{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"AR\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-votes-for-economic-aid-for-arkansas-farmers", "Rep. Crawford Votes for Economic Aid for Arkansas Farmers", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Votes for Economic Aid for Arkansas Farmers\n\n12/20/2024\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025 on Friday.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D4341C4D-0E85-485E-95BA-44F88C7739C9", "Boozman, Heinrich Secure Final Passage of Bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) helped secure Senate passage of their bipartisan Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act as part of the larger Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, recreation legislation that also passed the House and will now go to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cOur youth deserve the opportunity to learn about and explore our national parks and develop an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our nation. I am proud to see my colleagues recognize the benefits of facilitating outdoor adventure and education for children and families. I look forward to the extension of this significant program,\u201d said Boozman.\n\n\u201cAs a father and a former outdoor educator, I know how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,\u201d said Heinrich. \u201cSince we passed my original Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago, thousands of children and their families have been inspired to visit our public lands in New Mexico and all across the country. By keeping this program going, our public lands can continue serving as outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.\u201d\n\nStarting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands.\n\nThe authorization under the original legislation is currently scheduled to expire in 2026. Once signed into law, Boozman and Heinrich\u2019s Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act will extend free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth grade students and their families through 2031.\n\nThe Every Kid Outdoors program has been wildly successful at encouraging tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America\u2019s public lands, waters and historic sites, including national parks \u2013 more than 2,000 sites in all. In 2023, Every Kid Outdoors vouchers helped create free admission for 9,896 visits to public lands by Arkansans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-westerman-bill-expand-outdoor-recreation-opportunities", "SENATE PASSES WESTERMAN BILL TO EXPAND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, the U.S. Senate passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Act (EXPLORE), bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) to expand outdoor recreation access nationwide.\n\nWesterman released the following statement on the policy provisions included in the EXPLORE Act to reopen overnight camping at Albert Pike Recreation Area:\n\n\u201cAs an avid outdoorsman, there\u2019s nothing better than exploring and taking in all that the Natural State has to offer. From endless fishing opportunities to numerous hiking and biking trails, breathtaking views, and so much more, Arkansas is certainly not lacking in natural beauty,\u201d said Congressman Westerman. \u201cThe EXPLORE Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill, works toward improving access and opportunity for experiencing greater outdoor recreation across our public lands and waters.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Fourth District of Arkansas wins with the included provision of reopening overnight camping access at the Albert Pike Recreation Area. The initial decision by the Forest Service to suspend overnight camping was a disappointment to numerous Arkansans, and this bill will safely reinstate that access in addition to better management of the Albert Pike Recreation Area, which is greatly needed. I look forward to working with the U.S. Forest Service to allow for safe and responsible usage for years to come.\"\n\n\"Overall, the EXPLORE Act will modernize the visitor experience, reduce overcrowding, improve access for those with disabilities, address infrastructure issues, and reduce a burdensome permitting process experienced by small businesses who greatly depend on public land access for their livelihood. Not only is this bill a win for the Fourth District, it\u2019s a win for all Americans, and I look forward to seeing the EXPLORE Act signed into law quickly by President Biden.\u201d\n\nClick here for Westerman\u2019s full statement on the passage of the EXPLORE Act.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nOne of the most popular sites within the Ouachita National Forest is the Albert Pike Recreation Area (APRA), a unique area that has long attracted outdoorsmen and women from across the country. The U.S. Forest Service suspended overnight camping at APRA following a major flash flood that tragically killed 20 people on June 11, 2010. Since then, APRA has been to limited day use. Congressman Westerman\u2019s EXPLORE Act will:\n\nSafely re-open any existing overnight campsites outside of the 100-year flood plain within 30 days of the bill\u2019s enactment.\n\nIdentify 54 areas that may be suitable for overnight camping in the recreation area within 6 months of the bill\u2019s enactment.\n\nEstablish at least 27 new overnight camping sites outside of the 100-year flood plain, including at least 8 with electric and water hookups, for public use within 2 years of the bill\u2019s enactment.\n\nRequire the rehabilitation necessary to make publicly accessible areas in APRA suitable for year-round day use.\n\nIn addition to reopening overnight camping at APRA, the EXPLORE Act will benefit outdoor recreation across America by:\n\nImproving access to public lands and waters for outdoor recreation.\n\nModernizing technology to improve visitor experiences, like increasing broadband connectivity and creating digital recreation passes.\n\nStreamlining the permitting process and reducing fees for small businesses that depend on public land access.\n\nProtecting rock climbing in iconic places and creating new long-distance bike trails.\n\nRestoring campgrounds and modernizing infrastructure.\n\nSupporting gateway communities by addressing housing shortages and outdated infrastructure.\n\nImproving accessibility for military service members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-westerman-bill-honoring-music-legend-johnny-cash-bill", "SENATE PASSES WESTERMAN BILL HONORING MUSIC LEGEND JOHNNY CASH, BILL HEADS TO PRESIDENT'S DESK", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, the U.S. Senate passed H.R.7180, legislation sponsored by Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), to designate the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the \u201cKingsland \u2018Johnny Cash\u2019 Post Office.\u201d The bill passed the House on June 3, 2024. Westerman released the following statement:\n\n\u201cI am immensely proud to hear that my bill to designate the post office in Kingsland, Arkansas, as the \u201cKingsland \u2018Johnny Cash\u2019 Post Office\u201d has officially passed the Senate,\u201d said Congressman Westerman. \u201cThis bill is a testament to the legacy Johnny Cash left behind through service to his country, his iconic music, and the deep impact he and his family have had on the Natural State. I am grateful for my friends Senator Cotton and Senator Boozman for pushing this legislation across the finish line. I look forward to this bill making its way to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\u201d\n\nU.S. Senators John Boozman (AR) and Tom Cotton (AR) released the following statements:\n\n\u201cJohnny Cash\u2019s legendary career helped define a generation and still inspires artists today,\u201d said Senator Boozman. \u201cWe are incredibly proud to call him an Arkansas native. I\u2019m pleased this legislation to bestow the postal facility in his birthplace of Kingsland with his name is now headed to the president\u2019s desk to serve as another reminder of his iconic and lasting impact.\u201d\n\n\u201cJohnny Cash was an Arkansas original with an unparalleled legacy in the Natural State. There is no more appropriate honor for Cash than for the post office in the hometown of Kingsland that he loved so dearly to bear his name,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nBACKGROUND:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=69C43B31-3A95-4DB3-9319-1883945B832C", "Water Infrastructure Resources Bill Containing Boozman Provisions Passes Senate, Heads to President\u2019s Desk", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, applauded Senate passage of legislation to strengthen water resources in Arkansas and across the country. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives and now heads to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\nThe Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) authorizes water and wastewater projects, invests in ports and inland waterways, and improves U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) programs.\n\n\u201cReliable, efficient water infrastructure underpins our entire economy. It is incredibly important for Congress to come together in a bipartisan way to preserve and enhance it so our economy can grow and our quality of life continues to improve. I\u2019m proud to have secured crucial support for projects in Arkansas that will impact communities across our state,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nSeveral Boozman-authored provisions make key investments in Arkansas water infrastructure by:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ED0A3DCA-54B5-4DD5-97FE-EDB36EFEA2EF", "Boozman Backs National Security Package", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) supported Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 that delivers quality of life enhancements for our servicemembers and their families while strengthening America\u2019s national security through new policies that bolster recruiting, readiness and lethal capabilities.\n\nThe measure also contains provisions Boozman led to advance the creation of an Academic Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base and a framework for the state of Arkansas to request permanent ownership of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs.\n\n\u201cProviding for our national defense is one of Congress\u2019 primary responsibilities, particularly at an incredibly volatile time around the globe,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cThat begins with supporting our military personnel and their families with better pay, housing, childcare and other opportunities as well as improving recruitment efforts, enhancing our capacity to deter threats from adversaries, investing in our defense industrial base and ensuring readiness and lethality are the Pentagon\u2019s main focus. This bill does just that, including through vital missions and defense industrial support in Arkansas, and I\u2019m pleased it is now headed to the president\u2019s desk to become law.\u201d\n\nBoozman-led provisions in the FY25 NDAA:\n\nAuthorize funding for an Academic Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith in support of the F-35 foreign pilot training mission; and\n\nAllow the state of Arkansas to develop or sell the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs; require development of the property to complement the national park; and provide a way for land to revert to the federal government if the state does not do so within three years.\n\nOther provisions in the legislation would:\n\nThe measure now heads to the president\u2019s desk to be signed into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-senate-passage-of-ndaa", "Cotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 18, 2024\n\nCotton Statement on Senate Passage of NDAA\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\n\n\u201cOur troops pledge their lives to the defense of our nation, and this bill gives them more support to perform that vital mission. I\u2019m pleased that this year\u2019s NDAA also ensures Arkansas remains a leader in our national defense by continued improvements to the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, upgrading the Red River Army Depot, and emphasizing the importance of Pine Bluff Arsenal. This year\u2019s bill also included my provision that the Department of Defense cannot give contracts to tutoring services connected to Communist China and ensured that our nation\u2019s heroes are buried at Arlington National Cemetery with the military honors that they have earned and deserve. While I\u2019m disappointed it does not provide an increase in funding needed to field badly needed additional weapons, I\u2019m pleased the bill excludes the Democrats' idea to force women into the draft and protects children from irreversible medical treatments pushed by radical gender-theory ideologues.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4243AEDB-05F3-40B3-8419-AF66D5748975", "Veterans Legislative Package with Boozman Provisions Passes Senate, Heads to U.S. House", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Veterans\u2019 Affairs committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, welcomed Senate passage of the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The legislation will now go the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.\n\nThe Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act strengthens support for our nation\u2019s veterans and caregivers by improving access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care and benefits, enhancing programs for student veterans and their families, and providing increased oversight to ensure the VA is meeting its lawful obligations.\n\n\u201cThis is an important step forward to support our men and women who have served and earned quality care and support. I\u2019m pleased provisions I championed to attract top providers to serve veterans at the VA, ensure proper management is in place at its facilities, advance a more comprehensive approach to the veteran suicide crisis and more are one step closer to becoming law,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation represents our commitment to deliver the support our veterans and their families expect and deserve.\u201d\n\nSeveral Boozman-authored or cosponsored measures were included in the legislative package, including:\n\nSections of the VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act, to:\n\nModernize the VA\u2019s antiquated pay system for physicians and other high-level clinicians, which will particularly benefit rural and other hard-to-hire markets;\n\nIncrease and fine-tune the VA\u2019s workforce data reporting requirements to help the VA and Congress be better informed on how to improve the hiring and onboarding process for future employees enterprise-wide.\n\nUpdate VA\u2019s pay stipulations to include optometrists, expanding the coverage of certain rules and benefits to optometrists as well;\n\nAuthorize the VA to waive pay limitations for the recruitment or retention of critical health care personnel, with a priority for certain positions, locations, and contracted care;\n\nAuthorize the VA to have flexibility in compensating specified professionals, including the ability to pay awards, recruitment or relocation bonuses, retention allowances, incentives or bonuses, and earning from fee-basis appointments; and\n\nClick here to view Senator Boozman\u2019s remarks on the CAREERS Act.\n\nThe Veterans Affairs Medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline (VACANT) Act, to:\n\nLimit the detailing of medical center directors to different positions within the VA; and\n\nRequire the VA Secretary to ensure a plan is in place to fill vacant medical center director positions within 180 days of detailing.\n\nThe Not Just a Number Act, to:\n\nRequire the VA to examine veterans\u2019 benefits usage in its annual suicide prevention report in order to evaluate the relationship between VA benefits and suicide outcomes;\n\nRequire the VA to analyze which benefits have the greatest impact on preventing suicide; and\n\nRequire the Department to issue recommendations for expansion of those benefits in the fight to combat veteran suicides.\n\nClick here to view Senator Boozman\u2019s remarks on the Not Just a Number Act.\n\nGerald\u2019s Law Act, to:\n\nExpand Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits eligibility to terminally ill veterans who pass away at a non-VA facility while receiving hospice care.\n\nThe VA OIG Training Act of 2023, to:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=96D4EC56-E2FB-4236-8B79-D6FA43D443BB", "Boozman, Luj\u00e1n Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Organ Donations and Save Lives", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM) introduced the Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act to expand support available to living donors by allowing more donors to be eligible for compensation to cover wages, travel, childcare and caregiver expenses associated with donation. Each day, 17 Americans die while waiting for an organ transplant, with many of these patients suffering from kidney failure and undergoing costly and painful dialysis treatments.\n\nUnder the current law, the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program helps low-income donors with reimbursements for expenses. However, the program\u2019s impact is limited by income restrictions, preventing many potential donors from qualifying. Despite the kidney transplant waiting list exceeding 92,000, only about 6,000 living donations take place each year, in part due to the financial strain placed on donors. The HOLD Act seeks to alleviate this burden, encouraging more people to become living donors.\n\nCosts associated with donations can exceed $10,000 and are a key barrier for living donors. The HOLD Act prohibits the consideration of recipient income when determining eligibility for financial reimbursement to support more low and middle-income donors, delivers savings to Medicare by increasing living donation, and requires an annual assessment of the efficacy of the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program to Congress.\n\n\u201cOrgan donation saves thousands of lives each year and we can potentially save even more by increasing the pool of donors,\u201d said Boozman. \u201cThis legislation would assist in breaking down barriers so financial considerations do not prevent Americans from meeting this urgent need. I\u2019m proud to join Senator Luj\u00e1n on this bipartisan initiative.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day, Americans lose their lives waiting for an organ transplant while generous living donors are unable to step forward because of the financial burden it could place on themselves and their families,\u201d said Luj\u00e1n. \u201cThis bill will help remove those barriers, ensuring that if you are interested in giving the greatest gift, they will not have to choose between their livelihood and the opportunity to save a life. By empowering living organ donors with the resources they need, we may increase the number of donors, reduce the transplant waitlist, and save lives.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-austin-border-wall-disposal-must-fully-disclose", "Cotton to Austin: Border Wall Disposal Must Fully Disclose", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 16, 2024\n\nCotton to Austin: Border Wall Disposal Must Fully Disclose\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, demanding full transparency regarding on the Department of Defense\u2019s role in selling parts of our southern border wall.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cI write to demand full accountability and transparency from the Department of Defense about its role in the disposal of excess border wall materials from the first Trump administration. While I recognize the shameful decision to halt the needed construction of the southwestern border wall was made by President Biden, I have outstanding questions regarding the Department\u2019s role in disposing of the unused material.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nThe Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III\n\nSecretary of Defense\n\n1000 Defense Pentagon\n\nWashington, D.C. 20301-1000\n\nSecretary Austin,\n\nI write to demand full accountability and transparency from the Department of Defense about its role in the disposal of excess border wall materials from the first Trump administration. While I recognize the shameful decision to halt the needed construction of the southwestern border wall was made by President Biden, I have outstanding questions regarding the Department\u2019s role in disposing of the unused material.\n\nTo that end, I direct that you provide the following by January 15, 2025:\n\nWritten assurance that the Department will preserve all electronic and written material related to the disposition of the border wall materials. This includes the records, electronic or otherwise, of any individual involved in any aspect of the operation.\n\nA full accounting of the disposition of the materials in line with the plan required by section 2890 of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\nA list of all companies who bought the materials.\n\nThankfully, the egregious waste of taxpayer money and flaunting of urgent national security concerns will end on January 20, 2025, when President-elect Trump assumes office. Congress will use the records you are required by law to preserve to fully understand the Biden Department of Defense\u2019s role in making our border less secure.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-introduces-comprehensive-health-care-bill-all-americans", "WESTERMAN INTRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE BILL FOR ALL AMERICANS", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) introduced The Fair Care Act of 2024, a comprehensive health care reform plan to lower costs, decrease the number of uninsured individuals, protect those with preexisting conditions, and expand coverage options. Congressman Westerman released the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe American health care system is in need of serious reform,\u201d said Congressman Bruce Westerman. \u201cGovernment overreach has no place in the health care system, and Americans deserve to have access to quality, affordable health care regardless of a preexisting condition. This commonsense legislation will loosen the grip of Big Government on our health care system, while lowering costs, and ultimately reducing the number of uninsured Americans. The Fair Care Act creates a path forward for all Americans, providing the transparency and accessibility needed to make their own choices for the health care coverage that is best for them and their families. The Fair Care Act puts Americans first, provides peace of mind, and puts hard earned tax dollars back into their pockets. I look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Fair Care Act of 2024 is the fourth version of the Fair Care Act of 2019, crafted with more than 75 bipartisan provisions. Congressman Westerman will continue working toward a comprehensive health care legislation for all Americans in the 119th Congress.\n\nSome of the Fair Care Act of 2024 improvements include:\n\nCodifying the Affordable Care Act preexisting condition protections in HIPAA.\n\nOffering greater protections for patients with preexisting conditions through an \"Invisible Guaranteed Coverage Risk Pool\" and guaranteed coverage Medigap plans.\n\nEliminating the employer health insurance mandate and allowing those with Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) offers to receive premium assistance.\n\nStrengthening and increasing enrollment in the commercial marketplace through expanded assistance to 600 percent FPL and state innovation waivers.\n\nExpanding the use of pretax dollars to cover more medical expenses, including insurance premiums and direct primary care arrangements.\n\nPromoting transparency by publishing provider networks and prices for common services.\n\nRequiring medical providers to send timely, transparent bills to patients.\n\nDiscouraging hospital consolidation and anti-competitive behavior while protecting rural hospitals from closures.\n\nModernizing the prescription drug approval process to bring safe, effective medicine to patients faster.\n\nReforming Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices, including eliminating Direct and Indirect Remuneration (DIR) fees.\n\nExpanding the number of health professionals that can provide telehealth services.\n\nModernizing Medicare enrollment through a competitive bidding process, which promotes Medicare Advantage plans.\n\nEstablishing a flexible Medicaid funding option for states and closing the gap between Medicaid eligibility and premium assistance in the individual market.\n\nPromoting fiscal accountability and solvency for Medicare and Medicaid.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DA5BCFC4-693B-4D9A-BCB5-F467F9DD85F5", "Boozman, Luj\u00e1n Lead Push for Expanded Access to Radiology Services", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013\u2013U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM) are leading an effort to improve Medicare beneficiaries\u2019 access to health care services and address the provider shortage that exists nationwide, which is particularly dire in rural America. The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) would allow radiologists to submit claims to Medicare for non-diagnostic services performed by radiologist assistants (RAs) they directly supervise in both the hospital and office setting.\n\nWhile RAs are recognized under Medicare to perform services under direct supervision, the radiology practices that employ them are unable to submit claims to Medicare for RA-performed services in hospitals, where they normally work.\n\n\u201cMedicare patients should not go without access to important diagnostic tools either because of a lack of available personnel or red tape. Radiologist assistants are well qualified to fulfill this need, and our bipartisan legislation would ensure they can do so. Allowing Medicare coverage for these procedures is common sense and will help deliver timely and quality care,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cHealth care worker shortages and unnecessary barriers should not prevent Medicare patients from accessing the care they need,\u201d said Luj\u00e1n. \u201cAllowing qualified RAs to provide services through Medicare is crucial to ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care. This legislation will help address the impact of provider shortages, particularly in rural areas, and improve access to care for all Medicare patients.\u201d\n\nIn 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services adjusted RA supervision requirements, which allowed providers to be reimbursed by Medicare for services performed by RAs in the office setting. However, the adjustment did not include reimbursement by Medicare for RA services performed in the hospital setting, creating a disparity that negatively impacts the radiology care available in hospitals. This legislation addresses that gap to restore access for patients in either setting and removes disincentives that jeopardize the ability of radiologists to meet demand for care and treatment.\n\n\u201cThe American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) applauds Senators John Boozman and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n for introducing the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2024. With demand for quality and timely radiology services continuing to rise, MARCA will remove federal barriers to enable radiologists to fully utilize the radiologist assistant as an advanced practice provider specifically trained to assist on diagnostic and therapeutic radiology procedures. This monumental legislation will ensure that all services provided by a radiologist assistant, supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led team, receive Medicare reimbursement, regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is provided,\u201d said American Registry of Radiologic Technologists CEO Liana Watson, DM, R.T.(R)(M)(S)(BS)(ARRT).\n\n\u201cThe American Society of Radiologic Technologists emphatically supports the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2024. The MARCA bill will ensure that all services provided by a radiologist assistant, supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led team, receive Medicare reimbursement, regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is provided,\u201d said American Society of Radiologic Technologists CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T. (R)(M), FASRT, CAE.\n\nClick here to view bill text.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-announces-2024-congressional-app-challenge-winners", "WESTERMAN ANNOUNCES 2024 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNERS", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) announced the winners for the Fourth District\u2019s 2024 Congressional App Challenge.\n\nThe Congressional App Challenge encourages high school students across the country to showcase their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills and knowledge by creating their own apps. The winning app, \u201cAquaEye,\u201d was created by Humam Al-shami from Arkansas Connections Academy & Mohammed Alroobi from Magnolia High School. This life-saving app is designed to assist lifeguards as they monitor large bodies of water to prevent and detect drownings.\n\n\u201cSeeing the talent showcased by all participants of this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge was immensely encouraging,\u201d said Congressman Westerman. \u201cI am always excited to see the ingenuity and creativity displayed in our youth every year through this challenge \u2013 and this year was no different. The future is bright not only for these remarkable students, but for our state and nation as a whole. Congratulations to all participants of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge!\u201d\n\nThe \u201cAquaEye\u201d app will be on digital display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., along with winning apps from other congressional districts.\n\nThis year, the Fourth District received 24 submissions from 71 students, and the winners were announced yesterday evening during a reception held in Hot Springs.\n\nThe winners were chosen by a panel of 4 judges.\n\nThe 2024 Fourth District top five teams are:\n\nFirst Place: Humam Al-shami from Arkansas Connections Academy & Mohammed Alroobi from Magnolia High School \u2013 \u201cAquaEye\u201d App.\n\nSecond Place: Estefani Hernandez, Melany Olguin, and Jeremy Beltran from Dardanelle High School \u2013 \u201cGrab and Go\u201d App.\n\nThird Place: Alexis Hahn, Shelby Wyatt and Felix Carranza Morales from Dardanelle High School \u2013 \u201cCommunity Connection\u201d App.\n\nFourth Place: Destinee Reed, Hannah Askew, Aubrey Avaritt, Atlantis Purifoy-Lake Hamilton High School \u2013 \u201cRelaxation in Paradise\u201d App.\n\nFifth Place: Leslei Ramirez and Samantha Duran from Dardanelle High School \u2013 \u201cLanguage Tutor\u201d App.\n\nFirst Place Winner\n\nSecond Place Winners\n\nThird Place Winner\n\nFourth Place Winners\n\nFifth Place Winners", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-bolster-american-defense-support-servicemembers", "WESTERMAN VOTES TO BOLSTER AMERICAN DEFENSE, SUPPORT SERVICEMEMBERS", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "December 11, 2024\n\nWASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Servicemember and Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 (FY25 NDAA). Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans, under the Servicemember and Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 (FY25 NDAA), have passed legislation to improve the quality of life for all servicemembers and funnel key investments through defense programs in order to further position the United States as a global leader in defense,\u201d said Congressman Westerman. \u201cConcerns regarding low morale and stress on families have steep impacts on the military recruitment process, retention, and military readiness. We cannot and should not allow these factors to negatively affect the men and women in our military who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms.\u201d\n\n\u201cSeveral provisions in the FY25 NDAA are wins not only for our national security and servicemembers, but for the Fourth District of Arkansas. I am pleased to see several funding initiatives which positively impact East Camden and other industry areas within the Fourth District that are responsible for producing critical arms and supplies necessary for our national defense.\u201d\n\n\u201cThrough this process, House Republicans have pushed back on radical, woke ideologies that have been needlessly pressed upon our military. These, and any other partisan ideals have no place in this sector, and I am pleased to see legislation pass the House to further protect our servicemembers and provide resources to better impact their quality of life. As global adversaries continue to threaten democracy around the world, I am encouraged to see several initiatives included in this bill to bring the hammer down on bad actors like China, Russia, and Iran, while continuing to support and provide aid to our ally in the Middle East \u2013 Israel. The FY25 NDAA cuts inefficient programs, saves money, and further stretches taxpayer dollars while ensuring the United States remains the global leader in defense. I am grateful for the bicameral work done by my Republican colleagues and look forward to seeing this bill move through the legislative process.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe FY25 National Defense Authorization Act:\n\nPermanently bans DoD from providing minors with gender dysmorphia medical treatments, like hormones and puberty blockers, that could result in sterilization.\n\nNo teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military.\n\nExtends DEI hiring freeze; cannot establish any new positions or follow any open DEI positions.\n\nProhibits DoD from contracting with advertising firms, like NewsGuard, that blacklist conservative news sources.\n\nProhibits the sale of goods at DoD commissaries and exchanges from any entities that have or are engaged in a boycott of Israel.\n\nProhibits DoD from using or citing casualty data from Hamas and other terrorist organizations.\n\nProhibits DoD from requiring servicemembers and civilian employees to use zero-emission vehicles for official travel.\n\nFully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.\n\nContinues providing battlefield intelligence to Israel to defeat Hamas.\n\nAuthorizes full funding for joint US-Israel cooperative missile defense programs (Iron Dome, Arrow, David\u2019s Sling) \u2013 which has a direct impact in the 4th District.\n\nReverses the Biden Admin\u2019s decision to cease production of the Standard Missile 3.\n\nSaves taxpayers $31 billion or 4% of current DoD spending levels.\n\n14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members (up to E-4).\n\n4.5% pay raise for all other service members.\n\n$100 million for new schools of children of service members.\n\nFully funds child care fee assistance programs to eliminate fee assistance wait lists for eligible families.\n\nRemoves reversionary interest on Army Navy Hospital in Hot Springs to allow the state to develop or sell the property; requires the development to complement the national park; provides a way for land to revert to federal government if state does not want it.\n\nBackground on the former Army-Navy Hospital:\n\nThe nearly 21-acre site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city's downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair.\n\nThe Army and Navy began use of the Hot Springs Reservation in 1887. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients.\n\nThe site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas in 1960 and became a state-run rehabilitation center; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI).\n\nIn 2020, the state ceased all operations at the site, and it has remained vacant since, falling victim to increased vandalism and unauthorized access, leading to serious safety and fire concerns for the surrounding areas.\n\nThe FY24 NDAA authorized grant funding to the Army-Navy Hospital for on-site security and fire prevention services.