used to be strongly opposed to the use of this list. Most famously, Ted Kennedy, a United States senator from America's leading political dynasty, was on the list and couldn't get off for weeks, having his flights disrupted time after times. Stephen Hayes, a well known conservative journalist who, I'll admit, looks a little suspicious, also found himself on the list. It took him months of public commentary, and only was he removed from the list when Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson was challenged on the air, on Fox News, about his presence on the list. If it took people like Ted Kennedy and Stephen Hayes weeks or months to get off that list, how long do you think it would take the little guy in Arkansas? For that matter, how long do you think it would take patriotic Muslim-Americans -who are most likely, because of confusion about their names with suspected terrorists- on the list, to get off that list? Moreover, what other rights would Democrats like to deprive American citizens of without notice and due process? Right to free speech? Right to practice their religion? Right to petition their government? Right against unreasonable search and seizures? Right to trial by jury? Right to confront their accusers? Right to get just compensation when their property is taken? Democrats should quite being so politically correct. They should focus on winning the war against radical Islam. If they did, maybe fewer Americans would feel the need to buy firearms to protect themselves from terrorist attacks.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=274", "Speech on the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility The Heritage Foundation", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 8, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nNext month marks the anniversary of President Obama's vow to close the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.  The president placed great importance on Guantanamo's closure.  He chose this initiative-out of all the issues he faced as a new President-as the subject of his very first executive order-first of very, very many.  He staged its signing in grand fashion in the Oval Office.  And before the cameras, he spoke in solemn tones about the dire need to close Guantanamo in one year's time.  One year.\nBut seven years later President Obama has thankfully failed to make good on that vow. Guantanamo is still operating. And this is in large part because the President's empty rhetoric about closing Guantanamo has not convinced the American people.  At the same time, the need to keep hardened terrorists off the battlefield and away from U.S. shores has proved enduring and even more pressing in this time of burgeoning terrorist safe havens in the Middle East and North Africa.\nWe do not maintain Guantanamo because we want to.  We maintain it because it is in the best interest of our national security to do so.  In this way, Guantanamo is not a unique site-not sui generis or separated from historical practice, as many of its critics say.  It is, in plain terms, a humane and professional wartime military prison: the unpleasant but inescapable necessity of any conflict, well-grounded in the laws of war.  Guantanamo was created to house captured combatants and has always been set for closure once hostilities end.\nBut, unfortunately, those hostilities have not ended.  In fact, they have intensified.  We remain engaged in a long war against radical Islamic jihad. It is not a war we started.  But it is a war we must be committed to winning.\nThis long war has no frontlines and no specific theaters, traditionally understood.  And the weapons of our opponents are not merely conventional, but also ideological.  The Islamic State and Al Qaeda use modern social media and encrypted communication apps to radicalize individuals across the globe, including our fellow Americans, to spur them to wage attacks from within.  We saw the bitter fruits of this tactic in Paris and just days ago in California.\nThis is why we need a detention facility like Guantanamo.  It is a dedicated facility in a remote location where we can house detainees engaged in a global conflict.  It is secure from attack and infiltration.  It allows us to concentrate trained experts in interrogation in one place to extract intelligence of paramount importance in uncovering and stopping plots against Americans.  It can be and has been visited repeatedly by the International Red Cross and other human-rights groups for observation in an open, regular, and transparent manner.\nAnd Guantanamo enables us to isolate detainees who would otherwise seek to spread their radical ideology beyond their prison walls.  President Obama and others have pushed to bring the remaining Guantanamo detainees to the United States and house them in federal supermax prisons.  The ugly truth that President Obama doesn't share is that bringing these terrorists to facilities in the U.S. will have enormous costs in terms of tax dollars and compromised U.S. national security.  The construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities will require close to one billion dollars.  And the prospect of commingling terrorists with the normal prison population raises the serious risk that hardened criminals will be radicalized.  If released from prison, they may commit attacks on the homeland.  Even if not released, they will be able to communicate their new virulent ideology to others.\nIf new facilities are not to be constructed, we face the problem that Supermax prisons are at full capacity.  That means in order to accept Guantanamo detainees, other highly dangerous criminals will have to be transferred from supermax facilities to lower security prisons.\nIn the end moving Guantanamo detainees to the United States will created a federal prison population that is more dangerous, more jihadist, and much more costly to keep locked up.  We will also be creating what terrorists abroad will no doubt consider \"mini-Guantanamos,\" ones that will perhaps become targets for attacks and jailbreak attempts, as General John Kelly, commander of Southern Command, testified this year to Congress.\nThis makes one wonder, as terror threats have grown, why haven't we taken the common-sense course? This is the course of keeping bad guys where they are and where they belong, while also sending more terrorists to Guantanamo.  But, the president has done the opposite and embarked on an ideological and quixotic pursuit of Guantanamo's closure.  While still searching for an answer to closing the facility permanently, his temporary solution has been to empty it by releasing its captives back to the battlefield and establishing random numeric goals at the facility.  Let's examine this short-sighted policy in more depth.\n***\nAt times in recent years, U.S. leaders have been tempted to move off a war footing, declare a narrow and premature victory, and return to a pre-9/11 mentality.  President Obama has in large part succumbed to this temptation.  In fact, he campaigned for reelection on it.  He insisted that al Qaeda was \"on the road to defeat,\" that \"the tide of war is receding,\" and that we should begin to \"nation build at home.\"\nThe president's commitment to this desperate fantasy-even in the face of the Islamic State's rise and the spread of al Qaeda affiliates-has led him to discount the danger of releasing Guantanamo detainees to join the fight again.\nBut unfortunately, those dangers are all too real.\nIn 2007, the U.S. released Mullah Abdul Rauf, a former Taliban commander who claimed to have been a simple bread deliveryman.  In the interim, he reestablished himself as a warlord in southern Afghanistan, one who pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State, and led a group of insurgent fighters.  Earlier this year, U.S. forces had to face him again. Thankfully, they killed him.\nAnother such dangerous example is the story of Shaker Aamer, a Guantanamo detainee who was recently transferred to the United Kingdom.  This was done without the concurrence of the then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey.  Why did General Dempsey disagree with this transfer?  I've asked the Pentagon and I'm awaiting an answer.  But it is no secret Aamer was a dangerous terrorist before he was captured, was a non-complaint detainee while at Guantanamo Bay, and would likely continue to cause trouble if freed.\nI traveled to the UK recently.  And British intelligence and law enforcement officials told me that they are stressed to the breaking point trying to handle UK fighters returning from the Syrian and Iraqi battlefields.  On top of that immense burden, President Obama has added a hardened terrorist, doubtless with significant pressure and strain on our relationship.\nThe Rauf and Aamer cases are merely two amidst many.  Six hundred and fifty-three detainees have been released from Guantanamo.  Each has gone through stringent measures designed to evaluate their dangerousness before release and to arrange for appropriate detention and monitoring after their release.  Yet, despite these measures, 196 are confirmed or suspected of having returned to the battlefield-a 30% recidivism rate.\nThat 30% figure is made even more stark when measured against the confirmed recidivism rate of Guantanamo detainees who have not been released, which of course is zero.\nOne hundred and seven detainees remain at Guantanamo today.  Many if not all of these are the worst of the worst,  detainees so dangerous that their home countries will not accept them.  If we released them all, and the historical recidivism rate of 30% holds, we're looking at possibly 32 more terrorists able to plot, finance, organize, recruit, and execute operations against the United States.\nI have the privilege of serving as a Senator from Arkansas, elected to represent the people of my state and, first and foremost, to keep them safe.  I also had the honor of serving two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, where my fellow soldiers and I faced terrorists daily.  So if given the choice between one policy that will put 32 more terrorists in a position to threaten Arkansans or soldiers in the field, and another policy that completely eliminates those possibilities, that's an easy choice for me.  And it should be for any policymaker.\n***\nBut, proponents of closing Guantanamo offer arguments to the contrary.\nA central claim is that the facility is used as a recruiting tool by terrorists.  On its face, the claim may make some intuitive sense.  But its foundation is flimsy-grounded more in conjecture and anecdote than empirical proof.  Researchers who have looked at the claim show it to be wanting in fact.  The  number of times Guantanamo is mentioned in al Qaeda and al Qaeda-affiliated propaganda, pales in comparison to references to Israel and Jews, to Iraq, to Afghanistan, to UAV strikes, and even the dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir.  Moreover,  mentions of Guantanamo in terrorist propaganda have trended downward in recent years, particularly in the materials of newer terrorist organizations like the Islamic State.  And to the extent Guantanamo is mentioned, it is usually as one amidst a laundry list of supposed offenses against the Muslim world, not as a central fixation of the terrorist mindset.\nThis is not surprising.  The motivations of radical Islamic jihadism are much larger than these specific issues and grievances. The ideology is premised on a narrative of conquest, in the spiritual as well as earthly world.  They attack us not for what they believe we have done to them, or to Muslims around the world.  They attack us because we are infidels whose civilization stands in the way of the realization of a new, global caliphate.\nDoes the president-or anyone for that matter-seriously believe that the closure of Guantanamo would convince terrorists to disarm or grievously undermine their recruitment efforts?  Will the Islamic State stop its bloody march across the Middle East and North Africa if detainees are housed in various locations rather than a single one?  The notion is, quite simply, absurd.  Terrorists attacked us before there existed a Guantanamo detention facility, and they will try to attack us regardless of its closure.\nIf a terrorist's grievance was not Guantanamo, it'd be the presence of U.S. military bases in Muslim nations.  If not those bases, it'd be the loss of Jerusalem.  If not Jerusalem, the grievance would be the loss of Andalusia to Christendom.  Jihadism cannot be placated unless we're prepared to give up the whole of Western civilization.  Once we begin to pull the string of appeasement toward a radical ideology of conquest, we will find it never stops.\nBeyond this recruitment argument, critics also like to describe Guantanamo as a \"law-free zone\" where the government does not abide by the strictures of applicable U.S. and international law, and where conditions are deplorable.  The New York Times editorial board in September blasted the facility as a place of \"legal limbo,\" that \"festers on the edge of the constitution.\"  In reductive fashion, critics assert that operating Guantanamo shocks the conscience, that Guantanamo is simply not \"who we are.\"\nThis hyperbole is not true and has never been true.  Since the first detainee was housed at Guantanamo, the United States has required a review of detainees by military tribunals, and since that time Congress has established rules for military commissions crafted along the guidelines enunciated by the Supreme Court.  Detainees are entitled to the constitutional writ of habeas corpus to challenge their detention-what has been called the \"Great Writ,\" and armies of the best lawyers in the United States provide free, zealous representation to the detainees before U.S. courts, often all the way to the Supreme Court.  In fact, the number of lawyers devoted to detention cases far exceeds the number of detainees in Guantanamo.  The same cannot be said for the normal American prison population.   Guantanamo is far from a \"law-free zone.\"  At no time in any war in all of history-let alone U.S. history-have military detainees enjoyed such a depth and breadth of procedural rights.\nAnd at no time have they ever received such a heightened level of care.  Anguished pronouncements about the conditions at Guantanamo are hard to square with the extraordinary efforts made to treat detainees in a humane fashion, efforts that go far beyond the standards of international law. The International Red Cross has made 111 regular visits to the facility since it was opened, monitoring conditions and speaking with detainees.  One hundred medical staff-including specialized medical linguists-are dedicated to the detainees' health.  They provide services including radiology, surgery, dental, and mental health services.  Detainees enjoy up to 12 hours of recreation a day, with access to academic classes, a wide array of media, religious services, and various group activities and common spaces.\nTo the extent there is any legal or humanitarian deficiency at Guantanamo, it is hard to understand how housing detainees indefinitely in other nations' facilities or in U.S. supermax prisons-the alternatives proposed by the president-would improve their plight.  If housed in supermax prisons, their procedural rights would not change, and their relatively cushy treatment would likely be more circumscribed.  And as for detention facilities abroad, the U.S. cannot guarantee that other nations would offer a similar level of legal rights or humanitarian treatment.  In most cases, the legal rights and treatment detainees would hypothetically receive would be far worse.\nFurthermore, any humanitarian assessment of Guantanamo must also take into account the actions the president has taken to make closure more feasible.  He's embraced battlefield methods of questionable tactical and moral value, ones geared toward minimizing the number of detainees we capture.\nThe president has greatly accelerated the use of strikes by unmanned aerial vehicles on suspected terrorists, far outpacing the strike rate of President George W. Bush. Those terrorists who are occasionally captured are generally held by third-party countries in facilities whose security and conditions fall far below international standards, and the world-class standards of Guantanamo.  