\n\nThe second FY24 appropriations package allocated $2.75 million in funding that was authorized by the FY24 NDAA.\n\nOn September 10th, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) approved a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the State of Arkansas in support of the former Army-Navy Hospital.\n\nClick here for the full text of the FY25 NDAA.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-west-point-find-source-of-trump-nominee-smears", "Cotton to West Point: Find Source of Trump Nominee Smears", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 11, 2024\n\nCotton to West Point: Find Source of Trump Nominee Smears\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lieutenant General Steven Gilland urging a prompt investigation into the false information fed to a left-wing media outlet by a U.S. Military Academy official.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cThis statement is incorrect; not only did Mr. Hegseth apply, but he was also accepted to the West Point Class of 2003. Worse, the statement may violate Mr. Hegseth\u2019s rights under the Privacy Act of 1974 by revealing protected personal information. If true, it also demonstrates egregiously bad judgment to share such information about the nominee to be Secretary of Defense with a known liberal outlet like ProPublica.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nDecember 11, 2024\n\nLieutenant General Steven W. Gilland, USA\n\nSuperintendent, United States Military Academy\n\n606 Thayer Rd.\n\nWest Point, NY 10996\n\nDear Lieutenant General Gilland,\n\nI\u2019m concerned about reports that a U.S. Military Academy official has provided false information to a left-wing reporter writing a derogatory hit piece about Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense.\n\nI understand that a civilian public-affairs officer, Theresa Brinkerhoff, informed a reporter that Mr. Hegseth didn\u2019t apply to West Point, as he has said publicly in the past. This statement is incorrect; not only did Mr. Hegseth apply, but he was also accepted to the West Point Class of 2003. Worse, the statement may violate Mr. Hegseth\u2019s rights under the Privacy Act of 1974 by revealing protected personal information. If true, it also demonstrates egregiously bad judgment to share such information about the nominee to be Secretary of Defense with a known liberal outlet like ProPublica.\n\nCould you please promptly look into this matter? Perhaps there\u2019s an honest mistake here, though I can\u2019t imagine what it might be. But I also can\u2019t imagine this action was authorized or known to the West Point leadership.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-votes-protect-and-support-national-waterways", "WESTERMAN VOTES TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT NATIONAL WATERWAYS", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024:\n\n\u201cWater resources and its impacts on our nation are imperative to bolstering necessary infrastructure, improving waterways, and providing safety and relief from deadly flooding. Water resources are critical to the Fourth District of Arkansas, which is why I am proud that the House passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This bipartisan bill works for all Americans, and I am honored to have had several wins for the Fourth District included in this piece of legislation,\u201d said Congressman Westerman.\n\n\u201cEarlier this year, I introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act, along with my colleagues, Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), and Steve Womack (R-AR-03). This piece of legislation expands opportunities to improve and develop outdoor recreation facilities at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) managed areas. States like Arkansas depend on outdoor recreation as a fundamental part of their daily lives and as a major economic contributor. Because so many of our most beloved outdoor recreation facilities must jump through numerous hoops to maintain and manage their sites, the LAKES Act will correct those discrepancies, cut unnecessary federal red tape, and make it easier for the Corps to manage their sites so that these outdoor recreation areas can be enjoyed for generations to come. I am pleased to have seen many parts of this legislation included in the WRDA package. America and Arkansas win with the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, and I am excited to see it quickly signed into law.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nWRDA 2024 is the biennial, bipartisan bill that includes United Sates Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) water resource projects of national, regional, and local significance to help strengthen the Nation\u2019s global competitiveness, grow the economy, ensure the movement of goods throughout the supply chain, protect communities, and create jobs.\n\nPrimary provisions in the bill include:\n\nImproves Corps recreation facilities, creating a pathway for them to retain certain fees collected and partner with private nonprofit organizations for maintenance and operation activities.\n\nStrengthens support for small, rural, distressed communities by reforming EDA\u2019s technical assistance, project predevelopment, and planning.\n\nRedistributes unobligated balances under the TIFIA program to the states through the STBG program.\n\nOutlines a process to direct the Transportation Secretary to determine the amount of unobligated balances on April 1st under the TIFIA program and redistribute 75 percent of that amount to the states, in FYs 2025 and 2026.\n\nRequires the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to implement a standard methodology of measuring occupancy and utilization of public buildings and directs the consolidation and sale of underused space.\n\nAuthorizes the construction of 22 locally driven projects and more than 200 feasibility studies to evaluate new projects, which will improve ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other crucial pieces of water resources infrastructure.\n\nStrengthens supply chains by prioritizing the infrastructure and maintenance needs of our Nation\u2019s harbors \u2014 both big and small \u2013 and our critical navigational waterways.\n\nReauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency\u2019s National Dam Safety Program through 2028 and strengthens the effectiveness and accountability of the High Hazard Potential Dam program.\n\nWRDA Fourth District Wins:\n\nA modified version of the LAKES Act, which was introduced by Rep. Westerman.\n\nEncourages restored access to recreational access at Lake Dardanelle for snag fishing.\n\nGuarantees Arkansas has dredge access when needed most by ensuring the Dredge McFarland and its subsequent replacement stay in \u201cready reserve\u201d status to assist in emergency events.\n\nExtends the Independent External Peer Review Program to continue improving the quality and efficiency of project planning at the U.S. Corps of Engineers.\n\nIncreasing the Federal cost share on Inland Waterways projects up to 75%, ensuring that Inland Waterways Trust Fund dollars go farther.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E6FAF3C8-E516-4CB7-AAD4-B7DA5DC90DA8", "Boozman Honored as Champion of America\u2019s Global Leadership", "2024-12-09", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "\u201cIt is an honor to be recognized alongside such strong advocates for America\u2019s international leadership. During my time in Congress, I have been proud to support foreign assistance programs that not only aid our allies, partners, neighbors and potential new markets, but also serve to bolster U.S. security and economic opportunity. I look forward to continuing to champion our nation\u2019s critical role in saving lives, curing disease and feeding the hungry globally, including by ensuring our farmers have the tools and resources necessary to produce a safe and abundant food supply,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cAt a time of rising threats abroad, leaders like Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Senator Susan Collins, Senator John Boozman, and Representative Gregory Meeks prove that America\u2019s strength lies in its unity of purpose,\u201d said USGLC President & CEO Liz Schrayer. \u201cThey get it: showing up on the world stage with effective diplomacy and global development isn\u2019t just about helping others, it\u2019s about making a difference for America\u2019s kitchen table issues. It\u2019s how we outcompete China, safeguard our security, and grow our economy. I\u2019m enormously proud to see USGLC once again bring together hundreds of bipartisan leaders from across the public and private sectors for this annual celebration of change-makers\u2014because when these champions lead, America wins.\u201d\n\nAs the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and a co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, Boozman has crafted, shaped and passed policies to combat the global food security crisis. The senator is also a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and serves on the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee that oversees funding for U.S. foreign assistance.\n\nIn October 2023, Boozman joined USGLC for its inaugural South Summit hosted in Little Rock. The event highlighted how states like Arkansas and others across the American South are impacted by America\u2019s leadership abroad.\n\nThe USGLC is a broad-based influential network of over 500 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic, military, and community leaders in all 50 states who support strategic investments in American foreign assistance and development. USGLC\u2019s Arkansas Advisory Committee brings together more than 50 prominent business, nonprofit, military, faith-based, political and academic leaders \u2013 co-chaired by former Senators Tim Hutchinson and Mark Pryor \u2013 who understand how American global leadership matters for Arkansas and why investments in development and diplomacy help keep America safe and strengthen Arkansas\u2019s economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-scott-introduce-legislation-to-block-us-tax-breaks-for-chinese-communist-party", "Cotton, Scott Introduce Legislation to Block U.S. Tax Breaks for Chinese Communist Party", "2024-12-06", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 6, 2024\n\nCotton, Scott Introduce Legislation to Block U.S. Tax Breaks for Chinese Communist Party\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) today introduced legislation to rescind the finalized rule under section 45X of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to prevent Chinese companies from accessing billions of dollars in U.S. tax credits. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Moolenaar (R- Michigan) and Congressman Golden (D-Maine).\n\n\u201cThe Chinese Communist Party has used every opportunity to exploit loopholes in our system for their personal gain. Our adversaries should not benefit from U.S. tax credits,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cThe Communist Party of China has made it clear they are an adversary to our nation who will stop at nothing to undermine America's national security, economy and way of life. Our legislation makes clear that the United States will not allow the Communist Chinese Party to benefit off U.S. taxpayer dollars and try to put American companies out of business,\u201d said Senator Scott.\n\nText of the legislation may be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-eliminate-federal-use-of-the-term-west-bank", "Cotton Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Federal Use of the Term \u201cWest Bank\u201d", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 5, 2024\n\nCotton Introduces Legislation to Eliminate Federal Use of the Term \u201cWest Bank\u201d\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Retiring the Egregious Confusion Over the Genuine Name of Israel\u2019s Zone of Influence by Necessitating Government-use of Judea and Samaria (RECOGNIZING Judea and Samaria) Act, legislation to require all official U.S. documents and materials to use the historically accurate term \u201cJudea and Samaria\u201d instead of the \u201cWest Bank\u201d. This bill would require the use of historically accurate terminology and align U.S. policy language with the geographical and cultural significance of the region. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-New York).\n\n\u201cThe Jewish people\u2019s legal and historic rights to Judea and Samaria goes back thousands of years. The U.S. should stop using the politically charged term West Bank to refer to the biblical heartland of Israel,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\"The Israeli people have an undeniable and indisputable historical and legal claim over Judea and Samaria, and at this critical moment in history, the United States must reaffirm this,\" said Congresswoman Tenney. \"This bill reaffirms Israel's rightful claim to its territory. I remain committed to defending the integrity of the Jewish state and fully supporting Israel's sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.\"\n\nText of the legislation may be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/chairman-cotton-names-brian-colas-as-senate-republican-conference-staff-director", "Chairman Cotton Names Brian Colas as Senate Republican Conference Staff Director", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 4, 2024\n\nChairman Cotton Names Brian Colas as Senate Republican Conference Staff Director\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), the incoming Senate Republican Conference Chair, today named Brian Colas Staff Director for the Senate Republican Conference. Colas has previously served as Senator Cotton\u2019s Chief Counsel, and campaign manager.\n\n\u201cBrian Colas is a trusted advisor and friend who will work tirelessly to help our Senate Republican Majority deliver results for the American people. I\u2019m glad Brian will be returning to serve as Staff Director, and I know that he\u2019ll be an asset to the entire Senate Republican Conference.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-kaine-introduce-legislation-to-help-address-drug-shortages-and-supply-chain-vulnerabilities", "Cotton, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Help Address Drug Shortages and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities", "2024-12-04", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 4, 2024\n\nCotton, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Help Address Drug Shortages and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) today introduced the Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act, legislation to help address drug shortages and vulnerabilities in the drug supply chain by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to maintain a list of the country of origin of certain critical drugs marketed in the United States.\n\n\u201cAmericans deserve to know where their life-saving medicines come from. This legislation requires greater transparency in the sourcing of critical drugs, helping to protect patients and strengthen trust in our healthcare system,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cWhile we\u2019ve taken steps in recent years to increase domestic manufacturing of prescription drugs\u2014including in Petersburg, Virginia\u2014we need to do more. I\u2019m glad to join Senator Cotton in introducing this legislation to help address drug shortages and decrease our reliance on pharmaceutical products manufactured in other countries,\u201d said Senator Kaine.\n\nText of the legislation may be found here.\n\nThe Protecting Our Essential Medicines Act would:\n\nDirect the HHS Secretary to establish an interagency task force in consultation with FDA, CDC, DOD, DHS, ASPR, CBP, and ODNI to identify and maintain a list of drugs that are:\n\nCritical to the health and safety of U.S. consumers;\n\nThose for which a shortage would have adverse health outcomes on patients with chronic conditions; and\n\nCountermeasures classified as qualified pandemic or epidemic products.\n\nDirect the task force to create two subsequent lists \u2013 one public and one confidential.\n\nThe public list would describe the top three countries from which the U.S. imports each drug.\n\nThe confidential list would describe drugs that are produced exclusively in China.\n\nEarlier this month, the senators introduced the End Drug Shortages Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help reduce the prevalence and severity of drug shortages.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-expel-chinese-police-operatives-in-us", "Cotton Introduces Legislation to Expel Chinese Police Operatives in U.S", "2024-12-03", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nDecember 3, 2024\n\nCotton Introduces Legislation to Expel Chinese Police Operatives in U.S.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2024, legislation that will impose sanctions on police departments operated by the People\u2019s Republic of China in the United States. The act also sanctions those associated with the United Front Work Department who attempt to coerce or intimidate individuals residing in the United States.\n\n\u201cNo foreign government has the right to operate secret police stations on American soil. The Chinese Communist Party\u2019s actions undermine international norms and human rights by circumventing legal extradition processes and engaging in intimidation tactics. This legislation sends a clear message: the United States will not tolerate illegal operations that violate our sovereignty and intimidate individuals living within our borders,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nText of the legislation may be found here.\n\nThe Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2024 would:\n\nImposes sanctions on Chinese police institutions operating in the U.S. and those associated with them\n\nImposes sanctions on those acting under the direction or control of the United Front Work Department to monitor and intimidate individuals in the U.S.\n\nRevoke visas of the above.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-rep-westerman-featured-why-america-struggling-evs-documentary", "ICYMI: REP. WESTERMAN FEATURED ON \"WHY AMERICA IS STRUGGLING WITH EVS\" DOCUMENTARY", "2024-12-02", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04) was recently featured in the MotorTrend documentary, \"Why America is Struggling with EVs\" to discuss unnecessary government subsidies and mandates regarding EVs which ultimately harm, not help Americans.\n\nWatch the full documentary at the link HERE.\n\nTopline quotes:\n\n\u201cWhen the internal combustion engine came along, you didn\u2019t need a government subsidy to build gas stations. The market demanded filling stations along the roadways and people built them \u2013 they\u2019re still building them today. Why does it take a government subsidy to build a charging station? It\u2019s because they\u2019re trying to force something in the market where government has no place forcing it in the market. Pushing EVs through government subsidies and regulations, I think, is bad policy.\u201d\n\n\"[EVs are] being billed as the solution to a climate issue and they\u2019re not [the solution]. 13.49% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from the United States. 29% of that comes from Transportation. Then you look at all of Transportation which includes planes, trains, and automobiles. Only 57% of the emissions come from light duty trucks and passenger vehicles. So now you\u2019re down at 2.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from U.S. light duty trucks and passenger vehicles. If we were totally serious about reducing carbon emissions, there would be a much greater focus on nuclear power.\"\n\n\"We\u2019re doubling down on wind and solar and we\u2019re doubling down on EVs when there\u2019s a lot bigger piece of the pie that could be captured by building nuclear power plants and either keeping the hydro that we have or expanding the hydro that we have.\u201d\n\n\"[China] doesn\u2019t have a free market system, but they use their government-controlled system to unfairly compete in our free market system.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ABA8FB09-5964-4B1F-BC2F-75FC73F49419", "Boozman Earns Salvation Army\u2019s \u201cFight for Good\u201d Award", "2024-12-02", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "Salvation Army National Commander Kenneth Hodder, Commissioner Jolene Hodder, National Advisory Board Chairman Marc Belton, and Special Representative to Capitol Hill Captain Trey Jones present Sen. John Boozman with the Fight for Good award.\n\nWASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) was recognized with the \u201cFight for Good\u201d award by the Salvation Army for his advocacy of policy priorities that support vulnerable populations during the 118th Congress.\n\nThe Salvation Army presented its \u201cFight for Good\u201d award to lawmakers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and champion policies in support of its mission to alleviate poverty and prevent homelessness throughout the United States.\n\n\u201cI greatly appreciate the tireless work of the Salvation Army and its members to better the lives of Arkansans and Americans. It is an honor to receive this recognition from such a storied and admirable organization whose values we all share. I look forward to continuing my efforts to support those in need,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nApproximately 2,700 Arkansans experienced homelessness in 2019, marking a 33 percent decline since 2007.\n\nThe Salvation Army provides food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment and more at over 6,400 centers of operation around the country.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-icc-threats-against-allies-should-face-retaliation", "Cotton: ICC Threats Against Allies Should Face Retaliation", "2024-11-10", "2024", "2024-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nNovember 10, 2024\n\nCotton: ICC Threats Against Allies Should Face Retaliation\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the International Criminal Court\u2019s continued threats against Israeli officials:\n\n\u201cThe International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction in Israel and its illegal pursuit of Israeli officials is built on a lie. Any attempt by kangaroo court prosecutor Karim Khan to threaten the United States or our allies should be seen as an act of aggression and face swift retaliation. A bipartisan majority in the House has passed a bill to sanction Karim Khan and anyone else involved in any U.S., Israeli, or other allied citizen being wrongfully targeted by the ICC. Chuck Schumer should immediately bring this up for a vote in the Senate.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:07:06Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=788B417C-C395-430A-8DCB-2B44157A6EA0", "Boozman Statement on 2024 Election Results", "2024-11-06", "2024", "2024-11", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement on the results of the 2024 election:\n\n\u201cIt is clear voters have demanded new leadership in the Senate and a return to the agenda President Trump has fiercely championed. I look forward to helping the president-elect and this incoming Republican Senate majority restore prosperity, border security and public safety. The Senate Agriculture Committee will refocus on strengthening our rural communities and we will provide farmers and ranchers the policies and support they desperately need to remain viable.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:02:12Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=84359F18-4935-4948-9A2E-B1F2A1998BAF", "Boozman Convenes 2024-2025 Arkansas Congressional Youth Cabinet", "2024-10-31", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "LITTLE ROCK, Ark.\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) launched the eighth year of his Congressional Youth Cabinet on Tuesday at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock. The meeting brought together 114 high school juniors who were selected from public, private, charter and homeschool students across the state for their involvement and leadership in their communities.\n\n\u201cThe Congressional Youth Cabinet benefits Arkansas students and families as well as their communities by promoting a healthy public policy dialogue and developing the next generation of leaders in our state. I am pleased to welcome this group of bright young people to contribute their ideas and experiences as we explore legislative solutions to the issues that interest them most,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cTheir enthusiasm for enhancing their own understanding of civic engagement and helping shape the future of our state and country is inspiring.\u201d\n\nSenator Boozman and Congressional Youth Cabinet participants in Little Rock.\n\nThe Congressional Youth Cabinet is a non-partisan program that gives students insight and experience with the legislative process. The students will attend meetings throughout the year and work in teams to select and research national issues. In the spring, the students will present their policy recommendations to the senator.\n\nClick here for more photos from the CYC kick-off.\n\nThe following students were selected to participate in the Congressional Youth Cabinet for the 2024-2025 school year:\n\n1st Congressional District\n\nJack Coleman \u2013 Mountain Home\n\nMark Gregory Green \u2013 Harrison\n\nLindsay Dunsing \u2013 Alpena\n\nLuke Wilkins \u2013 Batesville\n\nPenelope Jackson \u2013 Melbourne\n\nNatalie Rodriguez \u2013 Cabot\n\nElla Curry \u2013 Alpena\n\nSuraya Tennison \u2013 Alpena\n\nSara Hinson \u2013 Bergman\n\nKayla Thorndike \u2013 Cabot\n\nAdam Stanisor \u2013 Cabot\n\nBryce Veasman \u2013 Cabot\n\nKaitlyn Carmical \u2013 Cabot\n\nJeremy Jason \u2013 Lake City\n\nAndrew Boots \u2013 Jonesboro\n\nSpencer May \u2013 Jonesboro\n\nSam Vaught \u2013 Wynne\n\nChristian Boykin \u2013 Earle\n\nAjiah Parker \u2013 Earle\n\nAryanna Perry \u2013 Earle\n\nJada Maples \u2013 Earle\n\nLucas White \u2013 Manila\n\nKera Fesperman \u2013 Marion\n\nPenelope Marie Salas \u2013 Marion\n\nGabrielle Weathers \u2013 Lepanto\n\nHarlynn Robertson \u2013 Jonesboro\n\nDeven Isbell \u2013 Jonesboro\n\nWilliam Crader \u2013 Jonesboro\n\nBentley McCoy \u2013 Clarendon\n\nSam Sabbatini \u2013 Hazen\n\nHailey Nichols \u2013 Wynne\n\nDerek Lately Jr. \u2013 Earle\n\nZavion Maples \u2013 Earle\n\nKialynn Mitchell \u2013 Earle\n\n2nd Congressional District\n\n3rd Congressional District\n\nSchuyler Henehan \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nRobinson Skaggs \u2013 Bentonville\n\nCole Kessman \u2013 Fayetteville\n\nKyndall Richey \u2013 Bentonville\n\nManvitha Narasimhan \u2013 Bentonville\n\nEvalyn Clark \u2013 Bentonville\n\nLily Cate Caldwell \u2013 Bentonville\n\nMatthew Velasquez-Amaya \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nPreston Thai \u2013 Bentonville\n\nKhant Sin \u2013 Fayetteville\n\nEvangelina Hernandez \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nGrayson Proctor \u2013 Lavaca\n\nAdrian Gonzalez \u2013 Lavaca\n\nSydney Turner \u2013 Fayetteville\n\nLydia Parsley \u2013 Springdale\n\nTerri Michelle Turner \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nAlee Thongprachanh \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nColt Hood \u2013 Greenland\n\nCaroline Sanders \u2013 Bentonville\n\nSullivan Shepard \u2013 Rogers\n\nOakley Allen \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nWeston Arnett \u2013 Greenwood\n\nJadyn Patterson \u2013 Bentonville\n\nSaqib Memon \u2013 Fayetteville\n\nSarah Amor \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nClara Hibbard \u2013 Mountainburg\n\nDrake Norris \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nMadelyn Maxey \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nAubree Stewart \u2013 Springdale\n\nAneeka Srivastava \u2013 Bentonville\n\nNidhi Nair \u2013 Bentonville\n\nGrace Dickinson \u2013 Tontitown\n\nTatum Grace Loe \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nNathan Barney \u2013 Bentonville\n\nJude Alfaouri \u2013 Fayetteville\n\nClaire Hassler \u2013 Fort Smith\n\nHannah Elliott \u2013 Greenwood\n\n4th Congressional District", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/crawford-co-leads-legislation-to-aid-farmers", "Crawford Co-Leads Legislation to Aid Farmers", "2024-10-25", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "10/25/2024\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) joined 47 of his colleagues in introducing legislation that will provide immediate support to farmers as Congress continues debating a long-term Farm Bill. The Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act (FARM Act) provides emergency assistance to producers of eligible commodities for which the expected revenue in crop year 2024 is below the projected per-acre cost of production. Current Farm Bill safety net provisions utilize cost of production data from 2012. As a result, the aid provided by these programs has not kept up with inflation.\n\n\"As lending season approaches, farmers must work to secure credit for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, credit is drying up as producers face climbing farm input costs and a decline in net farm income. Congressional Democrats have been unwilling to compromise on a new Farm Bill that provides long-term certainty for farm country, and so House Republicans are stepping up once again for our ag producers with this critical economic assistance,\" said Rep. Crawford.\n\n\"Farmers have been hit with circumstances outside of their control, such as natural disasters, inflation pressures, and drought, which have crippled their ability to obtain financing from credit and banking institutions. The FARM Act will bridge the gap, providing relief so that our farmers can continue to do their best\u2014feed the nation,\" said Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01).\n\nOriginal co-sponsors include: Representatives Sanford Bishop (GA), Julia Letlow (LA), Rick Allen (GA), Michael Guest (MS), Mike Rogers (AL), Barry Moore (AL), Austin Scott (GA), Don Bacon (NE), Rick Crawford (AR), Jerry Carl (AL), John Rose (TN), Vicente Gonzalez (TX), Greg Murphy (NC), Jake Ellzey (TX), Troy Nehls (TX), Dale Strong (AL), Brad Finstad (MN), David Rouzer (NC), Robert Aderholt (AL), Chuck Fleischmann (TN), Michelle Fischbach (MN), Mike Ezell (MS), Troy Balderson (OH), Tony Gonzales (TX), Henry Cuellar (TX), Michael McCaul (TX), Monica De La Cruz (TX), Clay Higgins (LA), Mike Collins (GA), Pat Fallon (TX), Pete Sessions (TX), Ronny Jackson (TX), David Kustoff (TN), Randy Feenstra (IA), John Carter (TX), Frank Lucas (OK), August Pfluger (TX), Gary Palmer (AL), Juan Ciscomani (AZ), Buddy Carter (GA), Brian Babin (TX), Jim Baird (IN), Randy Weber (TX), Lance Gooden (TX), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Marc Veasey (TX), Nathaniel Moran (TX), and Michael Rulli (OH).\n\nThe FARM Act is endorsed by:\n\nAmerican Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, USA Rice, Western Peanut Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-doj-and-ftc-systemic-weaponized-leaks-violate-ethics-rules", "Cotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules", "2024-10-24", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 24, 2024\n\nCotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today led four of his colleagues in a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Federal Trade Commissioner Inspector General Andrew Katsaros, demanding an investigation into systemic media leaks. These leaks, all to the same media outlet, resulted in negative headlines about the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s antitrust targets and potentially violated ethics rules.\n\nCo-signers to the letter included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Senators Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska).\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cThese leaks result in negative headlines about the administration\u2019s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven\u2019t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 24, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Michael Horowitz\n\nUnited States Department of Justice\n\nOffice of the Inspector General\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nMr. Andrew Katsaros Inspector General\n\nFederal Trade Commission\n\n600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20580\n\nDear Inspectors General Horowitz and Katsaros,\n\nWe write asking you to investigate whether the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have violated their own ethics rules by systematically leaking potential antitrust cases to a specific media outlet.\n\nSince 2023, Bloomberg News has broken the news in at least twelve instances that DOJ or FTC was \u201cpreparing\u201d or \u201cpoised\u201d to take legal action before a lawsuit was filed. Indeed, the same journalist reported on eleven of these cases. This pattern strongly suggests that certain officials at DOJ and FTC are intentionally publicizing legal action days or weeks before filing.\n\nThese leaks result in negative headlines about the administration\u2019s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven\u2019t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.[*]\n\nBloomberg News reporting DOJ and FTC antitrust actions before the filing of a lawsuit\n\nJanuary 23, 2023: DOJ Poised to Sue Google Over Digital Ad Market Dominance\n\nFebruary 23, 2023: DOJ Preps Antitrust Suit to Block Adobe\u2019s $20 Billion Figma Deal\n\nMay 15, 2023: Amgen\u2019s $28 Billion Horizon Deal Faces Unexpected FTC Hurdle\n\nJune 29, 2023: Lina Khan Is Coming for Amazon, Armed With an FTC Antitrust Suit\n\nOctober 16, 2023: Real Estate Brokers Pocketing Up to 6% in Fees Draw Antitrust Scrutiny\n\nFebruary 20, 2024: FTC, States to Sue Over Kroger-Albertsons Deal Next Week\n\nMarch 20, 2024: Justice Department to Sue Apple for Antitrust Violations\n\nApril 10, 2024: Nippon Steel Bid to Buy US Steel Gets Extended Antitrust Review\n\nApril 17, 2024: Tapestry\u2019s $8.5 Billion Capri Deal Faces Planned FTC Lawsuit\n\nMay 22, 2024: US Justice Department to Seek Breakup of Live Nation-Ticketmaster\n\nJuly 10, 2024: FTC Preparing Suit Against Drug Middlemen Over Insulin Rebates\n\nSeptember 23, 2024: Visa Faces Justice Department Antitrust Case on Debit Cards\n\nThese leaks aren\u2019t just unethical, but they harm these companies\u2019 employees, shareholders, and others. If the companies have engaged in wrongdoing, by all means the government should try them in a court of law. But the Biden-Harris administration shouldn\u2019t try them in the liberal media. These leaks appear to be simply one more instance of this administration weaponizing the administrative state against politically disfavored opponents and critics, much like DOJ investigating parents at school-board meetings or the FTC targeting Elon Musk and Twitter for insufficient censorship of conservatives.\n\nWe urge you to investigate promptly these systematic, unethical, and potentially illegal leaks.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-garland-doj-singles-out-conservative-sweepstakes", "Cotton to Garland: DOJ Singles Out Conservative Sweepstakes", "2024-10-24", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 24, 2024\n\nCotton to Garland: DOJ Singles Out Conservative Sweepstakes\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department of Justice to retract their intimidating letter to Elon Musk\u2019s America PAC. The letter describes a pattern of the Biden-Harris Department of Justice singling out conservative groups while turning a blind eye to left-wing groups engaged in similar behaviors.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cLeft-wing organizations often promote voter-registration sweepstakes. For example, HeadCount Inc. offers potential voters a chance to \u2018win a VIP experience at RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race\u2019 for checking their voter-registration status or beginning the voter-registration process. Michelle Obama\u2019s voter-registration group offered individuals who provided their registration information a chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas. These left-wing groups are just as surely trying to register potential voters with their sweepstakes as is America PAC.