And the president has moved captured terrorists into the U.S. civilian criminal justice system, where they enjoy heightened procedural rights.\nFrom a tactical perspective, these methods either make impossible or greatly limit our ability to interrogate and gather intelligence from terrorists on their organizations and plots.  While I strongly support UAV strikes on known terrorists where necessary, I do not support them as a method of avoiding the burden of capturing and interrogating a terrorist which is far more preferable.  You cannot easily obtain valuable intelligence from terrorists who are dead, held by other powers, or protected by the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.  And make no mistake: the interrogation of detainees at Guantanamo has yielded immeasurable benefits.  Information obtained from detainees at Guantanamo has been described by the CIA as \"the lead information\" that enabled the agency to recognize the importance of a courier for Osama bin Laden, a crucial understanding that lead to bin Laden's secret hideout in Pakistan and the U.S. raid that killed him.  It is this kind of information that we are losing by not making greater use of Guantanamo.\n***\nThe president may not acknowledge the internal contradictions of his push to close Guantanamo.  But the American people-and their elected representatives in Congress-thankfully do.  The U.S. Congress, by veto-proof majorities, has voted to prohibit the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to U.S. shores. Just last month the President signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which contained an amendment I offered to strengthen the reporting requirements for Guantanamo Bay detainee transfers by giving Congress more insights into how detainees will be monitored after they are transferred.  It is shocking that, in many instances, the U.S. and countries accepting Guantanamo detainees do not enter into formal written agreements as to how detainees will be housed and kept from returning to the battlefield.  One has to look no further than the press reports associated with transfer of five hardened detainees to Uruguay just last year.  These terrorists were given housing a few short blocks away from the U.S. embassy and would repeatedly show up at the U.S. facility.  Should any American be forced to show up at their place of work along with hardened terrorists trained by al-Qaeda and the Taliban?\nBut, unfortunately, with this president, a duly passed statute never fully resolves the matter.  President Obama has shown a disturbing penchant to ignore laws-even ones he personally signed-to reach for unilateral, executive actions that upend our constitutional order and ignore the will of the American people.  Look at his transfer of five hardened Taliban commanders to Qatar, in exchange for Sergant Bowe Bergdahl, which even the GAO concedes violated the 30-day statutory-notification requirement.  And he has raised thinly veiled threats to do so again in order to bring Guantanamo terrorists to U.S. soil and close Guantanamo for good.\nWe should be clear:  if the president issues such an order, it would be the most brazen assertion of executive power in over a century, and spark a grave constitutional crisis. Even those members of Congress who support the closure of Guantanamo would likely rise in opposition to what could only be seen as an extraordinary extralegal usurpation of Congress's power.\nAccording to longstanding constitutional doctrine, the president's power is at is lowest ebb when he acts in bald defiance of an explicit or implied congressional prohibition. For such an action to survive judicial scrutiny, the president must possess exclusive constitutional authority to take the action.   In the few cases in which such a conflict has arisen, this is usually a hard call.  But that's not so here.\nThe Constitution empowers Congress-not the president-with the power to \"make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water,\" an explicit reservation of authority to the legislative branch.  Further, Congress possesses clear power to control U.S. borders and make rules regarding immigration and naturalization-including rules governing the movement of detainees to U.S. soil.  To claim that Congress has no power in these areas would be ludicrous-the opposite is true.  This is why recent Supreme Court and appellate precedents in the Guantanamo context-from Hamdi to Hamdan to the D.C. Circuit's holding in Kiyemba-indicate that the President cannot trump legislation regarding wartime transfers of detainees to U.S. soil.\nPresident Obama prides himself on his lawyering acumen, and regularly invokes his time as a constitutional law lecturer.  As he mulls whether to invite a clash between the political branches that will do much damage to the legal fabric of our republic, I hope the president considers what his younger self would say to a classroom full of first-year law students the day after his executive order is issued.  It would be a demoralizing and disillusioning lecture, one that would be unable to ground the action in extant law, and that would reveal the cavalier willingness of a president-in whom so many placed so much hope-to circumvent the constitutional order to achieve political ends. Or, for that matter, he could simply harken back to his campaign speeches in 2008 about President Bush's supposed excesses.\n***Media coverage and commentary of Guantanamo often focuses on the plight of the 107 detainees that remain there.  Commentators dwell on the number of years they have been in custody, and the number of years that lie ahead for them.  They wallow in the rose-colored narratives put forth by the detainees' lawyers about how the detainees were simply low-level cooks or tea boys, caught up in the geopolitical tides of a war on terror that they hardly understood and were not responsible for.  These commentators have the privilege of living in blissful ignorance, never having had the burden of reading classified files on these detainees that lay bare the horrible atrocities in which they participated.\nFurther, detainees are by no means protagonists in the drama surrounding Guantanamo.  And they are also not the sole actors in it. While many fixate on the detainees, my mind focuses on others.\nI think of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who everyday guard and maintain Guantanamo.  Earlier this year I had the opportunity to lead a congressional delegation to Guantanamo Bay where we visited with these fine men and women who do their duty in a thankless job far from home.  On a daily basis they must endure the verbal assaults of detainees in addition to grotesque physical affronts.  To those on the front lines serving at Guantanamo Bay, I thank you for your service.\nI think of the soldiers in the field who braved death to capture these detainees, and who now see many of them being released to once again take up arms against their brothers.\nI think of innocent lives taken and destroyed by these terrorists on 9/11, in terrorist attacks that predated that fateful day, and in the war that unfurled in its aftermath and continues to this day.\nAnd I think of the individuals who will be killed and the societies that will be destabilized by the recidivists we have already released from Guantanamo, and by the recidivists the president may release in the future.\nWhen the president, members of Congress, and the American people consider Guantanamo, it is these people we must be sure to remember.  We must recognize the wider scope of the long war that jihadists are waging against us.  And for as long as that war is going on-until the time we finish and win this war-Guantanamo Bay must remain open.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-statement-presidents-address-nation", "Hill Statement on the President's Address to the Nation", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the following statement after President Obamas address to the Nation from the Oval Office:\nTonights address by the President shows he has come a long way from his days of believing that ISIS is a JV team. Unfortunately, in the two years since the President initially downplayed the threat of ISIS, they have only grown stronger and shown they are capable of carrying out devastating attacks all over the globe. While the President is finally admitting we need to defeat this enemy, he offered no real strategy for how to accomplish that mission. The President now needs to put in place a plan that gives our commanders on the ground everything they need to remove ISIS from the face of the earth.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/more-va-madness-novembers-golden-fleece-winner", "More VA Madness: November's Golden Fleece Winner", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the November recipient for the Golden Fleece Award for their award of $142 million in bonuses to VA employees and the decision to allow two VA officials that manipulated the agencys employee relocation program to keep the funds they received from defrauding hardworking taxpayers.\nThis is VAs second Golden Fleece awardthey also won for the failed solar panel project at the Little Rock VA Medical Center in June. In a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald, Congressman Hill wrote:\nI write to not only award the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with last months Golden Fleece, but to alert you of the serious mistrust and outrage that our veterans in Arkansas have expressed due to the VAs policy of awarding officials at the agency with substantial pay and bonuses while our Nations veterans continue to face long waits for health care and unpaid and unresolved benefit claims.\nYou can read Rep. Hills entire letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=a0b893c4-803c-43a9-8435-4379010e11e9", "Boozman Statement on WTO Approval of Retaliatory Tariffs in Response to COOL Mandate", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today released the following statement after the World Trade Organization (WTO) approved Canada and Mexicos request to place more than $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs on American goods:\r\nTodays retaliation is notsurprising.Ive long opposed the COOL mandate because it alienates our trading partners, increases compliance costs and offers few benefits. Unless Congress acts, American businesses will be subjected to more than $1 billion in retaliatorytariffs, and these costs will be passed on to American consumers. However, thesetariffs can be avoided.\r\nThe reality is weve lost the battle to maintain the COOL mandatefour times. Arkansas farmers, manufactures and consumers cant afford to foot the bill for bad policy. If we dont resolve this dispute, it will have a negative impact on our economy. We must ensure that Arkansans are not caught in the middle of a dispute over well intended, but poorly crafted policy.\r\nIts time to end COOL.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=272", "Cotton Statement on the World Trade Organization's Decision Authorizing More Than $1 Billion in Tariffs on American Goods", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 7, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the World Trade Organization's (WTO) decision authorizing Canada and Mexico to place more than $1 billion in tariffs on American goods: \"Unfortunately, these tariffs come as little surprise given the impact COOL regulations have had on our trade relationships with Canada and Mexico. But while we knew they were coming, over $1 billion in tariffs will be a devastating blow to both our national and state economies. The economic impact on Arkansas alone would be tens of millions of dollars. And this is only the beginning. If we don't take action to stop COOL regulations, we will alienate other trading partner and face additional tariffs. Rest assured, I am working with my colleagues in Congress as well as with partners at the Canadian and Mexican embassies to modify COOL regulations and protect Arkansans from losing access to these important markets.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=270", "Cotton Statement on the NSA's Inability to Directly Access Phone Records in the California Terror Case", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 6, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the FBI's inability to access NSA phone records in the California Terror Case:\n\"On Wednesday two terrorists killed 14 innocent people and injured 21 in San Bernandino, California. The hours and days that follow an attack of this nature are critical to discovering its origins and thwarting other attacks. But the FBI has been forced to investigate this attack with one hand tied behind their back because our valuable NSA metadata program was shut down just days earlier.\n\"To put it simply: the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since Fort Hood is now serving as the guinea pig in a giant experiment on our national security. It's a frightening and uncomfortable thought.  I hope this is the first and only example we see of the danger in shifting from a proven effective system to a new, untested one purely for political talking points. That is why the Congress must take up and pass the Liberty Through Strength Act II and give our law enforcement and intelligence community the officials the tools they need to keep us safe, including accessing the legacy metadata lawfully collected prior to the USA FREEDOM Act.\n\"I hope this is the only lesson President Obama needs to understand the danger in putting his political agenda ahead of our national security.\"   Background: Yesterday, the AP reported that the FBI was unable to directly access the phone records of two individuals suspected in the California terrorist attack. Read more here.\ncott", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=271", "Cotton Statement on the President's Address on National Security", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 6, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) tonight released the following statement reacting to President Obamas Oval Office Address on national security:\nPresident Obama is a wartime president who doesn't seem to realize it. Fourteen Americans were slaughtered by Islamic terrorists, but the President is dangerously detached from reality, lecturing us about political correctness and ineffective gun control. Radical Islamic jihadists are not contained and are advancing on every frontkilling innocent civilians from California to Paris to Mali, blowing an airplane out of the sky in Egypt, and inflaming the entire Middle East from Tehran. Imagine if these terrorists get their hands on uranium instead of gunpowder. Radical Islam is at war with America; our only choice is to win or lose, and the longer we debate whether were at war, the closer we come to losing it. One cannot help but wonder how many more Americans will die before President Obama recognizes this fundamental truth. He must implement a real strategy to defeat the Islamic State and remove Bashar al-Assad, take the handcuffs off our military in Iraq and Syria, and restore and strengthen vital intelligence programs. We needed to hear from the president tonight how to win this war. But we only heard how we will continue losing it.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7e2fcb99-88a3-4c43-b03b-b2da3dd34689", "Boozman Votes to Send Five-Year Highway Bill to President", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) tonight joined a bipartisan majority of the Senate to send the first long-term highway bill in ten years to President Obamas desk. \r\nThe Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act lays out a five-year road map for federal highway programs financed by the Highway Trust Fund. This bill will create new jobs, reduce congestion, provide a sustaining boost to our nations economy and keep America competitive in the global marketplace.\r\nFor the first time in ten years, we have a long-term highway bill that will allow Arkansas and other states to provide certainty for important infrastructure improvements, which are so vital to our economic well-being. Hundreds of Arkansas projects were at risk of cancellation or further delays if a long-term bill was not passed. Each year, Arkansas produces over $80 billion goods and products that depend on our highways for delivery to customers, so it is vital that this money is returned to our state to improve our infrastructure, Boozman said.\r\nBoozman expressed confidence that the President will sign the FAST Act into law.\r\nThe President has indicated that he will sign this bill, which is good news for our economy. The projects themselves create an immediate economic spark for our communities, but the real boon to our economy is in the growth and jobs that come once the projects are completed, Boozman said. One of reasons the United States is an economic powerhouse is because of our infrastructure has allowed for us to move goods and services so efficiently. We must ensure that our infrastructure meets the needs to keep America competitive in the global marketplace.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-urges-house-leadership-pass-trid-bill-new-year", "Hill Urges House Leadership to Pass TRID Bill Before New Year", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, on the two month anniversary of the implementation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) and 21 other Members of Congress sent a letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers urging them to add the provisions of H.R. 3192, the Homebuyers Assistance Act, to any year end spending legislation.\nH.R. 3192, which passed the House in October, would provide a formal hold-harmless period for those making a good faith effort to comply with the CFPBs TRID rule. Since TRIDs implemenntation, many in the mortgage industry have complained that complying with the rule is difficult and is slowing the home buying process.\nThe Members stated:\nOn October 3, 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule became effective, and two months later, there is still much confusion for lenders and real estate professionals trying to navigate this new closing regime. Reports have come in from across the country indicating that real estate transactions are taking longer than usual and closings are being delayed. Software systems are still not ready or have significant technical glitches, which have forced the manual input of this extensive data. There are also significant privacy concerns regarding the sharing of the Closing Disclosure, which includes the consumers personal financial data, with the consumers real estate agent.\nOn October 7, 2015, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3192, the Homebuyers Assistance Act, which would provide a formal hold-harmless period during the initial implementation of the TRID rule, ensuring those making a good-faith effort to comply are not penalized during the transition period. H.R. 3192 passed by a strong bipartisan, veto-proof majority of 303-121.\nWhile the CFPB and other financial regulators have acknowledged the need for leniency for good-faith efforts to comply with this extremely complex rule, the consumer bar has not. By providing a hold-harmless period under the law, we can ensure that everyone is on the same page about the correct expectations and provide the mortgage industry with the confidence and certainty they need to operate effectively.\nSmall financial institutions, title and mortgage companies experience the most negative exposure without a formal hold-harmless period, as their larger counterparts have more resources to navigate the complex implementation of this rule. Some small real estate settlement providers are not handling TRID closings at this time due to complexity and lack of liability protection, causing a hardship on the small and rural communities they serve.\nThe provisions in H.R. 3192 no way delay the implementation of TRID or shield any wrongdoers from legal recourse or penaltiesit simply provides a temporary safe harbor for those making a good-faith effort to comply with a very complex rule.\nWe respectfully request that the financial regulatory relief language, such as that included in the FY 2016 Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, be modified to reflect the provisions of H.R. 3192 and included in any year-end legislation to provide certainty to the real estate industry and help prevent further costly market disruptions and delays for American homebuyers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-vote-highway-bill-vote-improve-local-economies", "Hill: Vote for Highway Bill is Vote to Improve Local Economies", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House-Senate agreed Conference Report to H.R. 22, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. This long-term highway and infrastructure bill will provide an additional $244 million for highway projects in Arkansas, bringing the total federal investment for Arkansas projects included to $2.5 billion over five years. Following passage of the bill, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) released the following statement:\nThis conference report is far from perfect, and some of the provisions had no business being a part of a discussion about highways.But in the end, it accomplishes what the people of Arkansas and America need and expect for long-term infrastructure planning. This will be the first time since the George W. Bush Administration that we will have a highway funding bill that gives us the flexibility to fund and finish our most crucial infrastructure projects without burdening hardworking American taxpayers. This legislation facilitates a plan to execute the road and bridge projects long-needed for our state. Infrastructure work offers steady employment and enhances the economic profile of the Natural State.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-transportation-bill-conference-report", "Westerman Votes for Transportation Bill Conference Report", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON  Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) issued the following statement Thursday (Dec. 3) upon passage of the conference report to accompany H.R. 22  the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015:\nPassage of a long term highway and transportation bill is good for Arkansas and good for America. This bill allows local governments to properly plan highway construction and improvement projects. This bill is a benefit to the citizens of Arkansas and our states economy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=398629", "Berryville Mobile Office Stop", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In the Third District, I have offices located in Rogers, Fort Smith, and Harrison. But I understand that many constituents aren't able  or dont have the time  to travel to the nearest office.Thats why I am sending my office to YOU! Come to my Mobile Office and allow my staff to assist you in your own town. Berryville Mobile Office Stop  \r\nThursday, December 3, 2015, from 10:00AM-12:00PM CST  \r\nStorm Rooms of America  \r\n206 South Springfield Street  \r\nBerryville, AR 72616 Questions? Call my Harrison office for more information at (870) 741-6900.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398633", "Womack Supports All-of-the-Above Energy Policy", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015:\r\nOur energy landscape has changed drastically over the last 40 years; by modernizing and improving our infrastructure while keeping needed focus on jobs, security, and independence, this bill updates our energy policies to reflect that. I hope the administration can agree and allow Congress to continue to pursue the all-of-the-above energy policy that Americans want.\r\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398634", "Womack Votes for Five-Year Highway Funding Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today released the following statement after the House passed the Conference Report to H.R. 22, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act:\r\nThis March, Arkansas was forced to shut down 56 planned construction projects across the state because Congress had not given the long-term certainty necessary for our states to adequately plan for the needs of our nations transportation infrastructure. Thats unacceptable. While I am disappointed by some of the pay-fors found to get there, I am nevertheless encouraged that the House and Senate were able to work together to bring this five-year, fully-funded surface transportation reauthorization to fruition and put it on the Presidents desk.  \r\n\r\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=12b3932a-48a4-4835-9980-739773b3e220", "Boozman Urges Expansion of Grant Program for Victims of Child Abuse", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman joined efforts to urge Attorney General Loretta Lynch to incorporate a broader use of funding to protect victims of child abuse under the Victim of Child Abuse (VOCA) Victim Assistance Grant Program.\r\nBoozman, along with 20 of his Senate colleagues, sent a letter on Monday to the Attorney General requesting grant funding availability for forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations at Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) for victims of child abuse.\r\nFor CACs, both forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations are key components and essential for healing and justice for victims and non-offending caregivers. Confirming that the VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program includes forensic interviews and forensic medial examinations as allowable direct services costs will give CACs access to critical resources needed to service child victims within their communities, the lawmakers wrote in the letter.\r\nThere are 14 Child Advocacy Centers in Arkansas and three satellite locations with another location to be open by the end of the year. In 2014, CACs helped more than 4,300 children in Arkansas. These centers offer support to reduce the trauma experienced by victims and their family by coordinating the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases.\r\nThank you to Senator Boozman for signing onto this letter and for bringing attention to this important source of funding for Child Advocacy Centers throughout Arkansas.The funding from VOCA allows Child Advocacy Centers to provide their collaborative response to determine the best way to fulfill each childs unique needs, Stacy O. Thompson, Executive Director of Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansassaid.\r\nClick here to read the letter", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5c507d09-9f05-45e2-8b2e-60f6d07de3a2", "Boozman Statement on Passage of Bill to Repeal Obamacare; Defund Planned Parenthood", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator John Boozman released the following statement after voting for legislation to repeal the most burdensome provisions of Obamacare, allowing for the program to be replaced with one that provides real health care reform for the American people.\r\nThe Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act, which passed the Senate by vote of 52-47 this evening, also defunds Planned Parenthood.\r\nBoozman on repealing key parts of Obamacare:\r\nFor too long, Senate Democrats have played partisan politics and shielded President Obama from ever having to see the frustrations of the American people. They have denied the overwhelming voices of the American people from being heard by blocking every effort to repeal Obamacare. In doing so, they have deprived Americans of real health care reform simply to protect President Obamas legacy.\r\nThis strategy is wholly disconnected from the concerns, worries and anxieties of the American people.\r\nAmericans are tired of the broken promises of Obamacare. The law remains unworkable, unaffordable and more unpopular than ever. With this vote, the Senate took a crucial step forward in beginning to lift the burdens and higher costs the law has placed on all Americans.\r\nThis bill repeals the most burdensome parts of Obamacare, paving the way for the failed program to be replaced with a healthcare system that provides market-based solutions that will bring the changes that Obamacare, and all its broken promises, simply cannot deliver.\r\nBoozman on defunding Planned Parenthood:\r\nPlanned Parenthood has shown a clear disregard for the sanctity of life and hardworking taxpayers should not be footing the bill for these inhumane practices. This bill redirects money from the organization to other womens health services providers to ensure that taxpayers are not funding Planned Parenthoods indefensible actions.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=268", "Cotton, King Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Counterterrorism Tools in Wake of Paris, San Bernardino Attacks", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 3, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- In the wake of the brutal terrorist attacks in Paris last month, as well as initial reports that this week's attack in San Bernardino may be tied to terrorism, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) today introduced legislation that would ensure that U.S. counterterrorism officials have the necessary tools to track suspected terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks in the United States. \"The first line of defense against terrorism is intelligence, and today, our government is reliant on telecommunication companies to retain records that we use to connect the dots that can help us prevent attacks,\" Senator King said. \"Our legislation would simply require that U.S. officials are provided with adequate warning if a company decides it no longer will hold these vital records, allowing time to ensure that we don't lose a potentially valuable tool in the battle against terrorism.\" \"Our Intelligence Community and Law Enforcement professionals are skilled at connecting the dots to thwart and respond to terrorist attacks.  But if there are no dots to connect, those skills won't do us any good,\" Senator Cotton said. \"The King-Cotton legislation will help preserve metadata currently stored by  phone carriers by forcing them to  notify the federal government if they change the amount of time they retain  billing records to less than 18 months. This will give Congress and the Executive Branch an opportunity to respond before those dots are lost forever.\" Signed into law on June 2, 2015, the USA Freedom Act requires the government to apply to the FISA Court for an order to retrieve call detail records, which include telephone numbers - and not the content of calls - from telecommunications carriers.  As of that date, the Act gave the government 180 days to end its bulk collection of call detail records, which expired on November 29, 2015.  However, Senators King and Cotton are concerned that the new law does not require the carriers to provide adequate notice if they decide to no longer retain these call records, potentially putting the entire viability of the new program at risk. Thus, the legislation introduced by Senators King and Cotton today, entitled the Private Sector Call Record Retention Act, would require such companies to notify the Attorney General if they decide to retain the call records for less than 18 months, which is the minimum amount of time that U.S. officials have indicated is needed to conduct most international terrorism investigations.  The bill requires companies to provide notice 180 days in advance of such changes. Doing so will give national security officials and Congress time to address any changes that could prevent the government from quickly connecting the dots and tracking terrorist operatives.  In June 2015, Senator King spoke on the floor of the Senate regarding the USA Freedom Act. His remarks can be seen HERE.\nIn May, Senator Cotton also spoke on the Senate floor. His remarks can be seen HERE. The text of the legislation can be viewed HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=269", "Cotton Statement on the Senate's Vote to Repeal Obamacare", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 3, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today issued the following statement on the Senate's vote to repeal Obamacare: \"Obamacare remains a fundamentally flawed law that is hurting thousands of Arkansans with higher premiums and copays, higher taxes, and lost jobs. President Obama promised that if Americans liked their plans and their doctors they could keep them, but that's not been the case.  