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 24, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nI write regarding reports that the Department of Justice has warned Elon Musk\u2019s America PAC that its sweepstakes may violate federal law. I\u2019m not convinced that America PAC has run afoul of the law, but I\u2019m very concerned that the Biden-Harris administration has once again singled out center-right Americans like Mr. Musk for political retribution while turning a blind eye to liberal-leaning groups engaged in similar behavior.\n\nLeft-wing organizations often promote voter-registration sweepstakes. For example, HeadCount Inc. offers potential voters a chance to \u201cwin a VIP experience at RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race\u201d for checking their voter-registration status or beginning the voter-registration process. Michelle Obama\u2019s voter-registration group offered individuals who provided their registration information a chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas. These left-wing groups are just as surely trying to register potential voters with their sweepstakes as is America PAC.\n\nBut where are the threats of legal consequences for liberals? Have you sent Michelle Obama an intimidating letter? I think the question answers itself, of course, and demonstrates yet again how you have weaponized the Department of Justice against not only President Trump, but also his supporters.\n\nI urge you to retract the department\u2019s letter as the ill-considered handiwork of partisan killjoys. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-biden-continued-support-for-the-unrwa-funds-terrorist-activities-and-prolongs-war", "Cotton to Biden: Continued Support for UNRWA Funds Terrorist Activities and Prolongs War", "2024-10-23", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 23, 2024\n\nCotton to Biden: Continued Support for UNRWA Funds Terrorist Activities and Prolongs War\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to impose terrorism sanctions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The Biden-Harris administration\u2019s support for UNRWA threatens American national security and enables continued violence while American hostages remain in Gaza.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cCongress blocked funding to UNRWA earlier this year because of its ties to Hamas. Yet your administration continues to ignore both legislative intent and plain common sense. Your administration\u2019s inadequate oversight has almost certainly enabled U.S. funds to flow to UNRWA affiliates. You even lectured Israel about its proposal to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization. Your administration has become UNRWA\u2019s most prominent apologist and best advocate. \u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 23, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nI write to protest the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and to urge you to impose terrorism sanctions on the agency. Your advocacy for the Hamas-affiliated UNRWA as \u201cindispensable\u201d to humanitarian aid in Gaza undercuts America\u2019s national-security interests by prolonging the Israel-Hamas war, enabling continued violence, and sustaining enemies actively holding American hostages in Gaza.\n\nCongress blocked funding to UNRWA earlier this year because of its ties to Hamas. Yet your administration continues to ignore both legislative intent and plain common sense. Your administration\u2019s inadequate oversight has almost certainly enabled U.S. funds to flow to UNRWA affiliates. You even lectured Israel about its proposal to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization. Your administration has become UNRWA\u2019s most prominent apologist and best advocate.\n\nThe evidence for UNRWA\u2019s complicity in Hamas\u2019s terrorist activity is overwhelming. UNRWA itself admitted that many of its members participated in the October 7 attacks. Hamas terrorists have fired against Israel from UNRWA clinics. Israel has found weapons stashes in UNRWA facilities as well as tunnel shafts around and under those facilities. An Israeli hostage revealed he had been held in a UNRWA employee\u2019s house. And Israel reportedly found a passport belonging to a UNRWA teacher on Yahya Sinwar\u2019s body this week as well as UNRWA food bags in his bunker.\n\nYou must end your support for those who abet terrorism. I call on you to use your authority under Executive Order 13224 to designate UNRWA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity, allowing the U.S. to impose sanctions and block UNRWA assets.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-biden-brief-congress-on-leak-investigation", "Cotton to Biden: Brief Congress on Leak Investigation", "2024-10-22", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 22, 2024\n\nCotton to Biden: Brief Congress on Leak Investigation\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Biden asking for consistent updates on the investigation into the reported leak of top-secret documents. Senator Cotton noted that the repeated leaks from the Biden-Harris administration raise questions about whether the administration will adequately address this security breach.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cOfficials in your administration have repeatedly leaked information clearly designed to pressure Israel to curb its righteous campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies over the last year. These leaks have ranged from reports of personal conversations between American and Israeli officials to assessments of Iranian intent and are clearly designed to handcuff Israel.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 22, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nI write to express my deep alarm about the reported leak of top-secret American documents regarding Israel\u2019s planned military response against Iran. This leak is an outrageous betrayal of an ally and a breach of trust that will undermine our relationship with partners for years to come.\n\nOfficials in your administration have repeatedly leaked information clearly designed to pressure Israel to curb its righteous campaign against Iran and its terrorist proxies over the last year. These leaks have ranged from reports of personal conversations between American and Israeli officials to assessments of Iranian intent and are clearly designed to handcuff Israel.\n\nTo cite a few examples:\n\nCNN recently cited unnamed U.S. officials claiming Israel\u2019s has finalized a counterstrike plan to hit Iran before the U.S. election and provided details about that plan.\n\nYou publicly discussed the timing of Israel\u2019s retaliation again Iran for their latest attack saying on October 3 that it would not \u201chappen today.\u201d\n\nThe Washington Post quoted an unnamed U.S. official about Israel\u2019s plans for the ground invasion of Lebanon before the IDF launched the operation.\n\nIn each instance, these leaks are providing aid to Israel\u2019s\u2014and America\u2019s\u2014 enemy about likely Israeli attack plans and limiting Israeli freedom of action.\n\nGiven this track record I am deeply concerned as to whether your administration will adequately address this serious security breach. Therefore, I request that you provide regular biweekly updates about the investigation to the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-mayorkas-granting-tps-to-lebanese-national-endangers-americans", "Cotton to Mayorkas: Granting TPS to Lebanese National Endangers Americans", "2024-10-18", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 18, 2024\n\nCotton to Mayorkas: Granting TPS to Lebanese National Endangers Americans\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to rescind his decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. Senator Cotton warns Mayorkas that these unvetted Lebanese nationals pose a grave risk to our national security and to the safety of our citizens.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cWe have seen a dramatic increase in unvetted illegal immigrants as a result of your open-border policies. Under the Biden-Harris administration, Border Patrol has encountered thousands of illegal immigrants from countries with deep ties to terrorism, including Lebanon. In fact, Border Patrol agents apprehended a Lebanese man at the southern border earlier this year who said he belonged to Hezbollah and came to America to build a bomb.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 18, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas\n\nSecretary\n\nDepartment of Homeland Security\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas:\n\nI write regarding your dangerous decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Lebanese nationals currently in the United States. The presence of these Lebanese nationals in the United States regardless of whether they lawfully entered poses a grave risk to our national security.\n\nWe have seen a dramatic increase in unvetted illegal immigrants as a result of your open-border policies. Under the Biden-Harris administration, Border Patrol has encountered thousands of illegal immigrants from countries with deep ties to terrorism, including Lebanon. In fact, Border Patrol agents apprehended a Lebonese man at the southern border earlier this year who said he belonged to Hezbollah and came to America to build a bomb.\n\nYour department estimates that granting TPS status will protect 11,000 Lebanese nationals from deportation, which undoubtedly includes many Hezbollah terrorists. This reckless policy endangers the safety of our citizens.\n\nI urge you to rescind this decision before it goes into effect. For Lebanese nationals who have a legal basis to be present in the United States and who can credibly claim a risk to their lives if they return to Lebanon, your department could evaluate asylum requests on a case-by-case basis. This policy would be a far more sensible and safer course of action than a blanket TPS grant to all Lebanese nationals.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-biden-any-delay-in-military-aid-to-israel-violates-will-of-congress", "Cotton to Biden: Any Delay in Military Aid to Israel Violates Will of Congress", "2024-10-16", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 16, 2024\n\nCotton to Biden: Any Delay in Military Aid to Israel Violates Will of Congress\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to President Joe Biden condemning the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s threat to impose an arms embargo on Israel if they do not meet the administration\u2019s unreasonable demands to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. These threats are contrary to Congress\u2019s intent and should be rescinded immediately.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cDenying Israel military aid is in direct opposition to the will of Congress, as expressed in the Israeli security supplemental passed earlier this year. Unilaterally threatening to cut off aid by declaring Israel in violation of U.S. law also ignores Congress\u2019s oversight role. Your administration insists on protecting a terrorist organization in the name of humanitarian aid. \u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 16, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nI write to strongly condemn the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s threat to impose an arms embargo on Israel if they do not meet your unreasonable demands to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Your October 13, 2024, letter to Ministers Gallant and Dermer is a politically driven excuse to pressure our ally to ratchet down its campaign against the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies.\n\nDenying Israel military aid is in direct opposition to the will of Congress, as expressed in the Israeli security supplemental passed earlier this year. Unilaterally threatening to cut off aid by declaring Israel in violation of U.S. law also ignores Congress\u2019s oversight role. Your administration insists on protecting a terrorist organization in the name of humanitarian aid.\n\nI demand that you provide any \u201cevidence\u201d of such violations to the relevant Congressional committees within the next three days. As I assume you cannot do so, I demand that you immediately rescind your threats to our ally.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DA671C41-0422-4D4D-992E-458397DF0775", "Boozman Shares Memories of Northwest Arkansas Veteran for Hispanic Heritage Month", "2024-10-11", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Maddie Willyard in \u2018Salute to Veterans,\u2019 a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.\n\nWillyard was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago when she was 7 years old. In high school, her family moved to a northern suburb because of safety concerns.\n\nWhile Willyard\u2019s family has a history of military service, her path to wearing our nation\u2019s uniform started as a result of trying to avoid an angry teacher who was upset she did not complete her homework.\n\n\u201cThis voice came over the intercom \u2013 juniors and seniors are excused from classes to take the ASVAB. I didn\u2019t know what the ASVAB was. I just knew it was like manna from heaven and off I went,\u201d she said.\n\nShe quickly learned the exam was the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, an indicator of future success in the miliary.\n\n\u201cI did very well. Got lots of calls and visited with recruiters. At that point I had thought of my future. We talked about community college. I wanted to be a journalist. I also wanted to be a teacher and I ended up joining the Air Force,\u201d Willyard said. \u201cI was 16 and shallow still and didn\u2019t think green looked very good on me,\u201d she laughed.\n\nWillyard said her mom was supportive, but her stepdad was horrified because he didn\u2019t think military service was something young women should pursue.\n\nAfter graduating high school in May, Willyard started service in the Air Force in November and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.\n\nHer uncles who served in uniform advised her to stay under the radar. This included getting a bunk furthest away from the training instructor\u2019s office. She followed the advice, but wasn\u2019t there for long after she confronted another airman who was making the unit late to morning formation because she was curling her hair.\n\n\u201cWe were so involved in our conversation that we didn\u2019t even notice our training instructor was there until he yelled,\u201d Willyard said. \u201cHe looked at me and he goes \u2018You want to be in charge? You want my job?\u2019 And I said \u2018Sir, no sir.\u2019\u201d\n\nThe instructor made her squad leader and she was moved to the bed closest to his office.\n\nFollowing basic training, Willyard was assigned to medical administration and continued her education at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. She found the classes interesting and appreciated the freedom and community feel of the base.\n\n\u201cIt was the best time of my life.\u201d\n\nShe calls the people she was training with family, so much so that when she received her first-choice duty station at a base in California, she was devastated to see a friend\u2019s disappointment about her assignment to England Air Force Base, Louisiana.\n\n\u201cThat girl cried for two days and it broke my heart,\u201d Willyard said. Her empathy and compassion led her to trade assignment locations with her friend.\n\nIn Louisiana, Willyard worked in medical records where she helped organize and sort patient files.\n\n\u201cI also learned valuable lessons about customer service. You picked up the phone and you picked it up on the first ring. And you didn\u2019t know if you were going to be talking to another airman like yourself or if you were going to be talking to a full bird colonel,\u201d she said.\n\nShe surrounded herself with mentors who aimed to see her do well and taught her skills that she still uses today.\n\nHer time in uniform is something that has been valuable to her life and work. She says it opened doors for her and she encourages those interested in military service to be ready for hard and rewarding work.\n\n\u201cI tell them be prepared to sacrifice because it\u2019s not about you. It\u2019s about the mission and you\u2019re choosing an occupation with so much honor and history. This country wouldn\u2019t be here if it weren\u2019t for soldiers, so you need to respect that. It\u2019s not just a job, it\u2019s a lifestyle. It\u2019s not something you should go into lightly,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd enjoy it.\u201d\n\nToday, Willyard lives in Northwest Arkansas and has found a calling to give back to her fellow veterans. She served in the Washington County Veteran Service Office before joining Boozman\u2019s staff where she supports the needs of active-duty military, veterans and their families.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful for Maddie Willyard\u2019s service to our country in uniform and her continued support of her fellow veterans. We can be proud of her advocacy of the military and the important role it has had in her life. I\u2019m pleased to preserve her memories of service,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nBoozman submitted Willyard\u2019s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress\u2019s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation\u2019s veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-rosenworcel-rushed-approval-of-soros-fund-management-audacy-deal-raises-questions", "Cotton to Rosenworcel: Rushed Approval of Soros Fund Management-Audacy Deal Raises Questions", "2024-10-10", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) Chairwomen Jessica Rosenworcel concerning the purchase of more than 200 radio stations by Soros Fund Management (SFM). The rushed approval of SFM\u2019s purchase of Audacy raises concerns about the FCC\u2019s process, its impartiality, and the risks to our national security.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cThe FCC\u2019s approval process for large acquisitions of radio stations generally takes a year or more to complete and is subject to a national-security review if foreign-company ownership exceeds 25 percent. In this case, however, the FCC reportedly attempted to approve the SFM transaction with only 48 hours\u2019 notice. Reports also indicate that no other commissioners aside from you were invited to opine on the issue before staff handled it on the Commission\u2019s behalf. Moreover, SFM requested to bypass the traditional national-security review, despite raising $400 million for the purchase with foreign investments.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 10, 2024\n\nJessica Rosenworcel\n\nChairwoman\n\nFederal Communications Commission\n\n45 L Street NE\n\nWashington, DC 20554\n\nDear Chairwoman Rosenworcel,\n\nI write regarding the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) decision to expedite Soros Fund Management\u2019s (SFM) purchase of more than two hundred radio stations just weeks before a critical presidential election.\n\nThe FCC\u2019s approval process for large acquisitions of radio stations generally takes a year or more to complete and is subject to a national-security review if foreign-company ownership exceeds 25 percent. In this case, however, the FCC reportedly attempted to approve the SFM transaction with only 48 hours\u2019 notice. Reports also indicate that no other commissioners aside from you were invited to opine on the issue before staff handled it on the Commission\u2019s behalf. Moreover, SFM requested to bypass the traditional national-security review, despite raising $400 million for the purchase with foreign investments.\n\nThis decision affects over 165 million monthly listeners on Audacy\u2014a network that includes conservative programming like Sean Hannity, Dana Loesch, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, and Erick Erickson. It would be naive to think the timing is coincidental, or that a Soros-funded network would impartially manage conservative talk shows in the weeks before the election. The FCC\u2019s rushed approval of SFM\u2019s purchase raises significant concerns about the FCC\u2019s process, its political impartiality, and the risks to our national security.\n\nI urge the FCC to use its traditional process outlined by Section 310 of the Communications Act. Accordingly, please respond to the below questions by ___\n\nUnder existing FCC rules, foreign-company ownership of U.S. radio stations should not exceed 25 percent. Did SFM request to bypass the national-security evaluation? If so, did you approve it?\n\nWhat other exceptions to the existing rule regarding foreign-ownership of U.S. radio stations have occurred during your tenure as Chairwoman?\n\nWho was invited to opine on SFM\u2019s purchase of Audacy?\n\nWhat efforts were made to undergo a legitimate public-interest analysis?\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nU.S. Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D930020C-6B51-4A0D-9113-0FB5983F2592", "Boozman, Cramer, Capito and Colleagues File Bicameral Amicus Brief to Overturn FHWA\u2019s Unlawful Emissions Rule", "2024-10-09", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) led 27 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit opposing a final rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets for those GHG emissions. The brief requests that the Court uphold the April 2024, U.S. District Court decision finding that Congress did not grant the FHWA the authority to issue the rule.\n\nThe brief argues Congress explicitly debated providing the FHWA the necessary authority to issue this rule, but decided against doing so in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FHWA then intentionally misconstrued congressional intent and used unrelated statutory authorities to attempt to justify issuing its GHG performance measure rule. The lawmakers also contend the rulemaking is inconsistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back executive branch overreach, and that FHWA is ignoring principles of federalism at the expense of state governments to further its own policy agenda.\n\n\u201cCongress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,\u201d the members argued. \u201cIn doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch\u2019s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cPut simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,\u201d the members continued.\n\nSenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) \u2013 as well as U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee \u2013 also cosigned the brief.\n\nFull text of the amicus brief is available here.\n\nBackground:\n\nShortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general, including Arkansas, filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration.\n\nIn April of this year, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval overturning the rule by a vote of 53-47. The bipartisan measure was led by Cramer and cosponsored by Boozman, Ranking Member Capito and dozens of their colleagues.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-power-stop-americans-tax-dollars-from-funding-terrorists", "Cotton to Power: Stop Americans\u2019 Tax Dollars from Funding Terrorists.", "2024-10-09", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 9, 2024\n\nCotton to Power: Stop Americans\u2019 Tax Dollars from Funding Terrorists.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samatha Power expressing grave concerns about the likely misuse of more than one billion dollars in U.S. humanitarian aid sent to Gaza since October 2023. Senator Cotton urges her to immediately suspend all aid until taking credible and serious steps to stop Americans\u2019 tax dollars from funding terrorists.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cWhile Congress cut off funding to UNRWA earlier this year, USAID continues to work with UN agencies and other local partners in Gaza despite documented concerns about inadequate vetting and possible terrorist ties. In July, the USAID Inspector General identified multiple \u201cshortcomings and vulnerabilities in its overnight mechanisms\u201d for Gaza aid, such as inadequate vetting of local partners, reliance on self-reporting of terrorist ties from partners, reliance on inadequate vetting by UN partners, and challenges with third-party monitoring.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 9, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Samantha Power\n\nU.S. Agency for International Development Ronald Reagan Building\n\nWashington, D.C. 20523\n\nDear Administrator Power:\n\nI write to raise grave concerns about the likely misuse of more than one billion dollars in U.S. humanitarian aid sent to Gaza since October 2023. As I predicted would happen from the outset, credible reporting indicates that Hamas terrorists have diverted this aid; indisputable evidence demonstrates that the aid was always at high risk of diversion. In all likelihood, the Biden-Harris administration has prolonged the Gaza war, allowed aid to flow to Israel\u2019s enemies, and misused taxpayer funds.\n\nOn September 30, your agency announced approximately $336 million in additional humanitarian funding for Gaza, Judea, and Samaria. On the same day, the United Nations acknowledged that Fateh al-Sharif, a Hamas leader in Lebanon killed in an Israeli airstrike, was employed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. UNRWA, a major USAID partner before October 7, remains a chief conduit for UN humanitarian assistance in Gaza despite extensive evidence of its ties to Hamas.\n\nWhile Congress cut off funding to UNRWA earlier this year, USAID continues to work with UN agencies and other local partners in Gaza despite documented concerns about inadequate vetting and possible terrorist ties. In July, the USAID Inspector General identified multiple \u201cshortcomings and vulnerabilities in its overnight mechanisms\u201d for Gaza aid, such as inadequate vetting of local partners, reliance on self-reporting of terrorist ties from partners, reliance on inadequate vetting by UN partners, and challenges with third-party monitoring.\n\nThese flawed \u201coversight mechanisms\u201d are the very procedures that led USAID to ignore or tolerate UNRWA employees who belonged to Hamas. As nothing has changed, how should the Congress trust that any aid sent to Gaza will not end up in the hands of Hamas?\n\nWhen American aid flows to Israel\u2019s enemies\u2014who are also our enemies\u2014USAID is guilty of moral failure, strategic catastrophe, and betrayal of the American taxpayer. You should immediately suspend all aid until taking credible and serious steps to stop Americans\u2019 tax dollars from funding terrorists.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nU.S. Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7D3750A9-DCF2-4248-83D8-17EB6F954400", "Boozman Joins Senate Republicans Marking Anniversary of Oct. 7 Attack on Israel", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and all 46 of their Senate Republican colleagues marking the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks that killed dozens of Americans. The senators will introduce a resolution fully condemning Iran-backed Hamas for its actions, supporting the forever survival of Israel and calling for the safe release of American hostages.\n\nThe entire Senate Republican Conference stands united in opposing violent antisemitic protests and Iran-backed Hamas\u2019 use of rape as a weapon of war. They also reiterate Israel\u2019s right to defend itself and emphasize the importance of denying Hamas the ability to reconstitute in the region to ensure the horrific events of that day are never repeated.\n\n\u201cHamas\u2019 brutal attack on innocent victims will never be forgotten. As families still wait to be reunited with loved ones captured one year ago, our resolve is unwavering to bring these hostages home. The United States stands with Israel, one of our closest friends and allies, as it continues to defend itself and its people. I remain committed to supporting our partner in its fight against Iran-backed terrorists,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cThis time last year, I woke up in the Middle East to the unbearable news that Israel was under attack by Iran-backed terrorists and Americans were being killed and taken hostage,\u201d said Ernst. \u201cI immediately traveled into Israel to show that our nation\u2019s friendship is unwavering, in good times and bad. Regardless of whether I have been in Jerusalem, Washington, or Iowa, I have worked around the clock to hold the White House accountable to its \u2018ironclad\u2019 commitment, bring our hostages home, and cut off the source of terrorism in Tehran. One year since that day, as Israel remains under attack on all fronts, Senate Republicans stand united with our greatest ally in the Middle East.\u201d\n\nClick here to view the resolution.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-one-year-anniversary-of-the-october-7-terror-attacks", "Cotton Statement on One-Year Anniversary of the October 7 Terror Attacks", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel:\n\n\"I join Arkansans in commemorating the thousands of Israelis and Americans who were attacked, brutalized, kidnapped, and murdered one year ago today by Hamas. Over the last year, Iran\u2019s terror network has waged war on Israel and besieged our own soldiers and sailors, leading to the death of American troops. The United States has a simple strategic and moral imperative, which is also the best way to rescue the hostages and honor the memory of the lost: back Israel to the hilt and let Israel win.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1ED2CB91-CF65-4B00-8A39-745F38AA0A21", "Boozman Recognizes 4-H", "2024-10-03", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), co-chairs of the Senate 4-H Caucus, led the successful adoption of a Senate resolution designating October 7 through October 12 as \u201cNational 4-H Week.\u201d\n\n\u201c4-H is a very special organization for the Boozman family. My three daughters were very active 4-H members and were state record book winners. I can\u2019t think of any entity outside of church that played a larger role in influencing their lives. The same can be said about the positive impact 4-H has on generations of young people, which is why I am proud to join Chairwoman Stabenow to lead this resolution honoring the organization. Join me in marking National 4-H Week by encouraging youth to continue participating and benefiting from this program,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cAs a former 4-H\u2019er myself, I know that 4-H prepares young people to thrive in their communities and be the next generation of leaders both on and off the farm. Through hands-on experience, six million 4-H\u2019ers are learning the skills they need to tackle the critical issues we face today and, in the future,\u201d Stabenow said.\n\n4-H is a youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of land-grant universities, and it is the largest youth development organization in the country. The organization provides experiences for nearly six million young people through hands-on projects in health, science, agriculture and civic engagement.\n\nIn Arkansas, more than 130,000 young people participate in 4-H programs annually.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:55:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-werfel-partisan-voter-registration-drives-violate-federal-law", "Cotton to Werfel: Partisan Voter Registration Drives Violate Federal Law", "2024-10-03", "2024", "2024-10", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nOctober 3, 2024\n\nCotton to Werfel: Partisan Voter Registration Drives Violate Federal Law\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner, Danny Werfel urging an investigation into the Voter Participation Center\u2019s alleged partisan activities. This charity is targeting likely Democrat voters while excluding likely Republican voters through its voter-registration ads on social media. The IRS prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from conducting partisan voter-education or voter-registration activities.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cAccording to the Washington Free Beacon, the Voter Participation Center is targeting likely Democrat voters and excluding likely Republican voters through its voter-registration ads on social media. The Voter Participation Center has instructed Facebook to exclude users from seeing ads if they expressed interest in \u2018John Wayne,\u2019 \u2018Redneck Mud Club,\u2019 \u2018Daytona 500,\u2019 \u2018Duck Dynasty,\u2019 and other topics associated with conservatives. On the other hand, the group instructed Facebook to target users interested in \u2018hot yoga,\u2019 \u2018Charli XCX\u2019 (who is closely associated with Kamala Harris\u2019s presidential campaign), \u2018Pitchfork Media,\u2019 and other topics that tend to interest progressives.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nOctober 3, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Danny Werfel\n\nCommissioner\n\nInternal Revenue Service\n\n1111 Constitution Avenue, Northwest\n\nWashington, DC 20224\n\nDear Commissioner Werfel,\n\nI write regarding a tax-exempt charity that may be violating federal law. The Voter Participation Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that reportedly engages in partisan voter-registration drives.\n\nThe IRS prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from conducting partisan voter-education or voter -registration activities. The IRS states that a 501(c)(3) organization may only conduct voter-registration drives \u201cif they are conducted in a neutral, non-partisan manner.\u201d It further warns that a private foundation is subject to a tax if it uses funds for partisan voter-registration drives.\n\nAccording to the Washington Free Beacon, the Voter Participation Center is targeting likely Democrat voters and excluding likely Republican voters through its voter-registration ads on social media. The Voter Participation Center has instructed Facebook to exclude users from seeing ads if they expressed interest in \u201cJohn Wayne,\u201d \u201cRedneck Mud Club,\u201d \u201cDaytona 500,\u201d \u201cDuck Dynasty,\u201d and other topics associated with conservatives. On the other hand, the group instructed Facebook to target users interested in \u201chot yoga,\u201d \u201cCharli XCX\u201d (who is closely associated with Kamala Harris\u2019s presidential campaign), \u201cPitchfork Media,\u201d and other topics that tend to interest progressives.\n\nThe Voter Participation Center has spent over a million dollars on this ad drive. It has also paid over $50 million to Democrat micro-targeting firms. According to 26 U.S. Code \u00a7 4945(d)(2), these partisan expenditures must be taxed.\n\nThe IRS should immediately open an investigation into this organization.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nU.S. Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-37-gop-colleagues-condemn-biden-harris-administrations-weak-iran-policy-amid-nuclear-threat", "Cotton, 37 GOP Colleagues Condemn Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Weak Iran Policy Amid Nuclear Threat", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 26, 2024\n\nCotton, 37 GOP Colleagues Condemn Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Weak Iran Policy Amid Nuclear Threat\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (New York-21) led 37 Congressional Republican colleagues today in sending a letter to President Joe Biden criticizing his administration\u2019s weak policies that have emboldened Iran to advance its nuclear program to the brink of nuclear breakout. The Biden-Harris administration\u2019s policies of appeasement have contributed to an urgent nuclear threat and further destabilization throughout the Middle East and beyond.\n\nAdditional signatories include Senators Ted Budd (R- North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R- North Dakota), Katie Britt (R- Alabama), Rick Scott (R- Florida), Deb Fischer (R- Nebraska), Roger Marshall (R- Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R- Nebraska), Marco Rubio (R- Florida), Ted Cruz (R- Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R- Wyoming), Joni Ernst (R- Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R- Tennessee), John Cornyn (R- Texas), John Barrasso (R- Wyoming), Lindsey Graham (R- South Carolina), Mike Braun (R- Indiana), John Thune (R- South Dakota), Congressman Chris Smith (New Jersey-04), Congressman John H. Rutherford (Florida-05), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (Texas-02), Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03), Congressman Greg Murphy, (North Carolina-03), Congressman Ben Cline (Virginia-06), Congressman Brandon Williams (New York-22), Congressman Rudy Yakym III (Indiana-02), Congressman Scott Franklin (Florida-15), Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (Iowa-01), Congressman Nick Langworthy (New York-23), Congressman Mark Alford (Missouri-04), Congressman Pat Fallon (Texas-04), Congressman Lance Gooden (Texas-05), Congressman Brad Finstad (Minnesota-01), Congressman Juan Ciscomani (Arizona-06), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Missouri-02), Congressman Randy Feenstra (Iowa-04), Congressman Ralph Norman (South Carolina-05), and Congressman Michael Guest (Mississippi-03).\n\nIn part, the lawmakers wrote:\n\n\u201cYour administration allowed Iranian-backed militias to attack our troops more than 180 times while responding only about 11 times, diminishing any fear of American strength. You further empowered Iranian proxies by removing the Houthis from the list of designated terrorist organizations and restoring funding to the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas accomplices in UNRWA. These proxies then attacked and besieged Israel\u2014and you proceeded to impose a weekslong, partial arms embargo on Israel, weakening the chief adversary of Iran capable of destroying its nuclear program.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 26, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500\n\nDear President Biden,\n\nWe write regarding your failure to prevent Iran from rushing towards nuclear breakout. In July, Secretary Blinken confirmed that Iran is \u201cprobably one or two weeks away\u201d from having enough nuclear material for a bomb. This geopolitical disaster and national-security crisis results directly from your administration\u2019s policy of appeasement.\n\nFrom the beginning, you\u2019ve pursued a weak, naive, and supine strategy of accommodating the world\u2019s worst state sponsor of terror. Your administration ignored sanctions that allowed Iran to make over $100 billion in oil sales, rescinded the Trump administration\u2019s snapback sanctions at the United Nations, and advocated against censuring the ayatollahs at the IAEA. You appointed Robert Malley as envoy to Iran and employed his cohort of Iran sympathizers, such as Ariane Tabatabai at the Defense Department.\n\nYour administration allowed Iranian-backed militias to attack our troops more than 180 times while responding only about 11 times, diminishing any fear of American strength. You further empowered Iranian proxies by removing the Houthis from the list of designated terrorist organizations and restoring funding to the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas accomplices in UNRWA. These proxies then attacked and besieged Israel\u2014and you proceeded to impose a weekslong, partial arms embargo on Israel, weakening the chief adversary of Iran capable of destroying its nuclear program.\n\nEach act of appeasement strengthened and emboldened Iran, which has raced to the edge of nuclear breakout. When President Trump left office, it would have taken Iran more than three months to enrich enough uranium for a single nuclear weapon. Under your watch, Iran may have slashed its breakout time by more than 90 percent and increased its stockpile of enriched uranium enough to build a nuclear arsenal of more than a dozen weapons in that time.\n\nIran has waged a reign of terror against America and our allies for decades. But if Iran acquires a nuclear weapon, one can only imagine how emboldened the ayatollahs would feel to spread even more death and terror around the world, especially in the Middle East. If that happens, history will judge you and your administration very harshly\u2014as it should.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-rubio-hawley-introduce-legislation-to-end-permanent-normal-trade-relations-with-china", "Cotton, Rubio, Hawley Introduce Legislation to End Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 26, 2024\n\nCotton, Rubio, Hawley Introduce Legislation to End Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) today introduced The Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act to end Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China.\n\n\u201cChina\u2019s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status has enriched the Chinese Communist Party while costing the United States millions of jobs. This comprehensive repeal of China\u2019s PNTR status and reform of the U.S.-China trade relationship will protect American workers, enhance our national security, and end the Chinese Communists\u2019 leverage over our economy,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cGiving Communist China the same trade benefits that we give to our greatest allies was one of the most catastrophic decisions that our country has ever made. Our country\u2019s trade deficit with China more than quadrupled, and we exported millions of American jobs. Ending normal trade relations with China is a no-brainer,\u201d said Senator Rubio.\n\n\u201cMore than two decades ago, Washington elites granted China most favored nation trading status, enabling Beijing to exploit our working class. Congress must revoke this sweetheart deal to protect American workers from our greatest adversary and to bring back the millions of manufacturing jobs shipped overseas,\u201d said Senator Josh Hawley.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe Neither Permanent Nor Normal Trade Relations Act would:\n\nEnd PNTR for China.\n\nPhase-in tariffs for Chinese products over five years, including 100% tariffs for goods determined to be important to national security.\n\nEmpower the President to create supplementary quotas and tariffs to phase out Chinese imports and to institute overriding bans on specific Chinese goods.\n\nEnd de minimis treatment for covered nations\u2014including China\u2014and require customs brokers for other de minimis shipments.\n\nThe revenue produced will go towards farmers and manufacturers injured by potential Chinese retaliation, the purchase of key munitions important to a Pacific conflict, and paying down the debt.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-mcconnell-to-president-biden-weapons-delays-cost-lives-and-embolden-iran", "Cotton, McConnell to President Biden: Weapons Delays Cost Lives and Embolden Iran", "2024-09-25", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 25, 2024\n\nCotton, McConnell to President Biden: Weapons Delays Cost Lives and Embolden Iran\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden condemning his continued delay in providing critical military equipment and weapons to our ally Israel as they face a multi-front war against Iranian-terrorist proxies. Further delays will continue to escalate conflict and embolden our shared enemies.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\"Further delays will endanger Israeli lives, increase the likelihood that the conflict will escalate further, and harm American national security interests. It\u2019s far past time to transfer to Israel the capabilities it needs to win.\"\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 25, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nWe write to strongly condemn your administration\u2019s continued delay in providing critical military equipment and weapons to our ally Israel in the midst of an existential war. Delays of equipment that Israel requires to win its multi-front war against Iranian-terrorist proxies, compounded by statements by Administration officials blaming Israel for escalation, undercut Israel\u2019s efforts to restore deterrence by emboldening the Iranian-backed terrorists.\n\nWe have reason to believe your administration is currently delaying three critical types of military weapons or equipment.\n\nMK-84 bombs: Israel requires these bombs to hit Hamas\u2019s deeply buried tunnels and other military infrastructure in Gaza. Hezbollah also has significant military infrastructure that Israel must destroy.\n\nApache attack helicopters: Despite ongoing discussions between the United States and Israel, your administration has failed to fast-track and approve the sale of Apache attack helicopters. Israel requested these helicopters last December, recognizing the increased need given the war in Gaza. That need has only increased with Hezbollah\u2019s escalation in the north.\n\nCaterpillar D9 tractors: We recently learned you are holding up tractors that the IDF uses to clear improvised explosive devices (IEDs) ahead of its troops. Israel puts armor on these tractors and uses them to save the lives of scores of Israel Defense force (IDF) soldiers and civilians.\n\nFurther delays will endanger Israeli lives, increase the likelihood that the conflict will escalate further, and harm American national security interests. It\u2019s far past time to transfer to Israel the capabilities it needs to win.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\nMitch McConnell\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=94238584-DA5A-4C7C-B069-EEC0442CCD95", "Boozman, Heinrich Introduce Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act", "2024-09-23", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act to provide free access to national parks and other public lands to all American fourth graders and their families through 2031.\n\n\u201cIntroducing young Americans to our national parks inspires an appreciation for the lands and resources that help define our country. I\u2019m proud to support this legislation that allows the next generation to discover our national treasures and explore the outdoors,\u201d said Boozman.\n\n\u201cAs a father and a former outdoor educator, I know firsthand how much of a difference getting outside can make for our kids,\u201d said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. \u201cI\u2019m so proud of the doors we have opened to our public lands for fourth graders and their families since we passed my Every Kid Outdoors Act into law five years ago. Now, we can double down on this successful program, turning our national parks and other public lands into outdoor classrooms with endless opportunities for children to learn and families to make new memories.\u201d\n\nStarting in 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered fourth graders and their families free entrance to all federally managed public lands. The authorization is scheduled to expire in 2026.\n\nFull text of the Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act can be found here.\n\nThe Every Kid Outdoors program has successfully encouraged tens of thousands of children and their families to explore America\u2019s public lands, waters, historic sites and national parks \u2013 more than 2,000 sites in all.\n\nThe Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act has widespread support with endorsements from The Wilderness Society, Sierra Club and Outdoor Alliance for Kids.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-boozman-to-young-and-su-all-people-should-have-the-opportunity-for-dignified-work", "Cotton, Boozman to Young and Su: All People Should Have the Opportunity for Dignified Work", "2024-09-22", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 20, 2024\n\nCotton, Boozman to Young and Su: All People Should Have the Opportunity for Dignified Work\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to OMB Director Shalanda Young and Acting Secretary of labor Julie Su regarding troubling reports that the Department of Labor (DOL) is considering a new rule that would abolish the 14(c) program wherein individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities can find employment and resources in a supervised setting. The Senators stated that all people deserve to have the opportunity for dignified work, and reiterated to Director Young and Acting Secretary Su that any attempt to disrupt this program without Congressional authorization would be illegal.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cAll people, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity for dignified work. The 14(c) program does not limit the ability of disabled workers to engage in competitive employment. It merely provides those with difficulties in a traditional work environment the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. It provides many vulnerable Americans with a sense of accomplishment and provides their families and caretakers with time to complete activities necessary for the functioning of their households.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 20, 2024\n\nShalanda Young\n\nDirector\n\nOffice of Management and Budget\n\n725 17th St NW\n\nWashington, DC 20503\n\nJulie Su\n\nActing Secretary\n\nDepartment of Labor\n\n200 Constitution Ave NW\n\nWashington, DC 20210\n\nDear Director Young and Acting Secretary Su,\n\nI write regarding troubling reports that the Department of Labor (DOL) is considering a new rule that would abolish the 14(c) program. Any changes to the 14(c) certificate program rests with Congress and not DOL.\n\nSince 1938, the DOL has provided intellectually and developmentally disabled Americans the opportunity to engage in meaningful work through Section 14(c) certificates. According to the Washington Post, despite these longstanding statutes, and no legislative reforms, the DOL is considering a new rule that would be the \"regulatory equivalent of abolition of 14(c) programs.\"\n\nAll people, regardless of their abilities, should have the opportunity for dignified work. The 14(c) program does not limit the ability of disabled workers to engage in competitive employment. It merely provides those with difficulties in a traditional work environment the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. It provides many vulnerable Americans with a sense of accomplishment and provides their families and caretakers with time to complete activities necessary for the functioning of their households.\n\nRegardless of any policy objections the administration might have with the 14(c) program, it must be enforced according to the law. Former Secretary Marty Walsh, the last Senate-confirmed Secretary of Labor, agreed that changes to the program rest with Congress, rather than the DOL. Any efforts to make it functionally unworkable without Congressional authorization would be illegal.\n\nBefore deciding on the legality of these proposed changes to 14(c), please answer the following questions:\n\n1. Where in the Fair Labor Standards Act and accompanying amendments does the DOL find the legal authority to make significant changes to this program, especially considering the Supreme Court's recent decision to end agency deference in Loper Bright Enterprises .v Raimondo?\n\n2.How many disabled Americans would lose their jobs at sheltered workshops if 14(c) certificates were phased out?\n\n3.Has the DOL considered the secondary effects of these individuals losing their jobs, such as their families needing to provide caretaking services during working hours, rather than working themselves or performing necessary functions for their households? If so, provide the details of that analysis.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-gensler-protect-americans-privacy-and-halt-cat-filings", "Cotton, Colleagues to Gensler: Protect Americans\u2019 Privacy and Halt CAT Filings", "2024-09-20", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 20, 2024\n\nCotton, Colleagues to Gensler: Protect Americans\u2019 Privacy and Halt CAT Filings\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) led 13 of his Congressional Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler to call for the immediate suspension of the recently effective rule filings tied to the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT). The letter warns that the SEC\u2019s decision to allow these fillings to proceed without proper oversight is an affront to investors and endangers the impartiality of the judicial process.\n\nSenators Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Congressman French Hill (Arkansas-02), Congressman John Rose (Tennessee-06), Congressman Steve Womack (Arkansas-03), and Congressman Alex Mooney (West Virginia-02) co-signed the letter.\n\nIn part, the lawmakers wrote:\n\n\u201cAs members of Congress and Amici Curiae in these cases, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the Commission adheres to its statutory authority. The CAT poses profound risks to Americans' individual liberty and personal privacy. Moreover, if a significant new tax is levied on American investors, the Courts must be afforded an opportunity to conduct a fair and impartial review.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 20, 2024\n\nChair Gensler,\n\nWe write to express our concerns that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the \"Commission\") has not suspended the most recent immediately effective rule filings to establish fees related to the Consolidated Audit Trail (\"CAT\"). As you are aware, the legality of the funding model underpinning these filings as well as the CAT itself are being reviewed in the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.'\n\nAs members of Congress and Amici Curiae in these cases, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the Commission adheres to its statutory authority. The CAT poses profound risks to Americans' individual liberty and personal privacy. Moreover, fi a significant new tax is levied on American investors, the Courts must be afforded an opportunity to conduct a fair and impartial review.\n\nThe Commission has allowed the withdrawal of suspended fee filings, followed by the refiling of nearly identical ones, which effectively overrides its previous suspension and enables the immediate imposition of CAT fees with minimal notice to the industry. The Commission must suspend the CAT fees in order to allow market participants the opportunity to comment on these filings and to allow the legality of the entire CAT structure to be reviewed through the judicial process.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n____________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=77E44A74-5FB4-426C-AD13-E811D7E26460", "Boozman, Kelly Lead Senate Recognition of America\u2019s Truckers", "2024-09-19", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) are celebrating America\u2019s truckers with the introduction of a Senate resolution designating the week of September 15-21, 2024 as \u201cNational Truck Driver Appreciation Week.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m proud to support the men and women who drive long hours to deliver goods and products across the country and move our communities forward. Arkansas truckers play a crucial role in our economy. I\u2019m honored to recognize their work and committed to continue championing policies to help enhance their industry,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cTruckers are the backbone of our economy, driving long hours to deliver the goods that keep stores stocked and businesses running,\u201d said Kelly. \u201cNational Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an important recognition of the sacrifices they make every day. I will continue to support policies that make their jobs safer and our supply chains stronger.\u201d\n\n\u201cNational Truck Driver Appreciation Week is an opportunity for us as a nation to take stock of the countless ways truckers provide for all of us. Their impact can be seen and felt everywhere, because everything we want or need is moved by truck,\u201d said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. \u201cWe applaud Senators Boozman and Kelly for leading this bipartisan effort to recognize the extraordinary hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of America\u2019s professional drivers. Our reliance on truckers is absolute, and our appreciation for them should be as well. This resolution serves as a reminder of their indispensable role in our daily lives.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-colleagues-introduce-resolution-recognizing-october-2024", "WESTERMAN, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 2024 AS NATIONAL DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2024 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month.\n\nSenators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the companion resolution in the U.S. Senate.\n\n\u201cAlthough millions of students face the social stigmas and learning challenges related to dyslexia every day, dyslexia rarely receives the proper attention it deserves. This important resolution recognizing October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month is an important step in ensuring educators and parents are aware of the prevalence of dyslexia and empowered to get their students the learning resources they need,\u201d said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Westerman. \u201cI am proud to support this resolution once again, and I thank Senator Cassidy and my fellow Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair, Congresswoman Brownley, for making this a bicameral and bipartisan issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cI began my career in public service to ensure that all children, including individuals with dyslexia like my daughter, have the resources and positive learning environments to live up to their full potential,\" said Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chair Brownley. \u201cIn recognizing October as Dyslexia Awareness Month, we are bringing much needed attention to the challenges people with dyslexia face and, more importantly, reaffirming our commitment to providing them with the support they need to thrive. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus, I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Westerman and my colleagues to raise awareness and help those with dyslexia to succeed.\u201d\n\n\u201cDyslexia impacts one in five Americans. With an early diagnosis by the end of kindergarten or beginning of the first grade, these students won\u2019t be left behind and can reach their full potential,\u201d said Dr. Cassidy. \u201cThis National Dyslexia Awareness Month, we raise dyslexia awareness and continue to our work to ensure these bright children have the resources to achieve their dreams.\u201d\n\n\u201cDyslexia impacts individuals in West Virginia and all across our country, which is why it is so important that we recognize the substantial challenges it poses to students and adults. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues once again to introduce this resolution, which will help us raise awareness around the need for early screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based solutions,\u201d said Senator Capito.\n\n\"Identifying dyslexia in early childhood is crucial to ensuring students in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cThis bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.\u201d s in Maine and across the country are being properly prepared for a lifetime of reading and learning,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cThis bipartisan resolution seeks to raise awareness of the problems associated with a lack of dyslexia testing for American students which has left countless unidentified dyslexic students to struggle silently in their education.\u201d\n\nRead the full text of the resolution here", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=48DD42D5-4356-4D69-B132-BA79D4C8865A", "Boozman Thanks Regional Economic Development Commissions for Support of Communities, Pushes to Simplify Grant Application Process", "2024-09-18", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded the assistance of federal regional commissions to communities in Arkansas and across the country, particularly in the wake of natural disasters and other economic challenges, in a hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee.\n\nBoozman, a senior EPW Committee member, went on to urge witnesses from five federal-state partnership entities to help simplify federal grant applications in order to help state and local governments more readily access funds Congress intended for their use.\n\n\u201cYour budgets aren\u2019t very great, but those dollars you have, being able to intervene and really knowing the communities you\u2019re serving makes a huge difference,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cIn recent years Arkansas has been devastated by natural disasters from tornadoes and wind to historic flooding along the Arkansas River. The impacts of which are still being dealt with. Once the dust has settled and the rubble has been cleared, communities struggle to continue growth and retain residents.\u201d\n\nBoozman also cited the difficulty small, rural localities like Mountainburg, Arkansas face in applying for federal grants to help fund projects like expanding water infrastructure to deliver safe, reliable drinking water to residents.\n\n\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t be that, if you have a good education, you have to hire a $30,000 grant writer in a very, very small community,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cI hope we can all work together on this. There\u2019s no excuse for making things so very difficult.\u201d\n\nClick play to view the video or follow this link\n\nhttps://youtu.be/tinQHes3cnc", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=65796256-2A88-4978-8FC6-50A1668CEA6C", "Boozman: \u201cTimely and Urgent Response\u201d Needed to Stave Off Looming Farm Crisis", "2024-09-17", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, called for Congress and the administration to provide a \u201ctimely and urgent response\u201d to the looming farm crisis in the form of emergency assistance to farmers and called for a redoubling of efforts to pass a farm bill before the end of the calendar year in a speech on the Senate floor.\n\nOn emergency assistance, Boozman said, \u201cFarmers across the country need a bridge to help their family farms survive into next year. We\u2019ve seen previous ad-hoc assistance programs established in a period of weeks, as demonstrated by then Secretary [Sonny] Perdue when the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions for producers. That level of timely and urgent response by Congress and the administration is once again warranted.\u201d\n\nBoozman then turned his attention to the stalled farm bill talks.\n\n\u201cThe next farm bill is the appropriate place to make the necessary long-term corrections to our farm safety net, but farmers need timely support addressing 2024 losses as they enter the winter months when they make planting decisions and secure financing for the upcoming crop year,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cWe must redouble our efforts to pass a farm bill, before the end of the calendar year, that meets this moment \u2013 one that provides the support our farmers desperately need to stay in business. I am committed to sitting down with my counterparts for as long as it takes to hash out a deal that our members can support.\u201d\n\nThe following are Boozman\u2019s remarks as prepared:\n\nMr. President,\n\nLast week hundreds of farmers and ranchers, from all regions of our country, representing operations of all sizes and all the major crops, traveled to Capitol Hill to encourage us to pass a strong farmer-focused farm bill before the end of this year.\n\nI met with many of these individuals, and I am grateful they took time away from their families and their farms and ranches to tell us what was at stake if Congress fails to pass a farm bill this year.\n\nFor these farmers, this trip came with the additional stress of being away from the farm at the height of harvest season.\n\nTheir visits clearly articulated the anxiety gripping farm country at this crucial moment.\n\nFor the past few months, farmers, ranchers, the organizations who represent them, and the agricultural banking sector, have all warned of an impending crisis in farm county.\n\nProducers are struggling to make ends meet in an environment where costs for farm inputs have ballooned from inflation, interest rates have doubled and market prices are far below the cost of production.\n\nCoupled with consecutive years of losses, the financial stress borne, particularly, by our row crop farmers is now being revealed.\n\nThe reality is there will be fewer farmers in 2025 if Congress does not respond.\n\nWe have been warned that many farmers will struggle to secure operating loans for next year.\n\nThis is a devastating realization.\n\nThe outdated farm safety net they are operating under is doing nothing to address these realities.\n\nThat is why the Senate needs to take two immediate actions.\n\nFirst, we need to provide emergency assistance to address the economic losses that farmers are facing associated with the 2024 crop.\n\nEven with record yields, farmers are still not breaking even.\n\nThis is not a crisis they can produce, insure, or conserve their way out of.\n\nFarmers across the country need a bridge to help their family farms survive into next year.\n\nWe\u2019ve seen previous ad-hoc assistance programs established in a period of weeks, as demonstrated by then Secretary Perdue when the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions for producers.\n\nThat level of timely and urgent response by Congress and the administration is once again warranted.\n\nIn southern states like Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, many producers have harvested their 2024 crop and many are losing hundreds of dollars per acre of ground they farm.\n\nThat same experience is beginning to creep into the Midwest and northern states as harvest begins in these regions.\n\nWhat do losses of this magnitude translate to?\n\nNot only are producers not able to pay their bills, but they won\u2019t be able to secure an operating loan for next year\u2019s crop, let alone have any income at all to survive on.\n\nThis has devastating ripple effects on rural businesses and communities.\n\nLet me be clear, emergency assistance does not reduce the need to make meaningful investments to the commodity and crop insurance titles of the next farm bill.\n\nIn fact, the clear necessity of providing ad hoc assistance for economic losses demonstrates how inadequate the 2018 farm bill is.\n\nThe next farm bill is the appropriate place to make the necessary long-term corrections to our farm safety net, but farmers need timely support addressing 2024 losses as they enter the winter months when they make planting decisions and secure financing for the upcoming crop year.\n\nWhich leads me to the second action Congress must take: we must redouble our efforts to pass a farm bill, before the end of the calendar year, that meets this moment \u2013 one that provides the support our farmers desperately need to stay in business.\n\nI am committed to sitting down with my counterparts for as long as it takes to hash out a deal that our members can support.\n\nI was encouraged to see House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott make a similar appeal last week.\n\nI know our respective Chairs are eager to pass a bill this session of Congress.\n\nThe window to make that happen is closing quickly.\n\nOur family farmers are staring down a crisis that is growing more dire by the day and many fear that the Senate simply doesn\u2019t care about their plight.\n\nMr. President, you and I both know that is far from the truth.\n\nI know my colleagues want to make sure our farmers can continue to produce the safest, most affordable and most abundant supply of food, fuel and fiber in the world.\n\nBut without action, it is an understandable sentiment.\n\nSenate Ag Committee Republicans have been sounding the alarm on this brewing crisis for months.\n\nIt is the very reason we have been adamant about the need for more farm in the farm bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-sanders-applaud-army-navy-hospital-security-and-fire", "WESTERMAN, SANDERS APPLAUD ARMY-NAVY HOSPITAL SECURITY AND FIRE PROTECTION GRANT", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "HOT SPRINGS - The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) awarded a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the state of Arkansas for security and fire protection services for the former Army-Navy Hospital property in Hot Springs. Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following statements applauding the announcement.\n\nCongressman Westerman said, \"This grant will provide critical funding for much-needed security and fire prevention services at the former Army-Navy Hospital, a site that holds so much value for Hot Springs and the entire state of Arkansas. With this grant, we are not only ensuring the safety of the buildings and surrounding areas, but we are one step closer to putting this historic site on a clear-cut path to safer and more beneficial use in the future.\"\n\nGovernor Sanders said, \"The Army-Navy Hospital has a significant place in our state\u2019s history and deserves proper care to stay viable for future use. I was proud to work with our federal, state, and local partners to help secure this grant and ensure the safety of the building and downtown Hot Springs. Very grateful for our congressional delegation for their leadership and making this happen.\"\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe nearly 21-acre site of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, which sits atop the city's downtown on National Park Service land, is rapidly falling into disrepair.\n\nThe Army and Navy began use of the Hot Springs Reservation in 1887. The current major buildings, built by the U.S. Government in the 1930s, once served as the first general hospital in the country to serve Army and Navy patients.\n\nThe site was deeded by the Army to the State of Arkansas in 1960 and became a state-run rehabilitation center; later being converted into the Arkansas Career Training Institute (ACTI).\n\nIn 2020, the state ceased all operations at the site, and it has remained vacant since, falling victim to increased vandalism and unauthorized access, leading to serious safety and fire concerns for the surrounding areas.\n\nABOUT THE GRANT:\n\nOn September 10th, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) approved a federal grant for $2,750,000 to the State of Arkansas in support of the former Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs.\n\nThe grant allows the state of Arkansas to provide security and fire protection services for the former Army-Navy Hospital property.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8FD23DC5-67B0-4BFF-8F5F-2012607B8065", "Boozman Shares Memories of Arkansas Veteran on Alert on 9/11", "2024-09-11", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Kenneth Griffin in \u2018Salute to Veterans,\u2019 a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.\n\nGriffin\u2019s father served in the Air Force and the family moved around the world to support the mission.\n\n\u201cHe would take me out to the airplanes when we were in California and Gaum, sit me in the cockpit and he\u2019d say, \u2018son you want to be an Air Force pilot\u2019 so that was ingrained in my head from being a little kid,\u201d Griffin said.\n\nWhen his dad retired, the family moved to Batesville.\n\nAfter graduating from Batesville High School he enlisted in the Air Force.\n\n\u201cIt was exactly what I expected it to be,\u201d he said about basic training. \u201cThey break you down to be the person that they want you to be.\u201d\n\nWhile on temporary duty assignment in Germany he was tasked with supporting a two-star general recovering in the hospital who introduced him to the mission of aeromedical evacuation and how, using his skills as a medical technician on a \u201cflying ambulance,\u201d he could meet the pilots. After the assignment ended, he received orders to aeromedical evacuation training at Scott Air Force Base.\n\nThe general is one of several \u2018angels\u2019 who put Griffin on the path to becoming a pilot and gave him the confidence to be successful in the cockpit.\n\nWhen Griffin\u2019s original service commitment was nearly complete, he didn\u2019t know what he wanted to do next. Through another \u2018angel\u2019 he met, Griffin accepted an ROTC scholarship to Southern Illinois University. Once he graduated he began pilot training.\n\n\u201cBack then they called enlisted guys who wanted to be pilots, \u2018wannabe\u2019s\u2019. At some point I got to tell the guys that I was a \u2018gonnabe\u2019 and I ended up being able to do it through their help steering me the right way.