Obamacare's Medicare reimbursement cuts have jeopardized the program. Today, one in five primary care doctors are no longer accepting new Medicare patients. Obamacare is a complete failure. \"Today the Senate took action to ease Arkansans Obamacare burdens by voting to fully repeal this unworkable law. I was pleased the final bill passed by the Senate included a provision to defund Planned Parenthood-an organization whose proven itself unworthy of government support. This vote was another important blow to Obamacare, but the fight isn't over. Rest assured, I am committed to repealing Obamacare and replacing it with a better system that truly makes healthcare more affordable and more accessible.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/north-american-energy-security-and-infrastructure-act-long-overdue", "North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act Long Overdue, Westerman Says", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON  Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statementThursday (Dec. 3) after passage of H.R. 8, the North American Energy, Security, and Infrastructure Act of 2015:\nThe North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act is an update to U.S. energy policy thats long overdue, Westerman said. Through passage of this bill, the House seeks to modernize Americas energy infrastructure, update and protect our nations electric grid to withstand 21st Century threats, and strengthen Americas status as the leading producer of oil and natural gas. H.R. 8 also seeks to improve energy efficiency, lower electric bills, and make government energy programs more efficient and accountable. I applaud this bills passage and look forward to its approval in the Senate.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=45ff0b30-2547-478c-a596-712702e722a0", "Arkansas Senators Will Hold up Obama Nominee Until They Get Answers on Clean Line", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONArkansas U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton today announced they are placing a hold on the confirmation vote of President Obamas nominee for the Department of Energys (DOE) Under Secretary for Management and Performance, Victoria Marie Baecher Wassmer, because of the departments insufficient response to the Arkansas Congressional Delegations letter related to the potential partnership with the Clean Line project. The senators released the following statement:\r\nThe Department of Energy has provided insufficient and incomplete responses to a series of questions from members of the Senate and House related to the Departments implementation of Section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. A requested meeting with the Secretary of Energy to discuss these matters has not yet occurred. We are also deeply concerned by the financial arrangements between the Department andapplicantslike Clean Line. The Department has still not explained how it avoids conflicts of interest when applicants like Clean Line pay the salaries and expenses associated with pending applications. Before the Federal Government exercises eminent domain over Arkansans privateproperty, Arkansans at least deserve a fair process without conflicts of interest. We want to facilitate the consideration of this nomination by the full Senate as quickly as possible, but first we need adequate and complete responses to the questions weve asked. Responses received so far, while appreciated, have been partial and largely thematic, failing to address many of the specific questions raised in our September 14, 2015 bicameral letter. We hope to meet with the Secretary soon and we hope this matter can be resolved quickly.\r\nClick here to read a copy of the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=266", "Cotton Introduces the Liberty Through Strength Act II", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 2, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) will today introduce the Liberty Through Strength Act II, which would stop the Obama administration from deleting all records of terrorist communications and make permanent congressional authorizations for counterterrorism tools that are vital to tracking and stopping attacks on Americans. \"On Sunday our constitutional, legal, and proven NSA collection architecture shifted to an untested, less effective system in the dead of the night. This shift came at a time when our enemies are emboldened and we face an elevated national security threat. Worse, President Obama has decided that he will press delete on the metadata records we currently have, making it impossible to identify terrorist connections among these data that would reveal ISIS and Al Qaeda sleeper cells.\" \"The gaps in our intelligence system created by the USA FREEDOM Act leave us less safe and provide us with fewer tools to fight our enemies. No matter what President Obama may think, it's clear ISIS is not contained and that these gaps must be addressed before they attack us again. The Liberty Through Strength Act II ensures our intelligence community has the tools they need keep us safe.\" Background: In June, the Senate passed the USA FREEDOM ACT, which dramatically altered the NSA metadata collection system. These changes were effective December 1, 2015. The Liberty Through Strength Act II would:          Require the federal government to hold on to the legacy 215 metadata for five years and authorize its use for queries.           Makes permanent the USA PATRIOT Act's \"Roving Wiretap\" provisions.           Makes permanent the Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act (IRTPA) \"Lone Wolf\" provisions.             Makes Title VII of FISA permanent.           Clarifies the FBI's authority to obtain electronic communications transactional records (ECTR) under Title 18 of the US Criminal Code.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=267", "Arkansas Senators Will Place Hold on Confirmation of Obama Nominee Until They Get Answers on Clean Line", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 2, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.-- Arkansas U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton today announced they are placing a hold on the confirmation vote of President Obama's nominee for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Under Secretary for Management and Performance, Victoria Marie Beacher Wassmer, because of the department's insufficient response to the Arkansas Congressional Delegation's letter related to the potential partnership with the Clean Line project. The senators released the following statement: \"The Department of Energy has provided insufficient and incomplete responses to a series of questions from members of the Senate and House related to the Department's implementation of section 1222 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. A requested meeting with the Secretary of Energy to discuss these matters has not yet occurred. We are also deeply concerned by the financial arrangements between the Department and applicants like Clean Line. The Department has still not explained how it avoids conflicts of interest when applicants like Clean Line pay the salaries and expenses associated with pending applications. Before the Federal Government exercises eminent domain over Arkansans' private property, Arkansans at least deserve a fair process without conflicts of interest. We want to facilitate the consideration of this nomination by the full Senate as quickly as possible, but first we need adequate and complete responses to the questions we've asked. Responses received so far, while appreciated, have been partial and largely thematic, failing to address many of the specific questions raised in our September 14, 2015 bicameral letter. We hope to meet with the Secretary soon and we hope this matter can be resolved quickly.\" Click here to read a copy of the letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-statement-sjres-23-and-sjres-24", "Westerman Statement on S.J.Res. 23 and S.J.Res. 24", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nWASHINGTON  Congressman Bruce Westerman issued the following statement Tuesday (Dec. 1) after passage of S.J.Res. 23 and S.J. Res. 24, resolutions which express congressional disapproval of the Obama administrations greenhouse gas emissions rules:\nPassage of these resolutions opposing the Obama administrations attack on fossil fuels is a stand for Arkansas economic well-being and will be better for the environment in the long run. The citizens of Arkansas continue to pay the price for the presidents executive actions. We must put an end to the executive branchs out of control policy making, which will cause a loss of American jobs and hurt the bottom line of families across Arkansas. Its the job of Congress to make policy, not the president.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398635", "ICYMI: Womack Speaks Out Against Clean Power Plan on House Floor", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, in a speech given on the House Floor, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) spoke out against the Clean Power Plan and urged the House to support S.J. Res. 24, a joint resolution to provide for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.\r\n\r\nMr. Speaker, theres no question that we are all searching for a brighter future for generations to come. We disagree, however, on how to get there and, in this case, the effects that our decisions could have on the environment and the American family in the process.\r\nFrankly, the EPAs Clean Power Plan will result in little-to-no environmental benefit at the expense of thousands of jobs and countless dollars and hours spent on compliance, all for the sake of an unrelenting government agencys agenda and the desired environmental legacy of this Administration. Its as simple as that.\r\nThe full video can be found here.\r\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4492b7e4-1add-4eb4-b487-4827ffd5e031", "Boozman Recognizes the Life of Arkansas Aviator Milton Pitts Crenchaw", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON U.S. Senator John Boozman recognized the life and legacy of Milton Pitts Crenchaw, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, in the Congressional Record, the official proceedings of Congress.\r\nCrenchaw was born and raised in Little Rock. He passed away on November 17, 2015 and was laid to rest today at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. The following remarks will be printed in the Congressional Record:\r\nMr. President, I rise today to honor Milton Pitts Crenchaw, an aviation pioneer from Little Rock, Arkansas who paved the way for integration in the United States Military and impacted generations of aviators.\r\nCrenchaw, known as the father of black aviation in Arkansas, developed a love of flying while at the Tuskegee Institute. He exceled in the program and after earning his pilot license, he pursued his instructors certificate. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Crenchaw joined the Army Air Corps Civilian Pilot Training Program as a flight instructor.\r\nHe had the distinction of being one of the original supervising squadron commanders for the Tuskegee Airmen. He trained hundreds of cadets during the 1940s, an accomplishment he was rightfully proud of.\r\nThe first thing that he takes pride in is that he and the other black flight instructors paved the way for people of color to enter the field of aviation. He is proud that he was chosen to implement that program, his daughter Dolores Crenchaw Singleton said in a recent interview.\r\nCrenchaw helped break the barriers that existed in the military. His passion for aviation continued after his tenure at Tuskegee, serving as a flight instructor at several air bases, including Camp Rucker, Alabama, where he became the first black flight instructor.\r\nCrenchaw honorably served with the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force for more than 40 years.\r\nHe also shared his love of aviation with Arkansas, and he was instrumental in creating an aviation program at Philander Smith College in Little Rock. Crenchaw taught aviation at the school from 1947 to 1953, holding classes at Adams Field in the Central Flying Service building.\r\nAlong with the accolades of inductions in the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, in 2007 he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal along with other members we have come to admire as the Tuskegee Airmen.\r\nMilton Pitts Crenchaw passed away on November 17, 2015. Today he will be laid to rest at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. He was a true American hero whose leadership helped secure victory and peace for all freedom loving people of the world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4de67b44-584a-46df-b910-4f6da4d5e3d2", "Boozman Highlights WWII Arkansas Veteran Celebrating his 98th Birthday in 'Salute to Veterans'", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator John Boozman is celebrating the 98th birthday of WWII veteran Robert Fahr with his second interview highlighting the service and sacrifice of Arkansans who served our nation in uniform as part of his series Salute to Veterans.\r\nFahr, born December 1, 1917 near Marmaduke, Arkansas was the youngest of 11 children.\r\nHe studied at the University of Arkansas where he joined the Army ROTC before finishing requirements for his veterinary medicine degree at Texas A&M.\r\nThey sent me to a medical field delivery school, Fahr said of his time at Fort Sam Houston. There were about 1,600 MDs and dentists and I think 12 veterinarians. We got training in field medicine, injuries and treatment of wounded soldiers on the field.\r\nThe Army transferred him around stateside to utilize his expertise with animals including time at Camp Hale, Colorado where he recalled riding mules being trained through the mountains.\r\nI was there to check mules in and the soldiers going overseas see their health was good enough to go overseas and carry the ammunition, he said.\r\nFahr was set to deploy overseas, but the night before, he received a telegram from Washington reassigning him to Baltimore, Maryland. His new assignment supported efforts of all the branches of the military in preparation for the invasion of Normandy.\r\nI went down to where the ships were loading to make the invasion to France, Fahr said as he recalled the large amounts of eggs and sausage that were on the ships. It would be about 90 cars a train and the allies put the food on all the ships going over for the invasion. You could see ships as far as the eye could see, Fahr recalled.\r\nRobert Fahr has a unique perspective of WWII. His help stateside to support the war was vital to Allied efforts. I am proud to recognize his service and dedication to our nation. His memories of his service are an important part of our history, Boozman said.\r\nThe entire interview with Fahr will be submitted to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congresss American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nations veterans.\r\nDo you know a veteran who you would like Senator Boozman to feature in his Salute to Veterans? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story at Boozman_submissions@boozman.senate.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=67839c5a-bab4-4a96-83d6-f22ed8231025", "Fighting Terrorism", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The barbaric acts of terrorism carried out by the Islamic State (ISIS) terror organization in Paris, France and Beirut, Lebanon are an assault on democracy, our freedoms and our way of life. Innocent people are victims of this brutal terrorist organization in gruesome fashion. These tragic events unified the resolve of people all over the world to fight and defeat the threat of radical Islamic extremism. The ruthlessness of ISIS knows no bounds or borders. We must take action to stop ISIS before it can carry out an attack on American soil.\r\nThe number one priority of the federal government is to ensure our national security. Unfortunately, polls conducted in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks shows Americans are less confident in their safety here at home.