\u201d\n\nOne hurdle he experienced in achieving that goal was his vision. Griffin didn\u2019t qualify medically because he didn\u2019t have 20/20 vision. He needed a waiver, but those were rarely given.\n\nGriffin went to an independent eye doctor who signaled that his vision was correctable to 20/20 allowing him to ultimately be granted the waiver. He credits that doctor as another \u2018angel\u2019 who helped him along the path to becoming a pilot.\n\nHe was not initially interested in flying fighter jets, but was selected to attend the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard Air Force Base. He trained with pilots and instructors from among European allies. At the end of this year-long training, he was assigned to fly an F-15c, the air-to-air version of the F-15 and flew under the call sign \u201cHeater.\u201d\n\nIn the early years of his pilot career he was stationed with fighter groups in several different locations, but always wanted to get back to Arkansas.\n\nWhen a position opened up at the 188th in Fort Smith, he gladly accepted. It required him to transition to the F-16. Griffin said it was an easy switch but also an opportunity to learn new skills. \u201cYou have fighter experience, you just have to learn the specifics of that aircraft and any mission you didn\u2019t do like dropping bombs, I had never dropped a bomb before,\u201d he said.\n\nAlthough he had already been deployed multiple times and faced stressful situations as a pilot, Griffin remembered 9/11 as the day everything changed. He was on duty at the 188th that morning where he and Wing Commander JR Dallas were planning to practice fighter maneuvers. They were watching television as they prepared for the flight and saw the planes hit the World Trade Center towers.\n\n\u201cI immediately turned to him and said \u2018Sir, we\u2019re under attack.\u2019\u201d\n\nOnce it became clear what was happening, Griffin said Col. Dallas and everyone on duty set to work figuring out what to do. \u201cBefore the sun went down, we had missiles and bullets loaded on our aircraft,\u201d he said. \u201cBy that evening we were set and alert in the cockpit.\u201d\n\nAs one of four pilots on alert that night, he had to prepare for all situations including the possibility that he would be ordered to shoot down an airliner full of Americans. They all had to sign paperwork agreeing to comply with that order if necessary. \u201cThat was tough,\u201d he said. \u201cDid I answer it honestly? I don\u2019t know.\u201d\n\nLater that night he and another pilot were launched on a scramble order after a report of an unidentified aircraft in Oklahoma potentially poisoning the water supply.\n\n\u201cWe got launched to get to Tulsa as fast as you can,\u201d Griffin said. \u201cWe take off and we\u2019re going above the mach. We\u2019re breaking the sound barrier and the air traffic controller comes on and says you guys can go as fast as you want as high as you want wherever you want because you\u2019re the only aircraft airborne in the United States.\u201d\n\nFortunately, he didn\u2019t have to take action on a plane that he later learned was a crop duster whose pilot hadn\u2019t heard about the attacks.\n\nFor the next several days Griffin remained on alert and had to stay on the base. \u201cWe got launched a few times for different stuff,\u201d he recalled. \u201cYou just had to be ready for anything.\u201d\n\nIn the conflict that followed, the 188th deployed to Iraq in 2002 and again in 2005 to Balad Air Base.\n\nDuring his 30 years in uniform, Griffin completed eight combat tours and was an expert in flying the F-15c, F-15, F-16 and the A-10.\n\nAfter retiring, Griffin became active in politics and served in Governor Asa Hutchinson\u2019s administration as military advisor.\n\n\u201cPick something that you\u2019re proud about doing and you hope somebody asks you so you can tell them what you do. I got to do that. Everyday. I was very proud. I\u2019m a very patriotic person. Devoted love for my country. I got to do that and there is no bigger honor,\u201d he said. \u201cVery, very rewarding. And I loved it every single day I did it.\u201d\n\nGriffin was inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans\u2019 Hall of Fame in 2023.\n\n\u201cKenneth Griffin is a pillar of the Arkansas military and veterans community who has lived out his love for our country and state. I\u2019m pleased his memories of service will now be preserved for future generations of to learn and gain inspiration from,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nBoozman submitted Griffin\u2019s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress\u2019s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nDo you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the \u2018Salute to Veterans\u2019 series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman\u2019s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:46:43Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-the-23rd-anniversary-of-9/11", "Cotton Statement on the 23rd Anniversary of 9/11", "2024-09-11", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 11, 2024\n\nCotton Statement on the 23rd Anniversary of 9/11\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the 23rd anniversary of the September 11th attacks:\n\n\u201cToday, we remember the 3,000 Americans murdered on 9/11/2001. We honor the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to do so, as well as the brave men and women of our armed forces who fought to avenge their deaths. We have rebuilt what those terrorists destroyed, and we have killed or captured the leaders they served. Al Qaeda sought to break America, but it failed; America endures. We will never forget those we lost, and we will remain vigilant that nothing like that infamous day will ever happen again.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-un-is-hamas-a-terrorist-organization", "Cotton to UN: Is Hamas a Terrorist Organization", "2024-09-10", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 10, 2024\n\nCotton to UN: Is Hamas a Terrorist Organization?\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\u00fcrk, highlighting his refusal to refusal to call Hamas a terrorist organization in the wake of their brutal execution of six hostages. Senator Cotton pointed out the UN\u2019s repeated false equivalencies between the nation of Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cCould you please answer this simple question: Is Hamas a terrorist organization?\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 10, 2024\n\nMr. Volker T\u00fcrk\n\nUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights\n\nUnited Nations Plaza\n\nNew York, New York 10017\n\nDear Mr. T\u00fcrk:\n\nI write regarding your shocking failure to condemn the terrorists of Hamas. While you preen as the moral voice of the world, you\u2019ve refused to call Hamas a terrorist organization and repeatedly drawn a false equivalence between Hamas and Israel.\n\nYou and your United Nations colleagues should immediately and unequivocally call Hamas what it is: a terrorist organization. The United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, Japan, and even the European Union took this action long ago.\n\nYet moral blindness unfortunately seems to be your modus operandi\u2014never more evident than in your statement earlier this month after Hamas executed six hostages. Although you professed that you were \u201chorrified\u201d by the executions, you failed even to mention Hamas as the murderer and called for an \u201cindependent\u201d investigation into the killing. Hamas had already admitted to these barbaric murders, so I\u2019m not sure what such an investigation would prove.\n\nOf course, the United Nation has an obscene penchant for targeting and smearing Israel. From the UN\u2019s infamous \u201cZionism is Racism\u201d resolution a half century ago to its parroting of Hamas casualty numbers today, the UN consistently sides with terrorists against the Jewish state. Your office especially has shown contempt for Israel, repeatedly posting criticisms of Israel on your official social-media accounts and falsely accusing Israel of war crimes.\n\nYour moral equivalence between brutal terrorists and a nation-state protecting its citizens is appalling. You have painted Israel as the aggressor while ignoring that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian deaths in Gaza.\n\nBut you can address these concerns with very little effort by simply joining the rest of the civilized world. Could you please answer this simple question: Is Hamas a terrorist organization?\n\nPlease respond to this letter no later than September 17. To make it very easy for you, I\u2019ll happily accept a letter that says nothing more than \u201cHamas is a terrorist organization\u201d between the salutation and the signature line.\n\nSurely you can muster the courage to do that?\n\nSincerely,\n\n____________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-to-mayorkas-american-people-have-a-right-to-know-who-is-crossing-southern-border", "Cotton to Mayorkas: American People Have a Right to Know Who is Crossing Southern Border", "2024-09-05", "2024", "2024-09", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orPatrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nSeptember 5, 2024\n\nCotton to Mayorkas: American People Have a Right to Know Who is Crossing Southern Border\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas expressing his concern over the refusal to disclose the nationality of individuals on the FBI\u2019s terror watchlist who illegally crossed the southern U.S. border. Senator Cotton questioned the justification of protecting the \u201cpersonal privacy\u201d of suspected illegal alien terrorists and suggested that the decision to withhold information is a politically motivated attempt to hide evidence of the Biden-Harris border crisis.\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nSeptember 5, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas\n\nSecretary, Department of Homeland Security\n\nWashington, D.C. 20528\n\nDear Secretary Mayorkas,\n\nI write about troubling reports that the Department of Homeland Security is refusing to disclose the nationalities of FBI terror watchlist suspects who illegally crossed the southern border.\n\nIn October 2023, Fox News filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking disclosure of the nationalities of FBI terror watchlist suspects who unlawfully crossed the southern border. A letter denying Fox News\u2019 request stated that your agency is \u201ccommitted to protecting the identity of individuals\u201d on the terror watchlist, and that the request was an \u201cinvasion of personal privacy.\u201d Your agency asserted that the \u201cprivacy interests\u201d of illegal-alien terrorists \u201cfar outweigh whatever public interest, if any, exists in having their information released.\u201d\n\nYour letter also dubiously claimed that terrorist organizations could exploit nationality information by \u201cinfer[ring] a large percentage of its operatives from a particular nationality\u201d raise fewer terrorism red flags. Of course, if the Biden-Harris administration impartially enforced our laws and deported illegal aliens regardless of their origin, terrorists wouldn\u2019t be able to game the system in the manner you describe.\n\nI suspect that the real reason you\u2019re unlawfully withholding this information about terror suspects\u2019 nationalities isn\u2019t due to privacy or security concerns, but rather partisan concerns that it would alarm the American people. Once again, you\u2019re attempting to hide evidence of the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s border crisis.\n\nBut the American people have a right to know who is crossing our border, especially when those illegal aliens have ties to terrorism. And that right, contrary to your bizarre assertion, \u201cfar outweighs\u201d the privacy rights of illegal aliens suspected of terrorism. Honestly, I can\u2019t believe I even have to write that sentence.\n\nCongress has an oversight interest in this information as well. Therefore, please provide my office with the information sought in the Freedom of Information Act request made by Fox News no later than September 10.\n\nSincerely,\n\n____________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E287E615-04D4-47F5-BF65-C48A0B71B63C", "Boozman Celebrates Poland F-35 Rollout", "2024-08-29", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) celebrated the rollout of Poland\u2019s F-35s that will soon arrive at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, the new home of the Foreign Military Sales mission for the aircraft.\n\nBoozman joined officials from the United States and Poland as well as Lockheed Martin leadership to applaud the unveiling of the first Polish F-35 at the company\u2019s plant in Fort Worth, Texas Wednesday. This marks a critical step in advancing Arkansas\u2019s role in protecting the interests of our country and allies.\n\n\u201cDeveloping these capabilities side by side is critical to ensuring global security. Now more than ever we can see the advantages of interoperability between partner nations, and this event only furthers the already strong relationship between Poland and the U.S.,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cThe Fort Smith community is truly excited to see Polish pilots and jets soon fly in The Natural State.\u201d\n\nIn March 2023 the Air Force announced Ebbing Air National Guard Base as home of the foreign military pilot training center. Boozman, along with Arkansas Congressional Delegation members Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack, worked to secure the mission and are continuing to champion federal investments that serve to enhance the installation and community.\n\nAs ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, Boozman has shepherded legislation through the Senate allocating funds over multiple years to prepare Ebbing to successfully host the program and allied partners.\n\nIn Fiscal Year 2024 Boozman, Cotton and Womack delivered $83 million to the base and are committed to supporting continued investment in Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond.\n\nSen. Boozman poses in front of the first Polish F-35 at the Lockheed Martin plant.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=ACB730A4-2B72-4515-8A50-A4E32A5A1ABE", "Boozman: Biden-Harris Administration is Failing Farmers and Rural America on Trade", "2024-08-28", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its latest outlook projecting a record negative agriculture trade deficit for fiscal year 2025.\n\n\u201cWe have entered uncharted territory with the latest projected data on the U.S. agricultural trade deficit.\n\nThe Biden-Harris administration is failing our farmers, ranchers and foresters when it comes to maintaining our competitive advantage in the global marketplace.\n\nThe President and his team simply must do more to actively engage and aggressively advocate for our agriculture producers on the world stage. There is just no way around it.\n\nCongress must also step up to the plate and pass a new farm bill that makes a robust investment in USDA\u2019s trade promotion programs. The framework Senate Republicans released doubles funding for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, the farm bill\u2019s premier trade promotion programs. This is an excellent place to start. Anything less is yet another a step in the wrong direction.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=83CCE86D-92F6-46A2-BF89-CACE835C64CC", "Boozman, Moran, Coons, Colleagues Call for Rule Exemption to Protect Volunteer Firefighters", "2024-08-27", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in calling on the Department of Labor to exempt volunteer fire departments from parts of a proposed rule that would put burdensome regulations on volunteer fire departments across the country.\n\nThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a new rule earlier this year that would require fire departments to furnish new reports, trainings, equipment and health services.\n\n\u201cVolunteer firefighters have indicated they lack the financial resources and personnel to comply with this rule,\u201d the senators wrote to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. \u201cFor many departments, implementation of this rule would render significant shares of their equipment non-compliant. The financial burden associated with replacing that equipment and furnishing the reports, assessments, trainings, and health services required by the rule would be prohibitive for volunteer departments, whose budgets are already strained.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is our intention to insulate our volunteers and the communities they serve from the negative impacts of a regulation that could jeopardize their fire services,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cThe rule must provide volunteer departments with the flexibility to perform their duties unencumbered by impracticable requirements.\u201d\n\nJoining Boozman, Moran and Coons\u2019 push were Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), John Hoeven (R-ND), Angus King (I-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Tom Cotton (R-AR).\n\nRead the full letter below.\n\nDear Acting Secretary Su,\n\nIn February of this year, OSHA proposed a rule \u2013 the \u201cEmergency Response\u201d standard \u2013 to replace the \u201cFire Brigades\u201d standard covering firefighters in the UnitedStates. In order to protect our volunteer departments, we believe it is critical to explicitly exempt volunteer fire departments from the standard, or parts of the standard, as OSHA finalizes the new rule.\n\nOver 85% of America\u2019s fire departments are either volunteer or mostly volunteer. Nearly 700,000 of America\u2019s 1,056,000 firefighters are volunteers or paid per call firefighters. Communities across America, particularly in rural areas, rely on these departments and their volunteers for firefighting services, and it is our priority to ensure that the \u201cEmergency Response\u201d standard does not damage their ability to effectively serve and protect their communities.\n\nThe proposed rule would apply to more workers than the existing standard and would require fire departments to furnish new reports, trainings, equipment, and health services. Volunteer firefighters have indicated they lack the financial resources and personnel to comply with this rule. For many departments, implementation of this rule would render significant shares of their equipment non-compliant. The financial burden associated with replacing that equipment and furnishing the reports, assessments, trainings, and health services required by the rule would be prohibitive for volunteer departments, whose budgets are already strained. Moreover, many of the training requirements would be impractical for volunteers working full-time in other capacities.\n\nIn the executive summary of the rule, OSHA suggests the rule will not apply to most volunteers. However, there is widespread concern this new standard would be imposed on non-profit volunteer fire departments, even in states without an OSHA-approved State Plan. Chad Russell, President of the Kansas Fire Chief\u2019s Association, estimated that implementation of this rule could shutter up to 80% of volunteer departments nationwide. Many volunteer firefighters have echoed this projection and anticipate closure of their departments for fear of compliance and liability issues.\n\nSteve Hirsch, Chair of the National Volunteer Fire Council, explained the potential negative impact of this rule on communities: \u201cAs written, this proposed standardcould\u2026 compromise the safety and emergency response capabilities of many small communities, particularly small communities in rural areas served by volunteer departments.\u201d\n\nIt is our intention to insulate our volunteers and the communities they serve from the negative impacts of a regulation that could jeopardize their fire services. The rulemust provide volunteer departments with the flexibility to perform their duties unencumbered by impracticable requirements. We urge OSHA to add explicit exemptions for volunteer fire departments in the final version of the \u201cEmergency Response\u201d standard.\n\nThank you for your consideration and your attention to this important issue. I look forward to your reply.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=5E914A0A-FD04-4D76-AD9C-A1B0BB20F5D6", "Boozman Shares Memories of Rogers Veteran", "2024-08-15", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Chris Traxson in \u2018Salute to Veterans,\u2019 a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.\n\nTraxson was born in Rogers and graduated from Rogers High School in 1999. He attended Northwest Arkansas Community College before enrolling at the University of Arkansas where he earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in criminal justice.\n\nHe served as a police officer for his hometown and, after a year in that role, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve.\n\nTraxson is from a family with a history of military service, including his dad who was drafted during the Vietnam War, and was inspired to help in the War on Terror.\n\n\u201cIt was a time when I felt like I wanted to do more. There was a lot going on in the Middle East,\u201d he said. \u201cI just felt like I was in a place in my life from the physical fitness standpoint and maturity level where I thought I could go in and help with the effort.\u201d\n\nTraxson was encouraged to join the Marines by some of his law enforcement colleagues who were veterans of the branch. He wanted to serve on the frontlines and was convinced the Marine infantry division was the quickest path to combat. He also appreciated its proud tradition.\n\nHe was 24 years old when he attended bootcamp, \u201cI was definitely the old man, they kinda came to me for that fatherly guidance even though I wasn\u2019t a father. And it was the same in infantry school as well.\u201d\n\nIn 2006 he learned his unit was attaching to another from Detroit as part of a large battalion build up that would eventually be deployed to Fallujah, Iraq.\n\nTraxson arrived in Fallujah two years after the battles of 2004 and said the locals were just beginning to return to the city. However, there was severe property damage and a lot of hostility.\n\n\u201cIn the first two weeks we were there it was extremely quiet and then after that two-week period things started popping off. We were getting enemy contact almost every day. And I had to ask, \u2018Why was it so quiet those first two weeks?\u2019 and they informed me that they were watching us,\u201d Traxson recalled. \u201cThey knew we were a new unit.\u201d\n\nTraxson said he had to be ready to go at a moment\u2019s notice, so after long days out on a mission, the marines had to have their gear and vehicles prepared for the next time they would be called upon. His assignment was to ride in the turret of the Humvee operating the machine gun and watching the roadway for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).\n\nHe\u2019d only been in Iraq four weeks when he was injured by an IED.\n\n\u201cI wasn\u2019t even supposed to go out that day,\u201d he said. He was given the option to sit out for 48 hours because his team had rolled over an explosive device on its last mission. However, he was cleared to participate and decided to join.\n\nHe doesn\u2019t remember a lot about the explosion but recalled the doors of the vehicle blew off. \u201cI had taken off running because I was on fire,\u201d he said.\n\nThe marines in his Humvee were loaded onto a truck and taken to the hospital. Three weeks later he woke up at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.\n\nHe had third-degree burns on 56 percent of his body. In the two years of recovery, he had more than 70 surgeries.\n\nHis mother, a nurse, quit her job in Arkansas to help take care of him and advocate on his behalf while he was in recovery. \u201cShe wanted to make sure I had somebody to speak for me,\u201d he said.\n\nDuring his recovery, he received letters from his fellow marines updating him on friends in his unit. \u201cObviously, [we\u2019d] suffered casualties and they would let me know about who those were,\u201d he said. \u201cSome of them I was close to so it was hard not being able to go to their funerals.\u201d\n\nTraxson received a Purple Heart for his sacrifice. \u201cNo one wants to get a Purple Heart, but I\u2019m happy to accept it.\u201d\n\nHe was discharged in 2009 and worked part-time at a local store as he continued his healing while also serving as a security guard at Northwest Arkansas Community College for eight years. He graduated from business school in 2013 and today works at the Benton County Veterans Service Office where he helps veterans in getting the benefits and services they\u2019ve earned. \u201cMy experience makes it a lot easier for them to talk to me.\u201d\n\nHe has been honored to talk to students about his journey and encourages them to be optimistic in addition to aspiring to a lifetime of public service whether in the military or other civic engagement.\n\n\u201cSome of the best people I ever met were people in uniform,\u201d he said. \u201cThey came from all over the country. They were all different colors, religions and that\u2019s the thing I like about the military is that when you go in there, we all wear the same uniform. We\u2019re not anything else but the uniform we wear. I learned a lot from the people I served with. They made me better.\u201d\n\n\u201cChris Traxson honorably served his country and has made a great sacrifice. His perseverance and determination are an inspiration to us all. I\u2019m proud to capture and preserve his memories of his service for the benefit of future generations,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nBoozman submitted Traxson\u2019s entire interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress\u2019s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nDo you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the \u2018Salute to Veterans\u2019 series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman\u2019s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-reiterates-the-demand-for-answers-regarding-harris-national-security-advisors-communications-with-iranian-influence-operation", "Cotton Reiterates the Demand for Answers Regarding Harris\u2019 National Security Advisor\u2019s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation", "2024-08-15", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 15, 2024\n\nCotton Reiterates the Demand for Answers Regarding Harris\u2019 National Security Advisor\u2019s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a second letter to Vice President Kamala Harris to express his concern about her National Security Advisor, Philip Gordon, and his connections to senior Department of Defense official Ariane Tabatabai. Ms. Tabatabai was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Iran\u2019s influence in the United States.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cIn social media posts since my last letter, Mr. Gordon continues to demonstrate a pattern of anti-Israel bias, which furthers Iranian interests. If he\u2019s willing to ridicule Israel so unfairly in public, I can only imagine what he is telling you in private. I understand that it may be difficult to discern Iranian agents from the left-wing ideologies on your staff. But you have the responsibility to make these difficult distinctions and appropriately vet the people you elevate to positions of distinction and trust.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nAugust 15, 2024\n\nVice President Kamala D. Harris\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear Vice President Harris,\n\nOn July 31, I sent you a letter regarding your National Security Advisor Philip Gordon\u2019s connections to alleged Iranian spy, Ariane Tabatabai. Yet, you failed to respond by my deadline or to appropriately address this threat to national security emanating from your staff.\n\nThe presence of such an obvious security risk in your inner circle should have elicited your utmost attention. It raises the question of whether you\u2019ve been aware of Mr. Gordon\u2019s possible links to the Iranian regime and simply find your policies aligned enough with Tehran\u2019s interests that ties to that regime don\u2019t concern you.\n\nIn social media posts since our last letter, Mr. Gordon continues to demonstrate a pattern of anti- Israel bias, which furthers Iranian interests. If he\u2019s willing to ridicule Israel so unfairly in public, we can only imagine what he is telling you in private.\n\nI understand that it may be difficult to discern Iranian agents from the left-wing ideologues on your staff. But you have the responsibility to make these difficult distinctions and appropriately vet the people you elevate to positions of distinction and trust.\n\nI expect you to immediately investigate Mr. Gordon\u2019s ties to the Iranian regime and provide responses to my initial July 31 letter.\n\nThank you for your belated attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=00EE6ED3-FFB1-4D59-804F-A53BF0DFA226", "Alma Teen Serves as Senate Page", "2024-08-12", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Alma High School student Landen Coursey traded in the scenery of Crawford County for the opportunity to navigate our nation\u2019s capital and the corridors of Congress as a Senate Page this summer.\n\nCoursey served as one of 52 Senate Pages who prepared the U.S. Senate chamber for the day\u2019s business by distributing documents to senators\u2019 desks, assisting in the cloakrooms, supporting chamber staff, and \u2013 when the body was in session \u2013 sitting near the dais waiting to help members delivering remarks or casting votes. He also witnessed a historic address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who became the only world leader to deliver a fourth speech before American lawmakers in a joint meeting of Congress.\n\n\u201cIt has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a Senate Page. Being able to experience and play a small part in the inner workings and operations of the Senate has given me a new appreciation for our democratic process and has changed my perspective for the better. I will always look back at this program with fondness and gratitude,\u201d Coursey said.\n\nThe 17-year-old rising senior earned his appointment to the position from U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR).\n\n\u201cLanden did an excellent job supporting the day-to-day activity of the Senate while observing legislative processes and procedures firsthand. I am confident this experience will inspire him to continue exploring his interest in civics and public service. Our entire state can be proud of his participation in this prestigious program,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nCoursey is the president of the Alma High School student council and an active member of the school\u2019s dance team and chamber choir as well as the Model United Nations and National Honor Society chapters. He is also involved in community service efforts through his local church.\n\nLanden is the son of JD and Bekah Coursey.\n\nThe Senate Page program started in 1829 when Senator Daniel Webster appointed the first Senate Page. Today, the program is a unique, highly selective opportunity for high school juniors with a strong academic standing to learn firsthand about the institution often referred to as \u201cthe world\u2019s greatest deliberative body.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7BF26707-1B1E-4F73-AEED-037CAB278BE8", "WTAS: Support Builds for Boozman-Welch Legislation to Protect Seniors\u2019 Access to Healthcare", "2024-08-08", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Peter Welch (D-VT) announced support from national health organizations for the Physician Fee Stabilization Act, legislation that ensures greater flexibility in determining pricing adjustments for medical services without triggering harmful annual payment cuts to Medicare-serving physicians.\n\nThe legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).\n\nWhat They Are Saying\n\n\u201cPhysicians cannot continue to be faced with large reductions in Medicare payment at the beginning of each year, threatening our practice operations and access to care for our nation\u2019s seniors. The American College of Physicians supports the Physician Fee Stabilization Act that would help to ensure this doesn\u2019t continue to happen by raising the threshold for the implementation of budget neutral payment cuts,\u201d said Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PHD, MACP, President, American College of Physicians.\n\n\u201cThe Physician Fee Stabilization Act would provide a much-needed increase to the budget neutrality threshold, raising the trigger amount from $20 million, where it has been since 1992, to $53 million. It would then provide for inflationary increases every five years based on the Medicare Economic Index. As proposed, the $33 million increase is proportional to the growth of Part B spending since the implementation of the PFS,\u201d said American College of Surgeons Executive Director and CEO Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS. \u201cThis would be an important step forward to ensure greater flexibility in determining pricing adjustments for services without triggering re-occurring across-the-board cuts at the end of every year.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Physician Fee Stabilization Act is a vital step toward ensuring stability and fairness in physician payment reform, especially for cardiologists who provide life-saving care. By raising the budget neutrality threshold, this legislation will help prevent annual cuts that threaten patients\u2019 access to cardiovascular care. The American College of Cardiology commends Senators Boozman, Welch, Tillis, King, Marshall and Shaheen for their leadership and commitment to supporting our nation's cardiologists and their patients,\u201d said American College of Cardiology President Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC.\n\n\u201cThe Physician Fee Stabilization Act marks the Senate's first legislative solution this year to help ensure fair and consistent Medicare payments for physician services, and Congress should pass this bill to help ensure our nation\u2019s seniors continue to have timely access to the physician of their choice. We applaud the bipartisan group of Senators leading this initiative and look forward to working with policymakers to advance additional long-lasting Medicare policy solutions,\u201d said Russell R. Lonser, MD, FAANS, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons.\n\n\u201cThe American Academy of Dermatology Association sincerely thanks Senators Boozman and Welch for introducing the Physician Fee Stabilization Act, which would update the budget neutrality thresholds in the Medicare physician fee schedule,\u201d said American Academy of Dermatology Association President Seemal R. Desai, MD, FAAD. \u201cThis bill is a crucial step in the fight to reform Medicare physician payment as it would revise budget neutrality policies that contribute to eroding reimbursement, which is not only a critical top priority for dermatologists, but for all physicians and most importantly the patients we serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe AAMC applauds Sens. Boozman and Welch for introducing the Physician Fee Stabilization Act. Physicians employed by teaching health systems and hospitals across the country are dedicated to both providing care to the most complex and vulnerable patients and training the next generation of physicians. These large, multispecialty practices are vital resources to their local communities, providing significant primary care and other critical services, including a large percentage of tertiary, quaternary, and specialty referral care in the community. However, their ability to continue to provide care in their communities is in jeopardy due to the threat of yearly cuts to their patient care payments,\u201d said Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, Chief Public Policy Officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges. \u201cThe Physician Fee Stabilization Act would update the current budget neutrality threshold in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and continue to update it every five years. While more is needed to ensure the stability and longevity of the PFS, this is a critical step, and we appreciate the bipartisan commitment of Sens. Boozman and Welch to addressing issues with the PFS and look forward to working to get this legislation passed.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe American Urological Association (AUA) applauds Senators John Boozman and Peter Welch, along with Senators Thom Tillis, Angus King, Roger Marshall, MD and Jeanne Shaheen, for their leadership in introducing S. 4935, the Physician Fee Stabilization Act,\u201d said AUA Public Policy Council Chair Mark Edney, MD, MBA. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation takes the critical step of increasing the budget neutrality threshold from $20 to $53 million with adjustments every five years to keep pace with the MEI. The budget neutrality threshold has not been updated in more than 30 years and physicians are the only Medicare provider without inflationary payment updates. S. 4935 would fix this and bring much-needed stability to physician payment year after year, helping to ease the provision of urological care and countless other services to millions of Americans under Medicare.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B869903C-15A3-49B3-8EFC-080FBCEB85C1", "Boozman Pushing to Restrict Legislation Restricting Bonuses to Senior VA Executives", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing legislation to prohibit funding for veterans benefits to be used to pay bonuses to senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) in Washington, D.C.\n\nThe Stop Government Rewards Enriching Executives in the District \u2013 or Stop GREED Act \u2013 comes on the heels of a VA Office of Inspector General report that found the VA\u2019s Under Secretaries of Health and Benefits improperly approved $10.8 million in PACT Act Critical Skill Incentive (CSI) payments to VACO\u2019s senior executives rather than rank-and-file employees across the country.\n\nLast month, VA announced a budgetary shortfall of $3 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 and nearly $12 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 that may cause a delay in veterans benefits without action from Congress by September 20. VACO senior executives involved with this budget mismanagement were approved for CSI bonuses worth tens of thousands of dollars. The VA has been recovering the improper CSI payments since the scandal became public but without legislative action, it would be able to use these bonus payments to reward VACO executives again in the future.\n\n\u201cThe PACT Act was intended to expand benefits to the men and women who wore our nation\u2019s uniform now living with toxic exposure-related illnesses as a result of their service,\u201d Boozman said. \u201cThis legislation will ensure funds will be used to support the needs of veterans, not VA executives.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe critical skills incentive payments that were included in the PACT Act were meant to improve recruitment and retention for difficult-to-fill positions across VA, not to increase the salaries of senior executives in Washington, D.C.,\" Moran said. \u201cThe bonuses to executives were a gross misuse of funds, especially in light of the VA\u2019s budget shortfall failure, and we must make certain it does not happen again.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe VA must be held accountable for its egregious mishandling of the critical skill incentives that were included in the PACT Act,\u201d said Blackburn. \u201cWe must restore integrity and trust within the VA, and the Stop GREED Act would help ensure such a failure does not happen again.\u201d\n\nThe CSI authority from the PACT Act was intended to strengthen the delivery of health care and benefits to veterans by providing incentives to retain highly-skilled, rank-and-file employees across the country, including human resources staff, police officers and housekeepers in the VA.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-accepting-serviceacademynominations", "Cotton Accepting Service\u00a0Academy\u00a0Nominations", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 5, 2024\n\nCotton Accepting Service Academy Nominations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) announced today that he is accepting applications for service academy nominations. To be considered for a nomination, applicants must submit by Friday, November 1, 2024.\n\n\"Students who attend U.S. service academies and go on to serve their country in uniform are the pride of Arkansas, and I encourage each young Arkansan with a sincere interest to apply,\" Senator Cotton said.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-garland-investigate-schools-with-ties-to-chinese-communists", "Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Investigate Schools with Ties to Chinese Communists", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 5, 2024\n\nCotton, Colleagues to Garland: Investigate Schools with Ties to Chinese Communists\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with seven of his colleagues, today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland to urge him to investigate cases of American institutions of higher education having ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In addition to investigating the current cases, the senators asked AG Garland for written responses on how the Department of Justice is working to mitigate the threat the CCP poses to the U.S. education system.\n\nSenators Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) co-signed the letter.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cUndisclosed and unmonitored financial relationships between U.S. academia and the CCP are glaring national security risks. Such relationships leave the U.S. vulnerable to intellectual property theft, improper influence, and even espionage. It is imperative that DOJ take additional steps to swiftly address this concern.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nAugust 5, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20530\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nWe write regarding reports that American institutions of higher education (IHEs) are failing to disclose financial ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Efforts to conceal CCP attempts to influence American students and steal intellectual property threaten our national security.\n\nThe Department of Justice (DOJ) has disclosed multiple cases where U.S. universities collaborated illegally with the CCP. On July 16, 2024, the U.S. Attorney\u2019s office for the District of Maryland announced that the University of Maryland paid $500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to disclose funding from Chinese companies, including Alibaba. On October 2, 2023, the same office announced that Stanford University paid $1.9 million to resolve allegations related to faculty\u2019s ties with the CCP. In both cases, the universities knowingly defrauded federal agencies critical to national security.\n\nUndisclosed and unmonitored financial relationships between U.S. academia and the CCP are glaring national security risks. Such relationships leave the U.S. vulnerable to intellectual property theft, improper influence, and even espionage. It is imperative that DOJ take additional steps to swiftly address this concern.\n\nFor those reason, please answer the following questions by September 2, 2024.\n\nHas the frequency of IHEs committing False Claims Act violations as result of failing to disclose funding from CCP-affiliated entities increased since January 1, 2020?\n\nWhat is the current assessment of the threats posed to American students and federal research initiatives by CCP involvement?\n\nWhat steps does the DOJ take to mitigate CCP attempts to influence the U.S. education system?\n\nHow does the DOJ work with the rest of the interagency, including the Department of Defense, to evaluate and mitigate these threats?\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-mcconnell-statement-on-revocation-of-plea-deal-for-9/11-terrorists", "Cotton, McConnell Statement on Revocation of Plea Deal for 9/11 Terrorists", "2024-08-03", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 3, 2024\n\nCotton, McConnell Statement on Revocation of Plea Deal for 9/11 Terrorists\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) released the following statement regarding Secretary Austin\u2019s decision to revoke 9/11 terrorists\u2019 plea deal:\n\n\u201cWe are glad that Secretary Austin came to his senses, heeded our warning, and decided to take the concerns of 9/11 victims and families seriously.\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s consideration of a plea deal with terrorist mass murderers was disgraceful. America deserves a Commander-in-Chief committed to peace through strength, not chaos through weakness.\n\n\u201cThe President must know that we continue to watch this situation closely. The Justice for 9/11 Act is introduced, and if the Administration ever changes course, we stand ready to overturn any future cowardly plea deals with the murderous mastermind of that tragic day.\n\n\u201cThe United States of America must never flinch in holding terrorists accountable for their actions.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=009C15A6-87CA-4FF9-A510-587D4440CFB9", "Boozman, Cotton & Senate GOP Colleagues to White House: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and 46 Senate Republicans in protesting the Biden-Harris administration\u2019s partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators, in a letter, urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing the lives of American servicemembers and deliver the necessary weapons systems to our closest ally in the Middle East.\n\n\u201cWhen Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air to air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here or below.\n\nAugust 2, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nThis weekend, Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel, murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened.\n\nWe write once again to protest your administration\u2019s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel.\n\nWhen Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air to air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems.\n\nWhile your administration delays, Hamas continues to wage war against Israel, the Houthis continue to attack in the Red Sea, and Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel. Your stalling tactics are endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region. We urge you to use every available emergency authority to expedite the physical delivery of all weapons and ammunition to Israel that have been approved by Congress.\n\nYour administration must stop accommodating Iran and its terrorist allies now.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E87B4FBF-FD34-433A-ABCF-A68505CB83A0", "Boozman Applauds Summer Interns on Service to Arkansas", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer.\n\n\u201cI am proud of these young men and women for their interest in public service and support of our work on behalf of Arkansans. These bright and hardworking interns have helped my staff address issues affecting Natural State residents and have taken advantage of the great opportunities available to them in our nation\u2019s capital,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nElla Brewer, Kate Edelen, Hank Herzfeld, Zach Ingle, Luisa Lawson, Henry Oltman, Joseph Osborne, Meredith Pinkston and Elaine Shue completed a five-week internship in Boozman\u2019s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.\n\nMasheyat Rahman interned in the senator\u2019s Lowell office where she supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans.\n\nElla Brewer is from Little Rock and graduated in 2021 from Mount St. Mary\u2019s Academy. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying psychology with an agricultural business minor. On campus, Ella is a member of the Pre-Law Society, Chi Omega Psi sorority and Psi Chi. She also studied abroad in South Africa. Upon graduation, Ella plans to attend law school.\n\nKate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.\n\nHank Herzfeld is from Benton and graduated from Benton High School in 2021. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in history and political science with minors in medieval and renaissance studies, legal studies and German. On campus, Hank leads the Arkansas Mentorship Program, Quiz Bowl Club and served as a resident assistant for two years. Upon graduation, Hank plans to attend law school.\n\nZach Ingle is from Farmington. He graduated from Subiaco Academy in 2021. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies. Zach is a member of Beta Upsilon Chi fraternity. He also studied abroad in Rome where he focused on Italian culture and global studies. Upon graduation, Zach plans to pursue a masters degree in public policy and government.\n\nLuisa Lawson is from Bentonville and graduated from Haas Hall Academy in 2021. She is a rising senior at Saint Louis University majoring in psychology and marketing. On campus, she is a member of the Marketing Club, OASIS and MSA student organizations. She also volunteers at animal shelters in her free time. Upon graduation, Luisa plans to spend a gap year in Brazil before attending law school.\n\nHenry Oltman is from Harrison and graduated from Harrison High School in 2021. He is a rising senior at Columbia University majoring in political science and history. On campus, he is a journalist with the Columbia Sundial and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. Upon graduation, Henry plans to attend law school.\n\nJoseph Osborne is from Wynne and graduated from Wynne High School in 2021. He is a rising senior at Ouachita Baptist University majoring in political science and history. On campus, he is a participant in the Carl Goodson Honors Program, the Ouachita Bands and History Club. He is also a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Alpha Theta honors societies. Upon graduation, Joseph plans to attend graduate school.\n\nMeredith Pinkston is from Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock Christian Academy in 2021. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in political science and journalism with a minor in legal studies. On campus, she works at the university\u2019s recreation center. She also interns at the Arkansas Health Care Association. Upon graduation, Meredith plans to attend law school.\n\nElaine Shue is from Fort Smith and graduated from Grace Academy in 2020. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2023 with a degree in criminology and sociology. She is currently a second-year law student at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Elaine is a member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and is a staff editor of the Arkansas Law Review.\n\nMasheyat Rahman is from Fayetteville and graduated from Haas Hall Academy in 2021. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying psychology, philosophy and legal studies. On campus, she serves as the treasurer for the CORD Student Staff Advisory Board. Upon graduation, Masheyat plans to attend law school.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-47-senate-gop-colleagues-to-biden-harris-administration-delaying-weapons-to-israel-undermines-our-ally-accommodates-iran", "Cotton, 47 Senate GOP Colleagues to Biden-Harris Administration: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 2, 2024\n\nCotton, 47 Senate GOP Colleagues to Biden-Harris Administration: Delaying Weapons to Israel Undermines Our Ally, Accommodates Iran\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today led 47 of his Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden-Harris administration, protesting its partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing the lives of American servicemembers, and to deliver the necessary weapons systems to Israel.\n\nCo-leading the letter were Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).\n\nAdditional signatories included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Todd Young (R-Indiana).\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cWhen Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nAugust 2, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nThis weekend, Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel, murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However, while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it, your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened.\n\nWe write once again to protest your administration\u2019s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in the recent supplemental that funded emergency military support to Israel.\n\nWhen Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s, F-35 engines, joint direct attack munition kits, 2,000 pound bombs, rifles, and guided missile systems.\n\nWhile your administration delays, Hamas continues to wage war against Israel, the Houthis continue to attack in the Red Sea, and Hezbollah continues its onslaught in northern Israel. Your stalling tactics are endangering our greatest ally in the Middle East and jeopardizing the lives of our American servicemembers stationed in the region. We urge you to use every available emergency authority to expedite the physical delivery of all weapons and ammunition to Israel that have been approved by Congress.\n\nYour administration must stop accommodating Iran and its terrorist allies now.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-bill-to-hold-9/11-terrorists-accountable", "Cotton Introduces Bill to Hold 9/11 Terrorists Accountable", "2024-08-02", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nAugust 2, 2024\n\nCotton Introduces Bill to Hold 9/11 Terrorists Accountable\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday introduced legislation, the Justice for 9/11 Act, to nullify any plea deals made between the U.S. government and the Guantanamo Bay inmates who planned the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2001. Senator Cotton introduced the legislation after the inmates\u2014Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin \u2018Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi\u2014reportedly reached a plea deal where they would serve life in prison in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.\n\n\u201cGiving a plea deal to the terrorist masterminds behind 9/11 is disgraceful and an insult to the victims of the attacks, as well at those who served to avenge them. These monsters should have faced justice decades ago; instead, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are setting the stage to let them go free. My bill will stop this travesty,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe pretrial agreement between the 9/11 planners and the government removes the possibility of the death penalty as punishment.\n\nIn 2008, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad was charged with multiple crimes for his role, including conspiracy, murder in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, and terrorism and material support of terrorism.\n\nThe Justice for 9/11 Act would prevent the Biden-Harris administration from offering plea deals to the 9/11 terrorists by requiring a trial and ensuring death penalty remains an option in sentencing.\n\nThe bill would also require the terrorist be kept at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement and prohibit them from being extradited to another country.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4C0478E1-F0A6-421B-B6B2-478E998A1B84", "Senate Committee Approves Boozman Language to Support Volunteer Fire Departments", "2024-08-01", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) succeeded in pushing for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to further examine potential unintended consequences of its Emergency Response Standard proposal to ensure communities in Arkansas and across the country continue to have access to volunteer firefighter services. The senator\u2019s language was added to the Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act and encourages OSHA to conduct listening sessions and outreach with stakeholders to fully understand the impact of new requirements on volunteer fire departments.\n\n\u201cWe must ensure firefighters have the tools and training to safeguard themselves and the community, which means any adjustments to the standards applied to them must be carefully considered. OSHA\u2019s current one-size-fits-all proposal could jeopardize volunteer fire departments\u2019 ability to continue operating or drastically limit their resources and personnel capacity. I\u2019m hopeful the plan can be revised with feedback from stakeholders,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nArkansas has 1,003 fire departments and 974 are at least partially staffed by volunteers.\n\nIn February, OSHA announced its proposal to modernize safety requirements for emergency responders, but volunteer fire departments in Arkansas and across the country have shared their apprehensions with Congress that parts of the plan could cause unintended consequences and lead to increased costs resulting in potential cuts to services.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=F3A027D5-8309-4C81-914D-AE520B11E633", "Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Seniors\u2019 Access to Healthcare", "2024-08-01", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Peter Welch (D-VT) along with Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are leading efforts to protect access to Medicare services by reforming the program\u2019s physician fee schedule with the introduction of the Physician Fee Stabilization Act.\n\nThe legislation would increase the budget neutrality threshold to $53 million with an increase every five years to keep pace with the Medicare Economic Index. This is a critical step forward to ensure greater flexibility in determining pricing adjustments for services without triggering harmful annual payment cuts to Medicare-serving physicians. The budget neutrality threshold was last updated in 1992.\n\n\u201cMedicare patients must have access to quality health services. Ensuring physicians are fairly compensated for their work will help deliver stability to providers so they continue to meet the needs of their communities. I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan solution that enhances Medicare\u2019s sustainability,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cSo many Vermonters rely on Medicare for their health care coverage \u2013 it\u2019s critical that their health care providers are fairly compensated,\u201d said Welch. \u201cThis commonsense, bipartisan bill updates an outdated, decades-old policy that triggers harmful cuts to provider payments. We\u2019re working across the aisle to ensure providers in Vermont, and in rural communities around the country, can keep treating Medicare patients and get reimbursed fairly for the care they provide.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe nearly two million Medicare beneficiaries in North Carolina expect timely access to quality care,\u201d said Tillis. \u201cYear after year, we\u2019ve seen consistent Medicare reimbursement cuts to physicians that adversely impact access to care and patient outcomes \u2013 and just last month, Medicare proposed yet another three percent cut to physician reimbursement. This bipartisan legislation makes long-overdue changes to outdated policies to ensure physicians are adequately reimbursed, and seniors have uninterrupted access to care.\u201d\n\n\u201cAccessible and reliable healthcare is essential for seniors across Maine, especially for those in our most rural communities,\u201d said King. \u201cThe Physician Fee Stabilization Act would ensure that Medicare providers are adequately paid so that they can continue to offer their full range of services to Maine\u2019s Medicare beneficiaries. I want to thank my colleagues for prioritizing the healthcare and well-being of our older Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation is a great step forward to provide stability for physicians serving our most vulnerable populations,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cMedicare payment changes have been severely impacting doctors in rural Kansas and nationwide since I was practicing. It's time to implement meaningful reforms. I am proud to support this bill and look forward to working with Senator Boozman to help physicians everywhere.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical we do all we can to ensure that Granite Staters who rely on Medicare for health insurance have access to the quality, affordable care they need,\u201d said Shaheen. \u201cThis bipartisan bill would make sure physicians are fairly compensated and guarantee adequate reimbursement for providers, which would help strengthen Medicare\u2019s dependability for patients now and into the future.\u201d\n\nThe Physician Fee Stabilization Act has support from nationwide health organizations including the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), American Optometric Association (AOA), Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), National Rural Health Association (NRHA), American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), American College of Radiology (ACR), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), Alliance of Specialty Medicine (ASM), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Urological Association (AUA), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Psychiatric Association (APA), American College of Physicians (ACF), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and American College of Cardiology (ACC).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-bill-to-unmask-iranian-election-interference", "Cotton Introduces Bill to Unmask Iranian Election Interference", "2024-07-31", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler orPatrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 31, 2024\n\nCotton Introduces Bill to Unmask Iranian Election Interference\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Unmasking Networks of Virtual Election Interference and Lies (UNVEIL) Act, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to publicly reveal the Islamic Republic\u2019s interference in U.S. domestic politics from October 7, 2023. Senator Cotton\u2019s bill introduction follows reports that the Iranian government is using covert social media activity and other influence operations to interfere in the 2024 presidential election.\n\n\u201cThe Biden-Harris administration\u2019s weakness has emboldened and enriched Iran. It\u2019s no wonder that the ayatollahs prefer four more years of appeasement. Americans deserve to know the extent to which Iran is interfering in our election against President Trump,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe UNVEIL Act would:\n\nRequire a list of the social media accounts being run by Iran.\n\nRequire a description of protestors to whom Iran has provided financial support.\n\nRequire a description of any Iran-led email campaigns targeted at government officials or voters.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-stefanik-demand-answers-regarding-harris-national-security-advisors-communications-with-iranian-influence-operation", "Cotton, Stefanik Demand Answers Regarding Harris\u2019 National Security Advisor\u2019s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation", "2024-07-31", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 31, 2024\n\nCotton, Stefanik Demand Answers Regarding Harris\u2019 National Security Advisor\u2019s Communications with Iranian Influence Operation\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (New York-21) today sent a letter to Vice President Kamala Harris to express his concern about her National Security Advisor, Philip Gordon, and his connections to senior Department of Defense official Ariane Tabatabai. Ms. Tabatabai was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Iran\u2019s influence in the United States.\n\nIn part, the lawmakers wrote:\n\n\u201cBefore joining your office, Mr. Gordon co-authored at least three opinion pieces with Ms. Tabatabai blatantly promoting the Iranian regime\u2019s perspective and interests. In a March 2020 piece, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Tabatabai claimed continued sanctions on Iran would create \u2018catastrophe\u2019 in the Middle East. In another, they wrote sanctions could lead to new Iranian efforts to \u2018lash out with attacks on its neighbors, and on Americans and American interests in the Middle East.\u2019 Each prediction was as wrong, as it was biased in favor of Tehran.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nJuly 31, 2024\n\nVice President Kamala C. Harris\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear Vice President Harris,\n\nWe write to express concern about your national security advisor Mr. Philip Gordon\u2019s connections to Ms. Ariane Tabatabai, a senior Department of Defense official who was reportedly involved in an Iranian government operation to expand Tehran\u2019s soft power in the United States. During negotiations over the failed Iran nuclear deal, Ms. Tabatabai reportedly was a founding member of the Iran Experts Initiative (IEI), a group of policy analysts in America led by senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials to propagate Iran\u2019s objectives during the nuclear deal negotiations and bolster Tehran\u2019s reputation.\n\nBefore joining your office, Mr. Gordon co-authored at least three opinion pieces with Ms. Tabatabai blatantly promoting the Iranian regime\u2019s perspective and interests. In a March 2020 piece, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Tabatabai claimed continued sanctions on Iran would create \u201ccatastrophe\u201d in the Middle East. In another, they wrote sanctions could lead to new Iranian efforts to \u201clash out with attacks on its neighbors, and on Americans and American interests in the Middle East.\u201d Each prediction was as wrong, as it was biased in favor of Tehran.\n\nMr. Gordon was also closely associated with the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), another Iranian influence organization that allegedly collaborates with Tehran. He spoke at the NIAC\u2019s Leadership Conference in both 2014 and 2016.\n\nThe Biden-Harris Administration is no stranger to Iran accommodators, appeasers, and accomplices. Ms. Tabatabai remains gainfully employed in the Defense Department, helping oversee sensitive special operations. The FBI is investigating your former Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley for passing classified intelligence to Tehran and your Special Envoy Amos Hochstein allegedly passed intelligence about Israeli airstrikes to Hezbollah potentially as recently as this weekend.\n\nWe request you provide answers to the following questions no later than August 9, 2024:\n\nWhen you hired Mr. Gordon, were you aware of his connections with Ariane Tabatabai, the IEI, and the NIAC?\n\nDid Mr. Gordon undergo security screening and receive a security clearance when you hired him? Does he have an active security clearance?\n\nDid you request further investigation into Mr. Gordon when Ms. Tabatabai\u2019s connections to the Iranian Foreign Ministry were revealed in September 2023? Did Mr. Gordon admit and report his ties to this individual?\n\nHave you or Mr. Gordon met with other members of the IEI, including Ali Vaez? Have you met with Ms. Tabatabai personally?\n\nAs the Vice President do you support Ms. Tabatabai\u2019s continued employment at the Department of Defense?\n\nAs the Vice President what specific actions will you take to address the issue of Iranian sympathizers, aside from yourself, within the Administration?\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D1EF6D81-5088-4A82-9E72-5AA8F5F93E55", "Boozman Helps Preserve Memories of Arkansas Veterans in Library of Congress Collection", "2024-07-30", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a champion of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP), presented interviews with Arkansans for preservation in the national collection. The new submissions mark more than 100 interviews conducted by Boozman\u2019s office.\n\n\u201cThe Veterans History Project is a unique collection of personal reflections that teaches our nation\u2019s history from the perspective of those who have stood in defense of our freedoms. It also represents an opportunity for families to learn more about the selflessness of their loved ones, which is something I personally understand as the son of veteran of WWII who served in the Air Force for 23 years yet didn\u2019t share much about his experiences in the military. This initiative preserves these patriotic Americans\u2019 legacies so they live on for future generations. I\u2019m honored to be part of this rewarding endeavor, \u201d Boozman said.\n\nThe senator submitted seven interviews conducted by his staff with veterans of the Cold War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and War on Terror.\n\nIn 2000, Congress established the VHP to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nBoozman\u2019s staff has conducted dozens of interviews and trained more than 1,200 Arkansans to participate and raise awareness about this initiative. The senator regularly highlights the conversations in \u2018Salute to Veterans,\u2019 a series highlighting memories of their time in uniform.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B0800774-4F81-4677-B9C3-EE3FCEA230CC", "Boozman, Brown, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect and Fully Fund Veterans Care, Earned Benefits", "2024-07-29", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Tester (D-MT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), introduced new legislation to protect veterans\u2019 earned benefits and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is able to continue to pay disability compensation, pension and education benefits to veterans.\n\nThis year, the VA has served more veterans than ever before and provided more care and benefits to veterans exposed to toxins during their time in the military after implementing the bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The legislation, which was signed into law in 2022, provided a record expansion of care and benefits for veterans. As a result, more veterans are filing claims and receiving long overdue earned benefits, including disability compensation and GI Bill benefits.\n\nWithout additional funding to mirror the increased number of claims received, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is at risk of leaving 7 million veterans and survivors without access to this support. Delaying this funding could postpone benefit payments from reaching veterans, caregivers and survivors, requiring tough spending choices at the beginning of October to avoid overdraft fees or the potential of services being shut off.\n\n\u201cThe PACT Act is a landmark law that is providing generations of veterans the services and support they are owed after serving our nation in uniform. In Arkansas and across our country, these heroic men and women must not suffer because of a potential shortfall in funding. I am proud to work in a bipartisan fashion to make certain that does not happen and help the VA accurately account for the resources it needs to carry out this vital mission,\u201d Boozman said.\n\n\u201cWe fought to make the PACT Act law to expand the care and benefits millions of veterans earned when they served our country, and because of it more veterans than ever are getting the care they deserve. We must ensure VA can continue to implement the PACT Act \u2013 we can\u2019t deny the brave veterans who sacrificed to protect our country the benefits they earned, because VA doesn\u2019t have the resources,\u201d said Brown.\n\n\u201cWe have an obligation to ensure veterans, their eligible family members, and survivors receive the VA benefits they have earned. Congress must do everything in its power to fulfill the nation\u2019s obligation to them. The Veterans Supplemental Appropriations Act ensures VA has the necessary funds so that those who have borne the battle will continue to receive their VA benefits on time,\u201d said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America.