\r\nWhile the President says ISIS is contained, his former National Security Advisor, Thomas Donilon, recently said on CBS Face the Nation that the terrorist network has metastasized.\r\nISIS represents a serious threat and it's about time the President understands the gravity these terrorists pose to our homeland. President Obama has never presented a strategy to Congress for eliminating ISIS and our sporadic airstrikes have done nothing to stop ISIS from gaining ground and strengthening its global reach. Instead of leading on this issue and taking immediate steps to implement a plan to defeat ISISa group he once dubbed as the jayvee teamthe President called the Paris attacks a setback and has offered no change in our current strategy, which is clearly failing.\r\nI'm concerned that President Obama does not have an effective plan to protect Americans at home and defeat ISIS abroad. Arkansans are worried that in its efforts to attack our country, ISIS will infiltrate the refugee population fleeing the civil war in Syria and gain access to our country through our nations refugee program.\r\nThats why Senator Tom Cotton and I called for a temporary moratorium on resettling Syrian refugees until the American people have the confidence there is a verifiable security vetting procedure in place to prevent terrorists from this region from gaining entry through our countrys willingness to help refugees.\r\nThe House of Representatives took action to protect the American people against the threat of ISIS by passing the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. The legislation improves our nations vetting process for Syrian refugees coming to the United States and prevents individuals associated with terrorism from entering our country.\r\nI look forward to supporting similar legislation in the Senate.\r\nI will continue to support policies that protect our nation from threats to our security. Dangers facing our country are evolving and we must have the policies in place to defend our nation. We stand with France and Lebanon and mourn the victims of these horrific attacks.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398632", "Press Release: Lawmakers: Congress Must Act on Ethanol Mandate", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Following the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) release of the final rules for the 2014-2016 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.), and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) released the following statement:\r\nThe EPAs decision to funnel more ethanol into the fuel supply is terribly disappointing. The RFS requirements announced today will push ethanol volumes beyond the blendwall in 2016, leaving American consumers and our economy to feel the negative effects. While well-intentioned, its now abundantly clear the RFS is a broken policy that is having drastic impacts onfamilies, small businesses and retailers, the agriculture community, andthe environment.\r\nNeglecting the concerns of 184 bipartisan Members of the House of Representatives over increasing ethanol requirements, the EPA proceeded anyway. And since the EPA refuses to keep RFS volumes below the blendwall, Congress must act to fix this broken ethanol mandate. A growing majority in Congress has recognized the real-world limitations of this bungled policy, and a recent survey found 70 percent of Americans oppose it. The RFS Reform Act is a solution to the problems created by the ethanol mandate, and our bill would finally provide much-needed, long-term relief for those impacted by the failures of this policy.\r\nRecently, 184 bipartisan Members of the House of Representatives joined in sending a letter to EPA Administrator McCarthy expressing concerns regarding the proposed 2016 RFS requirements. In February 2015, Goodlatte, Welch, Womack, and Costa introduced the RFS Reform Act (H.R. 704), which eliminates corn-based ethanol requirements, caps the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10 percent, and requires the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels.\r\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=263", "Senator Tom Cotton in Foreign Affairs 'Proxy Wars'", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Russia's Intervention in Syria and What Washington Should Do \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNovember 30, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nProxy WarsForeign AffairsBy: Senator Tom Cotton\nThe attacks by the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) in Paris have forced a major rethinking of U.S. strategy in the Syrian conflict. A part of that rethinking must be U.S. President Barack Obama's unwise decision to treat Russia as a legitimate partner in negotiations over Syria's future.\nAt the G-20 meeting in Turkey this week, Russia quickly offered itself as a key partner in the fight against ISIS and the stabilization of Syria, and Obama again expressed his willingness to entertain that notion.\nThis is a grave mistake. Rather than being a constructive partner, President Vladimir Putin's Russia has been engaged in a proxy war against the United States in Syria, despite Obama's protestations to the contrary. And when an enemy wages war against the United States, it does not get to choose whether it is at war; its only choice is to win or lose. Right now, the United States is losing the proxy war in Syria-and a wider competition for regional influence-against Russia. And it will continue to do so without a dramatic shift in policy to confront Russian aggression.\nA PROXY WAR AND THE WIDER STRUGGLE\nIn Syria, Putin professes that he wants to fight ISIS, but this is mere posturing. Even with new Russian strikes on ISIS-controlled areas in the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks and the downing of the Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula, Russian forces have trained the large majority of its bombs on coalition-backed opposition fighters. Putin has also explicitly stated that he wants to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which directly contrasts with stated U.S. policy. Turkey, a NATO ally, has suffered repeated violations of its airspace as Russia pursues its offensive against Syrian opposition forces.\nRussia is engaged in a shooting war against the United States' clients to undermine U.S. policy. If that's not a proxy war, what is?\nBut this proxy war is only the most recent and dramatic front in a wider competition between the United States and Russia. Ukrainians overthrew former President Viktor Yushchenko, who was aligned with Putin, in 2013 and sought to reorient their country toward the West. In short order, Russia invaded Crimea-which it still illegally occupies-and fomented the ongoing civil war in the Donbass. Likewise, Russia illegally occupies the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions in Georgia, one of the most pro-Western countries in Eastern Europe. In fact, Russia has continued to seize more Georgian territory in recent months.\nRussia also continues a campaign of provocations against NATO allies in northern and Eastern Europe, threatening their air and naval boundaries and putting civil aviation at risk. Meanwhile, Central and Eastern European countries-who suffered under Soviet domination-report that Russian propaganda in traditional and social media has become pervasive.\nRussia has become so emboldened that it does not even demur from direct provocations against the United States. Last month, Russian ships and submarines operated near U.S. undersea data cables and Russian bombers buzzed the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, forcing it to scramble for fighters. And last week, it was revealed by Russian media-perhaps inadvertently, perhaps not-that the Russian military is developing an unmanned underwater vehicle capable of carrying nuclear payloads that is invulnerable to interception. A nuclear attack on U.S. port cities is the only reasonable rationale for such a weapon.\nHOW PUTIN IS WINNING\nPutin may have a weak strategic hand-domestically, he faces demographic collapse and a fragile petro-economy-but he is able to play it well, and is winning. He is escaping his post-Ukraine international isolation, as witnessed during the Vienna talks on Syria and the opening of the United Nations General Assembly this past September. Putin has steadied the Assad regime in Syria, and has established Russia as a powerbroker in the Middle East for the first time since 1973.\nHeads of state and ministers from countries as diverse as France, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey have trekked to Moscow for audiences in recent weeks. And Putin continues to consolidate his territorial gains in Ukraine and Georgia. At home, Putin's popularity remains at near-record highs as his complete control of government institutions and the media enable him to whip up a nationalist frenzy. At the same time, he has continually wrong-footed Western leaders, dividing Europe and the transatlantic alliance in the process. And perhaps richest of all, from Putin's perspective, is his humiliation of Obama and the United States. This is now, as it was during the Cold War, an end in itself for Russian policy, rather than a byproduct of or a means to achieve other policy goals.\nPERCEIVED WEAKNESSES\nPutin's aggression serves many of his goals, all of which are antithetical to the United States. Most importantly, Putin wants to restore Russia as a global superpower. This is not surprising from a man who once said \"the collapse of the Soviet Union was a major geopolitical disaster of the century.\" A concomitant goal is the disruption of the U.S.-led international order of democratic capitalism. Although Putin lacks a viable ideological alternative, he is content to simply undermine the existing order.\nPutin also intends to preserve his grip on power in Russia, and thus wants to stop global regime change in its tracks. Horrified at what he saw in Georgia, Libya, Serbia, and Ukraine, Putin intends to stop this trend before it reaches Moscow. Putin uses aggression and adventurism abroad in order to achieve glory and rally support at home, rather than adopting domestic reforms that would improve Russia's economy and the lives of its ordinary citizens.\nThese goals may drive Putin, but he's also taken Obama's measure and has found him to be a leader who is unusually accommodating to Russia's designs. When Putin invaded Georgia in 2008, then-Senator Obama ludicrously called on both sides-not just Russia-to exercise restraint. As president, Obama declared the \"reset\" with Russia just months later. In September 2009, he cancelled missile-defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic in exchange for nothing. He negotiated the New START treaty, which allowed Russia to expand its nuclear forces, while requiring the United States to reduce its own.\nIn a hot mic moment, Obama was caught promising then-Russian President Dmitri Medvedev \"more flexibility\" toward Russia after the 2012 U.S. presidential election. In 2013, he jumped at Putin's lifeline in the form of a framework on ending Syria's chemical weapons program so that he could avoid enforcing his own red line on intervention.\nHOW TO WIN THE PROXY WAR\nLittle wonder, then, that Putin felt he could spark a proxy war against the United States in Syria with impunity. Obama's appeasement of Putin has only emboldened him, encouraging him to raise the stakes in Russia's competition with the United States. But Putin doesn't speak the language of diplomacy and conciliation; he speaks only the language of strength and force. Thus, only a new policy of across-the-board confrontation can raise the costs for Putin and force him to back down.\nFirst, as always, comes security. With its partners, the United States should establish a no-fly zone and safe haven at least in southern Syria near Israel and Jordan, for which former CIA Director David Petraeus, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates-all former Obama cabinet officials-have called. Washington should also increase its support for Syrian opposition forces.\nIn Ukraine, the United States should have provided anti-armor and other advanced weapons requested by the government long ago; and it should do so now. The United States should also provide Ukraine with the intelligence it needs to anticipate attacks originating in Russian territory. Some critics of bipartisan calls for increased military assistance to Ukraine say that the Ukrainian army, even with such assistance, could not resist a full-blown Russian invasion alone. This may be true, although it overlooks the substantial defensive lines that Ukraine has built around the Donbass. More importantly, the main point is to deter an invasion, not to defeat it. By raising the costs of further Russian aggression, Washington should seek to change Putin's calculus about further escalation in Ukraine.\nThe United States' NATO allies need even more assistance. Since Russia's annexation of Crimea, Russian military maneuvers to test NATO's resolve have become a regular occurrence. Russia performs snap exercises of up to 100,000 troops, and Russian ships and planes aggressively buzz coastlines and capitals. To demonstrate resolve and embolden its allies, NATO should delegate authority to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) to initiate counter-force exercises with the NATO Response Force.\nUntil recently, SACEUR could only mobilize troops with the consent of all 28 members of NATO. Although newer authorities allow the SACEUR to mobilize NATO troops while a collective decision is forthcoming, this system still puts an unnecessary brake on counter-force exercises that are not a prelude to war. By devolving authority to SACEUR to mobilize exercises, Russia's provocative maneuvers would invite regular responses. The message to Putin would be clear: NATO is steadfast and will match-if not overmatch-any show of force from Russia.\nAlongside these new authorities, NATO should also bolster its assets across the alliance. Sending NATO battalions to each of the Baltic countries would minimize their isolation. Placing a Special Operations Forces detachment in Estonia would help thwart any Russian efforts to destabilize that country. A permanently deployed brigade of armor in Poland would give NATO ground forces significant additional firepower. And permanently basing a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jets in Romania would expand air-planning options for SACEUR.\nWhere the permanent presence of U.S. troops is not practicable, Washington should determine which countries should receive additional placement of AEGIS Ashore missile defense batteries and radars. The United States should look to upgrade all current and future AEGIS Ashore batteries to include anti-air warfare capability capable of dealing with intermediate-range weapons, and should also consider the installation of new Patriot missile deployments. Other types of early-warning sensors, missile defense systems, and signals-intelligence posts could also be established. All such efforts would serve to reassure NATO allies and demonstrate that Washington has skin in the game.\nThe United States must also address Russia's flagrant violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, a bedrock of stability in Europe for nearly three decades. New, non-compliant Russian missiles threaten virtually all of Asia and Europe, particularly if they are stationed in Kaliningrad. U.S. allies may soon have to account for these Russian nuclear capabilities when dealing with-and perhaps making concessions to-the Kremlin.\nThe Obama administration should stop tip-toeing around Russia's violations. Most immediately, it should upgrade its capabilities. United States Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has laid out options that include active defenses, counter-force capabilities, and countervailing strike capabilities. All three capabilities warrant a program of record and robust funding in Obama's 2017 budget request. In the longer term, the United States must begin a sustained diplomatic initiative to explain that it is Putin who wants to vitiate the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, as former Secretary of Defense Gates has recently stated. If Putin does not change course soon, the United States will leave the treaty; Washington will never allow our nation to be the only one in the world that refrains from developing a new class of weapons.