\n\n\u201cRecently, VA announced a budget shortfall that may have delayed the timely delivery of benefits to people nationwide. Veterans, family members, and caregivers have earned VA benefits through service. We are frustrated to hear VA may not have properly accounted for certain benefits through the end of the fiscal year. Each year Congress has provided VA with the resources it requested for veterans\u2019 care and benefits. It is disappointing to learn VA has not requested enough money to properly fund VA care and benefits. We are grateful however that a bipartisan group of Senators led by Senators Brown, Murray, Tester, Sinema, Collins, Moran, and Boozman have stepped up to rectify this funding gap. The VFW commends these lawmakers for continuing to support veterans, families, and caregivers when needed,\u201d said VFW National Legislative Director Pat Murray.\n\n\u201cDAV strongly supports the Veterans Supplemental Appropriations Act to ensure that VA has sufficient funding so that no veteran will have their benefits delayed this fall. We thank all the bipartisan Senate sponsors who worked together to bring this legislation forward so quickly and call on all members of the Senate and the House to support this urgent legislation,\u201d said Randy Reese, DAV Washington Executive Director.\n\n\u201cVeterans should never have their financial security put at risk by late payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs for benefits they have earned. Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support the Veterans Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 to ensure that the Veterans Benefits Administration has the resources it needs to meet its obligations to veterans while leaders in Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs sort out the issues that underlie last week's budget shortfall announcement,\u201d said Jose Ramos, Wounded Warrior Project Vice President for Government & Community Relations.\n\n\u201cGuaranteed delivery of the benefits our veterans and surviving family members earned through their sacrifices is something they should never have to doubt. Honoring their service is one of the most sacred duties we have as a nation. MOAA thanks Senators Brown, Murray, Collins, Tester, Boozman, Sinema, and Moran for taking swift action in response to VA's request,\u201d said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret.), President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America.\n\nEarlier this year, the VA announced it had already delivered over 11,000 PACT-Act related disability compensation claims to veterans and survivors across Arkansas. Additionally, more than 5,000 Natural State veterans had signed up for VA health care since the Department began implementing the law.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=40DC745D-A98E-49EB-9690-A80AA8FB1481", "Boozman Named \u2018Hero of Main Street\u2019 by National Retail Federation", "2024-07-25", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The National Retail Federation has named U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) a 2024 \u201cHero of Main Street\u201d for his work to advance public policy that supports a vibrant and healthy retail sector.\n\n\u201cRetail is a key part of our economy and it is important to create an environment where it can thrive so consumers benefit while jobs are created and maintained in local communities. I\u2019m honored to be recognized for my work to bolster this critical industry and will continue to back the commonsense, pro-growth policies that boost businesses and support employment,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nRetail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, driving the U.S. economy and creating jobs in communities throughout the country. Retail establishments are responsible for employing over 200,000 Arkansans and contributing more than $17.4 billion in economic activity.\n\n\u201cThe retail industry directly impacts every congressional district in the United States, providing goods, services and American jobs,\u201d NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French said. \u201cNRF is honored to recognize Sen. John Boozman as a \u2018Hero of Main Street\u2019 for his continued support of the retail industry through legislative action and leadership.\u201d\n\nNRF honored 265 members of the House and Senate as \u201cHeroes of Main Street\u201d during the 2024 Retail Advocates Summit, the retail industry\u2019s premier advocacy event in Washington, DC.\n\nThe \u201cHero of Main Street\u201d award was created by NRF in 2013 to recognize a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their support of the retail industry\u2019s public policy priorities. Award eligibility is based on key votes, bill sponsorship and advocacy to advance the industry\u2019s priorities.\n\nRetail is the nation\u2019s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs \u2014 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=87B6EB09-6A9F-4F6B-A390-B19104970D5C", "Boozman, Cotton to Commerce Secretary: Granting Communist Vietnam \u201cMarket Economy\u201d Status Would Destroy American Jobs and Industries", "2024-07-25", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 Arkansas U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging her not to grant market economy status to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in order to safeguard American industries and national interests.\n\nCiting Vietnam's controlled currency, lack of labor rights and extensive state intervention, the senators contend granting Vietnam market economy status would devastate U.S. industries already damaged by Vietnam's unfair trade practices, outsourcing American jobs and hurting American workers.\n\nU.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Katie Britt (R-AL) also signed the letter.\n\n\u201cAs your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam\u2019s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country\u2019s most vulnerable regions,\u201d the senators wrote.\n\nFull text of the letter is here and below.\n\nDear Secretary Raimondo,\n\nWe write to express our ongoing concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s review of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam\u2019s non-market economy (NME) status. With your department\u2019s determination deadline fast approaching, we must reiterate why a decision to graduate Vietnam to market economy status would undermine our national interest.\n\nYour department is required by statute to conduct a rigorous inspection of Vietnam and its economy to determine whether Vietnam can graduate to market economy status. In this case, it is obvious that Vietnam does not have a market economy. Vietnam\u2019s currency is not freely convertible. It does not protect free bargaining between labor and management. Its government retains substantial control over prices and production through state-owned or heavily subsidized enterprises\u2014so much so that even in the course of this review, your own department has initiated numerous antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against Vietnam in recognition of these distortions. There is no doubt that the country\u2019s nonmarket economic practices already violate fair competition and lawful trade.\n\nAs your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam\u2019s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country\u2019s most vulnerable regions.\n\nVietnam has been a communist country since 1975 and the Department of Commerce officially designated Vietnam as a non-market economy in 2002. In the years that have followed, the Vietnamese government has had every opportunity to pursue real internal reforms to earn a market economy designation. Instead, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is tightening its control over the country. For example, the CPV\u2019s Politburo issued a government-wide order last year, Directive 24, to target and eliminate \u201chostile\u201d foreign forces and influence within the country that threaten to undermine the CPV\u2019s rule. According to reports, Directive 24 \u201cframes all forms of international cooperation and commerce as threats to national security and articulates a disturbing plan to deal with these perceived threats.\u201d In order to eliminate \u201chostile\u201d forces, Directive 24 increases the CPV\u2019s authority over every level of the government, the broader economy, and the country\u2019s population. The Directive further augments the CPV\u2019s authority to restrict and punish civil society groups and trade unions, control foreign organizations, censor and eliminate dissent, and control Vietnamese nationals traveling abroad. These are not the actions of a nation that is opening up its economic or political system.\n\nThis administration may nevertheless believe that granting market economy status, despite the overwhelming evidence, would advance American interests by drawing Vietnam out of China\u2019s sphere of influence and into ours. However, there is no evidence that Vietnam will change its diplomatic or military policies regarding China in exchange for greater market access. Vietnam already enjoys a goods trade surplus of over $100 billion a year with the United States, yet continues to forge closer relations with the People\u2019s Republic of China.\n\nIn fact, granting Vietnam market economy status may only incentivize greater China-Vietnam cooperation, as Beijing could seek to increase transshipment through Vietnam and relocate its companies to Vietnam in order to exploit such preferential status. There is no diplomatic or military justification for undermining the American economy in this way.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Commerce has a mandate to advance and promote America\u2019s interests, not to undermine our industries in pursuit of a misguided geopolitical strategy. We urge you to honor this mandate and continue to treat Vietnam as a non-market economy.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-palestinian-leadership-and-institutions-that-reward-terrorism", "Cotton, Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism", "2024-07-25", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 25, 2024\n\nCotton, Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Palestinian Leadership and Institutions That Reward Terrorism\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) today introduced the PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act, legislation that would impose sanctions on foreign persons and entities that provide payments to Palestinian terrorists and the families of terrorists as part of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority\u2019s (PA) system of terror compensation.\n\nSenators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) are cosponsoring the legislation. Congressmen Mike Lawler (New York-17) and Doug Lamborn (Colorado-05) are introducing bipartisan companion legislation in the House with 27 cosponsors.\n\n\u201cThe Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization continue to support terrorism against Israel by providing hundreds of millions of dollars per year in their reprehensible \u2018pay-for-slay\u2019 program. Anti-Semitic Palestinian terrorists know they can expect payment as a reward for killing Israelis and Americans\u2013with thousands of Palestinian terrorists tied to October 7 eligible for these terror payments. Our bill will ensure that the PA, PLO and their institutions that reward acts of terrorism are punished,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cFor years, the Palestinian Authority has incentivized brutal attacks against Israelis\u2014and even American citizens\u2014through its horrific 'pay for slay' policies. Strong words and failed negotiations aren\u2019t enough to stop these acts of terror. We need to actually use the authorities at our disposal to impose real economic pain against those who support and facilitate so-called 'martyr payments,' and I am proud to partner with Senator Cotton and our Republican colleagues to do just that,\u201d said Senator Scott.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe PLO and PA Terror Payments Accountability Act would impose sanctions on:\n\nForeign persons who serve as an employee of the PLO and PA that has facilitated the payments, provided payments themselves, or knowingly provided significant financial, technological, or material support and resources as part of the PLO and PA\u2019s system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism.\n\nEntities that facilitate the PLO and PA system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism including the Commission of Prisoners and Released Prisoners, the Institute for the Care of the Families of the Martyrs and the Wounded, the Palestine National Fund, and National Association of the Families of the Martyrs of Palestine.\n\nForeign financial institutions that participate in a financial transaction that is part of the PLO and PA\u2019s system of compensation supporting acts of terrorism.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-non-citizens-convicted-of-crimeswhile-protesting", "Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Non-Citizens Convicted of Crimes\u00a0While Protesting", "2024-07-24", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 24, 2024\n\nCotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Non-Citizens Convicted of Crimes While Protesting\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the No Visas for Violent Criminals Act, legislation that would terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of a criminal offense during a protest. Senators Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) are cosponsoring the legislation. Congressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03) is leading companion legislation in the House.\n\n\u201cThe Biden administration\u2019s inaction against pro-Hamas mobs has only emboldened these extremists. Our legislation makes clear that a green card does not give individuals the right to break our laws in support of anti-Semitic views,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cFor months, pro-Hamas rioters have terrorized communities across the U.S. without consequence. Foreigners who come here to spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public property must be deported immediately. Senator Cotton\u2019s and my bill would do exactly that,\u201d said Congressman Banks.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe No Visas for Violent Criminals Act would immediately terminate any visa and require deportation within 60 days of any non-citizen convicted of:\n\nAny offense involving the obstruction of highways, roads, bridges, or tunnels.\n\nAny offense related to the individual\u2019s conduct at and during the course of a protest that takes place at an institution of higher education or religious institution in the United States.\n\nAny offense involving the defacement or destruction of federal property (including but not limited to monuments and memorials). This also applies to any aggravated felony (as defined in 8 U.S.C. \u00a7 1101 (43)).\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-raimondo-granting-communist-vietnam-market-economy-status-would-destroy-american-jobs-and-industries", "Cotton, Colleagues to Raimondo: Granting Communist Vietnam \u201cMarket Economy\u201d Status Would Destroy American Jobs and Industries", "2024-07-24", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 24, 2024\n\nCotton, Colleagues to Raimondo: Granting Communist Vietnam \u201cMarket Economy\u201d Status Would Destroy American Jobs and Industries\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, urging her not to grant market economy status to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and to safeguard American industries and national interests. Citing Vietnam's controlled currency, lack of labor rights, and extensive state intervention, granting Vietnam market economy status would devastate U.S. industries already damaged by Vietnam's unfair trade practices. Such an agreement would outsource American jobs and hurt American workers.\n\nSenators Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) co-signed the letter.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cAs your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam\u2019s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country\u2019s most vulnerable regions.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nJuly 24, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Gina Raimondo\n\nU.S. Department of Commerce\n\n1401 Constitution Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20230\n\nDear Secretary Raimondo,\n\nWe write to express our ongoing concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce\u2019s review of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam\u2019s non-market economy (NME) status. With your department\u2019s determination deadline fast approaching, we must reiterate why a decision to graduate Vietnam to market economy status would undermine our national interest.\n\nYour department is required by statute to conduct a rigorous inspection of Vietnam and its economy to determine whether Vietnam can graduate to market economy status. In this case, it is obvious that Vietnam does not have a market economy. Vietnam\u2019s currency is not freely convertible. It does not protect free bargaining between labor and management. Its government retains substantial control over prices and production through state-owned or heavily subsidized enterprises\u2014so much so that even in the course of this review, your own department has initiated numerous antidumping and countervailing duty investigations against Vietnam in recognition of these distortions. There is no doubt that the country\u2019s nonmarket economic practices already violate fair competition and lawful trade.\n\nAs your department has been made amply aware by numerous domestic industry submissions, graduating Vietnam to market economy status would deprive American industries and workers across the country of the necessary tools to defend themselves against such unfair trade. For the past two decades, Vietnam\u2019s aggressive pricing practices have injured domestic producers. A premature decision to graduate Vietnam could cripple these producers, damage secure and critical supply chains, and eliminate good jobs in our country\u2019s most vulnerable regions.\n\nVietnam has been a communist country since 1975 and the Department of Commerce officially designated Vietnam as a non-market economy in 2002. In the years that have followed, the Vietnamese government has had every opportunity to pursue real internal reforms to earn a market economy designation. Instead, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is tightening its control over the country. For example, the CPV\u2019s Politburo issued a government-wide order last year, Directive 24, to target and eliminate \u201chostile\u201d foreign forces and influence within the country that threaten to undermine the CPV\u2019s rule. According to reports, Directive 24 \u201cframes all forms of international cooperation and commerce as threats to national security and articulates a disturbing plan to deal with these perceived threats.\u201d In order to eliminate \u201chostile\u201d forces, Directive 24 increases the CPV\u2019s authority over every level of the government, the broader economy, and the country\u2019s population. The Directive further augments the CPV\u2019s authority to restrict and punish civil society groups and trade unions, control foreign organizations, censor and eliminate dissent, and control Vietnamese nationals traveling abroad. These are not the actions of a nation that is opening up its economic or political system.\n\nThis administration may nevertheless believe that granting market economy status, despite the overwhelming evidence, would advance American interests by drawing Vietnam out of China\u2019s sphere of influence and into ours. However, there is no evidence that Vietnam will change its diplomatic or military policies regarding China in exchange for greater market access. Vietnam already enjoys a goods trade surplus of over $100 billion a year with the United States, yet continues to forge closer relations with the People\u2019s Republic of China.\n\nIn fact, granting Vietnam market economy status may only incentivize greater China-Vietnam cooperation, as Beijing could seek to increase transshipment through Vietnam and relocate its companies to Vietnam in order to exploit such preferential status. There is no diplomatic or military justification for undermining the American economy in this way.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Commerce has a mandate to advance and promote America\u2019s interests, not to undermine our industries in pursuit of a misguided geopolitical strategy. We urge you to honor this mandate and continue to treat Vietnam as a non-market economy.\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n\u00ad\u00ad\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=4E407E7B-4DA2-4C1D-A656-D59A13FA3577", "Boozman, Moran, Lankford, Blackburn, Cramer & Braun Urge VA to Protect VA Home Loans from Costly Energy Conservation Standards", "2024-07-17", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mike Braun (R-IN) to raise concerns to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough about how recently adopted Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) energy conservation policies could impact the cost of VA home loans for veterans.\n\nOn April 26, HUD and USDA announced they would be implementing the 2021 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as the minimum energy efficiency standards for the financing of new single and multifamily homes.\n\n\u201cIf adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are concerned that the revised standards could negatively affect the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans for veterans,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cDeclining to finance any loans for new homes that do not meet these increased requirements, the agencies put accessible homeownership in jeopardy for thousands of veterans. Both rental and housing costs have risen at the fastest rates in decades, and any proposals that raise the cost of home building must be meticulously examined.\u201d\n\n\u201cNAHB commends Sen. Moran for urging the VA Secretary to produce the department\u2019s own analysis on how the 2021 IECC would affect housing affordability and the ability of veterans to obtain VA home loans,\u201d said National Association of Home Builders Chairman Carl Harris. \u201cStudies have shown that requiring new construction to adopt to the 2021 IECC can add as much as $31,000 to the price of a new home and that it would require up to 90 years for a home buyer to realize a payback on the added upfront cost of the home. Sen. Moran and the nation\u2019s home builders are concerned that if VA were to adopt the 2021 IECC, it would prevent many of our nation\u2019s veterans from purchasing a new home using a VA home loan.\u201d\n\nThe full text of the letter can be found below.\n\nDear Secretary McDonough,\n\nWe write to raise significant concerns about the Department of Housing and Urban Development\u2019s (HUD) and Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) recently adopted revised energy standards for newly constructed homes insured or guaranteed by their respective Departments.\n\nWe are particularly concerned with the impact of the agencies\u2019 final determination, implementing the 2021 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), on veteran homebuyers. By only financing new homes if they are built to the 2021 IECC standards, HUD and USDA describe the potential for a market where \u201cnew construction for Federal Housing Administration borrowers would decline.\u201d If adopted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), we are concerned that the revised standards could negatively affect the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans for veterans.\n\nRecent estimates indicate that even a one thousand dollar increase in home prices would price over one hundred thousand Americans out of the housing market. As mortgage rates hover around seven percent, the revised standards could lead prospective homeowners to pay tens of thousands of dollars more over the course of a 30-year mortgage. Included in the Regulatory Impact Analysis, HUD and USDA rightly recognize that \u201clower-income households are less willing than higher-income ones to accept longer payback periods for energy-efficient investments.\u201d Declining to finance any loans for new homes that do not meet these increased requirements, the agencies put accessible homeownership in jeopardy for thousands of veterans.\n\nBoth rental and housing costs have risen at the fastest rates in decades, and any proposals that raise the cost of home building must be meticulously examined. Additionally, it is our duty to ensure that veterans have robust access to VA-financed home loans. In turn, we respectfully call your attention to a directive included in the Senate\u2019s Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee Report on the revised energy standards and look forward to VA\u2019s evaluation of how adoption would impact costs for veteran homebuyers, including the availability, affordability, and competitiveness of VA home loans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D7024025-80A7-4EE6-8EBA-5F25F0E44F2B", "Boozman Recognizes Military Service of Late Bella Vista Veteran", "2024-07-16", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of the late Marvin Trigg in \u2018Salute to Veterans,\u2019 a series recognizing the military service of Arkansans.\n\nTrigg grew up on his family\u2019s farm in rural Missouri. He was put to work at an early age milking cows and using a two man crosscut saw to harvest wood.\n\n\u201cI helped my dad because we heated with wood, I many times went out with him,\u201d Trigg recalled. \u201cI\u2019d be on one end and he\u2019d be on the other.\u201d\n\nTrigg said he walked to school until high school when he was bussed to school. He had to make sure he was finished milking the cow before the bus came.\n\nTrigg enlisted in the Army in 1955 when he was 21 years old.\n\n\u201cThey sent me to Fort Eustice, Virginia,\u201d Trigg said. \u201cFlew me out there and then decided they didn\u2019t have anything for me so they put me on a pullman car to send me back.\u201d\n\nHis family was supportive of his decision to enlist. \u201cThey thought it was a good idea.\u201d\n\nHe was first stationed at Fort Chaffee.\n\nTrigg served as an aircraft maintenance crewman. In addition, he said one of his responsibilities included mowing the grass at Fort Knox.\n\nOnce he finished his military commitment he used his GI Bill benefits to attend aviation school and earned his pilot\u2019s license.\n\nHe worked for a local company in his hometown flying across Missouri transporting canned goods.\n\nTrigg said his favorite part of military service was seeing different parts of the country.\n\n\u201cI am grateful for Marvin Trigg\u2019s dedication and service to our nation. His memories of his military service are an important part of our history, and I am pleased to be able to collect and preserve his stories for future generations,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nSadly, Trigg passed away December 20, 2023, but his interview will be submitted to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress\u2019s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation\u2019s veterans.\n\nDo you know a veteran interested in sharing their memories for the \u2018Salute to Veterans\u2019 series? Nominate an Arkansas veteran to share their story by calling Boozman\u2019s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=39DD552B-60B4-4D60-BFCD-A0AE127AF372", "Arkansas Delegation Supports Governor\u2019s Request for Increase in Federal Cost Share for May Storm Damage", "2024-07-12", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014 U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton\u2014along with Congressmen Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman\u2014wrote to President Joe Biden urging him to support Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders\u2019 request for a 30-day, 100 percent federal cost share for counties affected by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in May.\n\n\u201cLocal officials of impacted jurisdictions have stated that significantly more resources and assistance is needed in order to restore these communities than preliminary damage assessments reported. Increasing the federal cost share to 100 percent from 75 percent will relieve the financial burden of recovery for these struggling communities and help them rebuild,\u201d members wrote.\n\nThe letter can be found here and below:\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nThank you for the expedited Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of the devastating tornadoes and severe storms that caused widespread destruction and extensive damage in Arkansas. The State of Arkansas greatly appreciates your assistance and support to date.\n\nOn behalf of the State of Arkansas, we are writing to support Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders\u2019 request to increase the federal cost share for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Categories A (Debris) and B (Emergency Protective Measures) up to 100 percent for the first thirty days. We firmly believe that an increase in the federal cost share is needed to effectively respond to a disaster of this magnitude.\n\nThe severity of the storms that occurred May 24-27, 2024, created disastrous amounts of debris, severe infrastructure damage, and resulted in the deaths of at least nine Arkansans and injured countless others. Local officials of impacted jurisdictions have stated that significantly more resources and assistance is needed in order to restore these communities than preliminary damage assessments reported. Increasing the federal cost share to 100 percent from 75 percent will relieve the financial burden of recovery for these struggling communities and help them rebuild.\n\nAs you know, Governor Sanders has activated all emergency resources, and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management has coordinated with all appropriate state and federal agencies. While we are grateful for the support provided by our local first responders, county and state emergency management agencies, FEMA, and the White House, additional federal assistance will be vital in our restoration efforts.\n\nThe entire Arkansas delegation respectfully requests your swift consideration and approval of this request to ensure Arkansans\u2019 safety and recovery efforts. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-colleagues-to-garland-terminate-doj-official-who-committed-perjury", "Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Terminate DOJ Official Who Committed Perjury", "2024-07-12", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 12, 2024\n\nCotton, Colleagues to Garland: Terminate DOJ Official Who Committed Perjury\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) led nine of his Senate Judiciary Committee colleagues today in sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging him to terminate Kristen Clarke, the Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. The senators detailed how Ms. Clarke committed perjury during the nomination process for her current role by lying to Congress.\n\nSenators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) co-signed the letter.\n\nIn part, the senators wrote:\n\n\u201cDuring her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had \u2018ever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person.\u2019 Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, \u2018No.\u2019 That was a lie. Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nJuly 12, 2024\n\nThe Honorable Merrick Garland\n\nU.S. Department of Justice\n\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW\n\nWashington, DC 20530-0001\n\nDear Attorney General Garland,\n\nI write regarding an act of perjury committed by Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. I call for Ms. Clarke\u2019s immediate termination and removal from office.\n\nDuring her nomination to her current role, Ms. Clarke was asked if she had \u201cever been arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime against any person.\u201d Ms. Clarke was unequivocal, responding under oath to the Senate Judiciary Committee, \u201cNo.\u201d That was a lie. Ms. Clarke has now admitted that she was arrested in 2006 for attacking and injuring someone with a knife. It has also recently come to light that, shortly before the full Senate voted on her nomination, Ms. Clarke and her publicist contacted the man she attacked in an attempt to cover up her false testimony.\n\nLying to Congress under oath is a felony.\n\nThe last time you were before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you said, \u201cThe integrity of our legal system is premised on adherence to the rule of law. In order to have confidence in our Department and in our democracy, the American people must be able to trust that we will adhere to the rule of law in everything that we do.\u201d Ms. Clarke does not meet this standard and must be immediately terminated.\n\nThank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E9B8186C-A519-4C39-ACE8-F76AD12B8C29", "Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Boozman-Led Bill Funding Military Infrastructure and Veterans Care", "2024-07-11", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced legislation crafted by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, that delivers $128.5 million to Arkansas for the future pilot training center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in addition to making significant investments to improve servicemembers and their families\u2019 quality of life and robustly fund veterans\u2019 health care and benefits.\n\nThe bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.\n\n\u201cProviding the resources our servicemembers and their families deserve and supporting our veterans by funding the medical treatment and benefits they have earned must always be a top priority for Congress. I\u2019m pleased our bipartisan bill accomplishes both and includes another vital investment to ensure Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas stays on track to successfully train allies on the F-35 aircraft. Passage of this measure represents our strong, shared commitment to those defending our nation today and in previous generations,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nFunding Boozman secured for Arkansas includes $128.5 million to support the foreign pilot training mission at Ebbing through construction of an Academic Training Center as well as other projects.\n\nThis legislation also includes key investments in military housing; veteran suicide prevention, telehealth, mental health and homelessness programs; women veterans care as well as innovative medical research.\n\nThe bill additionally allocates full funding for the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Arlington National Cemetery and the Armed Forces Retirement Home.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-demands-biden-administration-protect-americans-data-from-shein", "Cotton Demands Biden Administration Protect Americans\u2019 Data From Shein", "2024-07-11", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 11, 2024\n\nCotton Demands Biden Administration Protect Americans\u2019 Data From Shein\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to take action against Shein, a Chinese fashion retailer that has ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Senator Cotton requested the Biden administration provide a plan to protect Americans\u2019 data from Shein and identify whether Shein is complying with U.S. laws.\n\nIn part, Senator Cotton wrote:\n\n\u201cAs a large fashion retailer, Shien has access to a vast array of customer and supply chain data. And as a Chinese company, Shien is subject to national security laws that requires compliance with any request from the CCP to access that data. Allowing Shein to promulgate its technology within the U.S. will increase the risk that the CCP will gather data from U.S. businesses and use it for nefarious purposes.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter may be found here and below.\n\nJuly 10, 2024\n\nPresident Joseph R. Biden\n\nThe White House\n\n1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW\n\nWashington, DC 20500\n\nDear President Biden:\n\nI write to urge your administration to take action to prevent the Chinese company Shein from selling potentially fraudulent supply-chain technology to U.S. companies. Your administration must ensure that data from U.S. companies is not harvested by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through the purchase of Shein software and technology.