\nIn conjunction with these new security measures, the United States must expand its intelligence assistance to Central and Eastern European countries. Let it never be forgotten that Putin was once a KGB spy. Today, he uses a vast network of informants and agents to influence and undermine former Warsaw Pact countries. In fact, Russia spends more on its intelligence services than the entire governmental budgets of a number of former Warsaw Pact members, including Albania, Armenia, Estonia, Georgia, and Latvia.\nFortunately, the United States has preeminent counterintelligence capabilities that it can deploy to turn off this spigot of intelligence and influence. Washington should bring vetted members of these countries' intelligence services to the United States for operational and analytic tradecraft training in an effort to professionalize their services and counteract Russian activities. Congress has signaled that it is ready to work with Obama on this front; together they should move quickly to devote more resources and assertive tactics to this counterintelligence initiative.\nThe United States should increase its economic pressure on Putin significantly. Individualized sanctions against regime cronies should reach many more Russian elites, as well as their spouses and children. Furthermore, the United States should enact direct and secondary sanctions against Russia's energy sector, especially its refining industry, which is antiquated and dependent on a steady flow of spare parts from Western nations. Sanctions affecting other industry sectors should also be seriously considered, with their possibility clearly communicated to the Kremlin and foreign investors alike. Additional sanctions should be given a deterrent quality by making them contingent on destabilizing actions by Russia. For instance, sanctions could extend to individuals and entities involved in Russia's sale of the S-300 air-defense system to Iran or the inking of new major weapons deals with Assad.\nThis economic-pressure campaign extends to helping the United States' regional allies. Many European countries depend heavily on Russia for oil and gas. Thanks to the U.S. energy renaissance, it is now in a position to break Russia's stranglehold by exporting more oil and liquefied natural gas, if only Congress would cooperate by lifting the oil-export ban and expediting permits for liquefied natural gas facilities. Even if a total repeal of the oil-export ban isn't in the cards, Congress can strategically lift the ban for bilateral exports to key European allies.\nLastly, the long arm of U.S. law should be deployed against Russia. Russia is rife with official and semi-official corruption that can be exposed and prosecuted. The Department of Justice's ongoing case against the notoriously corrupt global soccer organization, FIFA, is a good start. Russia is scheduled to host the World Cup in 2018, a winning bid that was almost certainly greased with bribes and kickbacks. The investigation should explore this angle quickly to provide adequate time to move the World Cup elsewhere.\nAnd this investigation should only start the effort to focus prosecutorial resources on Putin's worldwide corruption racket. Just recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency exposed systemic cheating by Russian athletes, who were helped along by the Russian government in a scheme involving massive fraud and bribery. The world can expect similar wrongdoing to be found in all areas where the Russian government has an interest, from bids to host the Olympic games, to appointments to international chess associations, to the distribution of government contracts. The United States can take the lead in this effort, but Washington must also urge its Western European allies to join in and build the anticorruption and prosecutorial capabilities of the Eastern European countries most vulnerable to Putin and his oligarch cohorts.\nSimilarly, Congress can craft laws in the tradition of the Helms-Burton Act and the Alien Tort Claims Act to open U.S. courts to victims of Russian aggression, theft, and war crimes. The prospect of costly litigation and reputational harm would discourage private investment in and trade with Russia and illegally occupied territories like Crimea, turning Russia's own economy of corruption against itself. A multitude of lawsuits against the Kremlin and its cronies will also delegitimize and expose Russia's brutal tactics in Syria and the Caucasus, which raise the specter of genocide against Sunni Muslims. The face of Putin's autocratic rule will not look pretty in the harsh light of a U.S. courtroom.\nFinally, assertive diplomacy must be a part of U.S. policy toward Russia. The Department of State should create a new \"country-at-risk\" designation that would entitle nations under threat from external destabilization to a basket of U.S. and NATO assistance programs, including the intelligence assistance described above. This basket of assistance could also include programs aimed at helping these nations diversify their industrial bases and their sources of energy to be less dependent on trade with Russia. The overall effect of the new designation would signal increased commitment from the United States, and indicate to Putin that any escalation by Russia would automatically invite greater Western engagement.\nThe United States should also energize its public diplomacy and information strategies. It could take the lead in funding translation services to make Western media available in Russia. The United States needn't create content. Unlike in Russia, robust debate and diverse viewpoints already exist in U.S. media. The United States simply needs to ensure that this content is disseminated widely in Russia and Eastern Europe to provide a counter-narrative to Russian-controlled media and an example to the Russian people of what free media looks like.\nNo doubt some will say these policies are unduly provocative. Yet Putin's provocations have continued unabated for more than seven years. Putin is very consciously challenging the United States and the U.S.-led international order, and is now waging a proxy war against it. It is well past time for the West to recognize his challenge, rise up to it, and move to win the proxy war. Otherwise, Washington may find itself in a genuine war against a nuclear peer.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=264", "Cotton Seeking Spring Internship Applications", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 30, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today he is seeking spring interns in his Washington, D.C. office and his state offices in Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Springdale. Internships will be offered in two sessions: January 26, 2016 - March 26, 2016 and March 29, 2016 - May 31, 2016. Interns will have the opportunity to experience the daily operations of Senator Cotton's office and witness the legislative process firsthand. Depending on their college requirements, students may be able to receive academic credit for their service. Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to internships@cotton.senate.gov and specify their desired office location.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/alta-encouraged-cfpb-statement-trid-hold-harmless-period", "ALTA Encouraged by CFPB Statement on TRID Hold-Harmless Period", "2015-11-29", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, released the following statement in response to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray's testimony before the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee today:\n\"We appreciate Director Cordray once again recognizing the need for a hold-harmless period for companies that make a good-faith effort to comply with the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures (TRID) regulation,\" said Diane Evans NTP, ALTA president. \"We are encouraged by Director Cordray's statement that any enforcement action on TRID would be diagnostic and not punitive during the first few months of implementation. We look forward to additional guidance from the CFPB as we approach the October 3 TRID implementation date.\"\n\"ALTA knows its members are ready for implementation of this regulation. However, we know from previous regulation implementations that there will be a learning curve and unforeseen issues once the new forms are used in real homebuyer transactions.\"\n\"An official hold-harmless period would help ensure our industry can adapt their business processes and continue to meet homebuyer's needs as we transition to using the forms in actual real estate transactions. Until the CFPB issues this formal guidance, ALTA members will continue to support legislative action, such as H.R. 3192 sponsored by Reps. French Hill (R-AR) and Brad Sherman (D-CA).\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=262", "Cotton Statement on Thanksgiving", "2015-11-26", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 26, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on Thanksgiving:\n\"I want to wish all of you a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving from the entire Cotton family. In the earliest days of our nation President Washington established a day of Thanksgiving for Americans to, in his words, acknowledge with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.' So today and every day, let us come together with grateful hearts and give thanks for our many blessings. And as we celebrate with family and friends, let us also remember our troops, diplomats, and intelligence officials serving our country around the world who are unable to be with their loved ones today. To each of you, on behalf of the people of a grateful nation, I extend our deepest thanks for your honorable and faithful service.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-columns?ContentRecord_id=71caf792-1fa0-406f-a789-9268745e860e", "Reining in EPA Overreach", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Arkansans regularly share with me their frustrations and concerns of Washingtons overreach into their lives. At the top of the list are the unnecessary burdens imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While we all support commonsense environmental protections, the EPAs overreach in our state and nationwide causes much uncertainty. Thats why Congress is taking steps to rein it in.\r\nDavid, a North Little Rock resident who works in the construction industry, recently emailed me in support of protecting our nations waters. However, he made it clear that he believes the EPAs waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule will create huge problems and uncertainty for his industry. David wrote that costs will increase, the industry will lose jobs and he and others will face unnecessary delays that have nothing to do with protecting our waters. I share Davids concerns.\r\nEPAs WOTUS rule is a classic example of overreach. This rule gives the agency much greater power to oversee the land use decisions of homeowners, small businesses and family farms throughout Arkansas under the guise of water protection. Surface water is already protected by the federal government under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and through state and local measures. The Obama Administration is trying to overrule state and local conservation efforts, with a one-size-fits-all approach from Washington.\r\nThe EPAs mandates have far reach. The agency is implementing a carbon dioxide emissions regulation that will severely impact Arkansas and threaten manufacturing jobs. Congress already rejected a similar policy. In October I toured the Independence Steam Electric Station in Newark. The coal-fired plant is one of five in Arkansas that provide a reliable source of affordable energy but is threatened by this mandate. Unfortunately, the EPAs proposal makes Arkansas families vulnerable to higher energy costs, electricity blackouts and job cuts  hitting hardworking families, seniors and those struggling to make ends meet the hardest.\r\nArkansas is taking steps to reduce carbon emissions without EPA interference. Our utilities are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to make these plants some of the cleanest coal plants in the world.The way to continue reducing emissions is through innovation, technology and positive incentivesnot heavy-handed mandates that hurt hardworking American families and drive up energy bills across the country.\r\nThe Senate, with my support, recently struck down EPAs overreaching WOTUS rule and its attack on affordable energy regulations with the Congressional Review Act (CRA). This rarely used law allows Congress to repeal a regulation with a simple majority vote. This is an important tool to push back against the policies supported by President Obama but not backed by the American people and Congress.\r\nOnce the House approves the CRA resolutions of disapproval, the bills will be headed to the Presidents desk. While he will likely veto these resolutions, he will be forced to answer the American peoples desire to stop the implementation of these mandates. Also, when the President heads to international climate talks in Europe next month, we expect he will promise to spend billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars on a global climate slush fund. Our resolutions show that the President doesnt have support in Congress for this wasteful spending.\r\nFinally, the effort to repeal these costly climate and water mandates continues in the courts, where states, including Arkansas, have filed lawsuits to protect hardworking Americans against the overreach.\r\nI will continue to support Arkansans in this fight against overregulation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://womack.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398631", "Womack Spring 2016 Internship Applications Due December 1st", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Steve Womack", "W000809", "womack.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) is currently seeking hard-working college students and recent graduates to serve as interns in his Washington, D.C. office, as well as his district offices in Rogers, Fort Smith, and Harrison, for the following session:\nSpring 2016:January-May*  \n*Dates are flexible.\nA congressional internship is a rewarding experience, and both Washington, D.C. and district office interns will work closely with Congressman Womacks staff and constituents while learning the inner workings of the United States Congress and about issues affecting Arkansans. Those interested in political science, government, public policy, business, and social work are encouraged to apply. \nInternship requirements and application materials are available onCongressman Womack's website.\nCollege students and recent graduates who are interested in interning should submit a completed application by Tuesday, December 1, 2015.\nFor more information, please call (202) 225-4301.\nCongressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansass Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=02548129-0054-478c-b8d2-68d9b75eaad2", "Boozman Leads Effort to Recognize Small Business Saturday", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Small Business Saturday has joined Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the post-Thanksgiving shopping blitz. U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) encourages Arkansans to support Small Business Saturday and shop locally on November 28, 2015.\r\n\r\nSmall businesses are the engines of our economy. They employ half of the workforce in our country and make up 99 percent of all U.S. businesses. Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for us to recognize local businesses and neighborhood retailers and the important role they play in our communities. By taking the small step of shopping locally this Christmas season, we can make a big impact on our local economy, Boozman said.