\n\nAs a large fashion retailer, Shien has access to a vast array of customer and supply chain data. And as a Chinese company, Shien is subject to national security laws that requires compliance with any request from the CCP to access that data. Allowing Shein to promulgate its technology within the U.S. will increase the risk that the CCP will gather data from U.S. businesses and use it for nefarious purposes.\n\nWhile Shein moved its headquarters to Singapore and claims to store U.S. data in the U.S., it is still owned by the Chinese. As we\u2019ve seen with companies such as LOGINK in U.S. ports and TikTok, any amount of CCP access to U.S. data poses a national security risk.\n\nThe spread of Shein\u2019s supply-chain technology could provide the CCP with a vast trove of data about global and U.S. supply chains, as well as with details about U.S. citizens. The CCP would almost certainly use that data to subvert U.S. interests. This is unacceptable.\n\nPlease provide the following information no later than August 1, 2024:\n\nIs your administration tracking the possible sale of Shein supply chain software to U.S. companies? Have you taken steps to warn U.S. companies of the possible danger?\n\nHas your administration identified any instances of the CCP viewing or utilizing data gathered by Shein?\n\nAre Shein operations in the United States in compliance with all relevant data protection laws, regulations, and standards? Please provide details on their level of compliance.\n\nHas your administration evaluated the possible national security risk posed by the spread of Shein\u2019s supply chain technology? If so, please provide details. If not, why?\n\nThank you for your attention to this important matter.\n\nSincerely,\n\n_________________\n\nTom Cotton\n\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-legislation-introduced-study-impact-cell-phones-schools", "BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO STUDY IMPACT OF CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS", "2024-07-10", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), David Trone (MD-06), Jake LaTurner (KS-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06) introduced the Focus on Learning Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to complete a study on the effects of cell phone use in K-12 classrooms and its impact on students\u2019 mental health and academic performance.\n\n\u201cAny parent, teacher, or administrator can tell you that cell phones are the leading distraction and source of anxiety for students in school. Our Focus on Learning Act is a bipartisan solution to bridge the gap in data of the real-time effects of cell phone usage in schools so we can support local communities in alleviating those distractions and cultivating the best possible learning environment for our students,\u201d said Congressman Westerman. \u201cI\u2019m proud to lead this bicameral effort with my friend and fellow Arkansan, Senator Cotton, and I look forward to continued collaboration on this important issue.\u201d\n\n\u201cPrioritizing student mental health is how we ensure young folks receive the best education possible. The Focus on Learning Act aims to do just that by conducting a study on cell phone use in schools,\u201d said Congressman Trone. \u201cBy limiting cell phones in schools, we could also limit one of the main causes of stress and anxiety for students. In Congress, I\u2019ll always work to ensure young people are set up for success.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is critical to the development of our children that we understand the impact that cellphones have on their mental health and academic performance,\u201d said Congressman LaTurner. \u201cThe Focus on Learning Act will help ensure that schools are free of distractions that may hinder a student\u2019s education.\u201d\n\n\"As a Dad, I\u2019m concerned about the impact of cell phone use on our kids' mental health and academic success,\" said Congressman Crow. \"Proud to lead the Focus on Learning Act with Rep. Westerman to research the effects of increased phone use and give our kids the best opportunity to succeed.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nSince 2012, test scores have steeply declined nationwide, presumably correlated with the increased presence of cell phones in schools.\n\nRecent studies show that three-quarters of U.S. teens feel more happy/peaceful when they are away from their phones.\n\nAs research is being conducted in scholarly settings, there\u2019s a gap in data on the real-time effects of cell phone usage in classrooms and its impact on the learning and mental health of students.\n\nFOCUS ON LEARNING SUMMARY:\n\nRequires the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to complete a study on the effects of cell phone use in K-12 classrooms on students\u2019 mental health and academic performance.\n\nAuthorizes $5 million annually for the next five years for a pilot program that provides students with secure containers to store cell phones during school hours.\n\nThe pilot program will allow exceptions for students with health conditions, disabilities, and non-English speakers.\n\nParticipating schools will have a communication system in place to allow teachers, students, and administrators to communicate with local emergency responders in case of an emergency.\n\nU.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) are cosponsors of the Senate companion Focus on Learning Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=9325C259-E509-49B1-B17A-4C95F3A5E7D5", "Boozman Opening Statement at Hearing of Oversight of Digital Commodities", "2024-07-10", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, released the following opening remarks, as prepared, at the hearing to conduct oversight of digital commodities.\n\nThank you, Madame Chair. Welcome to my colleagues and, again, thank you for calling today\u2019s hearing on the current state of digital commodities. I would also like to welcome Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman [Rostin] Behnam. We appreciate your hard work and as the Chair said, you certainly are not a stranger to this committee. We appreciate your willingness to come over and visit us as we request.\n\nAs the Ranking Member of this committee, I have consistently said in the past that I believe the CFTC is the right agency to regulate spot digital commodities. I still believe that to be true. The CFTC\u2019 s principle-based approach has proven to effectively protect consumers in the derivatives market, and I believe with the appropriate authorities this same approach will protect consumers in the digital commodities space. At the same time, as policymakers we must also protect innovation and provide the regulatory certainty businesses need to maintain their operations in the United States.\n\nThe Chair has been drafting legislation that would give the CFTC the authority to regulate spot digital commodity trading. We have had many, many conversations and my staff have been working closely with hers on her proposal for the last several weeks. I am committed to continue to work in good faith on legislation to give the CFTC the authorities it needs.\n\nDigital commodities and the regulatory issues they raise are complex and not well understood. I believe as a committee we have a responsibility to help educate our colleagues and the public on these issues and I would like to see us do more to better understand what policies are needed and why. Hopefully today\u2019s hearing will begin to fill that gap.\n\nAdditionally, as we proceed as a committee, it is vital that we limit our policy proposals to the agencies that we have jurisdiction over\u2014in this case the CFTC. We do not have authority over the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve. The oversight of those agencies is clearly outside the jurisdiction of this committee. Any legislation reported out of this committee should not direct or require anything of agencies not under our authority.\n\nFinally, I believe that we must have broad support within the community we wish to regulate if we ultimately want to protect consumers and innovation. I and my staff have had numerous meetings with those who would be covered by the proposed legislation. The frank and honest feedback we have received from these discussions does not lead me to believe the necessary level of support for this proposal to be successful currently exists among stakeholders \u2013 and people are working very hard to try and rectify that.\n\nAgain, I am committed to working with the Chairwoman on her proposal to regulate digital commodities. Today\u2019s hearing is a good start. I look forward to hearing the thoughts of Chairman Behnam and the questions posed by our colleagues.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-banks-biden-administration-rule-discriminates-against-faith-based-foster-organizations", "Cotton, Banks: Biden Administration Rule Discriminates Against Faith-Based Foster Organizations", "2024-07-10", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 10, 2024\n\nCotton, Banks: Biden Administration Rule Discriminates Against Faith-Based Foster Organizations\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced a resolution to remove a Health and Human Services (HHS) Department rule that would make it harder for faith-based organizations and families to provide homes for foster children. HHS finalized its rule in April.\n\nCongressman Jim Banks (Indiana-03) introduced the resolution in the House.\n\n\u201cFaith-based groups lead the effort in Arkansas to provide safe foster homes. The Biden administration\u2019s rule will only hurt children that need a home and the religious organizations that provide this incredibly important work,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\n\u201cDespite a nationwide shortage of foster families, the Biden administration\u2019s rule discards well-established, faith-based care providers as second-class placement services, forcing states to invest time and resources into recruiting so-called gender-affirming providers. This is an attack on religious liberty and common sense, and worst of all, it is the children in need of a safe and loving home who will suffer most from this administration\u2019s radical agenda,\u201d said Congressman Banks.\n\nText of the resolution may be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-introduces-legislation-to-mandate-review-of-cases-that-used-chevron-as-basis", "Cotton Introduces Legislation to Mandate Review of Cases That Used Chevron as Basis", "2024-07-09", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJuly 9, 2024\n\nCotton Introduces Legislation to Mandate Review of Cases That Used Chevron as Basis\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Bureaucratic Overreach Review Act. The legislation would review federal court decisions on laws, regulations, and legal cases that used the recently overturned Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. case as the basis for their decisions. The bill would also direct federal agencies to review litigation where the agency relied upon Chevron to support its interpretation of a regulation or law.\n\n\u201cOverturning Chevron was a victory for Americans and the Constitution. Congress should make laws, not unelected bureaucrats. My legislation will make sure the verdicts that used Chevron to justify government overreach are reviewed,\u201d said Senator Cotton.\n\nText of the bill may be found here.\n\nThe Bureaucratic Overreach Review Act would:\n\nRequire the Government Accountability Office to submit a report to Congress that identifies where the federal courts have relied upon Chevron to reach a decision in favor of deference.\n\nRequire federal agencies to conduct a review of cases where the agency was a party and accorded Chevron deference.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=14D8D8C7-5880-4316-9B02-76FDBDF90EFF", "Boozman, Moran, Colleagues Call on VA to Correct Policies Impacting Veteran Access to Care", "2024-07-02", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) in urging Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough to quickly correct policy initiatives making it harder for veterans to receive care.\n\nIn 2018, Congress passed the MISSION Act, which increased access to care for veterans by expanding their ability to be seen by health care providers in their communities. However, recent actions by VA leaders indicate the department may be limiting community care options for veterans.\n\n\u201cCongress has never failed to provide VA with the resources required to fulfill its mission,\u201d wrote the Senators. \u201cIf you believe that VA lacks the funding to provide the level of access to care that veterans deserve in VA and in the community, it is incumbent on you to reprioritize resources from non-patient care areas and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, not to unilaterally implement purported cost-savings measures that, even as an unintended consequence, decrease veteran choice and endanger veteran lives.\u201d\n\nBoozman and Moran were joined on the letter by Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Ted Budd (R-NC).\n\nRead the letter here and below.\n\nDear Secretary McDonough,\n\nWe write to you today to reaffirm veterans\u2019 right to community care and to urge you to quickly correct policy initiatives that are endangering the lives of veterans. Ten years ago, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suffered through a nationwide access to care crisis. Six years ago, the enactment of the MISSION Act expanded the ability of veterans to seek care in the community. For countless veterans, the convenience, accessibility, and control that community care offers is life-saving. In the years since the MISSION Act was enacted, the VA healthcare system has seen significant increases in enrollment, utilization, and reliance, as well as improvements in key measures of quality and veteran trust. However, a recent shift in strategy at VA is jeopardizing these significant gains for our veterans.\n\nIn January, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health, commissioned a panel (\u201cRed Team\u201d) to \u201cassess the trends and drivers of increasing community care spending.\u201d VA leaders \u2013 including yourself \u2013 addressed the Red Team and provided it with select data and briefings that contributed to the conclusion that frames community care as \u201ca potential existential threat\u201d to VA\u2019s direct care system, rather than the vital lifeline it is for veterans and for VA. Among the Red Team\u2019s recommendations are suggestions that VA save money by reducing community care referrals for veterans seeking emergency, oncology, and mental health care. Veterans in need of these services are among the most vulnerable and high-risk. It is unconscionable that VA would consider leaving them with fewer options to seek needed care.\n\nVA claims that the Red Team\u2019s work was independent, and that their findings are still under consideration. However, a dramatic increase in the number of reports from veterans and their family members, as well as from whistleblowers working in VA medical facilities, about administrative practices suggest that VA is already operating in accordance with the Red Team\u2019s recommendations. For example, in one recent case, VA cancelled the community care authorization of a veteran who had just two treatments left to complete a course of successful chemotherapy in his hometown. In another case, VA denied a veteran with a recurrence of cancer the opportunity to seek radiation and chemotherapy in the community, as he did during his previous cancer battle, following surgery that will leave him unable to communicate and without a means of transportation to-and-from his VA medical center.\n\nWe are also hearing from a number of veterans who had been receiving non-narcotic pain relief treatments outside of VA medical facilities who are now having their community care authorizations revoked. This appears to stem from another Red Team recommendation. Many of the veterans in this situation who have contacted our offices for help have been offered few alternatives in place of community care other than VA-provided opioid prescriptions. In one case, an opioid prescription was the only alternate treatment VA offered a veteran recovering from an addiction. This is contrary not just to law, veteran preference, and best medical interest but also to VA\u2019s Opioid Safety Initiative, which has a stated goal of decreasing opioid prescriptions among veterans and better utilizing non-narcotic methods of managing pain.\n\nIn line with these examples from veterans, VA whistleblowers have disclosed the establishment of burdensome processes to have VA medical center leaders highly scrutinize community care referrals in an effort to recapture care in VA medical facilities. Given that the VA healthcare system recently initiated a strategic hiring pause and is actively working to reduce staff by 10,000 employees, we share the concern expressed by these whistleblowers about the impact that increased reliance on VA\u2019s direct care system will have not just on wait times for veterans in need of care, but also on VA staff who are already being asked to do more with less. Independently, these policy goals are cause for concern. Together, they risk the welfare of veterans and VA\u2019s workforce.\n\nWe are also alarmed by the volume of concerns we are hearing from veterans and VA staff who attribute limitations on care in the community to a lack of funding for VA. You have assured us that VA has adequate funding and VA\u2019s most recent budget submission, for the second fiscal year in a row, did not request additional funding over the advance appropriations VA received in the last budget cycle. Yet, veterans and VA staff continue to assert that they are unable to move forward with community care referrals because of alleged budget shortfalls. Congress has never failed to provide VA with the resources required to fulfill its mission. Furthermore, VA data shows that community care is more cost-effective than VA\u2019s direct care system, with VA\u2019s projections of global relative value units (RVUs) showing an average cost of just $58 per RVU in the community compared to $116 per RVU in the direct care system. Regardless, if you believe that VA lacks the funding to provide the level of access to care that veterans deserve, in VA and in the community, it is incumbent on you to reprioritize resources from non-patient care areas and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, not to unilaterally implement purported cost-savings measures that, even as an unintended consequence, decrease veteran choice and endanger veteran lives.\n\nMany of the veterans who have shared their complaints with our offices are willing to do whatever it takes to continue accessing care in their communities. This includes paying out of pocket, even if they are on limited incomes. The MISSION Act was designed, in part, to avoid this unacceptable outcome. VA must embrace both the spirit and letter of that transformational piece of legislation to ensure this does not continue. Doing anything less is detrimental to the progress VA has made through the MISSION Act and a personal affront to veterans across the country.\n\nFor these reasons and more, we ask that you act without delay to refute the Red Team\u2019s recommendations and issue guidance and retraining materials to all VA staff reaffirming veterans\u2019 right to seek community care. Our nation\u2019s veterans are waiting.\n\nThank you for your attention to this matter.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E991C10E-E7D2-415B-939C-B306CB25F119", "Nashville Teen Serves as Senate Page", "2024-07-01", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u2013 Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts student Katherine Quintanilla traded in the scenes of the Hot Springs campus for the opportunity to navigate the corridors of the U.S. Capitol as a Senate Page this summer.\n\nQuintanilla served as one of 52 Senate Pages who prepared the U.S. Senate chamber for the day\u2019s business by distributing documents to senators\u2019 desks, assisting in the cloakrooms, supporting chamber staff, and \u2013 when Congress was in session \u2013 sitting near the dais waiting to help members delivering remarks or casting votes.\n\n\u201cIt was an honor and privilege to have been able to work as a Senate Page for Senator Boozman and represent the state of Arkansas. Never in my life did I think I would be able to see the inner workings of our government and interact with senators. Being able to witness firsthand potential legislation on the Senate floor was incredible and working on Capitol Hill was the experience of a lifetime,\u201d Quintanilla said.\n\nThe 17-year-old rising senior originally from Nashville, Arkansas earned her appointment to the position from U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR).\n\n\u201cKatherine did an excellent job supporting the day-to-day activity of the Senate and gained a rare perspective on the legislative process. I am hopeful this experience will inspire her to pursue a lifetime of civic engagement. Our entire state can be proud by her service and contributions to this prestigious program,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nQuintanilla is an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America and participated in Arkansas Girls State earlier this summer. She also founded the Syrian Emergency Task Force club at her school, which advocates for an end to the civil war in Syria and collaborates with other chapters in the state to promote humanitarian assistance for victims.\n\nKatherine is the daughter of Carlos and Berta Quintanilla.\n\nThe Senate Page program started in 1829 when Senator Daniel Webster appointed the first Senate Page. Today, the program is a unique, highly selective opportunity for high school juniors with a strong academic standing to learn firsthand about the institution often referred to as \u201cthe world\u2019s greatest deliberative body.\u201d\n\nSenate Page Katherine Quintanilla and Senator John Boozman", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-crawford-statement-on-scotus-decision-in-trump-v-united-states", "Rep. Crawford Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Trump v. United States", "2024-07-01", "2024", "2024-07", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nRep. Crawford Statement on SCOTUS Decision in Trump v. United States\n\n7/1/2024\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Representative Rick Crawford (AR-01) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States.", 1, "2026-06-27T20:01:11Z", "2026-06-27T22:32:16Z"], ["https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E1FB7295-8C9D-4FCF-B340-00DFEB5A952F", "Boozman Congratulates Summer Interns on Service to Arkansas", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "John Boozman", "B001236", "www.boozman.senate.gov", "boozman", "https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer.\n\n\u201cThese sharp and motivated students have been a great help to the people of Arkansas during their time in Washington. I appreciate their dedication to helping my staff address issues concerning Arkansans and providing vital services. They truly have taken advantage of the unique opportunities available to them in our nation\u2019s capital,\u201d Boozman said.\n\nHadley Burke, Anna Kate Davis, Kate Edelen, Katie Gage, Buddy Gaston, Alex Holder, Camryn Hughes, Hunter Ross and Sydney Roulhac completed a five-week internship in Boozman\u2019s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.\n\nConnor Ragan interned in the senator\u2019s Lowell office where he supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans.\n\nHadley Burke is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2021. She is a rising senior studying economics and political science at the University of Arkansas Honors College. Hadley serves on the Associated Student Government executive board and is a member of her sorority Chi Omega Psi. She studied abroad in London, Spain and the Galapagos Islands.\n\nAnna Kate Davis is from Little Rock and graduated high school in 2021 from the Baptist Preparatory School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying agricultural business with a pre-law emphasis and is pursuing minors in Spanish and legal studies. On campus, she is involved in the Agricultural Business Club, the Honors College, Bumpers College Peer Mentor Program, Greekwide Student Ministries and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Anna Kate plans to attend law school after her May 2025 graduation.\n\nKate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.\n\nKatie Gage is from Charleston. She is a 2021 graduate of Charleston High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she is studying finance and legal studies. She serves on the executive board of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and holds many leadership positions on campus. After graduating, Katie plans on attending law school.\n\nBuddy Gaston is from Little Rock where he graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where he is studying agricultural business with a marketing and management concentration. Upon graduation, Buddy plans to attend law school.\n\nAlex Holder is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy. She is studying finance and accounting at Texas Christian University, with plans to attend law school after graduation. She is involved in leadership in the Neeley School of Business, Student Government Association and Alpha Delta Pi.\n\nCamryn Hughes is from Crossett and graduated from Hamburg High School in 2019. She is a May 2024 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. During her time in Fayetteville, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She recently accepted a job as press assistant for Senator Tom Cotton in his Washington, D.C. office.\n\nConnor Ragan is from Rogers. He is a 2022 graduate of Rogers High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where he is studying political science and criminology with a legal studies minor. He is an active member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu and of the UA Order of Omega Chapter. After graduation, Connor plans to attend law school.\n\nHunter Ross, is from Greenbrier. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in May with a degree in business administration in business economics. He will return to Fayetteville in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Hunter is also a proud member of the Arkansas Air National Guard where he serves as a drill status intelligence analyst at the 188th Wing in Fort Smith.\n\nSydney Roulhac is a native of Pine Bluff and a 2021 graduate of White Hall High School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where she is studying communication with a minor in marketing. On campus, she serves on the Associated Student Government Executive Council as the Student Body Secretary and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Order of Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.\n\nLearn more about internship opportunities in Boozman\u2019s Washington and state offices here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:24:47Z"], ["https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-applauds-scotus-decision-ruling-biden-doj-overstepped-in-charging-january-6-defendants", "Cotton Applauds SCOTUS Decision Ruling Biden DOJ Overstepped in Charging January 6 Defendants", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Republican", "Senate", "AR", "Tom Cotton", "C001095", "www.cotton.senate.gov", "cotton", "https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353\n\nJune 28, 2024\n\nCotton Applauds SCOTUS Decision Ruling Biden DOJ Overstepped in Charging January 6 Defendants\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement after the Supreme Court decided to limit obstruction charges against January 6 defendants. Senator Cotton led 22 of his congressional colleagues in filing an amicus brief opposing the Department of Justice\u2019s overreach:\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s decision is a victory against the Biden Administration\u2019s abuse of power. The Department of Justice stretched a law in a way more befitting a banana republic than America. This Administration tolerates violent crime and an open border, but they manipulated a statute to imprison grandmas anywhere near the Capitol on January 6. I was proud to lead the amicus brief and commend the Court for its decision.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases/steel-caucus-voices-concerns-of-potential-trade-status-change-for-vietnam", "Steel Caucus Voices Concerns of Potential Trade Status Change for Vietnam", "2024-06-27", "2024", "2024-06", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Eric A. \"Rick\" Crawford", "C001087", "crawford.house.gov", "crawford", "https://crawford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov)\n\nSteel Caucus Voices Concerns of Potential Trade Status Change for Vietnam\n\n6/27/2024\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 37 Bipartisan Members of the Congressional Steel Caucus, led by Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) and Vice Chairman Frank Mrvan (IN-01) sent a letter to the secretary of commerce, Gina Raimondo, expressing concern about the department's reconsideration of Vietnam's non-market economy (NME) status in U.S. antidumping proceedings.\n\nAs the letter points out, Vietnam remains a top-down, government-controlled economy. The country practices steel dumping by flooding the U.S. with heavily subsidized steel in violation of international trade standards, which harms domestic production. Vietnam is also known to be a platform for Chinese steel to circumvent U.S. trade remedy orders. This malicious behavior should not be rewarded by a beneficial change of status.\n\nIn October, the Department of Commerce announced that it would begin reviewing Vietnam's NME status. This announcement came shortly after Vietnam filed an official request to be considered a market economy. Commerce has 270 days to complete the review, which should occur in mid-July.\n\n\"Vietnam has been injuring the American steel industry for years through unfair trade practices. Our government has a duty to protect American businesses and workers, and the Department of Commerce must reject Vietnam's request. To grant Vietnam market economy status would be rewarding bad behavior and is a thumb in the eye to American steel,\" Rep. Crawford said.\n\n\"The livelihoods of steelworkers and their families are dependent upon the full and fair enforcement of our U.S. trade laws, and we must do all we can to hold bad actors around the world accountable for unfair trade practices. As vice chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I look forward to continuing to partner with all my colleagues to ensure that workers in steel-producing communities throughout our nation can compete on a level playing field,\" said Rep. Mrvan.\n\n\"The SMA applauds the Congressional Steel Caucus for highlighting the devastating effect that granting Vietnam market economy status would have on American workers and American steel production. America's industrial might relies on fair trade. If countries such as Vietnam, which has turned into one of the most harmful steel traders in the world, are granted market economy status, that puts American jobs and livelihoods at risk. It also destroys secure domestic supply chains in favor of countries that only succeed through government intervention or serving as a key cog in China's belt and road initiative. We stand with the bipartisan members of the Congressional Steel Caucus in calling for Vietnam not to be granted market economy status,\" said Philip K. Bell, President of the Steel Manufacturers Association.\n\n\"As China continues to utilize Indo-Pacific markets to undercut American steel tariffs, STI/SPFA stands in strong support of the Congressional Steel Caucus' letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo urging the reconsideration of Vietnam as a 'market economy,'\" Tim O'Toole, executive director of the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabrication Association (STI/SPFA), said. \"By legitimizing Vietnam's government-controlled economy that relies on aggressive subsidies to finance its steel marketplace, the Commerce Department would send a signal that developing countries can follow in Vietnam's footsteps by dumping steel products into the United States and subsequently preventing domestic steel manufacturers across the supply chain from competing on a level playing field. We appreciate Representative Mrvan and Representative Crawford's leadership on this issue and look forward to working with the Steel Caucus to continue pushing back against efforts to undercut American-made steel,\" said Tim O'Toole, executive vice president of STI/SPFA.\n\nThe letter is also supported by the following groups: Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports (CPTI), Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), United Steel Workers (USW), Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), and the Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/westerman-wrda-priorities-advance-house-floor", "WESTERMAN WRDA PRIORITIES ADVANCE TO HOUSE FLOOR", "2024-06-26", "2024", "2024-06", "Republican", "House", "AR", "Bruce Westerman", "W000821", "westerman.house.gov", "westerman", "https://westerman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup to advance the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024.\n\nCongressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cThe 2024 Water Resources Development Act is bipartisan, comprehensive policy compiled of locally driven initiatives to address the unique water infrastructure needs of communities nationwide. I was proud to secure key maintenance and development provisions to strengthen our supply chain, increase emergency readiness, and support outdoor water recreation in Arkansas. I commend Chairmen Graves and Rouzer and Ranking Members Larsen and Napolitano for their collaborative approach to this year\u2019s WRDA, and I look forward to advancing this critical bill through the House Floor.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nThe Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 is biennial, bipartisan legislation that supports the viability, effectiveness, and conservation of waterways for commercial and recreational use.\n\nWesterman secured the following policy priorities in the 2024 WRDA:\n\nPhase in a new retention structure at outdoor recreation sites managed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to ensure fees remain at local sites rather than held up by federal bureaucratic red tape.\n\nEncourage restored access to recreational access at Lake Dardanelle for snag fishing.\n\nGuarantee Arkansas has dredge access when needed most by ensuring the Dredge McFarland and its subsequent replacement stay in \u201cready reserve\u201d status to assist in emergency events.\n\nExtend the Independent External Peer Review Program to continue improving the quality and efficiency of project planning at the U.S. Corps of Engineers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 269, "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": "2024"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 269, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=AR&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 216, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}, {"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 53, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "AR", "label": "AR", "count": 269, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "2024", "label": "2024", "count": 269, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2024-06-26,https~3A~2F~2Fwesterman~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fwesterman-wrda-priorities-advance-house-floor", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=AR&year=2024&_next=2024-06-26%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwesterman~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fwesterman-wrda-priorities-advance-house-floor&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 171.65276128798723, "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"}