\r\n\r\nBoozman is a cosponsor of the Senate-passed resolution that designates Saturday, November 28, 2015 as Small Business Saturday, encourages consumers to shop locally and highlights the importance of small business to our economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/blog-posts/felsenthal-national-wildlife-refuge-slated-extend-public-comment-period", "Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge slated to Extend the Public Comment Period for the Proposed Habitat Management Plan", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge has extended the public comment period for its proposed habitat management plan. The following is a press release from the refuge.\nThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed a draft Habitat Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (draft HMP/EA) as stepped down from the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The initial deadline for comments was set for November but will now extend through the end of December allowing for 34 additional days.\nThe proposed plan will benefit migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, resident wildlife, bottomland hardwood, wetland, and upland forest. A key purpose of this HMP is to refine/revise management objectives and strategies. Successful conservation strategies will recognize the dynamic nature of bottomland and upland forested systems as a continuing, on-going condition. The HMP addresses significant issues associated with water management of the Felsenthal pool, moist-soil and sanctuary management, red-cockaded woodpecker management, nuisance animal management, and water quality. Three different management alternatives are evaluated.\nFor comments to be considered in the preparation of the final plan, comments must be submitted by the extended December 31, 2015 deadline. You may submit comments in writing to the refuge office or by email at tina_chouinard@fws.gov.\nTo obtain a copy of the Draft HMP/EA please:\nFor more information or to speak with our staff, contact Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, (870)364-3167.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=59098f7a-c35a-4d88-8616-7ecdef3f5677", "ICYMI: Boozman Discusses ISIS, Syrian Refugees and more on Talk Business", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONAs the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group continues to spread its global reach and attack innocent civilians, protecting the American public has to be the number one job for lawmakers in Washington, U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) told Roby Brock during an appearance on Talk Business & Politics over the weekend.\r\nBoozman said that the American public does not feel that the Obama administration has an effective plan to protect us here at home and defeat ISIS abroad.\r\nThe President of France called this an act of war by Islamic terrorists. Sadly, our president is calling it a setback. We dont want any setbacks occurring in this country. So I think you look at military strikes, you leave everything on the table, but you act appropriately with our allies, Boozman said.\r\n\r\nWatch the wide-ranging interview that that touched on topics ranging from ISIS to the highway bill below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arkansas-4-back-refugee-limits", "Arkansas' 4 back refugee limits", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -- All four members of Arkansas' House delegation backed legislation Thursday making it harder for aliens from Iraq or Syria to be admitted into the United States as refugees.\nAnd U.S. Sen. John Boozman is predicting that the Senate will pass the same or similar legislation and send it to the president's desk.\nSecond District U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock, 3rd District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers and 4th District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs were all sponsors of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, also known as the American SAFE Act.\nHill and 1st District U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro have also filed separate bills addressing refugee resettlement.\nAll four representatives are Republicans, as is Boozman.\nThursday's House approval of the American SAFE Act was about \"keeping our country safe,\" Westerman said, questioning the U.S. government's ability to do proper background checks in countries split by years of civil war.\n\"I think our foremost responsibility is to protect American citizens,\" he said.\nHomeland Security officials \"can't guarantee ... that there's no risk to these people coming into the country,\" Westerman said, adding, \"I've not got a lot of confidence in the way the administration is addressing this.\"\nThe bill gained approval six days after last week's Paris terrorist attacks, and Westerman said new House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin deserved credit for making it a priority. \"For Congress, it's breakneck speed to be able to pass a bill in less than a week in response to those attacks,\" he said.\nThe other three Arkansans in the House issued written statements expressing satisfaction with Thursday's vote.\n\"The safety and security of the American people is my top priority,\" Womack said, adding that he was proud to be a co-sponsor. \"We must strengthen our vetting and security policies to stop President Obama from haphazardly admitting waves of Syrian refugees and ensure that individuals associated with terrorism cannot enter our nation and our communities.\"\nHill said Thursday's vote \"gets the ball moving in the right direction, but it is missing needed provisions that will avoid this same pitfall down the road.\"\nHe faulted the legislation for only covering aliens from Iraq and Syria, when there are other nations harboring terrorists and others who wish America harm.\n\"America needs to remain a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom for the rest of the world. However, in maintaining that promise, we also need to maintain our promise of defending the American people from the very real threats our enemies pose,\" Hill said in a written statement.\nUnder the bill he filed Thursday, the tougher vetting process would apply to \"anyone seeking asylum in America from a country that is designated as a high-risk threat to the United States by the U.S. Department of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).\"\nKnown as the Security Verification for Refugees Act, it's the second refugee-related bill introduced by a member of Arkansas' House delegation since the Paris terror attacks.\nEarlier in the week, Crawford unveiled the Refugee Relocation Security Act, which would block the relocation of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the United States until Congress votes to lift the moratorium set in his bill.\nThat bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.\nOn Thursday, Crawford explained why he voted for the American SAFE Act.\n\"Since its inception, the United States has been a haven for immigrants and refugees from around the world, and I'm proud of that tradition. However, given the complexity of the current situation and global threats of terrorist attacks, I worry that some, under the guise of the refugee program, would come to our shores in a deliberate attempt to take advantage of our hospitality and do us harm,\" he said.\nThe American SAFE Act \"would help prevent potential terrorist attacks on our homeland\" by requiring a more thorough vetting process, Crawford added.\nThe debate now shifts to the Senate, and Boozman, a Republican from Rogers, said he expects widespread support.\n\"I think it will pass because the American people are very, very concerned, as is the average congressman, regarding making sure that we keep Americans safe,\" Boozman said. \"A lot of people have just lost faith that the president is taking these things seriously enough. He underestimated ISIS and is really is being somewhat flippant in his answers regarding questions being posed concerning security.\"\nBoozman's Democratic challenger, former U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge, also wants to stop the flow of refugees, at least temporarily.\n\"I support suspending refugee resettlement in the U.S. at least until we review the resettlement program's vetting process, which I believe is a responsible and reasonable action to ensure our safety here at home,\" Eldridge said in a written statement released Wednesday.\nThat same day, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican, called for a \"temporary halt\" to the program relocating Syrian refugees to the U.S., though he didn't take a stand on the American SAFE Act. \"The vast majority of refugees are true victims of war, but we know that some of them are likely Islamic state terrorists; the Islamic State has said so. And until the Obama administration can reassure the American public and Congress they have effective vetting procedures in place, I think a temporary pause is called for.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arkansas-house-delegation-votes-bill-halt-admission-refugees", "Arkansas House Delegation Votes For Bill To Halt Admission Of Refugees", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LITTLE ROCK  A bill to halt the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq into the U.S. passed in the U.S. House on Thursday with the support of all four members from Arkansas.\nThe American Security Against Foreign Enemies, or SAFE, Act passed 289-137, with 47 Democrats joining Republicans to approve the measure. The bill would put the current refugee resettlement program on hold until Syrian and Iraqi refugees undergo a more stringent vetting process.\nThe bill was rushed through in response to last Fridays deadly attacks in Paris. Authorities suspect at least one of the attackers may have entered Europe with a group of Syrian refugees.\nPresident Barack Obama has threatened a veto, but the number of House members who voted for the bill would be enough to override a veto.\nRep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, said Thursday, The administration and the FBI have already said they cannot verify refugees from Syria are not radicalized, so this bill would immediately stop the flow of unverifiable and potentially dangerous individuals into the United States. This commonsense legislation is supported by the vast majority of America. It has bi-partisan support and it is a bill the president should support to prevent future attacks instead of vetoing this bill.\nRep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, said, The safety and security of the American people is my top priority, which is why I am proud to cosponsor and vote in favor of the American SAFE Act. We must strengthen our vetting and security policies to stop President Obama from haphazardly admitting waves of Syrian refugees and ensure that individuals associated with terrorism cannot enter our nation and our communities.\nRep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said his is proud of the United States tradition of serving as a haven for immigrants and refugees from around the world.\nHowever, given the complexity of the current situation and global threats of terrorist attacks, I worry that some, under the guise of the refugee program, would come to our shores in a deliberate attempt to take advantage of our hospitality and do us harm, he said. Our first priority has to be the protection of American citizens, and by strengthening our system for vetting and screening refugees, the SAFE Act would help prevent potential terrorist attacks on our homeland.\nOn the same day that he voted for the American SAFE Act, Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock, introduced the Security Verification for Refugees Act, a bill that would expand the vetting process proposed under the SAFE Act to apply to refugees from any country designated by the State Department as a high-risk threat to the U.S.\nAmerica needs to remain a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom for the rest of the world, Hill said. However, in maintaining that promise, we also need to maintain our promise of defending the American people from the very real threats our enemies pose. Todays vote in the House gets the ball moving in the right direction, but it is missing needed provisions that will avoid this same pitfall down the road.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=261", "Senators Write Secretary Carter and General Dunford With Concerns Over Release of Shaker Aamer From Guantanamo Bay", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "November 20, 2015\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353\nWashington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) along with Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today sent letters to the Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., expressing concern over the Obama Administration's recent release of Shaker Aamer from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. The letters note that the notification of transfer for Mr. Aaemer did not list the Joint Chiefs of Staff as one of the entities \"concurring\" and \"approving\" of the transfer, as is normally the case. This indicates that the Chairman of the Joint Cheifs of Staff did not agree with the Administration's decision to release Shaker Aamer. The letters go on to request Secretary Carter and General Dunford answers to questions about this transfer to the Senate and House Armed Services, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, Homeland Security, and Appropriations Committees.  The questions to Secretary Carter are: 1.     What were the key factors that led the Joint Chiefs not to concur on your decision to transfer Shaker Aamer? 2.     Were the Joint Chiefs concerned that his release could put at risk the lives of U.S. servicemembers? 3.     Do you plan to continue seeking the advice of the Joint Chiefs on future transfers? 4.     Did you review the Shaker Aamer press release prior to publication? If so, why did you publicly claim the Guantanamo Review Task Force unanimously supported Aamer's transfer when it does not appear the Joint Chiefs supported that transfer decision? The questions to General Dunford are:  1.     What were the key factors that led the Joint Chiefs to not to concur on the decision to transfer Shaker Aamer? 2.      Did the Secretary of Defense notify your office that it would continue with the transfer despite your office's non-concurrence? 3.     Is it your understanding that the Secretary will seek your concurrence and approval on your future transfers?\n\nThe full text of the letters can be found here and here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arkansan-us-house-members-eldridge-join-call-bar-syrian-refugees", "Arkansan U.S. House Members, Eldridge Join Call To Bar Syrian Refugees", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LITTLE ROCK  The four members of Arkansas U.S. House delegation were among 110 House members who sent a letter to the White House on Wednesday urging President Barack Obama to halt the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq into the U.S.\nAlso Wednesday, Democratic Senate candidate Conner Eldridge of Fayetteville said he supports suspending refugee resettlement.\nThe action follows statements by more than 20 governors, including Gov. Asa Hutchinson, voicing opposition to accepting Syrian refugees.\nWe urge you to immediately halt admissions of refugees from Syria and Iraq onto American soil, the letter from the House members reads. We ask that these admissions remain suspended until your administration creates both a truly thorough vetting process to identify individuals who pose a security threat and an extensive monitoring process for all relocated refugees that ensures Americans are safe from potential threats.\nThe letter also asks that all information used to justify admitting a refugee be submitted to the House and Senate Judiciary, Intelligence and Homeland Security committees.\nReps. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, Steve Womack, R-Rogers, French Hill, R-Little Rock, and Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, signed their names to the letter. Crawford also introduced a bill Tuesday that would halt the acceptance of refugees from Syria and Iraq and give governors authority to decide whether to allow refugees into their states.\nU.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, both R-Ark., have called for a moratorium on accepting refugees from Syria.\nEldridge, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas who is seeking Boozmans Senate seat, said in a statement Wednesday, I support suspending refugee resettlement in the U.S. at least until we review the resettlement programs vetting process, which I believe is a responsible and reasonable action to ensure our safety here at home.\nObama has stood by his plan to increase potential admissions of Syrian refugees into the U.S. over the next two years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/arkansas-house-members-vote-expanded-refugee-vetting-temporary-halt", "Arkansas House Members Vote For Expanded Refugee Vetting, Temporary Halt", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Arkansas's all-Republican US House delegation voted for the nation to temporarily stop taking in Syrian and Iraqi refugees while expanding the vetting process. Central Arkansas Congressman French Hill talked about his vote with KUAR.\nKAUFFMAN: The House just voted to stop taking in Syrian and Iraqi refugees, temporarily, in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris. The bill passed today, the SAFE Act, calls for the US to temporarily stop taking in refugees, less than 200 were admitted last month (President Obama is calling for 10,000), and charges federal agencies with improving the vetting process. So, how do they do that? What do you envision the process to be?\nHILL: It takes the existing vetting process that the Department of State and Homeland Security through the Border Patrol do now. It puts on top of it a certification process where the director of the FBI, the Department of State, the director of National Intelligence all certify that these refugees have passed the background test and that they dont present a national security risk to the U.S.\nIt doesnt really change the existing vetting process, it puts on top of it this additional certification step by the leaders of the intelligence community.\nKAUFFMAN: Do you think it's feasible to ask each director to individually assess each of these people? The process on average already takes over a year.\nHILL: The state Department and border security agents do that now on an individual, customized basis. They do personal interviews, they do biometric screenings and so they would get that information from the Department of State and review it, verify it and certify it.\nIn my view I dont think it will add a meaningful amount of time to the vetting process that we have now. But it does give people more comfort that the top echelons of our national security apparatus have in mind that any potential of a national security threat from someone who comes seeking asylum would have that extra stamp of approval.\nKAUFFMAN: A prod in the way of accountability for the heads of those agencies as well? You dont want to have your name next to\nHILL: Thats right. Weve done that in government before. I can think back to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act where corporate CEOs and corporate CFOs were asked to personally certify the financial statements of the company. That is exactly an exercise in the ultimate accountability of those in charge.\nKAUFFMAN: Your response to the attacks in Paris, like most of your colleagues and a number of Democrats, has been to stop taking refugees. France on the other hand, the target of the attack, has opted to continue taking 30,000 refugees over the next two years. Frances president called it a humanitarian duty.\nHILL: Well, of course Americas still taking refugees. What were doing is were ascertaining at a very heightened screening and vetting level that those refugees pose no risk to the US. This is based on the fact that in the past weve had breaches. Weve had two Iraqi refugees that were seeking asylum in the United States that were leaders in a terrorist plot in the US shortly after their admission.\nThe national security debate that weve had this week has been lead by the Department of Homeland Security and FBI Director [James] Comey. Theyve made this recommendation to the best of their ability. I think each country needs to do what I think is in their best interest.\nKAUFFMAN: The conversation over refugees and just generally about preventing terrorism has fed as it sometimes does into really visceral anti-Islam rhetoric. There are Republican US House members as well as a state senator in your district calling for religious tests on immigration, banning Muslims, and condemning the religion wholesale. Do you stand with that sentiment or do you generally welcome people who might be Muslim in your own neighborhood?\nHILL: America has a tradition of welcoming people from all faiths. Our country was founded on freedom of religion. That was one of the great attractions to colonial America, the ability to express ones religion freely and its enshrined in our Constitution.\nI dont believe that we should have a test per se of religious feeling one way or the other. What I think is important is that we vet carefully anyone seeking asylum in the US to make sure that they dont pose a national security risk.\nSecondly, I think we need to do additional things that people coming here on a visa with a legitimate passport are screened carefully using technology and data management systems we have. Were just as at risk with someone coming to the United States with an existing passport with applicability to the US. I think we should be equally cautious there as well.\nKAUFFMAN: If this new vetting process comes into place, its something you find satisfactory, you think the process is working, is there a number of refugees you think the United States need to take?\nHILL: No. I think the US needs to work with our allied nations and the United Nations on thinking through what the best refugee program is.\nIll tell you though, it would be good if we could have had leadership from the Obama administration and gotten a more quick solution over the past three years to the tragic trauma in Syria thats produced 50 percent of the nation leaving.\nSecondly, we need to work with our allies on providing humanitarian assistance. Frankly as close to their country as they can so that they can hopefully return to a more peaceful homeland in the future. We need a strategy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/cotton-halt-law-phone-warrants", "Cotton: Halt law on phone warrants", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON -- With Paris still reeling from Friday's terrorist attacks and with Islamic State militants threatening similar strikes in the United States, a law that will require the government to get a search warrant before accessing telephone records should be put on hold, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said Wednesday.\nThe Arkansas Republican introduced legislation this week to delay its implementation for more than a year.\nClick here to read more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/house-votes-approve-syrianiraqi-refugee-bill-timing-senate-vote-uncertain", "House votes to approve Syrian/Iraqi refugee bill, timing on Senate vote uncertain (Updated)", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A bill that would seek to strengthen background checks and security dealing with Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Paris received the support of Arkansas four members of the U.S. House.\n\nThe 289-173 vote about three votes more than a veto-proof majority  was on HR 4038. The bill, co-sponsored by 89 House members including U.S. Reps. French Hill, R-Little Rock; Steve Womack, R-Rogers; and Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs; now heads to the Senate where it faces a battle.\nVotes fell largely along party lines. There were 242 Republicans and 47 Democrats voting for the bill, with two Republicans and 135 Democrats opposing.\nWesterman and Womack said the bill would protect Americans and provide security.\nThe American SAFE Act is a first step in keeping Americans safe, but its not the end of our work, Westerman said. Immediately following the terror attacks in Paris six days ago, the Members of the House worked over the weekend to expedite legislation already in development to address the refugee issues and designed to step up security in the United States. The SAFE Act will require the administration to verify these refugees are not terrorists. The administration and the FBI have already said they cannot verify refugees from Syria are not radicalized, so this bill would immediately stop the flow of unverifiable and potentially dangerous individuals into the United States. This common sense legislation is supported by the vast majority of America. It has bi-partisan support and it is a bill the president should support to prevent future attacks instead of vetoing this bill.\nWesterman also said if President Obama attempts to veto the legislation, that Congress has other tools to protect the homeland.\nWomack said his vote was about national security.\nThe safety and security of the American people is my top priority, which is why I am proud to cosponsor and vote in favor of the American SAFE Act. We must strengthen our vetting and security policies to stop President Obama from haphazardly admitting waves of Syrian refugees and ensure that individuals associated with terrorism cannot enter our nation and our communities. More must be done, and I will continue to fight for policies that protect our homeland, Womack said.\nAccording to the bill, the refugees must undergo both extensive background checks while the overall policy is strengthened.\nIn addition to the screening conducted by the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall take all actions necessary to ensure that each covered alien receives a thorough background investigation prior to admission as a refugee. A covered alien may not be admitted as a refugee until the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation certifies to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence that each covered alien has received a background investigation that is sufficient to determine whether the covered alien is a threat to the security of the United States, the bill reads.\nA covered alien may only be admitted to the United States after the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the unanimous concurrence of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of National Intelligence, certifies to the appropriate Congressional Committees that the covered alien is not a threat to the security of the United States.\nAlso, the Department of Homeland Security must put together a monthly report showing applications with regard to which a certification under subsection (b) was made and the number of covered aliens with regard to whom such a certification was not made for the month preceding the date of the report.\nAccording to the Washington D.C.. publication Roll Call, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he would not allow a vote on a transportation and housing bill go through without first having a vote on the Syrian refugee issue.\nI will use all available Senate rules and procedures to force them to use all possible time, Paul said in a statement to Roll Call.\nThe publication reported that Paul blocked consideration of amendments unless he could get a vote on an amendment designed to block federal benefits for any arriving refugees.\nI have an amendment that is not only pertinent to the biggest issue of the day, I have an amendment that is germane, Paul said. For those who make a mockery of this process by saying were going to have regular order, were not going to have regular order.\nEXPANDED VETTING PROCESS  U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Little Rock on Thursday introduced H.R. 4086, the Security Verification for Refugees Act, a bill that would expand the vetting process proposed under H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015.\nIn H.R. 4038, the term covered alien only includes refugees from Syria and Iraq. H.R. 4086 would redefine the term covered alien to include anyone seeking asylum in America from a country designated as a high-risk threat to the United States by the U.S. Department of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Refugees applying for asylum from high-risk countries would require individual verification by DHS, FBI, and DNI before being granted admission to the United States.\nHill said his bill will add more provisions in dealing with security.\nAmerica needs to remain a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom for the rest of the world. However, in maintaining that promise, we also need to maintain our promise of defending the American people from the very real threats our enemies pose. Todays vote in the House gets the ball moving in the right direction, but it is missing needed provisions that will avoid this same pitfall down the road, Hill said.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://hill.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hill-introduces-legislation-expand-refugee-vetting-process", "Hill Introduces Legislation to Expand Refugee Vetting Process", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AR", "French Hill", "H001072", "hill.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-2) introduced H.R. 4086, the Security Verification for Refugees Act, a bill that would expand the vetting process proposed under H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. In H.R. 4038, the term covered alien only includes refugees from Syria and Iraq.\nH.R. 4086 would redefine the term covered alien to include anyone seeking asylum in America from a country that is designated as a high-risk threat to the United States by the U.S. Department of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Refugees applying for asylum from high-risk countries would require individual verification by DHS, FBI, and DNI before being granted admission to the United States. After introducing the bill, Congressman Hill released the following statement:\nAmerica needs to remain a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom for the rest of the world. However, in maintaining that promise, we also need to maintain our promise of defending the American people from the very real threats our enemies pose. Todays vote in the House gets the ball moving in the right direction, but it is missing needed provisions that will avoid this same pitfall down the road.\nMy bill takes what is good about the SAFE Act and broadens those provisions to apply to a refugee from any country that poses a high-risk threat to our democracy. The attacks in Paris were a tragic reminder of what our enemies are capable of and a wake up call that we need to be not only reactive, but also proactive in how we deal with these threats. Like the SAFE Act, The Security Verification for Refugees Act will give Congress additional oversight of our entire refugee vetting process and create another layer of security to ensure that those seeking asylum in the United States are doing so because they want to live in the greatest country in worldnot because they want to destroy it.\n\nH.R. 4086 Bill Text.pdf", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1232, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "AR", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1232, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1232, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "AR", "label": "AR", "count": 1232, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 1232, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-11-19,https~3A~2F~2Fhill~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fhill-introduces-legislation-expand-refugee-vetting-process", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2015&_next=2015-11-19%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fhill~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fhill-introduces-legislation-expand-refugee-vetting-process&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 286.2564099486917, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}